Barlina House Preschool Monthly Letter

July 13, 2010

Dear Parents:

It’s time to share some information with you regarding the 2010--2011 preschool year here at Barlina House.  The staff and I are looking forward to working with your children and getting to know you too.

The purpose of the preschool program is to give the children the opportunity to grow emotionally, intellectually, and socially.  Throughout each day, we will be guiding your child into choosing and participating in a variety of activities.  Working within the guidelines of the Illinois State Board of Education’s Early Childhood Learning Standards, intentionally organized learning experiences are planned for the children that will build self-esteem, challenge your child’s thinking and reasoning skills, encourage healthy relationships with peers and the staff, and explore various curriculum topics.

The only item your child will need is a large tote bag that they will bring to school daily for mail, artwork, and eventually use to transport their snow pants and boots.  A large rectangular canvas bag might be easier for the children to handle versus a backpack due to zippers and compartment size.  The extra space will allow for ease of handling and encourage care of personal belongings. You could purchase one of these from a local craft store and personally decorate it with your child.

If your child was not enrolled in our program last school year, I recommend you contact your child’s physician immediately to make arrangements for their preschool physical visit.  The enclosed medical form must be dated no sooner than six months prior to the start of school.  We must have a completed form prior to your child’s attendance.   Notations regarding all immunizations should be current, including Hepatitis B, and varicella (chicken pox).  All medical forms must note an assessment and/or an actual lead test.  Tuberculin tests are at the discretion of your physician; however a notation must be made if it is not required.   As this form is valid for two years, if your child has already attended class at Barlina House, a new medical is not necessary.  However, if you have one, we will be happy to update your child’s records.  Please be sure to complete and sign the Health History section.  If your child might need medication while attending preschool, please notify us as we will need your physician to complete a medication permission form.  This includes Epi-pens, or any over the counter medications.

In accordance with the Missing Children Records Act, we are now required to have your child’s official birth certificate or other governmental equivalent documentation on file.  This must be the certificate issued by the county vital statistics office, not the hospital form with foot prints.   We can make a copy and return the original to you after the start of school.

   

Our orientation meeting for parents will be held on Wednesday, September 1, at 7:00 p.m., at Park Place, 406 W. Woodstock Street.  It is a parent only meeting.  This meeting is especially helpful to families new to our program. 

You will receive another mailing in late August with additional information regarding the start of preschool as well as additional forms we are required to have on file.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me via email at phanson@crystallakeparks.org.

 

Sincerely,

  

Pam Hanson

Preschool Director

Follow this link for the 2009-2010 Barlina House calendar