Themes & Books

This month we will learn about Seagulls, Crabs, Octopuses, and Seahorses . We will read Hello Ocean, Clumsy Crab, I’m the Biggest Thing in the Ocean, and Mister Sea Horse.

Events

Shhhhh. Surprise Readers: We have been having a lot of fun with our parents visiting as surprise readers. If you would like to participate, please arrange with your child’s teachers or Sign up here. 

Bring it: A picture of you at the beach 8/7-8/11 | Bring in a book about the ocean 8/21-8/25.

Wear it: Wear the color red 8/16 | Wear orange like a seahorse 8/28.

Water Play: Please make sure your child has:

• Bathing suit or swim diapers
• Sunblock SPF 30 or more applied
• Extra Sunblock
• Water shoes
• Water shirt
• Towel
• Hat
• Summer change of clothes & regular shoes
• Please remember to label everything

Water Play Schedule: These are the days we will have pre-planned responsible water activities. However it’s best to always have all the water play supplies at camp.

• Infants: Random
• Tiny Tots: Th
• Toddlers: Tu
• Pandas: Th
• Penguins: W
• Dragonflies: Fr
• BusyBees: M

Reminders

Bye Bye Sandbox. Hello Brightwheel: The Sandbox parent portal system we use is going bye bye and being replaced with Brightwheel. 7/20/23 was the last time billing took place in Sandbox. Billing for September will take place on Brightwheel on August 20th.  | You will receive 2 different emails from Brightwheel regarding sign up and autopay. Please follow the instructions to get your account all set up. | For billing please choose “Bank account,” not “Card.” We get charged a lot of money to process credit cards and we’d like to see that money go to the teachers and the classrooms instead of the banks. | Once everyone is all set up, we will begin communicating with Brightwheel and you can sign in and out etc. 

Preschool Drop Off & Pick up Procedure: Please enter & exit the preschool only through the front office door. Parents are welcome to come into the classrooms. We will no longer be using the gate during drop off & pickup.

Wear Sunscreen Everyday: It’s Sunscreen Time! Children (10 months- 6yrs)  should come to camp wearing an SPF 30 or more on all exposed areas of the skin. If you would like us to re-apply a medication form must be completed. We also recommend wearing a hat. We will be having a lot of outdoor fun!  (Always consult your child’s physician.)

Materials & Supplies Fee: The annual $299 materials and supplies fee will be posted on your September statement on August 20th.  If you reserved your child’s space in February/March with the Materials and Supplies fee you won’t be charged again. If you paid the registration fee to start in August or September, the Materials & Supplies Fee is waived.  As indicated in the fee’s name, the funds are used to help purchase new materials and supplies for the children.

Sheets & Blankets: All children must have a sheet & blanket for nap time everyday.  Please make sure to send a sheet & blanket at the start of the week.  Please have your child’s name printed on them.  Thank you!

Summer Change of Clothes: Please make sure your child has at least one complete set of extra summer clothes & shoes. Don’t forget to label everything.

Family Vacations: Will you be taking a summer vacation? Please block out dates in your Parent Portal at least two weeks before your vacation. This will allow us to plan accordingly for our daily activities and not worry about why your child is not at camp. Thank You!

Student Birthday Celebrations at school: We LOVE celebrating your child’s birthday at school! You are welcome to bring healthier food options like fruit, muffins, bagels, etc). Parents are welcome to come & celebrate too! Please make all celebration arrangements with your child’s teachers.

Student Birthday Celebrations at home: If you are planning a birthday celebration outside of school, we would be happy to help with handing out the invitations. Just ask for a list of the children’s names, fill out the invitations at home and bring to school for us to pass out.

Immunizations: Please make sure to keep up with your child’s immunizations and update the Sandbox Parent Portal whenever your child gets a vaccine. Including the COVID vaccination.

Illness Policy: We follow a strict written Illness Policy. PLEASE keep your child home if they are sick. It is important to keep the children & staff healthy.

The post Happy Times August 2023 appeared first on Halsey Schools Preschool & Infant Center.

