Medfield Children’s Center on Pleasant Street

OCTOBER 2008 NEWSLETTER

www.medfieldchildrenscenter.com

THEMES…

                                                                                                                                       MARK YOUR CALENDARS…

ABSENCES____________________________________________________

It is important that you call all absences into our office anytime your child is out.  If your child is sick, please call to let us know why he will not be in so we can be informed of illnesses which may affect others in our school.  If your child is going to miss school because of a planned vacation, please send in a note stating when he will be absent.  Thank you!

ARRIVAL______________________________________________________

Now that our classes are settling into school routine, we will begin Circle Time promptly at 9:10.  We would like to wait for everyone to be at school before starting, but in fairness to the children who arrive at 9:00 or shortly after, we will begin our good morning song and circle time discussion at 9:10.  It also helps, and prevents distractions, if parents leave the classroom quickly once their child is comfortable and he/she has said good-bye.  Two and a half hours goes by quickly, so we can’t wait for the day to get started. 

ART__________________________________________________________

Make sure to take a peek at the classroom’s “Art Gallery” to see the creative work of all our talented artists. A lot of learning goes into each unique masterpiece!

BACKPACKS____________________________________________________

Please check your child’s backpack daily for any mail a teacher may send home.

CLOTHES and SNEAKERS___________________________________________

• We ask that ALL children have a change of seasonally appropriate clothes in their backpacks in case they have a bathroom accident, juice spill, etc.
• We have a lot of fun with art and outside play!  Your child’s clothes may become “messy” as he is busy learning through exploring, experimenting, and playing with different materials.  Please have your child dress in “wash-and-wear” clothing, not special occasion clothing.
• Please send your child to school wearing SNEAKERS or shoes that are comfortable and SAFE for active play.  NO open-backed shoes, flip-flops, crocs, etc.  They are not safe for climbing the rungs of the slide’s ladder or the climbing structure. 

DISMISSAL_____________________________________________________

Your child is anxious to see you at the end of school.  While waiting at the gate, please be attentive when teachers are dismissing the children.  Teachers will not release your child until they have made eye contact with you and know that you are ready to greet your child. Also, once the children have been released to your care, please keep a watchful eye on them when they are near the dumpster, stairs, trees, and especially the parking lot.  Thank you!

FILES_________________________________________________________

Thank you for reviewing your child’s file and keeping it up-to-date.  If any information changes, please be sure Sharon Maillet is given the new information and she will make the necessary changes in the file.  When your child’s medical form expires, please be sure to give Sharon Maillet a copy of the new physical.  We recommend you keep a copy of your child’s most current medical form as well.

FIRE PREVENTION WEEK___________________________________________

During the first weeks of October, we will be practicing fire safety awareness in a fun, non-threatening manner. Please practice fire safety tips and evacuation plans at home and try to visit your local fire station’s Open House!  Kids are amazing and what they learn could save a life!

LABELS_______________________________________________________

Please label everything when needed and when possible.  Please label all backpacks, lunchboxes, coats, etc. clearly so teachers can easily identify who things belong to if there is a mix-up or misunderstanding.  We had a lot of beautiful “treasures” in our Lost-and-Found box last year.  We will keep Lost-and-Found items for a few weeks and then we will have to dispose of them. 

LUNCH BUNCH___________________________________________________

• Lunch Bunch is off to a healthy start!  Thank you for remembering to submit the lunch sign-up form along with your lunch payment – it aids in our record keeping.
• If your child attends Lunch Bunch, please label everything in his/her lunchbox…sandwich containers, yogurt, juice boxes, water bottles, spoons, ice packs, etc.  The kids open their lunchboxes and take things out quickly, often before the teachers can see what belongs to each person.  We want to make sure that each child is eating and drinking what is sent for them. 
• PreK Wednesday Lunch Bunch…Every Wednesday the church celebrates the Holy Eucharist at noon.  On rainy days, when we have to release from the hallway, please enter and exit the church as quickly and quietly as possible.  We’ll keep our fingers crossed for sunny Wednesdays.  Thank you for your help!  The already busy parking lot may also have more cars.  Sorry for any inconvenience.

