Welcome New & Returning Families to your Child’s Learning Environment!

Hello,

I hope summer has been treating you well! To our new families joining us- welcome! To our current and returning families, I am missing your children and our interactions and I am so delighted to to see you again real soon.

Transitioning into the new school year

I am very excited for this new school year and to welcome back our returners, and our new families. Transitions are changes, and big or small they require effort and energy. Your children may show strong emotions during their transition into this new school year, and they may not; but I would like for you to be aware of some of the normal behaviors that you may see during this period.  

New children

At home you may notice some changes in sleeping patterns, eating patterns, toileting, and behavior/mood (tired and clingy). The children will be meeting new people, presented with new limits and boundaries, working with new materials, and learning new routines. To put this transition into a relatable context, think about how it feels to start a new job– it is exhausting! Our first priority with your children is to help them to feel safe and comfortable in their new environment, so building relationships is crucial in the beginning. If your child has a favorite animal, color, or song we want to know all about it! Having items that are familiar or of interest will draw in your child.

Returners

The beginning of the school year can be a time of difficulty for the returners, as they are experiencing a big change as well. These children have said goodbye to their classmates and friends, perhaps were at summer camp with a new cohort, and will come back to school with a new group of children who are not accustomed to the routines of the classroom. Just as our current returners did last September, the new children may take others’ work, leave out their work, forget to get a rug, run in the classroom, sit too close, or hug without asking etc. Imagine being at work and having your mentors being replaced with new staff. It can be overwhelming for this group because their sense of order is disrupted, but it is also a great time for learning and growth. I suggest speaking to your children and empathizing with them, “It can be really hard to have new friends;” but remember to empower them also, “It is hard, but you are so brave and you can do hard things!” You may also mention their ability to show the new children how to do certain things, “Your body is so strong and you can show them how to sit at circle!” Also, remind them that they were new before: “There was a time when you were new and you would not sit for circle. Isn’t that so silly to think about now?”

---

Email and Communication

If you have any questions/concerns, please email me at mnowacky@gtms.org and I will get back to you within 24 hours. Please note that teachers are not available for communication during child contact times.

If there are ANY changes in schedule: vacation, your child is sick at home, your child is arriving late/leaving early etc.,  please email both myself as well as the Administrative Assistant at office@gtms.org. 

---

Items to bring with your child on the first day:

• 2 changes of clothes, weather appropriate (label with initials)
• a water bottle (label with initials or name)
• diapers, at least 10 (label with initials)
• diapering wipes (label with initials)
• indoor shoes (label with initials)
• a current picture of your child*
• a photo of your family*

*Please e-mail photos so I can print them out

Water Bottle

We are asking that each child has their own water bottle. Typically we have one water source with glasses available for the children to pour their own water for drinking. Individual water bottles will help to limit the number of surfaces being touched by multiple children.

Recommended water bottles: Camelbak and Thermos. 

Indoor Shoes 

I highly recommend Foamtreads due to their stability, non slip component, and ease of putting onto the feet with little hands. The goal is for your child, over time, to be able to put on their shoes without any assistance, as well as comfort and safety when walking.  

Recommended shoes: Foamtreads (preferred) and Acorn.

Outdoor Shoes

Our goal for outdoor shoes is similar to our goal for indoor shoes: comfort, safety, and independence. Avoid shoes that will set your child up for failure like laces (unable to tie themselves) and crocs (lack of stability and support while running). When shoes with laces come into school, we will place them into a bag and allow your child to wear their indoor shoes home. 

Recommended shoes: Pediped (option 1),  Pediped (option 2), and See Kai Run. 

Diapering Wipes

If and when your child is in underwear, I will occasionally ask your family for a pack of wipes as well. In the Toddler Environment, we will use them to help clean your child when they have a bowel movement while also encouraging them to a wipe themselves.

Creams or Medications

All creams and medications require a note from your child’s doctor. This includes diapering cream like Aquaphor.

---

Daily Routines

Arrival

After your individual phase-in (new families), your child will be entering the building without you. Be confident! I know this might be scary for you, but please be strong for your child as they will pick up on your emotions. After your child is screened, walk up to the door holding your child’s hand and keep your goodbyes short. Carrying your child and prolonging a goodbye can make for an uneasy separation. Usually, there are tears, but they tend to fade before the child gets to their classroom. 

Dismissal

I ask that you or whoever is picking up your child, are not on your cell phone as your child is being dismissed. Please be ready to receive your child, as they will be expecting your full attention after a long day of working and socializing. I suggest opening up your arms and telling them how happy you are to see them. 

• Please be mindful of crowding the entryway during Arrival and Dismissal times. We ask that you do not linger in front of the building and if there is another family with whom you are waiting to speak, then please move to down the street or Coxe Park.
• Safety: Please be aware of the driveways that are on both sides of the building. They are marked by yellow lines.

Meal Times: Snacks and Lunch

• In addition to self service snack, the children will help to make a hearty snack every day. I will create a weekly rotation list for produce that we will use for both snacks. I will share this information later via email. Some ideas for our hearty snack include:
  • Making hummus for pita and hummus
  • Making avocado blueberry muffins
  • Cleaning and cutting strawberries, carrots, cucumbers, peppers etc.
• Packed lunches: only children who stay for rest will need to pack a lunch for their child, as they have a longer day.

---

Face Masks

Children who are 2 years old and over are required to wear a face mask for the first two weeks of school. Starting on September 19th, this will become conditional. For more information about our masking policy please refer to page 6 of our Health and Safety Plan. 

Calendar Events

• Parent Social & Classroom Orientation: Tuesday, September 20th at 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm

Parents, use each other as resources! I am always here for any questions/concerns, but it is also nice that some of you have been through this process and can help others if needed. 

Thank you and looking forward to seeing everyone for phase-in!

Ms. Michelle