Dear Families – Welcome! We want to thank you for entrusting us with your children! It’s been a joy getting to know them and watching them grow and change already during our first week. Our mission is to engage students in early learning experiences, in partnership with families and the community, that develop a strong foundation, enrich the whole child, and inspire lifelong learning. As this is the first electronic newsletter of the year, you should expect these types of school-wide newsletters from our school several times a month. Your child’s teacher should start communicating with you about their classroom through electronic means as well about the day to day of the classroom.
Una forma de apoyar a nuestros alumnos en la transición del entorno familiar al escolar es ayudarles a empezar a comprender las diferencias entre ambos entornos:
1. PRIVACY: One important difference is related to the word “PRIVACY.” Start using this word to describe delicate situations associated with restroom needs, diapering, changing clothes, etc. in a way that helps children to realize that sometimes situations at home require less privacy than they will at school. For example, it may be perfectly routine for children to come out of the restroom at home with missing clothes; in the school setting, we work to diminish this sort of action in order to protect the child’s dignity and privacy. We will always support the students in a way that supports our staff in these situations — so all delicate situations are handled with a two-person assist, which are documented, in our environment — with one person assisting the child and another adult witnessing (to protect the child AND the adult).
2. PARENTS ARE DIFFERENT THAN TEACHERS: Oftentimes young children lack the experience and understanding that parents are different than teachers and staff. Please help us by talking through scenarios about these differences. Here are a few examples: a) parents/family members are people we kiss, teachers and staff are not, b) parents/family get snuggles — teachers and staff get side hugs, c) parents look under clothing at child injuries — teachers and staff don’t (unless medically appropriate and with 2 people present), d) parents/family pick up and carry their kids, and at school teachers and staff do not, etc.
3. TRANSICIONES: Sabemos que la transición del hogar al colegio puede resultar difícil durante las primeras semanas. Si tu hijo o hija sufre un periodo prolongado de ansiedad por la transición, te rogamos que te pongas en contacto directamente con su profesor o profesora de preescolar (o con el personal de la guardería) para elaborar un plan que ayude a aliviar estas preocupaciones. A continuación, te ofrecemos algunos recursos sobre la transición al preescolar para quienes necesiten ideas y apoyo en relación con las transiciones que están viviendo con niños en edad preescolar:
- 13 consejos de la NAEYC para la transición al centro de educación infantil
- De cero a tres años: Preparación para la educación infantil: cómo ayudar a los niños a prepararse para la educación infantil
- De casa al colegio, de Colorado Early Learningg
¡Estamos deseando trabajar contigo y con tu familia este año!
Atentamente, Paige Gordon, directora
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Activation Codes for Infinite Campus:
Please check an important email that was sent out from District Technology Services (DTS) on Wednesday, August 21st, 2024, to some families (those who didn’t alreaedy have access to Infinite Campus).There are instructions on how to set up your child’s Infinite Campus (IC) account. An account needs be created for each student who attends our district. This account will be used for a variety of important reasons throughout their schooling in our school district. Please contact the school office if for some reason you didn’t receive this code or you can’t find their code. Families need to respond within 7 days; these electronic codes will expire.
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24-25 Digital Behavioral Code Books:
Thank you for your partnership and supporting the academic growth, safety, and well-being of our students. Every year, St. Vrain Valley Schools has an up-to-date version of the Code of Conduct for students and families to review. This important document guides students and school staff on what expectations for school conduct and the consequences for behaviors that fall outside of those expectations. It is important that families review this information every year and acknowledge their receipt and understanding of this document.
Para ello,haz clic aquí para acceder a una versión electrónica del Código de Conducta correspondiente al presente curso escolar. Una vez que hayas revisado esta información, todas las familias deben firmar un documento electrónico de aceptación en el que certifiquen que han recibido, leído y comprendido la información contenida, incluyendo la «Notificación anual a padres y tutores», el «Código de Conducta», los «Derechos y responsabilidades de los alumnos y los padres» y el libro de «Normativas de la Junta de Educación». Para firmar su declaración de aceptación electrónica, sigalos pasos que se describen aquí.
Una vez más, gracias por vuestra colaboración y apoyo constantes. Si tenéis alguna duda, no dudéis en poneros en contacto con la oficina llamando al 720-652-7906.
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St. Vrain Valley Schools Gears Up for Public Education Parade on Sept 7
Students across St. Vrain Valley Schools have been preparing for the upcoming Public Education on Parade event on September 7. Organized by a committee of high school students and educators, the parade is designed to celebrate the achievements of the district and strengthen the connection between St. Vrain Valley Schools and the community. We will gather on September 7 as the “FREDERICK FEEDER” at Roosevelt Park and walk with all families from Firestone, Frederick, and Dacono. Permission slips will need to be signed for any family participating at the event — look for staff in their SPARK! gear. All children attending and participating will be supervised by their parents/guardians who must remain with the child to walk / wagon / stroller the event.