Themes & Books

This month we will learn about Dolphins, Whales, Sharks, Walruses, and Sea Turtles. We will read Dolphins, Baby Beluga, Lift – the flap SHARKS, Commotion in the Ocean, and Turtle Splash!

Events

Camp Halsey 7/3: The learning fun doesn’t end at Halsey Schools; The summer is when it really takes off!  Currently enrolled families automatically continue for the summer.

Independence Day Children’s BBQ party 07/03 10:00: Wear Red, White & Blue! Your child’s teacher will send home a notice letting you know what your child should bring. Parent’s are Welcome!

Bring it: Bring in a book about Dolphins – all week 7/3-7/7 | A stuffed ocean animal – all week 7/24-7/28

Wear it: Wear red, white & blue 7/3 | Dress as if you are headed to the beach 7/12 | A shirt with a shark or blue for the ocean 7/17 | Wear green like a turtle 7/31

School Closed 7/4: Independence Day!!! Have a Fun & safe Holiday!!

Water Play Starts 7/5: Please make sure your child has:

• Bathing suit or swim diapers
• Sunblock SPF 30 or more applied
• Extra Sunblock
• Water shoes
• Water shirt
• Towel
• Hat
• Summer change of clothes & regular shoes
• Please remember to label everything

Water Play Schedule: These are the days we will have pre-planned water activities. However it’s best to always have all the water play supplies at camp.

• Infants: Random
• Tiny Tots: M/Th
• Toddlers: W
• Pandas: W
• Penguins: Th
• Dragonflies: T
• Busy Bees: M

Staff Development Training 7/25 & 7/26 | The Best Ways to Use Open Ended Questions Often | Click here to see how you can use open ended questions at home. Every month our teachers learn something new, take a look at something old from a new perspective, that reinforces and reinvigorates previous education and training, or just have some hands-on fun through our regular training programs. |  Learn more about our happy teachers here.

Shhhhh. Surprise Readers: We have been having a lot of fun with our parents visiting as surprise readers. If you would like to participate, please arrange with your child’s teachers or Sign up here. Please make sure to wear your mask.

Reminders

Summer Change of Clothes: Please make sure your child has at least one complete set of extra summer clothes & shoes. Don’t forget to label everything.

Family Vacations: Will you be taking a summer vacation? Please block out dates in your Parent Portal at least two weeks before your vacation. This will allow us to plan accordingly for our daily activities and not worry about why your child is not at camp. Thank You!

Teacher Vacations: Our teachers take well deserved time off year round but many vacations take place during the summer. You will notice some new and returning faces as we give the teachers the breaks they deserve. One of the great things about Halsey Schools is our team teaching atmosphere that allows your children to bond with our entire staff. So even when some of the teachers are hanging out at the beach, there will always be other familiar faces at school and camp.

Student Birthday Celebrations at school: We LOVE celebrating your child’s birthday at school! You are welcome to bring healthier food options like fruit, muffins, bagels, etc. Parents are welcome to come & celebrate too! Please make all celebration arrangements with your child’s teachers.

Student Birthday Celebrations at home: If you are planning a birthday celebration outside of school, we would be happy to help with handing out the invitations. Just ask for a list of the children’s names, fill out the invitations at home and bring to school for us to pass out.

Wear Sunscreen Everyday: It’s Sunscreen Time! If you’ve stopped applying daily sunscreen, it’s time to get back into the swing of things. Children (10 months- 6yrs)  should come to school wearing an SPF 30 or more on all exposed areas of the skin. If you would like us to re-apply a medication form must be completed. We also recommend wearing a hat. We will be having a lot of outdoor fun!  (Always consult your child’s physician.)

Immunizations: Please make sure to keep up with your child’s immunizations and update the Sandbox Parent Portal whenever your child gets a vaccine.

Illness Policy: We follow a strict written Illness Policy. PLEASE keep your child home if they are sick. It is important to keep the children & staff healthy.

Sheets & Blankets: All children must have a sheet & blanket for nap time everyday.  Please make sure to send a sheet & blanket at the start of the week.  Please have your child’s name printed on them.  Thank you!

