I mentioned in the Parent Meeting that we have joined NAEYC this year (National Association for the Education of Young Children). They send us several publications throughout the year with various articles. There is also an online website for parents: www.families.naeyc.org. I noticed an article about potty training (for those of you working on it!) - and one on temper tantrums (in case they occur at your house!)
Thursday, September 6, 2012
FYI
If your child is in a class that naps, and you would like to purchase a nap mat cover for him/her, check out Little Star Kids Gear located behind PF Changs in Cool Springs. 771-9915 or www.littlestarkidsgear.com
If the 1,2,3 Magic Parenting book appealed to you at our Parent Meeting, they are currently offering a 20% discount when you purchase from their website.
Go to www.123Magic.com and enter code ABC2012 for the discount.
And finally, hang in there all you new moms and dads! Your little ones take awhile to adjust to the new routine. So expect a few tears and uncertainty. I promise that once they get into the routine, the tears will disappear!
If the 1,2,3 Magic Parenting book appealed to you at our Parent Meeting, they are currently offering a 20% discount when you purchase from their website.
Go to www.123Magic.com and enter code ABC2012 for the discount.
And finally, hang in there all you new moms and dads! Your little ones take awhile to adjust to the new routine. So expect a few tears and uncertainty. I promise that once they get into the routine, the tears will disappear!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Calendar Revision
Apparently, I made a few mistakes on the calendar located in your Parent Handbook. I'll blame the six year old who keeps a steady conversation going while I work on my computer...
Easter Egg Hunt: March 20, 21
Spring Break: March 25 - 29
Spring Program/Pre-K Graduation: May 14, 15
Field Day: May 20, 21
Last Day Shining Light: May 22 (half day 9:00 - 12:00)
Easter Egg Hunt: March 20, 21
Spring Break: March 25 - 29
Spring Program/Pre-K Graduation: May 14, 15
Field Day: May 20, 21
Last Day Shining Light: May 22 (half day 9:00 - 12:00)
I THINK that's all of them!
Sunday, September 2, 2012
First Week
We are excited to begin our first full days at Shining Light this week!
Remember that Monday is Labor Day so no school!
You cannot leave your child Tuesday or Wednesday unless you have filled out a Medical Release Form and Permission to Pick-Up Form. The vast majority of you have already done that, but there are just a few who missed those days and the meetings last week and did not mail their forms in. For those in that situation we cannot allow you to leave your child until all of that is taken care of.
Teachers will be sending class e-mails out in the next day or two. If you do not receive an e-mail from your child's teachers, please let them know sometime this week, so they can make sure that they have the correct address.
And last, but certainly not least, our staff has announcements and prayer time each morning from 8:30 to 8:55. We pray for all our families at Shining Light as well as other concerns that someone may have. We often do not unlock the doors until 8:55, so if you should arrive early and the doors are locked, you know that we are still in prayer time. We appreciate your understanding in this. We will be ready to go at 8:55 though!
HAVE A RESTFUL LABOR DAY!
Thursday, August 23, 2012
Reminders
It's been an interesting week for me. I spent two days at Vanderbilt Hospital with my husband and then drove to Knoxville to spend time with my father at UT Hospital. Definitely not what I had planned this week before Shining Light begins!
I appreciate Kely Fouraker and Maria Schatz covering for me while I'm away. From the questions that were asked, I thought that I would see if I could answer a few on the blog. And remember, if you did not stop by today, the hours for Friday are 11:00 - 1:00!
I appreciate Kely Fouraker and Maria Schatz covering for me while I'm away. From the questions that were asked, I thought that I would see if I could answer a few on the blog. And remember, if you did not stop by today, the hours for Friday are 11:00 - 1:00!
- Tuition is for the 2012-13 year: one child $160; two children $300; three children $410.
- We have three methods of payment: check, cash (only exact cash; we keep no change, or PayPal from this blog site)
- Checks should always be made payable to FRANKLIN CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
- You should have received a confirmation letter over the summer. If you had not paid your registration/supply fee, you would NOT have received a confirmation letter. We contacted all parents that we had not received a fee from and made arrangements to have it paid.
- There are two forms for you to fill out once you get to the church. One is front AND back (we tried to condense from last year), and one is for the teachers to have in their files.
- We will cover all the little details concerning the program at our Parent Meeting next week. You will receive a Parent Handbook at that time, and it will cover all the basics plus stuff you didn't even know that you needed to know or care about!
- Times for Parent Meeting next week: Wednesday (9:00 if you are a new family; 11:00 if you are a returning family) Thursday (9:00 if you are a new family; 11:00 if you are a returning family). Please come on Wednesday if you are part of the M/W program; please come on Thursday if you are part of the Tues/Thurs program.
- Those of you on waiting list for alternate days: we have been very diligent about contacting families if an opening has occurred and we can switch your days. If we did not contact you, it is simply because we have had no movement in that class.
Thank you for your patience as we get all geared up and ready for next week. We still have a lot to do and prepare, but we look forward to seeing all of you soon!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
FAQ
Since we have had several new families join in recent weeks, I want to update information for those who have had questions. Let's do a FAQ section!
Why do I need to fill out forms and pay tuition on the 23rd and 24th?
Filling out forms early allows us to gather information quickly without using Parent Meeting time to do paperwork. It allows us to finish class rolls before teacher inservice, so the teachers know who is going to be in class. We ask payment two weeks in advance, so we can meet our payroll, and so that we can close out our books in May. And finally, I am receiving many e-mails each day asking for an opening or registering for a waiting list. This allows us to fill any vacant spots we may have if we know who plans not to return this fall.
Do I bring my child to the Meet the Teacher/Parent Meeting?
