Hands On
Art and Play
[dt_sc_hr_medium]
Hands On Art and Play is excited to be celebrating our 18th school year! Hands On started in my home with 6 children, my youngest daughter included. We have added a few more teachers over the years and moved into classroom space in a neighborhood church then finally settled into this space about 10 years ago. Teacher Kathy joined us in 2003 and this will be Teacher Julie’s 13th year at Hands On. Last year Teacher Sarah joined us and this year we are happy to introduce to you Teacher Jillian. All 5 of us are looking forward to a new school year!
It is wonderful to see how Hands On has grown from a small 2 day a week class to morning and afternoon preschool programs, summer camps, afterschool arts classes and a wonderful community. Last year we had 54 students in our programs.
As our oldest graduates are now turning 21 years old, we are excited to welcome our new class of students and families.
Hands On is looking forward to a great school year!
Teacher Jillian
Dear Parents,
Hello! My name is Jillian, and I am excited to start this new school year at Hands On Art and Play!
I graduated in 2015 from California State University Northridge with my Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development. I have held the positions of both assistant and lead preschool teacher. In college, I worked aside an amazing lead teacher in a wonderful preschool classroom. Just three years ago, I worked as a Recreation Leader at my town’s community center, which was similar to being a lead teacher. I taught a preschool class for children ages 2-4 and it was such a fun experience!
I love working with young children because I really value the connection I get to form with them. I think children are incredibly sweet, compassionate, kind, and loving. These are qualities that I value not only in myself but in those I surround myself with.
I am looking forward to a fun school year with your children as well as getting to learn so much from the wonderful teachers here at Hands On Art and Play!
Sincerely, Miss Jillian
Back to School!
Tuesday, September 4th –
Parents, caregivers and children drop in anytime between 10 AM and noon to see your classroom, make new friends and meet your teachers.
Wednesday, September 5th –
First day of the school year. School begins at 9 am.
First Day of School
Our first day of school is Wednesday, September 5. School begins at 9 AM and ends at 12:30. Please walk your children in and help them find their cubby, coat hook, and own name to put in the basket. Children can then get started on a table activity. You are welcome to work with your children at the table for a few minutes to help them get settled. Some children have a
hard time saying goodbye, but it seems to work the best to say goodbye and that you will be back after lunch. Pick up time is 12:30 each day.
Please make sure your child has a water bottle and a lunch from home each day. Cloth, steel, or any non-breakable food containers are the best for preschoolers as glass containers break too often.
It is also a good idea to have an extra set of clothes to leave at school, and a coat or sweater for outside play. We play outside every day, even in the rain, so feel free to leave boots or gloves in your child’s cubby.
September Tuition and Billing
Your first tuition payment is due no later than September 1. This will secure your child’s space in the preschool. If you need to make special payment arrangements, email Jennifer.
All other tuition payments are due by the 1st of each month and late after the 5th. You will be charged a $25 late fee if you haven’t paid by the 5th. A $25 return check fee will be applied to all returned checks.
The tuition is an annual fee made up of nine equal monthly payments. Our school year runs September 5 to May 24. Holidays are already calculated into the tuition structure so you are not paying for days we do not have school.
All students attending Tuesdays and Wednesdays mornings will be charged a one-time fee of $125 for the music program. The music fee can be divided into two payments, one in September and the other in January. Children enrolled in the afternoon preschool on Tuesday or Thursday will be part of the dance and yoga classes at no additional charge.
Afternoon Classes
Hands On partners with other local children’s programs to offer art enrichment classes after school. You don’t have to be enrolled in our preschool program to attend these classes. This year we are pleased to offer dance on Mondays and Tuesday, Spanish on Wednesdays and yoga on Thursdays. You can sign up and learn more about these programs on their websites.
Rachael Brown Dance (Mondays & Tuesdays) –
Spanish with Portland Early Learning (Wednesdays) –
Yoga Playgrounds (Thursdays) –
Early Drop Off
Early care, 8:30-9AM , will be billed at a rate of $5 per use and is billed the following month after use. Children attending 4 or 5 days of school a week may drop off early free of charge.
Late Pick Up
Pick-up time from morning preschool is 12:30. If your child is not picked up by 12:35 PM, you will be charged a late fee. $15 for the first 15 minutes you are late and $40 if you are later than 15 minutes. If you are 15 minutes late teachers will begin calling your emergency contact numbers to arrange for someone to pick up your child.
Drop In Days and Credits
Drop in days and credits will show up on the invoices following the month of use. A drop in day is $40. A day credit is $35.
If Hands On is closed due to bad weather you will receive a make-up day. Look at our school calendar by the cubbies to see our drop in day and credit calendar.
Immunization Form
Oregon law states that all children in school or day care (including preschool and Head Start) must have the required immunizations or a medical or religious exemption. Here is a link to the immunization form for you to print, fill out and bring to school. If you are a returning family, the forms will be available the first week of school to add any updates.
If you have any questions, please contact Jennifer.
Download the Immunization form here.
See You Soon!
We are all very excited to start another great year of preschool!
Please feel free to call or email us with any questions you have before the beginning of the school year.