The post Happy Times July 2023 appeared first on Halsey Schools Preschool & Infant Center.

Themes & Books

This month we will learn about Hamsters, Box Turtles, Guinea Pigs, and Frogs. We will read My Pet Hamster, My Pet Turtle, One Guinea Pig is Not Enough, and The Wide-Mouthed Frog.

Events

School Closed 5/29: Memorial Day. Have a great weekend! We’ll be thinking about you.

Wear it: A pet animal shirt 6/7.

Bring it: A picture of you with Dad/Grandpa 6/12-14 | Something a turtle would eat 6/14 | A lemon 6/20 | A book about frogs 6/26-30.

Daddy’s Craft Week 6/12-16 8:00-5:00:  Come on in and do a special outdoor Daddy & Me project with your child.  Drop off and pick up times are usually the best and easiest times. However, you can also speak with your child’s teachers & arrange another time that works for you.

Stardreams Dance & Gymnastics Recital: 6/13 10:00 & 10:45 If your preschool child is in Dance & Gymnastics there will be a small outdoor recital. Please let us know if you will be attending. Please verify with your child’s teachers what time your child will be performing.

Outdoor Daddy Donut Party 6/16: Daddies, Grandpas, Great Grandpas & Uncles come join us for your special celebration with tasty donuts and refreshments. All you have to do is show up and have some fun! Infants-9:30, Tiny Tots-10:00, Toddlers-10:30, Preschool-11:00.

School Closed 6/19: Juneteenth. Have a great weekend! We’ll be thinking about you.

Busy Bees’ Outdoor Graduation 6/30 9:00:  Join us for our Annual Busy Bees’ Preschool Graduation Ceremony outside on the Infant Center Play yard. (Please limit your audience party size to 6 .) Parent provided refreshments will be served afterwards. If you would like to bring something, please sign up with Ms Jeri & Ms Ana and drop off your treats before or right after the graduation. Parent’s usually take children home afterwards but your children are welcome to stay. If you need care before 8:30, please drop your child off as usual at the preschool. All graduates should be at the preschool by 8:30 to get ready. 🙂 Bring some kleenex. 

Report Cards 6/30: Dragonflies & Busy Bees will receive their report cards today. They are designed to let you know what your children have learned and to make them feel good. We are so proud of what they have learned, aren’t you?

Camp Halsey 7/3: Time to think about summer! The learning fun doesn’t end at Halsey Schools; The summer is when it really takes off!  Currently enrolled families automatically continue for the summer. New families can start at anytime as long as space is available.

Shhhhh. Surprise Readers: We have been having a lot of fun with our parents visiting as surprise readers. If you would like to participate, please arrange with your child’s teachers or Sign up here. 

Reminders

Summer Change of Clothes: Please make sure your child has at least one complete set of extra summer clothes & shoes. Don’t forget to label everything.

Family Vacations: Will you be taking a summer vacation? Please block out dates in your Parent Portal at least two weeks before your vacation. This will allow us to plan accordingly for our daily activities and not worry about why your child is not at camp. Thank You!

Teacher Vacations: Our teachers take well deserved time off year round but many vacations take place during the summer. You will notice some new and returning faces as we give the teachers the breaks they deserve. One of the great things about Halsey Schools is our team teaching atmosphere that allows your children to bond with our entire staff. So even when some of the teachers are hanging out at the beach, there will always be other familiar faces at school and camp.

Student Birthday Celebrations at school: We LOVE celebrating your child’s birthday at school! You are welcome to bring healthier food options like fruit, muffins, bagels, etc). Parents are welcome to come & celebrate too! Please make all celebration arrangements with your child’s teachers.

Student Birthday Celebrations at home: If you are planning a birthday celebration outside of school, we would be happy to help with handing out the invitations. Just ask for a list of the children’s names, fill out the invitations at home and bring to school for us to pass out.

