What are perishable foods?
Perishable foods are those lunchbox items that you would keep in the fridge at home. Examples include meat, fish, chicken, tofu, vegetarian meat substitutes, eggs, cheese, yogurt, leftovers, rice, pasta, pizza, salads, and sliced fruits and veggies.

Do I have to pack perishables separately if I use a cold pack?
Yes! All perishable foods must be in a separate, labeled bag or container, even if you include a cold pack to keep other items (such as shelf-stable milk or applesauce) cool.

How should I pack them?
Please put all perishable foods together in a zip-top bag or plastic tub labeled with your child’s name. Place this bag in your child’s lunchbox, which should also be clearly labeled with your child’s name so that teachers can match perishable food to boxes at lunchtime.

What does GSLP with my child’s perishable foods?
All perishable foods will be placed in a class bin. The bin will then go in a refrigerator until lunchtime. Teachers will later retrieve the chilled items and return them to lunchboxes.

Why does GSLP do this?
The MSDE Office of Child Care, which licenses preschool programs, requires refrigerating perishables. Licensing rules help ensure your child’s health and safety at school.

Author/illustrator Jan Brett, well known to GSLP students from her classic book “The Mitten,” is coming to town!

From the Gaithersburg Book Festival website:

An Evening with Author/Illustrator Jan Brett

Presented by the Gaithersburg Book Festival and Politics & Prose 
Sunday, December 1, 2019 
5 p.m. (Doors open at 4:30)

Johns Hopkins University, Montgomery County Campus
Gilchrist Hall
9601 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, MD  20850

Join Jan Brett, New York Times #1 best-selling artist/author of more than 35 picture books, for an evening of fun and entertainment, presented by the Gaithersburg Book Fest and Politics & Prose.

Jan will talk about her latest book, “The Tale of the Tiger Slippers,” a gorgeous reimagining of the classic Persian folktale Abu Kassem’s Slippers featuring a poor tiger cub who is a very hard worker. The book was inspired by Jan’s research expedition to India’s top nature parks – Bandhavgarh, Kanha and Panna – to study tigers in the wild and her long-time interest in art of the Mughal Dynasty at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

With more than 42 million books in print, Jan’s exquisite art is universally recognized as being among the finest in children’s books today. For over 30 years she has brought highly-praised folktale retellings to millions of youngsters, their teachers and parents.

Jan will do a drawing demonstration of a tiger and sign books at the end of the event. Books will be available for sale onsite by Politics & Prose.

This event is free, with seating a first come, first served basis.  Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

Family-friendly event from our friends at Montgomery College:

The Carnival of the Animals

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Globe Hall – Germantown Campus

Piano Concert Begins at 5:00 pm

Family-friendly pre-concert activities begin at 4:00 pm

• William Chang and Ellen Suh will be playing grand pianos simultaneously

• David Carter’s colorful animal drawings will be projected on the big screen

• Reverend Don Marbury will read the Ogden Nash Verses that were inspired by this song

• MC Students’ drawings and illustrations of animals will be on display in the upper atrium (before and after the concert)

• Pre-concert activities will help children learn all about the animals in the Carnival piece while having a great time

Pre-Concert Activities

• We’ve planned games, crafts, puzzles, a book nook, exhibits, selfie stations, animated clips, and snacks

• Every child will get several giveaways when they arrive and have lots of chances to win prizes

• There are even a few challenges for the parents (or older siblings) among the activities

• We will announce five grand prize winners at the end of the concert

• Everything is FREE

The evening is intended to be family-friendly so no need to worry about children wiggling in their seats. Come and bring your family. Invite your neighbors and their kids. Be prepared to enjoy an evening of animal fun and games, and energetic and entertaining music presented by two highly accomplished concert pianists.