Sheldon Update

Dear Sheldon Families,

This is our last week of school for 2022 and the last parent newsletter until we resume in January. As a reminder, our last day of school for this semester is Friday, December 16th. Students DO NOT have school December 19-January 4. We will see them back for the new year on Thursday, January 5th!

Families of OT students, the car line is a RIGHT TURN ONLY out of our parking lot. DO NOT BLOCK intersections or driveways!

Click the link to access the 2022-2023 Family Handbook.

As always, if you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to me!

Thank you for the privilege of serving you ~

Mrs. Gabrielle Tanner, Principal

All events can be located on our calendar on our school website.

We sent home the information for the Kaymbu App along with the December Monthly Activity Calendar again last week. Please choose one activity from this month, take a picture or video of your family doing that activity, and send it to your child's teacher through the app. We are so excited to make the connection between learning at school and at home!

As a courtesy, if a family has not been at the bus stop to pick up their child when the bus arrives, we have been calling the family to let them know the bus is there and to get to the stop within 1 minute. Beginning in January, we will no longer be making these calls. It is expected that families be at the stop at least 10 minutes before their scheduled time. It is also highly encouraged that families use the Here Comes the Bus app to track the bus in real time. When we return from Winter Break, as long as the bus is within 10 minutes of the scheduled bus stop time, the bus will wait the required 1 minute for an approved pick-up adult to pick up the child. After that 1 minute, the bus will continue on its route and the child will be returned to school when the route is finished. Families will need to come to the school and sign their child out in the main entryway. When the bus arrives, the child will be brought to the main entryway to be released to an approved pick-up person.

Please note: You may NOT follow the bus to retrieve your child at a stop other than the one assigned to them.

When I send messages to all families, such as this weekly newsletter, delayed buses, event reminders, etc., I send those via email and text. If you have not been receiving them via text, it could be that you have not yet opted in to that service. If you would like to begin receiving messages this way, text "YES" to 86088.

GreatSchools.org is a website that provides families with information about the schools in their area. Many families use this site when buying a new home or researching their options to help them determine the best placement for their child.

Have you had a positive experience at Sheldon? We would love for that to be highlighted on the website! Please take 1 minute to visit GreatSchools.org, search for Sheldon Child Development, click on the Review icon, and share what you love about our program!

Students are encouraged to wear their Sheldon shirts every Friday!

Each week the Sheldon staff reviews one of our Head Start Policies & Procedures and felt it was important that families stay up to date on these as well. This quarter our focus is on Mental Health, Disability, and Child Development and Education. If you ever have any questions regarding our policies and procedures, please reach out!

Rest Time

POLICY:

Children will be given a nap/rest time each day. This policy relates to Head Start Performance Standards 45 CFR Part 1302.31

PROCEDURE:

1. Naptime will consist of dim lighting and soft music.

2. Adults may use reading as a source of relaxation for the children as they prepare for naptime.

3. A nap time period is required for all classrooms that operate more than 5 hours per day.

4. Naptime should be at least 30 minutes, but no longer than 1 hour each day.

5. Children will continue to be supervised by two adults even at naptime.

6. Teaching staff in our program will provide alternative quiet learning activities for children who do not need or want to rest or nap during naptime.

Each month, Home Depot offers a fun workshop for kids! Show up toward the beginning of the session to ensure there are enough materials for your child. Children must be present to receive a kit. They get to keep their project, receive a free certificate of achievement, a workshop apron, and a commemorative pin (while supplies last). Can't make it to Home Depot for the kids' workshop? Why not bring the party home! Here are just a few of the ready to assemble kits you can buy and build at home. Homedepot.com also offers great kids' activities, videos, and how-to's!

Workshops take place the first Saturday of each month from 9:00-12:00.

January 1: Toss Game

February 5: Valentine's Photo Box

Please be sure to review both the COVID Update and the information on the Parent Resources page for the latest information from the CDC. Masks are encouraged, but not required. We will maintain strict sanitation protocols.

Late Start is on FRIDAYS for this school year and the arival time will be at 10:15.

You can find the 2022-2023 Academic Calendar HERE.

Holidays can be a challenge for our loved ones with mental disorders. This presents a challenge for us. We want to help—-but how? Come and meet with friends at the monthly NAMI Family Support Group meeting. We just might have some helpful tips.

Time: Monday, Dec. 12, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m.

Place: Faith Lutheran Church

1716 SW Gage Blvd.

Kay Logan, Susan Barnes - Co-Leaders

The Sheldon Food & Clothing Bank is up and running! If your family has any needs, reach out to your Family Advocate or call 785-438-4530.

You can find the link to the 2021 Community Resources Council Resource Directory here. This directory provides contact information for a variety of community resources.

If in need of resources, you can also contact the United Way by dialing 211.

See the following links for Food Pantry resources available to families.

English and Spanish

Website: https://sheldon.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1155 SW Seabrook Ave.
Phone: 785-438-4530
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart