Springtime is here! We are having an excellent year and summer is fast approaching. Please, let us know your summer plans, and any vacations you may be having so that we can make staffing arrangements for the summer.
Pictures should have been returned by now. If you have not yet paid for pictures and/or sent back your portrait sheets, they need to be turned in immediately!!
We are excited to be rolling out a new program this month. It is called Tadpoles. You will be able to get your child’s daily reports emailed to you along with pictures daily. We will be spending this month getting prepared for the launch of the new system. We will be taking pictures of all parents, children, and authorized pick ups to upload into the new system. We will send out more information as we update this process.
VPK will be sponsoring a Bake Sale this Friday, April 8th. All proceeds will go to our annual VPK prom! Cash only!!!
We will be hosting Muffins with Mom on Friday, May 6th. Moms can enjoy a special snack in the morning drop off with their child.
Savory Sweets Cookie Dough Fundraiser
Reminder!!! Cookie Dough Fundraiser is due on April 8th!!!
Thank you for your participation in the Art to Remember fundraiser! Orders will be delivered in the month of May! You will be contacted as soon as they arrive!
Thank you for such a successful book fair!!! With your donations and purchases each classroom received over $100 worth of books!!! The gift of reading is such a great gift to give children! Thank you all so much for participating!!
Wacky Wednesday
4/13-Favorite Story Book Character Day
VPK enrollment is ongoing now for the fall. Please, make sure to get your VPK certificates in as spaces are limited and filling up fast!
Graduation information is being sent home with order forms for caps & gowns. Graduation will take place at the Sagemont School Lower Campus in Weston. Graduation will be on Thursday, June 9th, at 4:00pm. Children are to arrive at 3:30pm dressed in their caps and gowns and ready to start.
Next month on Thursday, May 26th we will be celebrating Red Nose Day. Red Nose Day is a campaign dedicated to helping children and having fun. Proceeds benefit children and young people in the US and some of the poorest communities in the world. Purchase your red nose from your local Walgreens store and join a national event to help fight child poverty. This will be in place of our May Wacky Wednesday.
Linking Learning with Nature
Spring is here! Flowers are blooming, days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Now is a great time for children to explore these environmental changes happening in the world around them.
Not only are children curious about nature, but research shows that it has a profound influence on their problem solving skills, creativity, imagination and cognitive ability. Because of this, our teachers incorporate nature in all aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum.
Below are ways we connect learning with nature, as well as activities you can do with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
In the classroom: After reading a book about springtime, teachers bring children outdoors to explore and investigate objects in nature. The children have fun crumbling leaves, smelling flowers and looking at clouds.
At home: Take tummy time outdoors and allow your infant to explore different sights, sounds and textures. Encourage him to move and grab things by placing objects just beyond his reach. For toddlers, ask questions like, “Who made that chirping sound” or “Can you point to the flowers?”
Recommended reading:Wake Up! Wake Up! A Springtime Lift-the-Flap Book by Kathryn Davis, Welcome Spring by Little Scholastic
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginners read books about seasonal changes, then bring the story to life by going outdoors to find real-world examples.
At home: Help make your child aware of the seasonal changes going on around him. Talk a walk with him and ask questions such as “Why do we see flowers growing now?” or “What do flowers need in order to grow?” Encourage him to use his creativity when answering.
Recommended reading:Over in the Meadow by Olive Wadsworth, Mouse’s First Spring by Lauren Thompson
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Students plant seeds in their school garden and learn about the importance of caring for them. Through this activity, they practice math skills such as measuring, sorting, counting and making predictions.
At home: Set up a bird feeder outside a window that your child can easily see. Let him help you fill it with birdfeed. As the birds come to eat, ask your child to talk about them. “What color are they?” “Are they big or small?” “What are they doing?”
Recommended reading:Little Seed by Eric Carle, Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Pre-K and Pre-K 2 students explore the sounds they hear in nature while playing outdoors. They then use recycled and natural materials, such as string and pine cones, to make their own wind chime.
