It’s almost time! Are your little ones excited for school? Are they a bit nervous about taking the preschool plunge? Either way, Miss Vicki and I are ready for them! We spent the day whipping the classroom into shape. Three months of relative inactivity leads to one or two (or three or four) cobwebs, but Miss Vicki took care of those in short order. The toys that are able to be sanitized are spread out and drying around the room. They’re just waiting for all those little hands to put them to good use!
The children’s bookcase is brimming with books about school and friendship and striking out on your own. After all, this is the first time many of these children are having a truly independent experience.
Orientation is Tuesday morning. The Early Kindergarten (EK) children are meeting from 8:30 to 9:30. The Prekindergarten 3 (PK3) children are meeting from 10 o’clock to 11 o’clock. The Prekindergarten 2 (PK2) children get together from 11:30 to 12:30. Ideally, you’ll be able to arrange childcare for your other children, but if you can’t and have to bring along a sibling it’s not a problem. We want you to have that hour to help your child over any hurdles that might appear, and for you to meet the other children and parents of Hogarth.
If you haven’t yet sent them in, don’t forget to bring along your child’s immunization records. Your little one cannot start school without those records on file. If you have their health form from your physician, that’s even better. If not, we have 30 days to get that on file.
What else do I need from you? Parents of new students should email me a tight headshot of their child for their Little Friends card. I already have my returning students’ Little Friends cards all ready for them to decorate at Orientation. Here’s what they look like.
I’ll be walking around Orientation with a clipboard looking for bits and pieces of information from some of you. A few folks designated only parents as emergency pick-up people on their child’s registration form, and I’ll be asking you for another emergency contact. We’re required to have the name of somebody other than a parent who can assume responsibility for your child in the event we couldn’t reach either parent during an emergency or sudden illness in your child.
I think that about covers it all. I tried to capture the spirit of Hogarth in a video I made earlier this summer. Some of you may recognize a few of the faces here. All of your children will soon be a part of this year’s happy little band of Jolly Playmates.
You and your children are about to take a giant leap into the world of early childhood education. I know from years of experience, it’s a wonderful world. I think you’re all going to like it here!
See you at Orientation on Tuesday!
