SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER 2021
WELCOME to a new school year at Town and Country! We are so very happy to have you and your wonderful children with us. Many of the children are having success with their initial independence both walking in and using the “blue footsteps”. Much credit goes to you and your ability to “separate”.
NEED EARLY DROP OFF? Try Early Birds. Miss Rocio has the brick patio set up with some exciting things for a very fun morning. You may drop off your child anytime between 8:00-8:50, at 8:50 they will be walked to their respective classrooms. There is a $10 fee that can be charged to your Lunch Bunch account.
OUR SCHOOL DAY If you are coming for your normal school day, please arrive between 8:50-9:10am. Teachers need the time before 8:50 to set up and get ready for the day.
6-WEEK PARENTING CLASSES begin on Tuesday, October 12th from 12:30-2:00pm or from 6:00–7:30pm with Miss Sharon for our STEP classes (Systematic Training for Effective Parenting). Enrollment forms are available in the office. Also, the STEP Parenting Handbook is available there or at the first class for $15.00. Enrollment for the STEP 6-week classes is $100.
PARENT EDUCATION FOR OCTOBER will be on Thursday, October 21st. Mr. Carl, our Outdoor Classroom Teacher, will meet outside with you from 12:30-2:00pm and present “Discovering the Outdoor Classroom”. This is a wonderful way for you to learn about the activities and goals your children experience each day they come to Town & Country. Call the office to RSVP and receive free childcare for your T&C child.
PARKING–If your child seems ready to walk the blue footsteps, please be aware the right-hand lane (closest to the canyon) is for footsteps drop off only. The left-hand lane is for parking and walking your child into class or for exiting the parking lot. For drop off watch the cars in front of you and count 4 cars as they enter the upper sign-in spots. Wait at the STOP placard below and watch for all 4 cars to clear the above drop off spots. Proceed with caution when directed by Miss Sharon or Miss Julie because there are many children and parents walking their children into school. SAFETY is our highest priority. Please wait your turn
PARKING LOT SAFETY –Please be aware that the speed limit in our lot is 5 miles an hour; 20 mph on Via Rosa. Also, please use the marked crosswalk as you approach the playground or stairway to the classroom and always hold your child’s hand. If you are doing drop off Children must stay buckled in their car seat until a staff member opens the door. No Cell Phones on our campus or in the parking lot – Please focus 100% on your children – Safety first—Always! Thank you!
WHEN PICKING UP YOUR CHILD– Please make sure you tell a teacher or an aide that you are taking them. We always need to account for every child in the school.
BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHTS – You are invited to come to your child’s classroom to learn more about our program. Your child’s teacher will tell you about the activities in the class and explore the goals for the year! One masked parent only, please. Your child will be bringing home your invitation with details on the time and date for your night!
FAMILY DAYS – will be starting in October. These days exist to strengthen the home-school connection, allow the child to share their experience with their closest family members and to be inclusive of every family in the school. Each class will have 3 dates scheduled to celebrate – 2 weekdays and a Saturday. Each parent may choose a day that works for your schedule – a regular school day or a Saturday. Details will be provided by your child’s teacher.
LUNCH BUNCH Our afternoon group of supervised play meets Monday through Friday from 12:00-3:00. Whenever you wish to make use of this service just send your child with his/her lunch.
Lunch Bunch Charges are done in two different ways:1) When you pay as you go, the fee is $15.00 per hour, or 2) When you buy the Lunch Bunch Pass for $500.00, you will be charged at $12.00 per hour. All children must be signed out at the office as they leave the Lunch Bunch program. With prior request by 9:30 of the day you wish to come, children may join us in the afternoon of the days they do not attend school. (Late fees are charged if we do not receive a phone call indicating you will be late. Late fees are at the rate of $3.00 per 5 minutes, beginning at 3:05.)
HALLOWEEN – We will celebrate Halloween at school on Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th. The children may either wear their costumes or bring them to school in their T&C bag. Please try to discourage masks as they can cause children to fall. Face make-up is more satisfactory. If your child does choose to wear the costume to school, please send a change of clothing for “play time”. Please take photos of your children before arriving at school due to minimize of people on campus at one time.
PAINTY CLOTHES– It’s been our experience that our “quality” paint is difficult to remove from your children’s clothing. The very best solution is to send your children to school in “school/play clothes” (those which will take staining, and no one will care!). Also remember tennis shoes are the safest shoes for school! Close-toed shoes are necessary for bike riding.
PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOU ARE SIGNING IN AND OUT EACH DAY. The State requires that you print your child’s first and last name and sign your full signature. Also, make sure you are signing on your child’s teacher page. LATE to pick up your child? Please call, so that he/she doesn’t worry and to avoid late charges.
MISS HARRIET IS BACK! We are all so excited that after taking a year off to be safe during COVID our beloved school librarian has returned to share many of her great books and amazing puppet shows with all your children! If you don’t already know Miss Harriet, be sure to introduce yourself!
MASK ZONE -Though we are 80% outdoors, we are highly encouraging the children to mask up while indoors! Our teachers have come up with some fun and creative ways of encouraging the children to mask up! Some teachers have made an official mask zone, very similar to a construction zone with orange cones and all! We have also ordered more mask lanyards as well as some fun masks for the children to wear. As always, we are making it the children’s responsibility to try and remember wear their mask.
OUR ANNUAL STAFF WORKSHOP this year was a training on children’s yoga and music and movement. The teachers and aides will be offering enrichment classes each afternoon for the children staying for Lunch Bunch! They will be offering, literacy, yoga, music and movement, and nature walks.
QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS? Our door is always open. Miss Sharon and Miss Julie are available to speak by phone or even in person. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher, Miss Sharon, or Miss Julie on any day to discuss your concerns. We will return your calls quickly!
WELCOME to the newest additions to our Town & Country families: Dillon is now a big brother to Maya, Zara is now a big sister to Zayn, Isabelle is now a big sister to Sophie Rose and Amelia is a big sister to Luke. We celebrate the growing T&C family!