Click here to learn more.
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SAFETY DRILLS: As a part of our required safety and security drills, we practice the following drills at Spark! Discovery Preschool.
Nuestros5 protocolos de respuesta estándarrequieren los siguientes simulacros:
1. HOLD ( «En tu aula o zona»): no requiere simulacro.
2. «Secure» ( «Entrad. Cerrad las puertas exteriores con llave») – Un simulacro a principios de año. Se da la orden «Secure» cuando hay algún peligro fuera del edificio.
3. Simulacro de cierre de emergencia ( «Cerrar, apagar las luces, esconderse») — Un simulacro anunciado durante el primer trimestre y un segundo simulacro sin previo aviso más adelante en el curso escolar. Se ordena el cierre de emergencia cuando hay algo peligroso dentro del edificio.
4. Evacuate (“To a Location”)– The first drill will take place within the first 10 days of the new school year and they are practiced each month of the school year. We will practice a fire drill this week on Wednesday.
5. Refugio ( estrategia ante riesgos o de seguridad): debido a las normas y reglamentos de educación infantil, realizamos este simulacro mensualmente de febrero a octubre, ya que la normativa exige más prácticas para el ciclo de preescolar (PK) que para los niveles de primaria y secundaria (K-12).
Aquí encontrarás más información sobreseguridad y protección proporcionada por nuestro distrito escolar.
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REUNIONES PÚBLICAS DE OTOÑO – SVVSD
El distrito escolar de St. Vrain Valley invita a padres, profesores, personal y miembros de la comunidad a participar junto al superintendente, el Dr. Don Haddad, en una de nuestras próximas reuniones públicas con el superintendente.
**Tuesday, 9/3, 5:30-7:30: Frederick High School
En cada evento habrá servicio de interpretación al español.
Haz clic aquí para obtener más información.
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Participación en la comunidad — Únete a Leadership St. Vrain
Leadership St. Vrain is a program designed to provide parents and other community members the opportunity to deepen their knowledge of our district’s mission, operations and strategic priorities. The program is especially beneficial for those who want to obtain a foundation in district operations and governance and become more active participants in St. Vrain Valley Schools. We are looking for interested parents from the SPARK! community to join this team. Questions? Reach out to Paige Gordon, Principal, at 720-652-7906.
Click here to learn more and apply.
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COMMUNITY RESOURCES:
Le invitamos a consultar más información sobre los recursos comunitarios en nuestra página web, entre los que se incluyen: desarrollo infantil, nutrición infantil y hábitos de actividad física, banco de alimentos, recursos sanitarios y salud mental.
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CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS:
Dado que debemos cumplir las directrices del USDA sobre lo que se sirve como merienda, y que contamos con muchos alumnos con restricciones alimentarias que no pueden consumir determinados alimentos,nuestra política para los niños y las familias que celebran un cumpleaños es que la familia traiga un detalle para la fiesta: algún pequeño objeto que los niños pequeños no puedan tragarse (un lápiz, un botellín de pompas de jabón, etc.). Las familias pueden encontrar estos artículos en las tiendas de todo a un dólar. Los alumnos con alergias, otras afecciones médicas o necesidades dietéticas especiales pueden sentirse muy tristes al sentirse excluidos cuando las familias traen comida que ellos no pueden tomar. Por favor, no traigáis magdalenas, pasteles u otros productos de repostería, ya sean comprados en la tienda o hechos en casa.
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Información sobre los servicios de nutrición:
El Departamento de Servicios de Nutrición del Distrito Escolar de St. Vrain Valley ofrece comidas de calidad, nutritivas y bien equilibradas a los alumnos del distrito. Aunque no es obligatorio que todas las familias rellenen el formulario de prestaciones educativas gratuitas y a precio reducido, ¡animamos a todos a que lo hagan! Al rellenar el formulario, se ayuda a los Servicios de Nutrición a recibir el mayor reembolso posible del Gobierno federal antes de recurrir a los fondos estatales. Aquí está el enlace : «Prestaciones educativas gratuitas y a precio reducido: el formulario de prestaciones educativas».