Wear Sunscreen Everyday: It’s Sunscreen Time! If you’ve stopped applying daily sunscreen, it’s time to get back into the swing of things. Children (10 months- 6yrs)  should come to school wearing an SPF 30 or more on all exposed areas of the skin. If you would like us to re-apply a medication form must be completed. We also recommend wearing a hat. We will be having a lot of outdoor fun!  (Always consult your child’s physician.)

Tuition Rates: Our tuition rates are adjusted annually. If you are not yet on the current rate schedule, the adjustment takes place on your June 20th statement for July billing. (Tuition for graduating Busy Bees will not change.) Click here or click on Tuition & FAQs above or download the parent handbook to see the current rates.

COVID Vaccine: Lots of children have already received the COVID vaccine. If your child hasn’t received it yet, it’s time to get it ASAP. They are available to everyone 6 months of age and older. Parents have reported no major issues with getting the vaccine. Please protect your child and get the vaccine ASAP before all the holiday gatherings are in full swing. 🙂

If your child has received any COVID vaccinations, please go into your Parent Portal page and add the dates to your child’s immunization record.  Thank you.

Immunizations: Please make sure to keep up with your child’s immunizations and update the Sandbox Parent Portal whenever your child gets a vaccine.

Illness Policy: We follow a strict written Illness Policy. PLEASE keep your child home if they are sick. It is important to keep the children & staff healthy.

Sheets & Blankets: All children must have a sheet & blanket for nap time everyday.  Please make sure to send a sheet & blanket at the start of the week.  Please have your child’s name printed on them.  Thank you!

The post Happy Times June 2023 appeared first on Halsey Schools Preschool & Infant Center.

Sunburns & Sun Exposure Last Forever

A sunburn today can lead to skin cancer tomorrow. Whenever outdoors your child’s skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. Protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunblocks are a must. Look for long sleeves & pants, tight weaves, UV protection labels and three inch brimmed hats.

SPF, UVA, UVB, Full Spectrum…

All exposed skin should be protected with sunscreens or sunblocks labeled with Full Spectrum UVA & UVB protection and an SPF-Sun Protection Factor.  Sunblocks labeled as both “Broad Spectrum” and “SPF 15” (or higher) not only protect against sunburn, but, if used as directed with the other sun protection measures above, can reduce the risk of skin cancer, early skin aging and damage. Sun exposure damages all skin. A tan is skin damage.  (Sunscreens protect by absorbing harmful rays. Sunblocks protect by literally blocking the rays. In this post I will use sunblock referring to both.)

Toss old sunblock, get SPF 30+, apply twice

• Throw out all sunblock from last summer. Even if it is still within the expiration date, it’s probably not anywhere near as effective as it was. Exposure to sun and heat expedite the expiration.
• Sunblock comes in a variety of forms – lotions, sprays, wipes or gels. Be sure to choose one with a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher and both UVA and UVB or broad spectrum protection. (Sprays can pose an inhalation danger and tend to go all over the place instead of the skin.)
• For most effective protection, apply sunblock generously 30 minutes before going outdoors. And, don’t forget to protect ears, noses, lips, back of the knees, neck and the tops of feet which often go unprotected.
• Apply it in two coats.Apply sunblock twice, not once. Studies show that children only get the full protection of sunblock when it is applied twice. It is really easy to miss a spot or two with just one coat.
• Take sunblock with you to reapply during the day, especially after your child swims or exercises. This applies to “waterproof” and “water resistant” products as well. Keep in mind, sunblock is not meant to allow your children to spend more time in the sun than they would otherwise.
• The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that sunblock use on babies less than 6 months old is not harmful on small areas of a baby’s skin, such as the face and back of the hands. But make sure you test for potential irritation 48 hours before needed by applying a small amount on a patch of your baby’s skin. Your baby’s best defense against sunburn is avoiding the sun or staying in the shade.

Recommended Sunblock & Sunscreen

Some of the most popular sunblocks we see at school are Baby Bum, babyganics and Coppertone Pure & Simple baby.

Now go outside and enjoy your summer protected!

The post Do this to protect your child from sun burns & lifelong skin damage appeared first on Halsey Schools Preschool & Infant Center.