2016-2017 Summer Newsletter
Van Dyke Day School 17030 Lakeshore Road Lutz, FL 33558 P.O. Box 340396 Tampa, FL 33694 (813) 960-1694 Email
[email protected]
Website: www.vandykedayschool.org
Liliana Rogers, Director
[email protected]
A Ministry of
BACK TO SCHOOL 2016
A Note from Our Director Dear Parents, Thank you for choosing Van Dyke Day School for your child. I am confident that you will be amazed as you watch your child grow academically, socially, and spiritually throughout this school year. The staff and I are looking forward to partnering with you during this crucial time of development. You will need to refer to the enclosed calendar throughout the year, especially for dates our school will be closed. You will receive monthly newsletters from the Day School reminding you of these dates. Look for our monthly newsletters on our website, www.vandykedayschool.org. You should also receive a weekly overview from your child’s teacher letting you know what your child has been doing for that particular week. The teachers will let you know of specific party days and important events that apply to your child’s classroom through this weekly correspondence. Remember to attend your child’s PRESCHOOL ORIENTATION ON FRIDAY, August 5th. You will either attend the 8:50 am orientation or the 10:50 am orientation, based on program you have selected for your child.
The first day of preschool for Van Dyke Day School is MONDAY, AUGUST 8th. The first day of school for Hillsborough County Schools is Wednesday, August 10th. Continue to enjoy the last weeks of summer. I am very excited to start another preschool year! I hope you are filled with excitement as you anticipate what God has in store for you and your family. Blessings, Ms. Liliana
Website: The Day School website contains important information that you can use throughout the year, such as, your Parent Handbook and the Day School Calendar. You will be asked to sign documentation verifying that you have received a copy of the Parent Handbook. Please take the time to read over it to become familiar the Day School’s policies and procedures. Email: Going Paperless! You may be receiving information via email pertaining to financial information and special announcements from the Day School office. Emailing parents is the preferred method the office personnel will communicate with you regarding these matters, if you do not wish to receive emails, please let us know.
PRESCHOOL ORIENTATION FRIDAY—AUGUST 5th It is highly recommended that you attend with your child even though you may be a returning family and your child was here last year. This is your initial opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and get acquainted with the classroom. Please arrive a few minutes early so you are able to find your child’s classroom and get settled before the teacher introduces you to what to expect throughout the preschool year. Preschool Orientation will start on the hour at 9:00 am or 11:00 am. This meeting helps to provide a greater comfort level for your child on the first day of school as they will become familiar with their new classroom, new teachers, and new friends. PRESCHOOL ORIENTATION should last no longer than 30 minutes and you will have time after Orientation to mingle in the classroom and talk with your child’s teacher one-on-one. If you have special medical concerns about
your child that would require a lengthy conversation, we ask that you call the day school office and make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher. Due to LIMITED space in each classroom, we ask that you hold smaller siblings and leave your strollers in the car. Please remember to bring your child’s medical records if we do not already have current records on file. You will be asked to sign various forms that we need to put in your child’s folder for Licensing. Please do not call ahead to ask who your child’s teacher will be. Sometimes it is necessary to make last minute changes to the class schedule; therefore, we cannot give out a teacher assignment before Orientation. Classroom assignments will be posted at the Day School entrance on August 5th. Administrative staff members will be on hand if you need help finding your child’s classroom.
What Do I Need to Bring to Preschool Orientation? 1) You and your child! 2) Medical Records—(last Physical and Immunization record) 3) Extra sets of clothing in a ziploc bag with your child’s name marked on the bag and on all clothing
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5th
FRIDAY, AUGUST 5th
9:00 am
11:00 am
All Full-Time classes
Part-Time VPK classes
(children enrolled from 6:30 am-6:00 pm)
(8:30-11:30 and 8:30-12:30)
AND
M/W/F classes
AND
T/Th classes
DRESSING YOUR CHILD FOR PRESCHOOL
Wear comfortable play clothing that is okay to get dirty from classroom and playground activities.
Avoid excessive snaps and buttons so it is easy for your child to adjust.
Closed-toe, rubber-soled shoes are a MUST! Boots, sandals, crocs, and flip flops are not to be worn to preschool
at any time. Children will not be permitted to climb on the playground equipment unless they have appropriate shoes.
Girls should wear a pair of shorts under dresses and/or skirts.
Bring a complete extra set of weather-appropriate clothing for your child to keep at school in case of any accidents. Place in a Ziploc bag with your child’s name.