At home: Reuse junk mail for a fun arts and crafts activity with your child. Encourage him to look through flyers and magazines to find words and pictures that he recognizes. Then, ask him to create a collage by cutting and gluing them to a piece of paper or poster board.
Recommended reading: And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, About Springtime, Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
We provide many opportunities for our preschoolers to think creatively and imaginatively about the world around them. By setting this foundation, children build confidence in their own unique thoughts and maintain a thirst for learning as they enter elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
The purpose of our sick policy is to reduce the spread of illness among our students and to encourage full recuperation of sick children before they return to school. We depend on parents to assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all of our children.
Sick Policy:
Children may be sent home if they have any concerning symptoms. In addition, a child must be free of all of these symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can return to school. These symptoms include:
- A Fever of 100 degrees or more
- Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period
- Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period
- Symptoms of a communicable disease
- Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/ herself
Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that illness is not contagious. (A doctor’s clearance may be requested.) Please help us keep all of our children healthy by following these rules. If you have any questions or concerns please let us know. Thank you for your support!
TUITION:
We have seen a recent increase in families missing tuition payment deadlines. We really must collect tuition in a timely manner to meet our financial obligations. Please remember that tuition is due the 1st business day of every week. Accounts not paid in full by 12:00pm the second business day of every week are subject to late fees. If tuition is not paid in full your child may not attend until the balance is paid in full. Failure to comply with tuition policies will result in a notice of dis-enrollment. If you’d like to sign up for our ACH program, which automatically pulls your weekly tuition from the account of your choice the 1st business day of every week, just let us know and we will get you signed up.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FEES:
If your child is signed up to attend a specific enrichment program, the monthly fee must be paid in full the first week of every month or your child may not attend the second week. Please understand, we are obligated to pay our physical fitness vendors in a timely manner for their services. Credits will not be issued for missed classes due to absence or non-payment.
Summer will be here before you know it…
Check out what we have planned for summer 2016 under programs tab/camp.
Reserve your child’s space NOW!
Camp Calendars are now available!!
April News
April Newsletter
Springtime is here! We are having an excellent year and summer is fast approaching. Please, let us know your summer plans, and any vacations you may be having so that we can make staffing arrangements for the summer.
Pictures should have been returned by now. If you have not yet paid for pictures and/or sent back your portrait sheets, they need to be turned in immediately!!
We are excited to be rolling out a new program this month. It is called Tadpoles. You will be able to get your child’s daily reports emailed to you along with pictures daily. We will be spending this month getting prepared for the launch of the new system. We will be taking pictures of all parents, children, and authorized pick ups to upload into the new system. We will send out more information as we update this process.
VPK will be sponsoring a Bake Sale this Friday, April 8th. All proceeds will go to our annual VPK prom! Cash only!!!
We will be hosting Muffins with Mom on Friday, May 6th. Moms can enjoy a special snack in the morning drop off with their child.
Savory Sweets Cookie Dough Fundraiser
Reminder!!! Cookie Dough Fundraiser is due on April 8th!!!
Thank you for your participation in the Art to Remember fundraiser! Orders will be delivered in the month of May! You will be contacted as soon as they arrive!
Thank you for such a successful book fair!!! With your donations and purchases each classroom received over $100 worth of books!!! The gift of reading is such a great gift to give children! Thank you all so much for participating!!
Wacky Wednesday
4/13-Favorite Story Book Character Day
VPK enrollment is ongoing now for the fall. Please, make sure to get your VPK certificates in as spaces are limited and filling up fast!
Graduation information is being sent home with order forms for caps & gowns. Graduation will take place at the Sagemont School Lower Campus in Weston. Graduation will be on Thursday, June 9th, at 4:00pm. Children are to arrive at 3:30pm dressed in their caps and gowns and ready to start.
Next month on Thursday, May 26th we will be celebrating Red Nose Day. Red Nose Day is a campaign dedicated to helping children and having fun. Proceeds benefit children and young people in the US and some of the poorest communities in the world. Purchase your red nose from your local Walgreens store and join a national event to help fight child poverty. This will be in place of our May Wacky Wednesday.