MAIL POCKETS__________________________________________________

Please check your child’s mail pocket daily.

MEDICATION____________________________________________________

If your child has asthma or seasonal allergies and is given medication before school, please verbally inform his teacher or leave a written note in the teachers’ mailbox so if your child acts different than the way he typically would, the staff will be aware of the possible cause.  We also appreciate being informed of other things that may affect your child so we can be sensitive to extra needs he may have…such as a parent being away, a sick family member, etc.

PARENT VOLUNTEERS_____________________________________________

MOMS & DADS!  If you’re interested in helping in the classroom, please sign-up on the calendar posted in the hallway.  We would love for you to come in

and help and play!

Please know that some children can handle a parent coming in to help and can go about their day independently, as they normally would.  Other children, especially at the beginning of the year, are still gaining comfort with school routine and being away from mom and dad; therefore, they may shadow their parent and resist participating with school routine, instead of doing what they typically would.  If your child is having separation issues, you may want to consider volunteering at a later time.  If you have any hesitations, please speak to your child’s teacher.

PARKING/CHURCH_______________________________________________

On those days when other church groups use the building concurrent with our school schedule, the parking lot may be full and extra caution must be taken coming in and out.  We apologize for any inconvenience.

Thank you for the consideration you give others who work in the church and use the building.

PARTIES_______________________________________________________

For classroom parties, a sign-up sheet can be found on the hallway shelf.  We ask that each family sign-up to bring in ONE item for the party so each child feels he/she contributed.  Thank You!

QUESTIONS_____________________________________________________

We understand you may have questions or comments about your child’s day that you’d like to discuss with his teacher, unfortunately dismissal time is busy and not the appropriate place to talk about your child’s day.  If you’d like to talk to the teacher, please call anytime after dismissal.  If the teacher is not available, please speak to Sharon Maillet and she’ll arrange a time when the teacher can call you.  If a teacher has a comment, concern, or question, she will inform you in writing or call.  Please keep all school related questions and comments during the teachers’ school hours.  We appreciate your understanding and your respect that school matters are confidential and should only be discussed while teachers are at school.

SIBLINGS______________________________________________________

We love when siblings of our students visit at drop-offs and pick-ups, but during certain school celebrations with your MCC child, we may ask that siblings do not attend. In those cases, it will be noted on the invitation, curriculum sheet, and/or newsletter. Please ask about infant siblings who are still young enough to stay in car seats.  Siblings are welcome for informal holiday “shows,” but for safety reasons, they must remain with you at all times.  If you have any questions please talk to Sharon Maillet.  Thanks for your understanding!

TEACHER MAIL__________________________________________________

Please place “Teacher Mail” (release notes, book orders, tuition checks, lunch checks, etc.) in the teachers’ mailbox (it is located on the table to the left as you enter the classroom). 

THANK YOU____________________________________________________

• arriving to school on time
• checking the hallway chalkboard for daily messages
• checking the hallway shelf for sign-up sheets
• checking your child’s mail pocket daily
• saying good-bye to your child, then exiting quickly, so we can begin Circle Time with minimum disruption

TRANSITION____________________________________________________

To make drop-offs as comfortable and easy for you and your child as possible, please arrive to school on time and adhere to the same routine each morning…walk your child into the classroom, wait for him/her to  place his/her name on the attendance board and sit on a mat, then say good-bye and leave the classroom.  We know leaving your child when he/she is sad or upset is one of the hardest things to do, but saying a quick, happy, reassuring good-bye and leaving as quickly as possible helps.  It will get easier! 

Nursery Parents…Thursday to Tuesday is a long time.  Please know your child may have difficulty separating from you on Tuesday mornings after four days at home.

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