December
Winter Holidays 2024
Throughout November and December we are learning about families and holidays. We will share stories about how each of us celebrates with our family. We will learn about several winter holidays and play games, sing songs and do craft projects. If you have a tradition, song, or project you would like to share with our students, we would love to hear from you. We are helping our students learn that there are many people in our world and many different beliefs and holiday celebrations. Even though holidays have different names and meanings, most are celebrated with a gathering of friends and family, special foods, and sometimes gift giving. Our students have enjoyed making gifts to take home to their families.
Hands On will be closed from December 21st-January 5th for winter vacation. Our first day back to school will be Monday, January 6th.
Fall and Summer Registration
Our open house for new and interested families is Monday, January, 27th, from 10 AM to 1 PM. Help us spread the word!
Registration for fall 2025 preschool and summer camps begin in January. Current families, including siblings, will have first choice of days, and may register beginning January 1st. Registration forms will be available online January 1st. To secure your child’s space for fall 2025 preschool, please email, or bring in a hard copy, of your registration form. A non-refundable fee of $50, and your child’s first month tuition (refundable before Aug. 15th) is due upon registration. You may pay with a check, or we can send an invoice for online payments.
Summer camp information and registration will also be available January 1st. This year we will have 12 weeks of camp, and our camps will be a little bit longer. Most camps are Monday through Thursday, 9 to 1 PM. More information to come!
Circle Time News
This month we are learning about coins and how to count them. The complexities of the problems depend on the age group of the children. For example, some children may count the coins and begin learning to identify them. Other children are learning the value of each coin. Our math problems could be something like, “How many coins do you have on your tray? What kind of coins are they? How much are those coins worth? We have candy canes for sale for 2 cents each, how many will you be able to buy? “ This project is no doubt very exciting, and on the last day of class the children will use our coins and “buy” their own candy cane!
Plus, we’ve been singing a jaunty little tune to help us remember the names of the coins and their value. Ask your child to sing it!
“One cent is a penny, a nickel is five, ten cents makes a dime, and a quarter is 25. 100 cents makes a dollar, now let out a holler, you are a dollar scholar! Hooray!”
Outside Play
We love to play outside every day and we do so even when it is wet and cold. Most days each class will start and end on the playground, even during the winter. We may spend less time outside but please send a coat to school with your child each day and remember hats and mittens too. Please add your children’s names so we can help them find their things. It is also a great idea to leave extra clothes in case they need to change clothes during the day. If your child has summer clothes as back-ups, this is a good time to swap them out to something warmer.
Snow Days
We follow Portland Public Schools’ decisions regarding snow days, if PPS is closed, or opening late, due to weather, Hands On will be closed. If Hands On closes because of weather, we will let you know as soon as possible by sending an email, updating our phone message and website. If we have to close we will close for the whole school day, both morning and afternoon.
You will be offered make up days for each day Hands On is closed due to weather. Our snow day make-up days are May 27, 28, and 29th.
Immunization Forms
Oregon law states that all children in school or day care (including preschool and Head Start) must have the required immunizations or an exemption. Here is a link to the immunization form for you to print, fill out and bring to school. Immunization forms are due in January.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer.
Download the Immunization form here.
See you soon!