Linking Learning with Nature
Spring is here! Flowers are blooming, days are getting longer and the weather is getting warmer. Now is a great time for children to explore these environmental changes happening in the world around them.
Not only are children curious about nature, but research shows that it has a profound influence on their problem solving skills, creativity, imagination and cognitive ability. Because of this, our teachers incorporate nature in all aspects of our Links to Learning curriculum.
Below are ways we connect learning with nature, as well as activities you can do with your child at home.
INFANTS/TODDLERS:
In the classroom: After reading a book about springtime, teachers bring children outdoors to explore and investigate objects in nature. The children have fun crumbling leaves, smelling flowers and looking at clouds.
At home: Take tummy time outdoors and allow your infant to explore different sights, sounds and textures. Encourage him to move and grab things by placing objects just beyond his reach. For toddlers, ask questions like, “Who made that chirping sound” or “Can you point to the flowers?”
Recommended reading:Wake Up! Wake Up! A Springtime Lift-the-Flap Book by Kathryn Davis, Welcome Spring by Little Scholastic
BEGINNERS (ages 2-3):
In the classroom: Our Beginners read books about seasonal changes, then bring the story to life by going outdoors to find real-world examples.
At home: Help make your child aware of the seasonal changes going on around him. Talk a walk with him and ask questions such as “Why do we see flowers growing now?” or “What do flowers need in order to grow?” Encourage him to use his creativity when answering.
Recommended reading:Over in the Meadow by Olive Wadsworth, Mouse’s First Spring by Lauren Thompson
INTERMEDIATES (ages 3-4):
In the classroom: Students plant seeds in their school garden and learn about the importance of caring for them. Through this activity, they practice math skills such as measuring, sorting, counting and making predictions.
At home: Set up a bird feeder outside a window that your child can easily see. Let him help you fill it with birdfeed. As the birds come to eat, ask your child to talk about them. “What color are they?” “Are they big or small?” “What are they doing?”
Recommended reading:Little Seed by Eric Carle, Planting a Rainbow by Lois Ehlert
PRE-K/PRE-K 2 (ages 4-5):
In the classroom: Pre-K and Pre-K 2 students explore the sounds they hear in nature while playing outdoors. They then use recycled and natural materials, such as string and pine cones, to make their own wind chime.
At home: Reuse junk mail for a fun arts and crafts activity with your child. Encourage him to look through flyers and magazines to find words and pictures that he recognizes. Then, ask him to create a collage by cutting and gluing them to a piece of paper or poster board.
Recommended reading: And Then It’s Spring by Julie Fogliano, About Springtime, Not a Box by Antoinette Portis
We provide many opportunities for our preschoolers to think creatively and imaginatively about the world around them. By setting this foundation, children build confidence in their own unique thoughts and maintain a thirst for learning as they enter elementary school and beyond.
– Lauren Starnes, PhD – Director of Early Childhood Education
SICK POLICY REMINDER:
Sick Policy:
Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that illness is not contagious. (A doctor’s clearance may be requested.) Please help us keep all of our children healthy by following these rules. If you have any questions or concerns please let us know. Thank you for your support!
TUITION:
We have seen a recent increase in families missing tuition payment deadlines. We really must collect tuition in a timely manner to meet our financial obligations. Please remember that tuition is due the 1st business day of every week. Accounts not paid in full by 12:00pm the second business day of every week are subject to late fees. If tuition is not paid in full your child may not attend until the balance is paid in full. Failure to comply with tuition policies will result in a notice of dis-enrollment. If you’d like to sign up for our ACH program, which automatically pulls your weekly tuition from the account of your choice the 1st business day of every week, just let us know and we will get you signed up.
ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS FEES:
If your child is signed up to attend a specific enrichment program, the monthly fee must be paid in full the first week of every month or your child may not attend the second week. Please understand, we are obligated to pay our physical fitness vendors in a timely manner for their services. Credits will not be issued for missed classes due to absence or non-payment.
Summer will be here before you know it…
Check out what we have planned for summer 2016 under programs tab/camp.
Reserve your child’s space NOW!
Camp Calendars are now available!!