Nothing breaks my heart more than when I hear about a tragedy involving a child.  In light of the recent event at a preschool last week, I have been thinking about what we can do to help prevent this from happening on our campus.  Although we don’t travel off campus with our children, I know how busy our lives are and how much busier our lives are with the added responsibility of dropping off children.  I thought it would be helpful to put together some reminders and some helpful tips I discovered while researching this topic so that we can help educate parents to hopefully help to keep our families safe!

Here is a link to a Parenting Magazine article with tips to help keep you child safe (http://www.parents.com/parenting/better-parenting/advice/ways-to-not-forget-your-child-in-the-car/).  I have listed some of the tips below.

 Tips to help you keep your child safe: 

1. Be extra alert if your routine changes. That’s when the risk of unintentionally leaving your child in your car increases.

2. Put something of your child’s, like a toy, on the front seat. Even if you can’t see your child in the backseat (especially if he’s in a rear-facing car seat), the toy should trigger a reminder that he’s there.

3. Leave an item you’ll need at your next destination in the backseat, such as your cell phone, purse, or briefcase.

4. Place your child’s car seat in the middle of the backseat rather than behind the driver. That way, it’s easier to see her in your rearview mirror.

5. Set up a system with your child-care provider. If you don’t plan to drop off your child that day, call her. If the child doesn’t arrive as expected, have the caregiver call you.

6. Discuss the topic of hot-car deaths with every person who drives your child anywhere. This includes partners, grandparents, babysitters, and friends.

7. Always “look before you lock.” Get in the habit of checking the backseat every time you get out of the car.

Finally, if you see any child in a car seat alone in a car, call 911.

In researching I found the following article which talks about a new app that may be coming out soon.  For more information about the app and how it could help you, click on the link below:

http://www.wftv.com/news/local/child-safety-new-smyrna-man-creates-app-to-not-forget-child-animal-in-car/537800650

 

Helpful Reminders:

BALLET/TAP COMBO

Grades: Preschool 3-4 yr. olds. (12 max.) 2:15-3:00
Length of Class:  8 months (Every Thursday starting

The First Academy Royals Arts Academy is excited to once again offer a ballet/tap class for our 3 year olds.  An introduction to Ballet and Tap for your tiny dancers. This class will develop a love for dance and music through beginners ballet and tap steps! A fun class, filled with creative dance exercises and props such as scarves, ribbons, hula hoops, butterfly wings and tiaras this class is ideal for any little dancer looking to learn Ballet and Tap! Students will also have the opportunity to present their classwork to parents and perform in an end of year RAAE recital. Students will require pink leather ballet shoes and black tap shoes.
Ms. Tori Sarau, Instructor
Cost: $420 (Full Year Course) Recital/Costume Fee is included (student will keep the costume)

REGISTRATION
Online registration will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 16, at 8:00am.   Each year this class fills up quickly and there is a maximum limit, so please register early.  If you have any questions regarding any of the classes, please feel free to contact me (Debi Savage (DebiSavage@thefirstacademy.org) .  You are encouraged to read the information regarding registration information and program policies.  The link to the online registration is: https://thefirstacademy.org/arts/lower/royal-academy-raae/
Registration will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Courses will be closed when capacity is reached.

SUNSHINE COMMITTEE

Our first Sunshine Committee Meeting is Tuesday, August 22nd at 9:15am.  April Sullivan, our amazing Sunshine Committee chair, will be sending an email out with details about who is room mom for each classroom.  If you have a heart to serve and want to be a part of the monthly teacher blessing please come or email April Sullivan (aprilsullivan82@yahoo.com) for more information.

MORNING DROP OFF

*Just a reminder that morning drop off is from 9:00am-9:10am.  This time is set by teacher so that she can greet your child and welcome them to class. At 9:15, the teacher begins her circle time and is helping your sweet child to feel safe, loved and ready to learn.  When children are dropped after the set drop off and at later times in the morning, it disrupts the children in the class and at times upsets the children in the class because it reminds them that their mommies and daddies aren’t with them at school.   The children who are already in the class become confused and upset when they see mommies and daddies come as well as it is much harder on your sweet little friend to come into the class once they begin the day’s activities.  We understand that things come up and you won’t always be able to be here right at 9:00 but it is truly helpful to your child for you to be here as close to drop off if possible.

To help alleviate anxiety in our sweet friends already settled into their class and  have been dropped off, if you arrive to drop off after 9:15,Miss Jenna will greet you at the lobby and then bring your child to their class in the 2’s and 3’s as to not disturb circle time and the teacher since they will be working with their students.  

*Please be mindful that during the day your teacher is busy keep your little one safe so please understand that if you text your teacher she is not able to respond to your text until after school.  The teachers are available to reply to text and emails both before and after school. If you need to reach your teacher or the preschool in the event of an emergency, please call the TFA Preschool Office (407) 206-8704.

*Please also remember to be mindful of sending items in your child’s lunch that can be potential chocking hazards.  If you choose to send hot dogs, grapes or olives, please cut them into quarters so that we can be sure that the food is easy for your child to swallow.

PICK UP REMINDER

*A gentle reminder that our pick up times is 3:00pm (unless you have signed up for aftercare).  If you are going to be late, please be sure to contact the preschool office (407) 206-8704 to let us know.  If you are not here by 3:10pm your child will be place into aftercare and you will be charged the drop in rate for after-care of $15.   If you need for your child to stay for after care, please be sure to notify the preschool office (407) 206-8704.  We have state mandated ratios that we have to adhere by and will need to plan accordingly if additional children are staying in case more staffing is needed.

If you are signed up for aftercare, please be mindful that pick up is no later than 4:30pm.  If you are running late, please call the preschool office (407) 206-8704 to notify us.  Per our handbook, there will be a $1 charge per minute you are late.

We appreciate your willingness to help us help provide an environment where we can provide consistency and strong routine to help your child feel safe and loved at all times.

Preschool Conference Save-The-Date