EXTRA CHANGE OF CLOTHING should include: — (bring to Preschool Orientation)
3 pair of underwear 2 pair of socks 2 pair of shorts or long pants 2 shirts
Children entering a 3-year old classroom, should be potty-trained before starting school on August 8th. This means your child should be out of pull-ups and knows to tell the teacher when he/she needs to use the restroom. There are scheduled bathroom times when the teacher encourages your child to go, but there is a bathroom in every classroom for use at anytime. We know that accidents are still going to happen with young children, however, accidents should be the exception and not the daily routine of your child. Please give us a call at the Day School office at (813) 960-1694 if you have any questions regarding this policy.
PRESCHOOL TIDBITS / Part-time Classes 8:30-11:30 or 8:30-12:30
August tuition is due by August 10th for the part-time classes. This is the first of 10 equal payments, August
through May.
Teachers are busy preparing the classroom for the day’s activities before 8:30 am, therefore we ask that you respect their planning time and not enter the classroom before 8:20 am on regular preschool mornings. We do not offer any morning care before 8:30 am for our part-time students.
Lunch Bunch will not start until the 2nd week of school—August 15th. This will allow children to adjust to their new classroom. Lunch Bunch is for children enrolled in our part-time 3 and 4-year old classes and is offered until 2:00 pm at the rate of $7/hr, pro-rated to the quarter hour. Lunch Bunch hours are billed monthly around the 1st of the following month.
Please print your child’s name on the OUTSIDE of his/her lunchbox with permanent marker. Remember to include a spoon or fork in your child’s lunchbox. Day School staff will not be able to refrigerate lunches—remember to place a cold pack to keep lunches cold if needed.
PARTNERING WITH PARENTS Volunteer Opportunities It has been proven over and over that parent involvement in a child’s education is one of the most important factors in how that child perceives education. We encourage you to get actively involved in your child’s preschool experience at Van Dyke Day School. We would love for every classroom to have a minimum of 2 Homeroom Parents. Homeroom parents are responsible for coordinating classroom parties with other parents in the classroom, as well as, a liaison for school-wide events. Communication can happen via e-mail, phone calls, or face-to-face conversation. Shared responsibilities between Homeroom Parents plays an integral part in your child’s classroom for those special party days. You will be asked to attend 3 or 4 meetings throughout the year involving school -wide functions. We realize that not everyone can be a homeroom parent, but there are still plenty of opportunities to help in your child’s classroom throughout the year. As a parent, you are always welcome to come and take part. Reading in the classroom is another opportunity to serve. We have several Moms and Dads who choose a specific day in the week to come read to their child’s class. Be sure to ask your child’s teacher about this opportunity. We delight in parents who are community service workers to come share what they do. Children are intrigued by all types of community workers, especially if they came in uniform and bring a few props that they can touch.
SUPPLY LIST We do not have a Supply List like the Public Schools. A Supply fee is collected during June to help cover the cost of the items your children will be using on a daily basis. Part-time VPK students did not pay a supply fee. However, all classrooms will have “Special Wish Lists” at Preschool Orientation. You will be given several opportunities during the year to contribute items for various classroom activities. All donations are greatly appreciated! Day School staff are not allowed to accept CASH, CHECKS, or GIFT CARDS toward supply purchases. If you wish to donate to the classroom, you MUST purchase the item and then give it to the teacher.
Information Sheets Important!
During Parent Orientation, you will be receiving a copy of your child’s Information Sheet. Please
make sure that your child’s information sheet contains accurate information by correcting any errors. You may also make changes, such as, adding and deleting individuals who are able to pick up your child from school; and changing your address or telephones numbers. Please initial your child’s information sheet and return it to your child’s teacher. You will be able to update information as necessary throughout the year. Thank you!
VDDS Financial Q & A When is my monthly tuition and/or weekly childcare due? Part-Time Classes: TEN (10) equal payments are expected from August—May. Tuition is paid on a monthly basis and is charged a late payment fee of $10 if not received in-house by the 10th day of each month. Full-Time Classes: Weekly childcare for our full-time 6:30 am—6:00 pm students is due on Monday of each week and is considered late if not paid by noon on Wednesday. A late payment fee of $10 will be charged.
How do I make payments to Van Dyke Day School? Tuition Express is our preferred payment method. You authorize VDDS to do an automatic EFT (electronic funds transfer) through your checking or savings account. Withdrawals will be set up for transfer on Wednesdays of each week for childcare and the 1st Wednesday of each month for preschool tuition. Lunch Bunch hours will be deducted the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Tuition Express forms can be picked up in the Day School office or downloaded from our school website. You never have to worry about missing a pay-
ment when it is due! In-House Payments. We accept checks and money orders made payable to VDDS. These may be dropped off at the front desk in the Tuition box. We do not have the equipment to process debit and credit cards. We cannot accept cash for tuition payment.
