Nursery School News
January Newlsetter
REMINDER
As the weather is now in the colder months, please make sure that your children have coats, hats and mittens. If the wind chill is above 32 degrees, we will go outside. Also, if you have any extra mittens or would be willing to buy us some mittens, the school could really use them. Thank you‼
REGISTRATION FOR FALL 2023 CLASSES
The period from January 16th to February 15th has been designated by the nursery school board as an advance registration period for families with children currently enrolled in the program and for members of The United Church. Those families may also register a younger child. Children must be at least 16 months old by August 15th to enroll in Nursery School classes. All registrations are on a first-come, first-served basis, with each numbered as it is received. Registration will open to the public on February 15th The registration form for returning families is attached to this newsletter. Hard copies are available in Shona’s office. Let me know if you need additional forms. Please return completed forms and registration fee to Shona. New families will register using ProCare. Your child is not registered unless the forms are accompanied by the registration fee. Please tell all your friends about United Church Nursery School. Our parents’ good word is our best endorsement.
VALENTINE'S DAY
Valentine’s Day is Tuesday, February 14th, so the MWF classes will celebrate on Monday, February 13th and the TTH classes will have their Valentine activities on Tuesday, February 14th. This is a special day for the children, with a Valentine snack, songs and stories, but it is not a party. Each class will also have a Valentine exchange. If your child comes five days, there will be an exchange in both the MWF and TTH classes. It is not required that your child bring Valentines to exchange; that is up to you and your child. (We will have extra Valentines so all can participate if they wish.) Each child will have a decorated paper bag for bringing home their Valentines.
WE HAVE A SPECIAL REQUEST: PLEASE DO NOT ADDRESS THE VALENTINES WITH THEIR CLASSMATES NAMES. PLEASE SIGN YOUR CHILD’S NAME ONLY ON THE VALENTINES so that it will be possible for your child to distribute the Valentines among the bags by himself/herself. Children like to be independent. It can be difficult for them to match a name on a card with the name on the bag. Thanks for helping your child.
GALLO LOCO FUNDRAISER
We will have another fundraiser at Gallo Loco in February. This fundraiser is all day and includes take out. So be on the lookout for more information for this yummy fundraiser. Fundraiser monies help provide for teacher’s aides, our scholarship program, classroom upgrades, new equipment etc. All of these areas create a richer school experience for our nursery school children.
PERSONAL SAFETY PROGRAM BEGINS FOR THE BUNNY CLASS
There is a video for parents on our YouTube channel that covers what our personal safety program looks like. The bear cub class completed the program in the fall. The bunny class will be starting this month. This program is required by the Dept. of Human Services for children ages 3 yrs and up. We are allowed to use our own materials and keep the lessons age-appropriate. If you have any questions or concerns about this program or want to view lesson materials, please speak with your child’s teachers or Shona.
PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES
Teachers are currently evaluating the children’s developmental milestones. We will be holding parent/teacher conferences in February. If you would like to have a conference with your child’s teacher, please let them or Shona know. You may schedule a conference with your child’s teachers any time during the year. If you have a conference before school you have the option of bringing your child to the early drop off class. Early drop off fee is $5 per child.
AMAZON SMILE
Just a reminder that we are a participating nonprofit organization with Amazon Smile. Anytime you make a purchase through Amazon Smile, a portion of the proceeds of all Smile eligible items will be donated to the nursery school. If you shop with Amazon, please take the time to register with Amazon Smile. Simply go to Smile.Amazon.com and link your account to the nursery school. We are listed as United Church at Chapel on the Hill. Make sure you click on the one for Oak Ridge, TN. Thank you for your support.
KROGER REWARDS PROGRAM
If you shop at Kroger and would like to help out the nursery school, please link your Kroger card to the school through the Community Rewards Program. Go to Kroger.com, create an account if you don’t already have one, and then go to the Community Rewards Program and link your card to United Church Nursery School. Thanks!
FOOD CITY REWARDS
If you shop at Food City and would like to help out the nursery school, please link your Food City value card to the school through the My School Bucks Program. Go to foodcity.com or open the app, create an account if you don’t already have one, and then go to the My School Bucks and link your card to United Church Nursery School. Thanks!
Did you know in Tennessee, all adults are “mandated reporters” and are required by law to report any knowledge or suspicion of child abuse. The number to call to report suspected abuse is: 1-877-542-2873. If you have knowledge about a possibly abusive situation, and do nothing, the state will hold you liable if that fact is discovered.
Children are apt to live up to what you believe of them -----Lady Bird Johnson
Parents may discuss any concerns with the director. At any time during the year, parents and teachers may request a conference.
PARENT INFORMATION BOARD
Our parent information board is located above the water fountain outside the oldest classroom (Ms. Kimberly and Ms. Mary’s room). If there is any information you would like to see up there, please let me know. I will be changing out newsletters and other information monthly, so please make sure you check the boards on a regular basis.
EARLY DROP OFF
We have an early drop off program starting at 8:00 am. This program is similar to the Friday lunch in program as it is an extra service provided based on teacher availability. Because it is an extra service, we ask that the money be paid on a weekly basis and be paid in cash since the money goes directly to the teachers. If you must write a check, please make it out to Shona Ellis so that she can cash it and give the money to the teachers. This is a first come, first serve basis and is limited to 15 children. The cost is $5 per child, per day. If you are interested in participating, please see Shona.
KIDS’ LUNCH IN
Kids’ Lunch In is an optional service provided by the nursery school teachers on Fridays and is not part of the regular Nursery School program. It is separate from the afternoon classes on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. Lunch In will be held on Fridays from 12:00 pm until 1:30 or 2:55, with the exception of the days the Christmas and Spring Sings are held. There will be a sign-up list on a clipboard beside the white board outside Ms. Shona’s office for Lunch In. The fee is $7.50 (1:30 pick up) or $15.00 (2:55 pick up). Please pay in cash and place the money in a small envelope (some are provided), write your name on it to ensure credit for the payment, and put it in the blue basket on the shelf. This money is not part of the tuition, as it goes directly to the teachers. Please mark the list to indicate that you’ve paid. Children bring a sack lunch and a drink. Remember to sign out with the teacher when you pick up your child from Lunch In.
TUITION PAYMENTS
As a reminder, tuition is due by the 1st of each month. If that falls on a weekend or a holiday, just pay when nursery school resumes. The fees you paid over the summer were for registration and May 2022 tuition. Starting in September please try to pay tuition by the 10th of the month. If your circumstance necessitates a payment later in the month, please let Shona know. Tuition rates are posted next to the tuition box outside Ms. Shona’s office and on our website at ucnschool.org. TUITION ROUND UP is a great way to help a child with scholarship needs. Just write your check for a few dollars more than your regular tuition rate and those extra dollars will go towards a child’s financial aid. Please note on the check the additional amount is for Tuition Round Up. You can also pay automatically through ProCare.
UPCOMING CALENDAR OF EVENTS:
Jan. 16th - Feb. 15th
REGISTRATION for FALL 2023 CLASSES - current families & church members
Mon. Jan. 16th
MLK, Jr. Day – NURSERY SCHOOL CLOSED
Feb. 13th & 14th
Valentine Exchange
Weds. Feb. 15th
REGISTRATION FOR FALL CLASSES OPEN TO PUBLIC