Aug. 5
"New to Chance"
Parent Orientation
* RSVP by Aug. 3 Aug. 12 & 15
Openings Conferences
* School Store Open
Aug. 17
First day of class for
Three-Day and Five-Day students
Aug. 22
First day of class for
Two-Day Twos
Aug. 25 & 27
Board Retreat
Sept. 5
Labor Day
No School, No Chums |
Arrival and Dismissal New this year, if a child arrives to school later than 8:50am, parents are required to walk that child into the building and sign him or her in at the office. In addition, parents will need to walk preschoolers to their classroom.
If a child will be leaving earlier than his or her regular dismissal time, the person picking up that child will need to come into the office to sign that child out. Sign in and out binder will be located at the front desk.
Office Manager Memos
First I'd like to thank everyone for being so welcoming these last few weeks as I move into a different role at Chance! I look forward to seeing everyone even more regularly throughout the school year.
Please remember that if your child will (or might) be taking any medication here at school, we will need to have a current Permission to Give Medication form completed. These forms have been updated for the 2011-2012 school year, so even if you already have one on file, you will need to complete a new form at the beginning of this year.
If there is anything I can do to help your school year go more smoothly, please be sure to let me know!
Kim Tabler
Office Manager
office@chanceschool.org
425-6904
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From School Store
School Store Hours
The Chance School Store will be open during Opening Conferences on August 12 and 15 and located in Room 1. When school begins, you may make School Store purchases by contacting Debbie McCoy in the Development Office. Place your order by completing the School Store Order Form . We will be taking orders for Chance Spiritwear -T-shirts and sweatshirts. Samples will be available on opening conference days at the School Store. Click on the Spiritwear Order Form. Turn in your orders to the Office by September 20. During Spirit Week, Jan. 31, Feb. 1 & 2, students are asked to wear Chance Spiritwear to school on one of those days. Due to a lack of space, we don't keep Spiritwear in stock, so place your orders now. The Innisbrook Wrapping Paper Sale will take place at the beginning of the school year. Look for your catalog to come home in your child's backpack the first week of school. The sale will run from August 23 - September 12. Chance earns 40% of all revenue. For the convenience of out of town friends and relatives, orders may be placed online. Look for instructions in your packet.
Challenge for Chance, our Annual Fund Campaign will begin in early September and run through October 31. Once a year, every year, we ask the Chance community to support our annual fund, Challenge for Chance. We rely on your response to the Challenge to "fill the gap" between tuition and what it actually costs to educate each child. Brochures and pledge envelopes will be mailed soon to your home. Questions? Contact Debbie McCoy in the Development Office by calling 425-6904 or |
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Welcome to the new 2011-2012 school year! We are excited to see many familiar faces and are eager to become acquainted with our new families!
The buildings and grounds are being readied for the start of school with cleaned and polished floors, cleaned carpets, sparkling windows and new mulch on the playgrounds. Our biggest projects of the summer have been the painting of the outside of the main building, as well as the renovation of the Cottage and Room 2 to accomodate two Intermediate classes!
Congratulations to the Welscher family for winning the $50 incentive for turning in their Back to School papers by July 1.
We are so looking forward to the chatter of young children and their excitement of being at school! We'll see you soon!
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From Parents' Council
Christine Baltas and Katy Collis
Co-Chairs
Welcome to the beginning of the 2011-2012 School Year! Our goal is to make this a memorable and fulfilling school year for our Chance community. The Parents' Council committee chairs have so
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Clara Klein, I4
Winner of the Back to School e-news cover at Auction 2011 |
generously donated their time to head various events and are currently forming their teams of volunteers. They are seeking creative, energetic and enthusiastic parents to help make these events a success. Those who have not already submitted a Volunteer Form , please do so as soon as possible. Your time spent volunteering is a wonderful way to connect with other Chance families and the school staff. Please feel free to contact us with questions. We look forward to meeting all of you at the beginning of the new school year.
During the Opening Conferences, we encourage you to stop by Room 1 in the main building to shop for School Store items. You will also have the opportunity to volunteer for the up-coming Fall Festival, Auction or one of the other committees that will help make this a great year!
Christine Baltas
cmbaltas@insightbbb.com
472-9288
Katy Collis
kcollis@bellsouth.net
893-3799 |
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Coordinator's Comments
By Sue Musson, Program Coordinator
With the arrival of a new school year, students and parents can ease into the transition by following these helpful reminders:
Involve your child in the preparation of a new school year.
* Prior to the first day of school, talk about activities your child might do at school. With preschoolers... you might play "school" at home and include activities that will be familiar in the classroom - markers, play dough, paint, blocks, and books. With older students... reassure students that teachers will review the daily schedule and classroom expectations. While some information will be new, there will be familiarity as well. Finding a cubby, enjoying a read-aloud, eating a nutritious snack, seeing friends and having playtime are familiar activities and will begin on the first day.
*Include your child when purchasing and gathering supplies and clothes for school. This ritual is one of the most exciting related to the return of school. At home allow your child to organize his/her new school purchases in a tote bag (for preschool) or a backpack (for elementary).
*Discuss choices for nutritious lunches. Plan a weekly menu together. Talk about the importance of eating healthy foods.
*Establish a predictable routine for after school. Use afternoons to prepare for the next school day. Your child can be involved by selecting clothing, planning lunch, and packing backpack/bag. Include older students in a discussion for planning homework and bedtime routines, as well as any after school activities. Remember to allow for relaxation after a very full and productive school day. Allow yourself and your child extra time in the morning.
Getting into a routine takes time. Choosing outfits and organizing materials the night before allows for a smooth morning. A healthy breakfast including protein gets the day off to a productive start.
Prepare for mixed emotions. A new classroom and/or a new teacher can cause anxious feelings. The opening conference will offer an opportunity for your child to see his/her classroom, to meet his/her teacher and to ask any question before the first day of school. As your child becomes familiar with classroom routines and expectations, he/she will look forward to coming to school each day.
Prepare for possible tears. Remaining calm as a parent, will reassure your child and promote a successful first day. Tell your child you look forward to picking them up at the end of the day to hear about his/her many different experiences. Please feel free to call the school office at anytime to check on your child. We will contact the classroom and provide immediate feedback.
Have a wonderful start to the new school year with your child! We are so excited and look forward to a great school year with your family! |
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Opening Conferences and a New Partnership
Opening conferences serve as an introduction to the school year - for the parents, teachers, AND students! This initial meeting, prior to the start of classes, is an exciting time. It allows your child to meet his/her teachers and explore the room. It provides an opportunity for the parents and teachers to share their thoughts and review information in the "Welcome Packet". For all parties involved, an important first step.
Conference Schedules (which also serve as Class Lists) were distributed to parents and teachers via emails on July 29. Please make plans to be punctual so that teachers can adhere to the schedule and spend the allotted time with each family.
If your conference time is not convenient for you, please switch with another family and let the school office know of your new time. Each family's contact information is included with your conference email.
While you and your student attends the conference to meet his/her teachers, child care for siblings is provided in the Funroom (gymnasium) at the school.
For your convenience as of July 29, class and conference lists will be available online by accessing the internal site, choosing "Your Child's Class" tab from the green menu bar, and clicking on the "Conference Schedule" or "Class List" sections from the drop-down choices per teacher sections. |
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Extended Program Options
For parents who are interested in extending their child's school day, several options are available during the first months of school.
Chance Chums is offered for ages 2 through grade 5 - available before and after school (from 7:30am - 6pm) on days classes are in session and your child attends class. The Chums Registration Form includes information about schedule choices and fees. Please check with the Extended Program Coordinator for availability.
Enrichment Classes
Registration Forms will be distributed in August with enrichment class information, fees and registration deadlines.
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Your Link to Information - Chance's Internal Website
www.chanceschool.org/internal
User name: chance
Password: school2011 (case sensitive)
School information is just a click away! From activities specific to your child's class or to school-wide events, details are posted on the school's intra site for current Chance families and personnel. This is your one-stop shop to stay in-the-know. Publications such as Directories, Calendars, the Parent Handbook and Honor Roll of Donors are accessible online; hard copies of each can be ordered from the office for a fee. Refer to the Internal Site Map and use the site on a regular basis as information is updated frequently. For an abbreviated read of the Handbook, that highlights revisions for this year, please click on Handbook Highlights. |
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If You Have Questions or Concerns
Parents and teachers have a unique relationship in that they share a common bond - a child at Chance School. It is in a child's best interest that adults work together by channeling their efforts productively, appropriately, and respectfully.
Parents are encouraged to contact the appropriate personnel at any time and share questions or concerns.
* If you have general questions, please call the school office at
425-6904. We'll be glad to help. * If you have specific questions or concerns about your child's classroom, contact your child's teacher first. Send in a note with your child or leave a message with the school office. Teachers will return your call as soon as possible. * If you have questions about curriculum or assessment, please contact Sue Musson, Program Coordinator. In addition, Sue is available to assist teachers and parents with classrooms. * If you have questions about the extended programs at Chance - Chums, enrichment classes, summer camp - contact the office at office@chanceschool.org. * When necessary, your concerns will be referred to the Head of School, Gail Lotze. |
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In Accordance with EPA Regulations
Chance School has been inspected for asbestos-containingmaterials and has met the regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency. A record of the inspection showing that no asbestos was found and a copy of the regulations are available in the school office. |
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School Security
For safety reasons, Chance School implements a security system that keeps all entry doors locked. A notice posted at the main entrance reminds parents and visitors to buzz the office for entry at this door from 8:30am-4pm, and put on a name tag (available in the lobby). Before visiting the Cottage, parents will enter the main building first and put on a name tag, then knock on the Cottage door to gain entry. Before 8:30am and after 4pm, only the side Lodge door allows for access to Before and After School Chums - using the buzzer system at that entry. All doors open freely from the inside for easy exit at playtime or in case of emergency. When classes go outside, teachers have keys to re-enter at any door. |
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