Online Banking can be arranged through your bank. You provide your bank with the payment information and our address and the bank will send VDDS a check for your tuition or childcare. It is important that you arrange this at least a week before your payment is due so that we receive payment on time, otherwise you will be charged a late payment fee. Please send payments to: Van Dyke Day School P.O. Box.340396 Tampa, FL 33694.
When is payment due for Lunch Bunch Hours? Lunch bunch hours are accrued through the month and are billed at the beginning of the following month. Lunch Bunch is billed at the rate of $7/hr pro-rated to the quarter hour. Invoices will be emailed to you within the first 5 days of each month. If lunch bunch hours exceed $25, payment is due within 10 days of your invoice to avoid a late payment fee. If lunch bunch hours are minimal and are less than $25, you may choose to pay with the next month’s tuition.
What happens if I fall behind in my payments? Monthly tuition must be paid within the current month even if a late payment fee is charged. If your child’s tuition has not been paid by the beginning of the new month you will be asked to keep your child home until your account is brought current including late payment fees. Weekly childcare cannot fall more than 2 weeks behind in payment or you will be asked to keep your child home until payment is received including any late fees.
What if I have a returned check? The charge for a returned check is $25. The second time we receive a returned check, for any reason, subsequent payments must be paid by money order.
2016-2017 Fees PART-TIME (8:30 am—11:30 am) ALL children who attend morning only classes including the VPK 4’s who attend 5-days/week are considered PART-TIME students.
The 1st month’s tuition payment is due by August 10th for children enrolled part-time
Part-time 2-Year Old Class $205/mo (T/Th Classes)
$245/mo (M/W/F)
Part-time 3-Year Old Class $195/mo (T/Th Classes)
$235/mo (M/W/F)
Part-time 4-Year Old Class Monday—Friday VPK 4’s (8:30 -11:30) State-funded
VPK 4’s (8:30-12:30)
Non-VPK 4’s (8:30-12:30)
$360/mo
FULL-TIME (6:30 am—6:00 pm) Due by Monday of each week / Late fee if not paid by Wednesday
Full-time
2’s
$ 185/wk
Full-time
3’s
$ 150/wk
Full-time VPK 4’s
$ 110/wk
Full-time/Non-VPK 4’s
$ 150/wk
Elem After School
$ 85/wk
$120/mo
VAN DYKE DAY SCHOOl 2016-1017 CALENDAR
Date(s) ►
Aug 5, 2016
813-960-1694
Holiday or School PRESCHOOL ORIENTATION 9:00 am—All Full-time classes; M/W/F classes 11:00 am—All Part-time VPK classes; T/Th classes
Aug 8, 2016
First Day of Preschool & Elementary
►
Sept 5, 2016*
Labor Day—VDDS CLOSED
►
Oct 6, 2016
Open House 8:30 am All T/Th & PT VPK classes
Oct 7, 2016
Open House 8:30 am All M/W/F & FT classes
►
Oct 10, 2016
Part-time closed / Full-time open
Oct 25-26, 2016
Noah’s Ark Parade & Family Chapel 10:45 am
Nov 4, 2016 Nov 11, 2016*
►
►
Thanksgiving Holiday for part-time classes
Nov 23, 2016
Full-time open closes @ 3:00 pm
Nov 24-25, 2016
Thanksgiving Holidays—VDDS CLOSED
Dec 9, 2016
Children’s Christmas Program 9:30 am
Dec 16, 2016
LAST DAY OF PRESCHOOL / Break Part-time
Dec 23, 2016
Full-time closes @ 3:00 pm
Dec 26, 2016-Jan 2, 2017
VDDS CLOSED for Christmas break
Jan 3, 2017
Back to Preschool—All Students
Feb 10, 2017* Feb 20, 2017
►
Veteran’s Day Part-Time closed / Full-Time open
Nov 21-25, 2016
Jan 16, 2017 ►
Developmental Screenings
Mar 13-17, 2017 Mar 25, 2017
►
April 14, 2017*
►
May 25, 2017
Martin Luther King Day School closed Parent Conference Day—VDDS CLOSED President’s Day Part-Time closed / Full-Time open Spring Break—Part-time closed / Full-time open SPRING FLING
10:00 am—2:00 pm
Good Friday—VDDS CLOSED Last Day of Preschool / PT 2’s and 3’s
May 26, 2017
4-yr old Graduation 9:30 am / Last Day for Part-time 4’s
May 29, 2017*
Memorial Day—VDDS CLOSED
