Sheldon Update
August 15, 2022
Welcome from Mrs. Tanner
Dear Sheldon Families,
One of my favorite weeks of the year has arrived - this is the week we get to welcome back our Sheldon Sharks! As a reminder, the first day of school is August 18th. We open the doors at 9:15 and will begin our dismissal at 3:20 for the first week or so, working up to our normal dismissal time of 3:45. Every Friday, beginning this Friday, August 19th, is Late Start. This is a time our teachers use to collaborate weekly. School will start an hour later so our doors will open at 10:15. You can expect your child's bus time to be about 1 hour later in the morning, as well. This does not change dismissal times in any way.
This is the second of our weekly parent newsletters for this year. I try to have these sent out each Monday (sorry for the delay this week!). I make this very comprehensive and include school and district information that you need, as well as community resources. Please read carefully each week as this is the major form of communication you will receive. I send this out via email and text, and post it on our website and Facebook page. If you missed the first newsletter this year, or if you ever just want to go back and reference something, you can find each week's on Facebook and our school website.
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
Upcoming Events
August & September Events
August 18: FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!!!! Doors open @ 9:15
September 5: NO SCHOOL - Labor Day
September 14: Picture Day
September 27: Outdoor Health & Math Night @ 5:30-6:30
You can find all school events listed on our school calendar which you can access on our webpage. Additionally, all families will receive a Sheldon calendar and a one-pager of events for the year at Meet the Teacher Night.
Items That Need Your Attention
Meet the Teacher Night
First Day of School
Parents will be allowed to walk their child to class for the first day of school only. It is important with children this age that we very quickly establish school routines. If you are walking your child to class, we ask that you enter and exit from the same door, walk your child into the room, say a quick good-bye, and then exit the building so we can get the day started smoothly. We know there will be tears! We promise they don't last long after you leave!
Extra Clothes
OT Tags
Policy Council
Time to Eat!
Medications & Meal Modification
Transportation
Arrival/Dismissal Procedures
***If your child will be dismissing in a way that is different than normal, please contact your child's classroom teacher.
The maps below highlight the traffic flow for the car line and for families who walk up. Please remember that we are located in a fairly compact neighborhood. We want to ensure we are respectful of all Sheldon's neighbors by following speed limit and other traffic signs and by not blocking driveways.
The car line will begin at 9:15 (10:15 on Fridays). Any student arriving after 9:30 will need to check in at the main office as the car line will have ended. The dismissal car line will begin at 3:45. Any adult arriving to pick up a child after 4:00 will need to check them out at the main office as the car line will have ended.
Current construction on Gage may require you to adjust your route. It would be easiest to approach going Southbound on Gage so that you can turn right onto Sena St. and avoid the construction. Please note the car line is a right turn in, right turn out ONLY and this will be strictly enforced.
Traffic Flow From Gage
Traffic Flow Through Parking Lot
Walkers
Here Comes the Bus
Lanyards & Bus Harnesses
Car Seats
We have seen in the news recently about many children and caregivers not surviving car accidents because they were not properly restrained. Unintentional accidents are the leading cause of death among children. If you need a car seat, we have a great resource to obtain one. Also, please remember that the car seat needs to be properly restrained within the car as well and you must have the proper number of seatbelts per person in the car. Please move seats between cars as needed when changing vehicles with the children.
Policy & Procedure Review
Handwashing
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 Health & Safety, and Nutrition. If you ever have any questions regarding our policies and procedures, please reach out!
Hand Washing
POLICY:
In accordance with School Readiness Goals, Head Start staff and volunteers working in Head Start classrooms will teach and model hygiene practices to maintain a healthier environment and to lower the risk of spreading communicable diseases. On a daily basis, every Head Start classroom will align hand washing procedures with Performance Standards. This policy relates to Head Start Performance Standards 45 CFR Part 1302.47
PROCEDURE:
1. Liquid soap will be used in all classrooms and bathrooms.
2. Staff, volunteers, and children in the Head Start classrooms will perform hand washing with soap at the following times:
STAFF:
- Employees shall wash hands upon arrival at the child care center.
- Immediately before handling food.
- After handling food.
- Before handling clean utensils or equipment.
- After using the toilet, assisting a child in using the toilet, or changing a child.
- After handling of body fluids (e.g., saliva, nasal secretions, vomit, feces, urine, blood, secretions from sores, pustulant discharge).
- After handling soiled items such as garbage, mops, cloths, and clothing.
- Whenever hands are visibly soiled.
- After smoking.
- After removing disposable gloves.
CHILDREN:
- Children shall wash hands upon arrival at the child care center.
- After using the toilet.
- After wiping nose, putting fingers in mouth, or coughing into hands.
- Immediately before handling any food, utensils or equipment.
- Before and after eating meals or snacks.
- Before and after sand and water activity.
- After playing on the playground.
- After handling animals or animal cages.
- Whenever hands are visibly soiled.
3. The sink must be sanitized throughout the day.
4. A staff person should turn on the faucet when doing large group hand washing, allowing the water to run until the last child or staff member washes their hands. The last person will turn off the faucet with a paper towel.
5. To avoid recontamination, trash cans used to dispose of paper towels after hand washing must be hands-free (i.e., have a foot pedal) or not have a lid.
6. Hand washing will be conducted using the following best practices:
- Wet hands with warm water.
- Apply soap. Soap must be available and within children’s reach.
- Lather hands from the front to back of hands and between fingers rubbing vigorously or
- approximately 20 seconds.
- Dry hands with a paper towel.
7. Staff /volunteer will supervise the use of hand sanitizer.
- Staff/adult volunteer will use a hand sanitizer that contains 60-95% alcohol.
- The manufacturer’s instructions are followed. Staff will apply sanitizer to the child’s hands; the child rubs hands from the front to the back and between fingers.
- Staff/volunteer will observe the child rubbing hands together until sanitizer is completely dry to avoid ingestion or contact with the eyes.
- Hand Sanitizer must be locked away or kept on staff/volunteers at all times.
8. Hand Sanitizer can be used under the following circumstances:
- Upon arrival in classroom and re-entry from outdoors (if hands are not soiled).
- After meals.
- Before and after water play and play with wet, sensory materials.
- If no water is available.
Informational Items
COVID Protocols
See the attached document for the latest information on testing, quarantine, and close contacts. 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
Academic Calendar
Family Resources
Sheldon Food & Clothing Bank
Community Resources Council Directory
If in need of resources, you can also contact the United Way by dialing 211.
Sheldon Head Start Child Development Center
Website: https://sheldon.topekapublicschools.net/
Location: 1155 SW Seabrook Ave.
Phone: 785-438-4530
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheldonChildDevelopmentCenterHeadStart