Open House
Please join us for our Toddler Open House on Friday, August 22nd, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Attending the Open House offers your child an opportunity to meet the teachers, and to explore the classroom with you.
At our Open House you will be able to ask questions and meet other parents. This is the time to bring a change of clothes, shoes, socks, underpants, or diapers (a week's supply-NO Pull-ups, please) for your child's cubby.
Remember to please label everything, even their shoes! Also, bring a picture or two of family members for your child to keep at school. During your visit, take a moment to choose from the list of volunteer opportunities we offer for supporting and participating in your child's education. Look for the sign-up sheet at our Open House. We truly appreciate your help! Becoming involved not only benefits your child and the school, but offers a great opportunity for meeting other parents and establishing new friendships.
Separation Environment
School begins on Monday, August 25th. During the first week or two, the Toddler Program uses a Separation Environment to acclimate the children to their new class. During the separation process, parent and child come to school together for one hour (8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.), and leave together. The separation process is required for all children who are new to our class. For those children returning to our class for a second year, parents and teachers will decide the need for a separation environment on an individual basis. Please read the enclosed guidelines regarding the separation process, and feel free to ask questions.
The School Day
Once the separation process is complete for you and your child, our school day runs from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Arrival time for the children is 8:30 a.m. to 8:40 a.m. Upon arrival, please walk your child down the sidewalk, to the entrance gate where a teacher will greet you and your child. After a quick and reassuring, "goodbye", open the gate for your child to enter, and then depart without hesitation.
Please do not enter with your child. Your child might express some anxiety and your prompt and confident departure will promote your child's trust in us. Additionally, allowing your child to walk to the gate, rather than carrying him/her, will make it easier for your child to transition to the school environment.
If you feel the need, please do not hesitate to call the office (247-4577) at any time for reassurance regarding your child's acclimation to the school environment.
Dismissal
Dismissal time is 11:20 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. If your child is enrolled in the lunch program, the dismissal time is 12:20 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please wait for your child outside the gate. Out of respect for your child and the teachers, please be prompt at both arrival and departure times. Please inform nannies, sitters or others authorized to drop-off and pick-up your child of these times:
8:30 a.m. - 8:40 a.m. - Drop Off Time
11:20 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. - Pick Up Time
12:20 p.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Lunch Program Pick Up
(Gate located in the 5 Day Toddler play yard.)
Health & Illness
Please note that our health/illness policy states that toddlers are not permitted to attend school when they are ill. This includes, but is not limited to runny noses due to colds.
If your child's nose is running profusely, please keep him/her out of school. Parents will be called to pick up children if these symptoms are apparent during the morning. Additionally, in cases of fever, vomiting, or diarrhea, the child must be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Cubby Supplies
Please replenish your child's cubby with shirts, shorts, underpants, socks, and diapers (we typically use 1 to 2 per day) as necessary. We will send clothes home as needed due to spills or toileting occurrences. Please send a fresh change of clothing to school the very next day so your child always has clothes when needed. Please label everything. (Be aware that painting is a daily activity and although we use only washable paint, stains will occur.)
As your child indicates readiness for self-toileting, please note that the use of Pull-ups actually slows the process towards independence and we strongly discourage their use. The use of thick cotton underwear will encourage successful self-toileting.
What to Wear?
For your child's safety, comfort, and ease of independence, we encourage clothing without buttons, buckles, belts, or with fasteners between the legs. We discourage "onesies" and overalls. Shorts and pants with an elastic waist are best for encouraging independence. Sandals, flip flops, boots, and "party shoes" are not allowed as they are not safe in our environment. Sneakers with "Velcro" straps are safe, comfortable, and promote independence.
We ask that children do not bring toys, stuffed animals, blankets, or other personal belongings to school, as these non-school items often disrupt the classroom environment.
Communication
Regarding communication with teachers, our policy is that we refrain from discussing the children in their presence. Please feel free to pass a note to the teacher at drop-off or pick-up, or request a phone call or meeting at any time. The toddler classroom phone number is 249-8716.
Snack Time
Snack time is shared as a group so that the children gain experience in food preparation, table setting, grace, and courtesy. Beginning the 2nd week of school, we ask each family to provide a nutritious snack for our class (enough for 12 children) on a rotating basis. You will receive your snack calendar the first week of school.
Class Supplies
Please provide the following supplies during the first week of school, or the first week following winter break, according to this schedule:
August 25 to August 29
R. Baggs
S. Davila
C. Hillis
J. Gutierrez
B. Harris
L. Hirapara
January 5 to January 9*
A. Meyers-Labenz
K. Meyers-Labenz
A. Ketty
G. Putterman
A. Richardson
L. Hirapara
* Note: we will send a "supplies reminder" before winter break for the January group.
Supplies
3 bags of play sand (40 to 50 lb. bags available at Ace, Home Depot, or Lowe's)
4 boxes of baby wipes
2 boxes of facial tissues
2 boxes of 3 oz. paper cups
1 box of Zip-Loc Sandwich bags
Enjoy the remainder of the summer! I look forward to seeing you in August.
Sincerely,
Lead Teacher
Five Day Toddler Program
Files for Your Information:
5 Day Toddler Schedule
5 Day Toddler Schedule for Lunchers
5 Day Toddler Snack Letter
The Discovery Toddler Community Questionnaire
Toddler Separation Environment
Health - Illness Policy
Documents to be Completed and Returned to DMS:
Discovery's Toddler Community Questionnaire
Emergency Contact Form (If Not Already on File)
