Ridge Early Childhood Center October News 2011

Dear Parent,

We have now officially entered the new season of Fall, or should we say Autumn, and the days are growing chilly. Children need to be dressed accordingly for these chilly mornings. Everyone is adjusting to the new routines as we continue to grow and develop a little more each day.

October is Fire Safety month and the Oak Forest Fire Dept. will be visiting Ridge on Tuesday, October 18th. They will be discussing fire safety and sharing all of their safety equipment with the children.

Thank you to our kindergarten teachers and parents who took the time in your busy schedules to attend the Kindergarten Curriculum Night. Your support at home of school lessons helps to provide better instruction and learning experiences for our students. Working as a team, can really make it all happen.

Half-day kindergarten students are invited to spend the full day for the Halloween parade and parties that will take place in the afternoon on, Monday, October 31st. If students ride the bus they will come home on the same route as their morning pick-up. If your child stays the full day they will need to bring a lunch with a drink because they are not registered for lunch accounts.

Family Reading Night will be held on Wednesday, November 2nd to kick off the PTA Book Fair. Details will follow explaining the events of the evening scheduled between 6:30 and 7:30. This is just a reminder that no home-baked goods can be sent into the classrooms for birthdays or treats. It is District policy and listed in the District 142 handbook supporting the Illinois Health Department recommendations.

Thank you to everyone for your cooperation with the drop-off and pick-up procedures making it safe for everyone. Reminder that NO one should be exiting on to Laramie, the drive is a one-way during these times. If you need to leave the lot early you will need to park outside of the lot. Pre-K and EC afternoon classes please remember that you remain in your car if you are using the drop-off lane and a staff member will come to get your child out of the car, or you need to park your car in a regular parking space and walk your child up to the door. Please do not leave your car unattended in the drop-off lane.

I would like to request that all kindergarten students keep an extra pair of clothes and underwear in their backpacks. We do not have extra clothing when a child has spilled milk, experiences a bathroom accident or splashes in a puddle. Hopefully we won’t need them but will save time trying to contact home.

Kindergarten Lunch Update: MealTime has added a new feature to their online web payment system – Low Balance Notification. Any parent or guardian with an established profile on MealTime Online (www.mymealtime.com) can opt in to receive an email notification – automatically – whenever their student’s account reaches a pre-determined “low balance” level set by the account holder. The notification will prompt them to login and update the specific account balance using their Visa, MasterCard or Discover Card. Parents can, of course, send money in to school and they do not have to make a deposit online.

One last reminder is the importance of children being in school and on time. Kindergarten and Pre-K is not just playtime, but a new learning experience each day. If your child is sick they need to be home, but I cannot stress enough the importance of attendance for learning continuity.

Thank you as always for your help and support. If you have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call. No question is ever too small. Have a wonderful weekend!

Sincerely,

Anne Berry, Principal Ridge Early Childhood Center 5151 W. 149th St. Oak Forest, IL 60452 708.687.2964 [email protected]

“It takes a village to child!”