Happy New Year!
We hope everyone enjoyed the holiday vacation. We are ready to welcome 2023!
Thank you to everyone that contributed supplies for Family Promise. Our students felt proud to contribute items to help our community.
January 2023
Themes this month:
- Alaska
- Balto, the sled dog
- Polar Animals
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
This month we will learn about Martin Luther King Jr., and our students will have the opportunity to engage in discussions about kindness, equity and peace. Hands On deeply values equity and inclusion, and we want to create a safe space for our kids to think about how our school and our community can learn from MLK Jr. and his work.
Every January we also learn about Balto the sled dog. If you don’t know the story of Balto, I am sure your kids will tell you all about it. Our students get really interested in his story and love acting it out. The last few years, the story of Balto is particularly relevant as we deal with this ongoing pandemic and the need for vaccines.
Along with Balto, we will learn about Alaska and polar animals. We are excited to share a science experiment with the class to help us learn how polar animals stay warm in the cold.
During circle time we will work on learning the names of our parents, our addresses and begin writing letters. Please bring in a stamped envelope, with your(parents) name and address on the envelope. Keep an eye out for something special delivered by mail in early February.
January
Monday, Jan. 2-No School-New Year Holiday
Monday, Jan. 16th – No school – Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday
Friday, Jan. 27th-No School-Teacher Planning day
Friday, Jan. 27th-11 AM to 1 PM-Preschool Open House. Registration for new families opens.
February
Monday & Tuesday, February 13th & 14th- Valentine’s Day Party-Each Class will celebrate Valentine’s Day. More information to come!
Monday, Feb. 20 – No school – Presidents’ Day
Parent/Teacher conferences –
We love spending our days with the students, but often pick up time is busy and we may not get to talk with parents as much as we wish we could. Parent/Teacher conferences are a great time to catch up! This year, dates will be available in February, if you would like to meet with the teachers. It is totally optional, but is a great time to ask questions and celebrate your child’s accomplishments. Look for a sign up sheet mid-January at the check-in table for February conferences. Conferences can be in-person, or virtual.
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.
Games
We had fun playing so many games in December! Playing games can improve a child’s abilities to plan, organize, get along with others, and regulate emotions. It also helps with language, math and social skills. Plus, games are fun!
Summer Camps and Fall Preschool Registration
Can you believe it is almost time to register for next fall and summer camps? New families interested in learning more about Hands On can join us for our open house on Friday, January 27th between 11 AM and 1 PM. We also have monthly tours for families unable to make it to the open house.
Fall 2023 preschool registration materials will be available online January 17th. Hands On will accept registrations from current families (younger siblings included) on January 17th,and will begin accepting new students for fall and summer on January 27th. New students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Please register early to get your first choice of days.
Winter Enrichment Classes
Monday
Hip Hop Tumbling
In hip hop/tumbling classes, offered by The Independent Dance Project, students will learn the fundamentals of dance isolations, rhythm, and tumbling through games, play, and fun. With music and movements dancers will develop strength, coordination, and confidence with a fun performance at the end of the session! To register go to their registration site here, create a parent account and enroll your child. Email indiedancepdx@gmail.com with questions!
Tuesdays & Wednesdays
Spanish with Portland Early Learning, *Children can attend 1 or 2 days
January 2th-March 21 -Contact PELP for prices
–PELPHandsOnPoster 2021
- Click on above link for poster to register for classes. If you have any questions, please contact
Kathi@PortlandEarlyLearning.com
Thursdays
NW Children’s Theater – January 5-March 23th-Please email Jennifer to sign up for this class, jennifer@handsonartandplay.com.
$180 for 12 class session
First Stage classes are specially designed for ages three to six years old. Children will explore theater through music, movement and storytelling with an emphasis on physical and emotional self-expression. First Stage teachers use role-playing and improvisation techniques to act out fairy tales and other stories. These classes promote a love for the performing arts and nurture creative energy while supporting developmental milestones, including: Confidence • Self-expression • Critical thinking Cooperation • Social Skills • Imagination • Motor skills
Fridays
Colds, flu and sickness, Oh MY!
It is the season of germs!
If your child has a runny nose–Keep them home until they are 24 hours symptom free.
If your child a fever, or cough, please test them for COVID. Keep them home 10 days if covid positive. If a child tests negative, they may return 24 hours after resolution of cough and fever without the use of fever-reducing medication.
If a child has symptoms of diarrhea, vomiting, headache, sore throat, or rash, they may return 24 hours after resolution of symptoms.
See you soon!