Director Notes

I have a few reminders and updates to share with all of you. I sure hope your new year is off to a wonderful start.

Outdoor Clothing Dilemma

This unusual winter weather we are having has created very wet outdoor conditions. Since we take children outside at least twice a day, often by the first time they are out in the morning their winter gear is wet. We have stocked up on extra GH gear and teachers are being mindful of low ground and extremely wet areas, but we need your help. Here are a few things that would make things smoother for everyone:

• Label all of your child’s winter gear.
• If wet clothes are sent home, please send them back on their next scheduled day.
• When Gretchen’s House extra gear comes home, please return it on your child’s next scheduled day.
• Waterproof or water-resistant gloves and snowpants can help minimize the moisture absorbed and keep children warmer. It is the gear of choice in wet and snowy weather.
• Feel free to donate extra items you may have that don’t fit your child anymore.

We appreciate your patience as teachers navigate through the day, keeping track of dozens of gloves, hats, boots and snowpants and, of course, your child!  Labeling will help and prompt return of items will ensure that your child is comfortable as they explore the wonders of the outdoors in our unpredictable Michigan climate.

Emergency Card Updates

We want to be sure we have your most up to date, currrent contact information. Many families have experienced new health insurance changes, friends moving in and out of the area who were emergency contacts, etc. Please take a minute to come up to the desk and check your card. Thank you!

 Tax Statements

Your end of he year tax statements are printed and ready. For your privacy, we are not putting them in mailboxes. Please stop up at the desk and get your copy at your earliest convenience.

Parking

As the weather gets colder, people are sometimes tempted to keep their cars running. For safety reasons, please make sure to turn your cars off when you enter the building. Also, do not leave any children in the car unattended. There have recent robberies in the area that have targeted child care centers. In one instance an older sibling was in the car when a parent’s purse was stolen. Thank you for your attention to this issue.

Stay warm and dry!

Laura

Director News and Updates

Happy Holidays! It is hard to believe that the new year is just around the corner. Many many thanks to all of you for your warm wishes, gifts and contributions to the staff gift card to Target. Teachers have felt so appreciated and are filled with the holiday spirit as we prepare for the break.

Food Gatherers was very apprecitative of the non perishables that we collected. The Young Fives program took a field trip to Food Gatherers to have the donations weighed. They announced that we had 230 pounds worth of items. Again, our thanks for your support of our community and helping to replenish the food bank.

Reminder – we will be closed December 23rd through January 2nd. We reopen January 3rd and will be providing child care for school-age children throughout the week, as the public schools are still closed. So don’t be surprised if you see a few more big kids here that week!

Looking ahead to the New Year, please be sure to note that we will be closed on MLK day, January 16th. Teachers will be reporting and will attend a training in the morning and then will have time in their classrooms to clean and organize. This is a great time of year to get the rooms cleaned thoroughly and help with prevention illness!

Best wishes and safe travels over the holiday break!

Laura