August 31st , 2010
Dear Extended Day Friends and Families,
I hope this letter finds your family well rested and ready for school
to begin. The countdown is on and there are only a few more days for us to prepare. With much planning, reorganizing and preparing for the fall
well underway, I would like to update you with some important
dates, policies and information. The first day of school is just around the corner and I am delighted to be spreading this electrifying news with you.
Our 2010-2011 teaching team is composed of many wonderful teachers who are extremely excited about the upcoming year and look forward to working with your child.
The lower level of Extended Day (next to the gym) will be home to our
Pre-K and Kindergarten through grade one program. Alyssa Davis will lead the fantastic teaching team in this room. Alyssa will continue to work with Sidoney Daley and the k/1 teaching team to create an excellent early education curriculum. They have many hands on activities and projects planned for the first few weeks.
Our second through six-grade program will continue to meet in the Heath
School cafeteria from 2:20-5:45pm. We will continue to use the upper
level of extended day on an as needed basis to help create small group
activities on a daily basis. Malania LeSage, Caitlyn Hawkins and Jared Mael, who have the knowledge and experience, will also help create a meaningful curriculum that encourages and supports friendship, self-confidence and leadership.
Two fantastic Heath School Aides, Cory Warfield and Brianna Conlan will also be working at Extended Day to enhance and help design an
engaging and enjoyable program in both K/1 and 2-6.
Our dedicated teachers are enthusiastic and will teach
through pleasurable hands-on activities that help enhance and bridge
the learning from that is happening during the school day. We are happy to have such good natured and experienced teachers. All are committed to great afternoon programming that supports and encourages academic learning.
I am also happy to announce that HEDP will be continuing our one of a
kind older kids program called Tripping Out (for 5th-8th graders).
Malaina LeSage will lead this program and has already planned
many fantastic activities for this group. Please email
hedtprippinout@gmail.com or phone the HEDP office for more information
before September 9th. Space is limited for this one of a kind program.
As our first day of school quickly approaches please feel free to give
us a call should you have any questions or concerns. You may also
reach us by email at hedp@brookline.k12.ma.us. We welcome you to
Heath Extended Day and wish your child a wonderful first day.
Warmly,
Noelle Ahearn, Director
Additional Notes….
*Our program is nut free. Please keep this in mind when sending
special snacks or food for your child.*
Because HEDP is becoming more of a cooperative program please look for
ways to volunteer in each classroom. These needs will be posted on
the information station bulletin board. There is a mandatory 5 hours volunteer commitment for each family.
**Families who are applying for tuition assistance need to have all
forms mailed to Noelle by September 30th 2010.
Pre-K
On Monday, September 13th and Tuesday, September 14th you may pop into HEDP with your child to get acquainted with Alyssa, and our classroom between 12:15-2:00pm. Please bring a lunch and explore our learning centers with your child.
Pre-K Extended Day will officially begin on Wednesday, September 15th
at 12:15pm. Alyssa will pick the Pre-K children up from Min Jen’s
classroom on a daily basis. Please send your child with:
~ A packed lunch
~ A change of clothes in a labeled bag
~ A king size pillowcase with his/her name on it
~ A picture of your child with his/her family.
Kindergarten
On Tuesday, September 7th (Families with last letters A-M) and
Wednesday September 8th (L-Z), Kindergarten will have an early
release. We welcome your child to come to extended day only on the
day your child attends his/her first day of Kindergarten with a parent or guardian. Please pack your child a lunch so they can enjoy a bite to eat in our space.
We encourage you to use this day to visit our classroom with your child to help him/her begin to feel comfortable and confident within our classroom. We highly recommend picking up your child no later than 2:15 pm since it can be a very long first day.
There will be NO SCHOOL on Thursday, September 9th due to a holiday.
Kindergarten Extended Day will officially begin on Friday, September
10h at 2:20pm. Caitlyn Hawkins will pick up the Kindergarteners at 2:20pm and walk them to HEDP each day.
Please provide your child with
A) Change of clothes in a zip-lock bag with his/her name on it.
B) family photo.
This may be a challenging day for a kindergartener that does not feel confident due to the unpredictable schedule. Please contact us before 2:00pm should you have any concerns.
1st-6th Graders
All are welcome to begin attending HEDP on Tuesday, September 7th at
2:20pm. Please look for HEDP teachers in the hall to guide you to
the Heath School Cafeteria. Please call or email the HEDP office should your child not be attending on the first day.
1st graders will be picked up at 2:20 from each classroom
by Noelle for the month of September. They will walk down to HEDP in pairs beginning in October.
2nd-6th graders should walk directly to the Heath School cafeteria at 2:20pm. We have encouraged teachers to have HEDP kids walk together with buddies.
Please note that there will be homework and reading time (DEAR) each
day. So remember to bring your favorite reading materials (books,
magazines, newspapers, comics…). We are always looking for good reading material so please feel free to donate.
Tripping Out
The first official trip is set for Thursday, September 16th. Please
meet Malaina LeSage outside of Min Jen Taylor Wu’s classroom. From there she will led the T.O. group to the gym where they will learn more about the program, go over the rules and expectations, then walk over to Eliot Field before heading to Cleveland Circle for a scavenger hunt.
Tripping Out has additional forms that MUST be complete before your
child can attend. Please phone Noelle should your family be
interested in this program.
Children with Allergies or Medical Limitations
PLEASE contact Noelle ASAP for the required forms. Your child cannot attend HEDP without signed medical forms and medication from a certified practitioner. We also need a full container of medication when applicable (epi pen, prescription…). Please see Noelle ASAP for more information. The MA Department of Early Education and Care has mandated us to call a parent immediately for pickup should we not have the appropriate forms and medications.
Families
We are still missing many registration packets. Please complete them
and return them ASAP. All documents are needed before your child
begins attending HEDP. This helps ensure that we will be prepared for
your child. I will be in the office each day and would be more than willing to meet should that be easier for you.
The annual meeting date has yet to be announced. Please look for
notices regarding this mandatory meeting.
Please remember to phone HEDP at 617-277-5381 or email us at
hedp@brookline.k12.ma.us should your child be late or absent from
HEDP. Please let us know as soon as possible.
Please note that HEDP closes at 5:45. We encourage you to make
necessary arrangements should you not be able to make that time. Late
fees will go into effect Monday, September 27th.
**Be prepared to sign your child out at the end of each day with YOUR signature or initials and the pick up time. This is a mandatory policy set forth by the MA Department of Early Education and Care.
It is essential that you make a habit of this. Please make an effort
to make contact with a teacher and sign your child out each day. If a
nanny or babysitter will be picking up your child, please be sure they
have a picture ID for the first few weeks.
We have made the switch to green communication and encourage you to check out our BLOG at the beginning of each month to read about our updates and happenings. It is essential that you notify us immediately should want a hard copy of all handouts. We will try our best to keep you up to date and well informed.
Please check us out at
http://heathextendedday.blogspot.com/
We hope that you are ready for a terrific year and are happy that you have joined our Extended family!