Nutrition Services will provide an AM stack (they call it “breakfast”) if your child is in AM Half-Day Preschool, or if your child is in PM Half-Day Preschool. If your child is in All-Day Preschool, the child will receive Breakfast and Lunch from Nutrition Services. PM Snacks will be provided by the Early Childhood Office. Childcare information about food and snacks can be obtained by contacting Tasha Lugg, chilcare manager at lugg_tash@svvsd.org. All Breakfast (AM snack), Lunch, and PM Snack menus are found by clicking the “Lunch Menus” link. Here are links to the September menus, which are available online through the SVVSD nutrition services website (click “view school menus” and make sure to change the dial at the top to our school).
Alergias alimentarias que requieren adaptaciones en las comidas: Si un niño padece una alergia alimentaria, nuestro Departamento de Servicios de Nutrición necesitará un formulario de adaptación de comidas para elaborar un plan que permita adaptar los tentempiés y cualquier comida según sea necesario. El formulario está disponible aquí o se puede recoger una copia en la secretaría de nuestro colegio. Deberá rellenarse con la ayuda de un médico. Una vez cumplimentado, por favor, entréguelo en la secretaría a Amanda, nuestra responsable de salud, para que pueda coordinarse con los Servicios de Nutrición. Los Servicios de Nutrición también ofrecen información sobre necesidades dietéticas especiales en su página web.
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Tuition for some preschoolers:
Three Year Olds: Tuition payments may be required for our 3 yr old families who do not have an Individual Education Plan through special education. The tuition is $538.00 per month.
Four Year Olds in full day Programming: There are families that will also need to pay for the 2nd half of the full day, which is $404.00 tuition. These families have already been notified by the St. Vrain Early Childhood office.
Tuition is due on the first of the month with a 5 day grace period, and a late fees can be assessed for late payments.. The first tuition payment of the year will be due on Monday, Sept 2, 2024. Call the office at 720-652-7906 if you have any questions. Please add your child’s name in the memo along with your phone number if you are writing a check. Tuition can also be paid online through Infinite Campus (IC).
Tuition information will be sent out in next weeks Thursday folder. One of the forms in the Thursday folder will be a tuition agreement. Parents or Guardians must sign and return the Tuition Agreement by Friday, Sept 6, 2024.
Tuition can be paid at the office with exact cash or a check made out to Spark! Discovery Preschool. All tuition should be delivered to the front office, as classroom staff may not handle cash / checks. Our office hours are 8:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday – Friday.
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FROM THE OFFICE…
Alicia Sheahan-Hall, Campus Supervisor:
At Spark! Discovery Preschool we take safety and security seriously and want to ensure that every student can learn and grow in a nurturing and safe place. Around our school are posted signs asking children to please stand in line with a supervising adult at drop off and pick up. The purpose of these signs are two fold: we want students to learn how to wait appropriately for the start of an activity (IE: school), and we want all students to stay safe. When multiple students are running around it creates dysregulation and can cause collisions between students. We want students to be calm and ready for the day ahead. In the winter months this is can be dangerous with snow and ice. We ask all families to supervise their child when standing in line before school. If we start these good habits now at the start of the school year, we will have good habits in the winter months and for future years of school. Your help with this is much appreciated. If you as a parent see a safety concern please reach out to our Campus Supervisor, Alicia by calling the office or sending her an email.
Amanda Rivera, Health Clerk:
Before the year starts I want to make sure that I have all necessary information needed to care for students. Their safety is my first priority so any and all information given to me about their care is appreciated. This includes any allergies, medications and conditions a student has. If necessary, there are additional forms that must be signed by a care physician, so I want to make sure all students are ready to go for their first day of school! Please reach out to me and I will be sure to get you all the necessary documentation.
Also, every student in attendance will need a General Health Appraisal form turned in before September 19th, 2024. General Health Appraisal forms are mandatory and must be kept up to date for state licensing purposes because we offer preschool. Please note that the form is valid for 1 year from the date of the most recent physical exam and not from the date that the form was signed. Please understand that the health appraisal form is a crucial part of our license process, and it is very important that your student has a valid form on file as soon as possible.
Lastly, please know that I am working on putting immunizations into Infinite Campus. This is a lengthy process as it must be done one vaccine at a time for every student. The office will reach out to parents if we still need any documents.
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¡Estamos contratando! Únete a #StVrainStorm
Únete a un equipo de profesionales muy solidario y eficaz que está marcando una gran diferencia en las vidas de los alumnos y las familias de nuestra comunidad.
Haz clic aquí para consultar nuestras ofertas de empleo.
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COMMUNICATION COMING NEXT WEEK:
**Diapering protocols at Spark in Preschool and Childcare
**What’s the Parent-Teacher Organization?
**Survey for volunteering for school and class events
**Volunteer training dates and sign up form
**Centro de Recursos Familiares de Spark!**