Yes! Our teachers want to meet you AND your child! They get to work with your child for a brief time, see the dynamics of their class, and begin to learn names. Your child gets to spend time with his/her teacher, see the classroom, and meet the other children.
Is it even important to come to the Parent Meeting?
Absolutely! Shining Light has become fairly large with room for 84 children each set of days. There are guidelines and rules that we need to follow. There are procedures that make your experience more enjoyable if you know beforehand what to expect. You receive a Parent Handbook in addition to information about how we operate. And for those returning parents, we make changes each year to the program; you will want to know what those are!
How do I pay tuition? I see PayPal on the blog. What is that?
Tuition will be due the 15th of each month (with the exception of August which is due 8/23 or 8/24). You have the option to pay by check (always made payable to Franklin Christian Church) or to use PayPal. There is a fee to use PayPal because they charge us a fee to use them. You are free to pay either way. More details at the Parent Meeting.
What do I need to bring to Shining Light?
With your supply fee we purchase tote bags. I hope that these will be ready at the Meet the Teacher/Parent Meeting. For your first full day, you will need to bring your child a lunch, diapers/pull-ups/extra underwear, and an extra change of clothing in case of an accident. Nursery, Toddler 1 and Toddler 2 will need to bring nap mats. We prefer the blue/red plastic ones from Walmart. Please do not bring one designed like a sleeping bag! Once again, more details will be given at the Parent Meeting.
Help! I simply cannot make it 8/23 or 8/24. What do I do?
First, you e-mail me and tell me that you are unable to make it. I will e-mail you the forms to fill out. You can mail these back in along with your tuition check. We need them before the 27th because of teacher inservice and class rolls. I am going to place the church address on the right side of this blog for future reference.
I can't make it to the Meet the Teacher/Parent Meeting. What do I do?
First of all, make sure Shining Light is aware and does not think that you are a no-show for the fall. If at all possible, you need to be at the Parent Meeting. There is too much valuable information given. If you absolutely cannot, please read the Parent Handbook cover to cover when you get it. I cannot tell you how many e-mails that I've answered over the years that were covered in the handbook but parents didn't take the time to read it.
Hopefully, this covers a few questions that you may have. For those who are returning this year, just keep in mind that we have grown, and with that come growing pains. We have taken steps to make sure that we have qualified people working in all areas to make sure that the program runs smoothly. So there may be a few changes, but it is all to ensure your child has a wonderful experience this year!
Why do I need to fill out forms and pay tuition on the 23rd and 24th?
Filling out forms early allows us to gather information quickly without using Parent Meeting time to do paperwork. It allows us to finish class rolls before teacher inservice, so the teachers know who is going to be in class. We ask payment two weeks in advance, so we can meet our payroll, and so that we can close out our books in May. And finally, I am receiving many e-mails each day asking for an opening or registering for a waiting list. This allows us to fill any vacant spots we may have if we know who plans not to return this fall.
Do I bring my child to the Meet the Teacher/Parent Meeting?
Yes! Our teachers want to meet you AND your child! They get to work with your child for a brief time, see the dynamics of their class, and begin to learn names. Your child gets to spend time with his/her teacher, see the classroom, and meet the other children.
Is it even important to come to the Parent Meeting?
Absolutely! Shining Light has become fairly large with room for 84 children each set of days. There are guidelines and rules that we need to follow. There are procedures that make your experience more enjoyable if you know beforehand what to expect. You receive a Parent Handbook in addition to information about how we operate. And for those returning parents, we make changes each year to the program; you will want to know what those are!
How do I pay tuition? I see PayPal on the blog. What is that?
Tuition will be due the 15th of each month (with the exception of August which is due 8/23 or 8/24). You have the option to pay by check (always made payable to Franklin Christian Church) or to use PayPal. There is a fee to use PayPal because they charge us a fee to use them. You are free to pay either way. More details at the Parent Meeting.
What do I need to bring to Shining Light?
With your supply fee we purchase tote bags. I hope that these will be ready at the Meet the Teacher/Parent Meeting. For your first full day, you will need to bring your child a lunch, diapers/pull-ups/extra underwear, and an extra change of clothing in case of an accident. Nursery, Toddler 1 and Toddler 2 will need to bring nap mats. We prefer the blue/red plastic ones from Walmart. Please do not bring one designed like a sleeping bag! Once again, more details will be given at the Parent Meeting.
Help! I simply cannot make it 8/23 or 8/24. What do I do?
First, you e-mail me and tell me that you are unable to make it. I will e-mail you the forms to fill out. You can mail these back in along with your tuition check. We need them before the 27th because of teacher inservice and class rolls. I am going to place the church address on the right side of this blog for future reference.
I can't make it to the Meet the Teacher/Parent Meeting. What do I do?
First of all, make sure Shining Light is aware and does not think that you are a no-show for the fall. If at all possible, you need to be at the Parent Meeting. There is too much valuable information given. If you absolutely cannot, please read the Parent Handbook cover to cover when you get it. I cannot tell you how many e-mails that I've answered over the years that were covered in the handbook but parents didn't take the time to read it.
Hopefully, this covers a few questions that you may have. For those who are returning this year, just keep in mind that we have grown, and with that come growing pains. We have taken steps to make sure that we have qualified people working in all areas to make sure that the program runs smoothly. So there may be a few changes, but it is all to ensure your child has a wonderful experience this year!
Monday, August 13, 2012
New address is ready!
The Critterbuzz blog has been officially changed to: www.shininglightCPC.blogspot.com.
Please change your records to reflect this new address and to stay in the loop of all of what's going on here at Shining Light!
Please change your records to reflect this new address and to stay in the loop of all of what's going on here at Shining Light!
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