September 2023

Welcome to Hands On!  School starts Wednesday, September 6th and we are very excited to see you!

First Day of School

Our first day of school is Wednesday, September 6th.

Drop-off and check-in for morning preschool begins at 8:45 AM. Afternoon preschool starts 1 PM and ends at 3:30 PM.    Drop-off begins at 12:45 PM for the afternoon class.
Your child should bring a water bottle and a lunch from home each day. Afternoon preschoolers can bring a snack, or lunch, along with their water bottle. Cloth, steel, or any non-breakable food containers are the best for preschoolers as glass containers break too often. Many water bottles, lunch boxes and coats look the same, please have your child’s name on their things. It is also a good idea to leave an extra set of clothes at school, and bring 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.

Some children have a hard time saying goodbye. For these kids it seems to work the best to say goodbye quickly reminding them you will be back after lunch, or snack in the afternoons. Pick up time is 12:30 and 3:30 each day.  If your child is having a really hard time transitioning we will let you know, and if it helps to send along a favorite toy or stuffed animal, that is OK!

Teachers

This year we have 10 teachers in the classroom, along with 4 enrichment teachers, musicians and early intervention specialists visiting each week.  You will receive a class list, names of students and parents, as well as email contact information for all families and teachers. In our next newsletter we will introduce you to all the teachers and adults in our classroom.

Drop-Off

Our classes will start each day on the playground.  You are welcome to connect with other parents/caregivers in the parking lot before and after school, afternoon preschool families are welcome to play on the playground after school.

Pick-Up

You will pick up your children from the same location in the parking lot as you checked them in.  If we are not on the playground, there will me a message on the easel on where to find us, or if pick-up is in the classroom.
With morning and afternoon preschool classes, it is really important adults be on time for pick-up. If your child is not picked up on time, you will be charged a late fee of $15 for the first 15 minutes,  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.  You can always text us, 503.422.0153 to let us know a change in your pick-up plan.

Drop-in Days

You may add an occasional drop in day if there is space.  The best way to check for availability is to text, or email, Jennifer, or look at the drop-in calendar that is located in the classroom. Drop-in days and credits will show up on the invoices following the month of use. A drop-in day is $40 for the morning and $30 for the afternoon class. Credits are $35 for morning and $25 for the afternoon.
If Hands On is closed due to extreme weather you will receive a make-up day.  We follow PPS in deciding when to close.  If PPS is closed, or opening late due to extreme weather, Hands On will be closed.  You will get a make up day or a credit.

Important Dates

Please see our academic calendar for a glance at the entire school year. Music classes and special guests will be announced each month.

September

• Tuesday, September 5th –
  Parents, caregivers and children visit between 10 AM and 1 PM to play on the playground, see your classroom, make new friends and meet your teachers.  When you arrive, check-in near the playground.
• Wednesday, September 6th –
  First day of school, 9 AM, Drop-off begins at 8:45 AM for morning class.
  First day of school, 1 PM, Drop-off begins at 12:45 PM for afternoon class.
•  18th-Enrichment classes begin
• 19th-Music with Jessa Campbell
• 27th-Music with World Fusion Events, artist TBD

October

• 6th & 10th-Talk About Trees Forestry Program
• 9th-NO SCHOOL, Indigenous Peoples’ Day
• 17th & 18th-School Pictures
• 19th-Music with World Fusion Events, artist TBD
• 31st-Halloween Dance Party, all families invited.  Morning class 11:45-12;30, afternoon class 1-1:45 PM.
  

Visiting Artists, Musicians and Special Guests

Hands On Art & Play works with many artists and musicians to build a well rounded and diverse music program for our students each week. All students are automatically enrolled, the days of the class vary to make sure everyone gets a chance to participate. The fee for this program is $125 a year and includes all classes from September to May. The fee will be added to your October invoice  We are excited to have these guest join our class in September and October!

