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.
One way to support our students in the transition from the home to the school environment is to help them start to understand the differences between the two environments:
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. TRANSITIONS: We know the home to school transition can be difficult for the first few weeks. If there is a prolonged transition anxiety period for your child, please work directly with your preschool teacher (or childcare staff) to work on a plan to ease these worries. Here are a few resources regarding transitioning to preschool for those in need of ideas and support related to on-going transitions with preschoolers:
- NAEYC 13 Tips for Transitioning to Preschool
- Zero to three: Preschool Prep: Helping Children Prepare for Preschool
- Home to School, from Colorado Early Learning
We look forward to working with you and your family this year!
With respect – Paige Gordon, Principal
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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.
To this end, please click here to access an electronic version of the Code of Conduct for the current school year. After you have reviewed this information, all families must sign an electronic acknowledgement that they have received, read, and understand the information contained, including the Annual Notification to Parents/Guardians; Behavioral Code of Conduct; Rights and Responsibilities of Students and Parents; and Board of Education Policies book. To sign your electronic acknowledgement, please follow the steps described here.
Again, thank you for your continued partnership and support. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the office at 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.
Our 5 Standard Response Protocols require the following practice drills:
1. HOLD (“In your classroom or area”)– does not require a drill.
2. Secure (“Get inside. Lock outside doors”) – One drill at the beginning of the year. Secure is called when there is something dangerous outside of the building
3. Lockdown Drill (“Locks, Lights, Out of Sight”) — One announced drill in the first quarter of school and a second unannounced drill later in the school year. A Lockdown is called when there is something dangerous inside of the building.
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. Shelter (Hazard or Safety strategy) – Because of preschool rules and regulations, we conduct this drill monthly from February to October, as licensing requires more practice for PK than K-12.
More information about safety and security from our school district is found here.
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FALL TOWN HALL MEETINGS– SVVSD
St. Vrain Valley Schools invites parents, teachers, staff, and community members to join Superintendent, Dr. Don Haddad, for one of our upcoming Superintendent Town Hall meetings.
**Tuesday, 9/3, 5:30-7:30: Frederick High School
Los servicios de interpretación al español estarán disponibles en cada evento
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Community Involvement — Join 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:
Please read more about community resources on our website, including: child development, child nutrition and physical activity practices, Food bank, Health Resources, and Mental Health.
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CELEBRATING BIRTHDAYS:
Because we must follow USDA guidelines for what is served for snacks, and we have many students with dietary restrictions who cannot have certain foods , our policy for children and families celebrating a birthday is for the family to bring a party favor – some small trinket that can’t be swallowed by young children (pencil, small bottle of bubbles etc.) Families might find these items at the dollar store. Students with allergies, other medical conditions, and food modifications can feel very sad that they are left out when families bring in food they cannot have. Please do not bring in cupcakes, cake, or other baked goods – store bought or from home.
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Information about Nutrition Services:
The St. Vrain Valley School District’s Department of Nutrition Services provides quality, nutritious and well balanced meals to the District’s students. While it’s not mandatory for all families to fill out the Free & Reduced Education Benefit Form, we encourage everyone to do it! By filling out the form it helps Nutrition Services receive the most reimbursement possible from the Federal Government before using State funds. Here is the link “Free & Reduced: The Education Benefit Form”
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 [email protected]. 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).
Food Allergies Requiring Meal Modifications: If a child has a food allergy, a meal modification form will be needed by our Nutrition Services Department to create a plan for modifying snacks and any meals based on need. The form is available here or a copy may be picked up at our school’s office. This will need to be completed with the assistance of a physician. Once completed, please drop this off at the office with Amanda, our health clerk, so she can collaborate with Nutrition Services. Nutrition Services also has information about Special Dietary Needs on their website.
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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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We’re Hiring! Join the #StVrainStorm
Join a highly supportive and effective team of professionals who are having a significant impact on the lives of students and families in our community.
Click here to browse our open positions.
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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
**Family Resource Center at Spark!