Great Beginnings
Some Street
Somewhere, USA

August 4, 2004

Dear Great Beginnings Parents,

It is hard to believe that summer is almost over and it's time to be getting ready for school to begin.

The first day of class for all three year olds is Tuesday, September 7.  The first day of class for all four year olds is Wednesday, September 8.  Please remember that the first week of school will be SHORT SESSIONS lasting one and one half hours.  This allows your child to adjust to the school day.  Beginning September 13, all sessions will be the full two and one half hours.  Morning classes for fours are from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Afternoon classes for fours are from 12:30 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.  Classes for threes run from 9:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. 

Teachers will begin getting their classrooms ready the week of August 23 and will be in and out of the building that week.  You will be contacted by your child's teacher after August 24 to set up a home visit.  These visits allow your child to meet his/her teacher in their own territory and only last 10 minutes.  The teachers will be making these visits Monday, August 30 - Wednesday, Sept. 1 only.  Each teacher has a number of visits to make, so please be helpful in the scheduling.  If it is not possible for your child's teacher to visit during the scheduled days, you might want to call the school to talk to her about visiting at school during the "work week".  These visits are not mandatory for your child but do help the first week of class.

On Thursday, September 2, at 1:00 p.m. we will have a parent orientation.  This meeting is for parents only.  If you are new to our preschool or have never attended an orientation, this will answer some questions and help you understand our policies and procedures.  There will also be a question or answer time with your child's teacher in her room.  This meeting will be in the Multi-purpose Building (on the west side of the parking lot) and usually takes less than one hour.

Lastly, the children (especially with older brothers and sisters) are excited about getting school supplies.  I have enclosed a list of supplies they can bring the first day.  Many of our children like to carry a bag to school.  In making a selection, please help your child to choose a bag they will be able to put their papers into with little assistance.  Usually backpacks are difficult for the children to manipulate and we prefer a large canvas bag.

We look forward to seeing you.