Jessa Campbell
From her home in Portland, Oregon, Jessa Campbell writes upbeat, danceable, STEM- and ecology-based songs that are inspired by the musical tastes of her own children and informed by the styles of the adult bands with which she regularly performs.
https://jessacampbellsaplings.com/

World Fusion Events and THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC SERIES FOR CHILDREN
World Fusion Events is an Artist Management and Events Company dedicated to providing cross-cultural arts education as well as immersion entertainment experiences through the cultivation of innovative promotion, presentation and preservation of culturally significant artists based here in the United States and international markets. We foster connections and dialogue through dance, music, stories and the arts from various Latin countries and our neighbors from other countries – a cultural collaboration! We are building bridges.
Our Children’s Language of Music Series opens doors to music and culture by bringing together the best teaching artists for a fascinating learning experience. Our programs are tailored for Pre-school age to High School age students. We currently offer our program at pre-school, middle school and high school age children./

Talk About Trees
Talk About Trees is an interactive, science-based program for pre-school through eighth grade students. Programs are presented by experienced facilitators and offered free to classrooms throughout Oregon. To encourage awareness and appreciation for the value of trees and forests in our daily lives; and to encourage an understanding about the protection, management and conservation of the renewable forest. https://www.talkabouttrees.us/

Pictures with Douglas Frierott
Douglas is a former Hands On parent and photographer.  He takes a portrait of each child, as well as our class pictures each year. You have the option to purchase the photos, and bring along siblings.https://www.douglasfrierott.com/inde

Enrichment Classes

All of the the enrichment classes begin the week of September 18th. 
Hands On partners with local children’s programs to offer enrichment classes after/before school.  This year we are pleased to offer classes Monday-Friday. Each class is 45 minutes. These classes are optional, and you may join in the fall, winter or spring. Children enrolled in the afternoon preschool will join the enrichment classes starting at noon, and children attending morning preschool will stay until 1:30.  You can learn more about these programs at our visiting day in September, checking out their websites or by contacting the programs directly. Often these classes fill up quickly as the maximum amount of kids is smaller than our class size, so don’t wait too long!  If there is additional space in the class, children that do not attend Hands On for are welcome to join. Make sure to sign up for the appropriate time, morning kids sign up for 12:45-1:30, afternoon kids sign up for noon-12:45.

Mondays

 The Independent Dance Project – https://www.idppdx.com

September 18-Decemebrer 11- $195 for 12 class session

*No class October 9, November 20

In hip hop/tumbling class, offered by The Independent Dance Project, students will learn the fundamentals of hip hop 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!
Register here, create a parent account and enroll your child. https://dancestudio-pro.com/online/index.php?account_id=3102

Email indiedancepdx@gmail.com with questions!

Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Spanish with Portland Early Learning

September 19 & 20

*No class November 22 & 23

Contact Jennifer to get the link to register for the class, or  contact
PortlandEarlyLearning

Thursdays

NW Children’s Theater

September 21-December 14-Please email Jennifer to sign up for this class, jennifer@handsonartandplay.com.

$195 for 12 class session  *No class November 23rd

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

Embodied Feelings! With McKinley Hughes

September 22-December 15th. 

$145, 9 classes, No classes 10/13, 11/3,11/10,11/24

Please email Jennifer to sign up for this class, jennifer@handsonartandplay.com.

Embodied Feelings: This class is an opportunity for students to explore their emotions through storytelling, physical movement, and theatre games. Students will learn to identify different feelings, learn different ways to express them, and practice relating to one another’s emotions through creativity, imagination, and play. 

McKinley is a professional actor, musician and goof ball extraordinaire! She has been working in arts education for the past decade. She is currently continuing her education by earning a masters degree in drama therapy. McKinley is extremely passionate about using theatre as a tool to for self expression and emotional healing. In all of her classes, McKinley strives to cultivate a learning environment where kiddos are encouraged to be brave, get silly, and have fun!

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 have any questions, please contact Jennifer.
Download the Immunization form here.

October School Pictures

School pictures will be taken in October 17th and 18th.  Douglas Frierott is a former Hands On parent and has enjoyed taking our class pictures for the last few years.  They are great, you can see some examples in our classroom as well as at http://www.douglasfrierott.com
We will start photos in the morning and children will have their individual pictures taken and we will also do class photo each day. You do not have to purchase the photos, but if you do please bring a check for Douglas the day of photos.  A 5 x 7 class picture is $25. For $35 you get the class picture and a 5 x 7 print of your child.  Photos will be emailed to you so you can choose the one you want him to print.  Digital files will also be available.  Please let us know if you would like to have your child’s siblings photos taken, as well. If your child does not attend school on school picture day, you can still join us for photos.

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.