Hands On
Art and Play
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Hands On Art and Play is excited to be celebrating our 19th 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 16 years ago. Teacher Kathy joined us in 2003 and this will be Teacher Julie’s 14th year at Hands On. This year we are excited to have Margo and Andrew join. They have been teaching together for several years at a different school and 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.
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!
Back to School!
Tuesday, September 3rd –
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 4th –
First day of the school year. School begins at 9 am.
First Day of School
Our first day of school is Wednesday, September 4th. 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.
Many water bottles, lunch boxes and coats look the same, please have your child’s name on their things.
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 4 to May 22. 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 in October of $125 for the music program. The music fee can be divided into two payments, one in October and the other in January. Students in the afternoon preschool have the option of paying the $125 music fee and joining the music class every other Tuesday.
Afternoon Classes
Hands On partners with other local children’s programs to offer enrichment classes after school. This year we are pleased to offer Northwest Children’s Theater on Monday, Soccer Shots on Tuesday, Spanish with Portland early Learning on Wednesday and yoga with Yoga Playgrounds on Thursday. You can sign up and learn more about these programs on their websites.
Monday-Northwest Children’s Theater-sign up directly with Hands On
Tuesday-Soccer Shots
Wednesday-Spanish with Portland Early Learning
Thursday-Yoga Playgrounds
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 on time, 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.