The January 2020 GSLP Home + School Connection Newsletter is now available! Download this issue for fresh picture book recommendations, information on fun activities to take your kids to in the community, parking lot safety tips, information on pre-kindergarten learning goals, January songs and fingerplays, tips on engaging in mindful breathing with your child, information on our upcoming Kindergarten Readiness Workshop, a look at the 2020-2021 class schedule, and more.

Pre-K teachers Lori Forcey, Melissa Ganz, Lindy Parrales, Sandra Lawson, and Tracey German will lead a Kindergarten Readiness Discussion on Fri., Jan. 31, at 12:30 PM in Shepherd’s Hall.

Our teachers will discuss the variety of skills schools are looking for in incoming kindergarteners. They will also share suggestions for activities families can do at home to prepare children. Finally, staff will provide basic information on registering for kindergarten. The discussion, in addition to conferences, may also help with deciding on placement for next year.

Children not in class may attend with caregivers. Please contact us to let us know you will be there.

GSLP sends a weekly email newsletter to preschool families to keep them informed about family events, school news, and upcoming deadlines.

The weekly email is sent out on Mondays and gives an overview of the week ahead as well as the next several weeks. It kicks off with a message from Ms. Fischer, followed by several short articles.

At the bottom of every email, there is a list of important dates. Keep an eye on this list to know what’s in store this month.

Please contact the office if you are not receiving our weekly emails. Scroll toward the bottom of our home page to see recent issues of the weekly newsletter.

Young children are constantly coming and going in the GSLP parking lot. Always remember: Safety first! Here’s how you can help protect our kids:

• Drive slowly and carefully while in the driveway and parking lot. Young children can dart out unexpectedly from between cars. In addition, church staff and visitors, including many senior citizens, must cross the driveway to reach their cars.

• Always hold the hands of all children in your care when walking in the lot. It’s easier for drivers to see adults than small kids. Holding hands also keeps curious and active children from dashing into driving lanes.

• Never let a child stand outside the car while you buckle or unbuckle another. Have kids wait inside the car while you buckle each one into a safety seat. (Visit the NHTSA site to get help with installing safety seats.)

• Never leave kids in the car when coming into school! Get to know the other parents in your child’s class and add them to your authorized pick-up list. Create a “Pick-Up Pals” group text to let them know you need someone to sign out your child (a great strategy for avoiding late fees, too!). If an extra hand is unavailable, call the office if you need someone to walk a child out to your car. It is illegal to leave children under age 8 unattended in a vehicle, including sleeping babies. (For more information, see this law summary page.)

• Pay close attention to children when chatting in front of the school. Kids can quickly wander into traffic while a care provider is distracted.

Download a printable GSLP January 2020 Calendar. Please check with your child’s teachers for a class-specific version of the GSLP January calendar.