Hello Jefferson Families,

Welcome to the start of a wonderful journey in your child's education! We are thrilled to have your little one join our preschool family, and we look forward to an exciting year of learning, growth, and fun.

The first week of preschool is a special time, filled with new experiences, friendships, and opportunities to explore. We understand that this can be an emotional time for both you and your child, and we want to ensure that the transition is as smooth and enjoyable as possible.

Here are a few things to keep in mind as we begin this new adventure together:

Settling In: It's normal for children to take some time to adjust to the new environment. Our dedicated teachers and staff are here to support your child every step of the way, making sure they feel safe, comfortable, and excited about coming to school.

Communication: We believe in open and consistent communication with parents. If you have any questions, concerns, or just want to check in on how your child is doing, please don't hesitate to reach out to us. You can contact your child's teacher or me directly via email or phone.

Daily Routine: Establishing a routine is key to helping children feel secure and confident. We encourage you to develop a consistent routine at home that will help your child start the day positively. Please ensure that your child arrives on time and is prepared for a day full of learning and play.

Parent Involvement: We value your involvement in your child's education. Throughout the year, we will have various opportunities for you to participate in school activities, events, and parent-teacher meetings. Your presence and support mean a lot to us and greatly benefit your child's experience.

Health and Safety: Your child's health and safety are our top priorities. Please make sure to inform us of any allergies, medical conditions, or special needs your child may have. We have protocols in place to ensure a clean, safe, and nurturing environment for all our students.

We are committed to making this preschool experience a positive and memorable one for your child and your family. Together, we will create a strong foundation for their future learning and development.

Thank you for entrusting us with the care and education of your child. We look forward to an amazing year ahead!

Warm regards,

Ms. Barkley

Principal

Dear Families,

We take the responsibility of educating your children and ensuring their safety very seriously. The beginning of a new school year is the perfect opportunity to review important safety information. To help with our efforts, we are hosting a District-wide Safety Week at the end of August.

Why are we doing a Safety Week? Reviewing our emergency procedures annually with our students and staff is essential. Starting Monday, August 26th, our schools will participate in a different drill daily. A drill is used to create muscle memory associated with a practiced action. We have worked with our local police and fire departments to ensure they are also part of the drills and get crucial practice of how they would respond.

Some of the terminology we will use differs from the past, but these terms are less upsetting for some of our students and will provide more clarity during difficult situations.

• If a school is placed in a Hold, students and staff will clear the hallways and hold in their classroom or area. Students outside for recess or PE will stay outside. Students and staff will continue their normal routine in their location. We will call a Hold in situations when we need to keep the hallways clear to attend to an individual, such as a medical emergency. We will notify all families at a school when a hold is put into place.

• If a school is Secure, there is a situation in the community where the police or school officials believe it is safer to move all students inside the school. Students will continue learning during Secure, but visitors will not be admitted to the school. Students will not be dismissed at the end of the day until law enforcement has determined it is safe. All families will be notified when the building is in Secure and when the Secure has been lifted.

• A school is put into Lockdown if there is a threat or hazard inside the school building. District 64 would call, text, and email parents and guardians in the case of a Lockdown. We promise to communicate with you as soon as possible. Please be patient, as our priority will be the safety of students and staff.

It is natural for parents to go to their child’s school in an emergency or to call the school office. However, please understand that doing so may significantly impede the response of our local first responders. In addition, it is sometimes necessary to evacuate students to another location. Please know that we will communicate this location, our reunification plan, and any other updates as soon as possible.

During Safety Week, you will receive an email explaining the drill and a sample communication you could expect to receive each day. You will also receive a Safety Week text message on Monday, August 26th. If you have yet to opt into receiving text messages from the District, you need to follow these instructions. If you’ve already signed up for the text alerts in the past, you do not have to do it again.

The safety of your children is very important to all of us at D64. For more information, visit our website, d64.org/safe-schools, contact your school principal or email me at clilly@d64.org.

Sincerely,

Chris Lilly

Director of Communications