Dear Friends,

 

We are so excited welcome you to the 2024-2025 school year at Gan Sinai. This message contains lots of important information so please read it carefully. You can always find links to the most searched topics at www.gansinai.org/families.

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Important Dates and Times

• You can always find important dates and times in the calendar section of the Playground app and at www.gansinai.org/calendar

• Kindergarten Back-to-School day is Thursday, August 15th from 1:30-2:30pm

• Parent Orientation is Thursday, August 15th at 7pm in the Gan-at-Home Zoom room. Just go to www.gansinai.org/zoom. The passcode is: ganathome.

• Back-to-School day is Friday, August 16th

  • TGS: 9am-10am

  • PK2: 10am-11am

  • PK3: 11am-12pm

  • PK4: 12:30pm-1:30pm

• ​Our first day of school is Monday, August 19th.

• Drop off is between 8:45am and 9am (it is important to be on time so your child can have the best drop off experience)

• Pick up is between 2:45pm and 3pm (Fridays from 2:15pm-2:30pm)

• Hot Lunch, Early and After Care and Enrichment classes begin on Monday, August 26th

• Early care is from 8am-8:45am each morning and after care is from 3:00-5:30pm (5pm on Fridays) each day. You do not need to sign up for early or after care. You will automatically be billed ($15/hour prorated) based on when you check your child out in the Playground app

• Gan Sinai will provide everyone with lunch for our first Friday on Friday, August 23

 

Slow Start for NEW Students

To help our TGS and PK2 children transition into our program in the most comfortable way possible we invite NEW students to start school slowly.

• On the first day NEW TGS and PK2 children come for 1 hour from 9am-10am. You are welcome to hang around outside as your children discover their room, teacher and new friends.

• On the second day the children come for 2 hours from 9am-11am.

• On the third day your children stay all the way through lunch! We encourage you to treat yourself to a morning off (or perhaps take the time to run some errands).

 

Playground App

The Playground app is our main tool for school communication. If you are new to our community, please download the app from www.gansinai.org/playground to your phone and login with the credentials you should have received by email. Please note, this email often goes to spam. If you are having trouble just let me know (rabbi.david@tsnd.org).

 

Here's how to get set up in Playground:

1. After logging into the app, please click into your child’s profile and then click on the avatar above your child’s name. Upload your favorite picture of your little one.

2. Please complete any missing information for your child. If any of your personal information such as cell phone or email changes, you can log in and update your information anytime you need to right from the app.

3. Please also add any other guardians who are authorized to pick up and drop off your child. They will need the app as well. Children will NOT be released to adults who are not listed as guardians in the app and who cannot sign your child out with the app.

4. Please upload and complete our required forms found in the "Paperwork" section of the app.

 

You can learn more about all of this and more at www.gansinai.org/playground.

 

By using Playground, you will receive instant information about your child’s growth and development and you will also receive all messages from teachers and the center in one centralized place and be able to reach out to any of us or any other parents. Please do NOT contact your teachers via WhatsApp or text.

 

Drop off and Pick up

Our goals at drop off and pick up each day is to make the transition as easy as possible for your child and as quick as possible for you.

 

Each family will receive two carpool tags. We’re happy to give you more if you need. Any car coming on campus MUST display this carpool tag at all times which on campus for security purposes. Even if you are sure that we know you - please, always have your carpool card on your dash. If you lose your tag please let us know.

 

Please wait to get out of your car until you are on the straight away in front of the school. There is a sign behind which you should please wait to take your children out. 

 

Please pull all the way up to the stop sign or the car in front of you. We are not allowed to unbuckle or buckle children in so please turn your car off, get out and take your child out or buckle them in.

 

We start at the front of the line and work our way back so please be patient. Please stay at your car until a staff member comes to you. Parents should not leave their cars during drop off and pick up. This is really important. The transition is much easier for the children when you allow us to take them from you at the car. Before dropping your child off or picking them up you will need to check them in or out on the Playground app. Each teacher has the QR code on their key pass and their phone.

 

If you arrive late in the morning, please DO NOT stop in the carpool lane. Please park your car in a spot and bring your child to the front door. Check in using the QR code on the door and a staff member will take your child to their class.

 

When entering or leaving the Gan carpool circle. We must insist that you not be on your phone. I recognize that many of you have important phone calls that you have to take. If that is the case, please park in front of the temple and finish your call. 

 

Finally, please do not change lanes during carpool time. There are too many children moving about. We work as efficiently as we can to move carpool along. We appreciate your patience.​

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Check In/Out

Each guardian must check their child in and out when dropping off and picking up.  You do this right in the Playground app. Just click on the QR code symbol in the top right next to the chat button. Then, scan the school QR code on any teachers tag or phone. There is also a code posted on the front door. We use check ins and outs for safety and for early and aftercare billing. We appreciate your help with this each day.

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Children will NOT be released to anyone who is not listed as a guardian on your child's profile AND does not have the Playground app to check your child out.  It is a simple process to add someone and all they need to do is click on the link in the email that they will automatically receive to create their account and download the app.

 

Early and After Care

Gan Sinai begins tending our preschool garden every morning at early care from 8:00am-8:45am. We continue tilling the soil every afternoon from 3:15pm-5:30pm (5:00pm on Fridays). Early and After care is billed at $15/hour but we only charge you for the time your children are here. We base this on when you sign your child in and out on the Playground app. Early and After care begin the second week of school, Monday, August 26.

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After School Enrichment

In addition to Early and After Care and all of our vacation camps, Gan Sinai welcomes all children in PK2, PK3, PK4 and K to take part in our wonderful after-school enrichment program. Led by both teachers and local professionals we are proud to offer a variety of options for children to continue growing and learning with us. Enrichment programs run after school each day Monday-Thursday from 2:45-3:45pm and are $25/class. Learn more and sign up at www.gansinai.org/enrichment. Enrichment classes begin the second week of school, Monday, August 26.

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Kindergarteners are invited to take part in Club Sinai for after school activities, Jewish learning and fun.

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Required Forms

According to the Department of Children and Families, before the beginning of the school year, each family should have access to: "Know Your Child Care Facility" and the "Rilya Wilson Act". We will need you to e-sign all of the other required forms in the "Paperwork" section of the Playground app. 

 

Before the school year begins all families must upload the following to the "Paperwork" section of the Playground app:

• Birth Certificate

• Updated Immunization records

• Medical forms (#680 and #3040). Forms are available in your pediatrician’s office.

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Children CANNOT begin school until all DCF forms are completed and uploaded.

 

Wellness

On average, preschoolers experience eight to ten illnesses a year. We know that managing the demands of work can be challenging when your child is ill. We strive to limit the spread of communicable diseases in our center and are committed to implementing policies that balance and respect the needs of children, families, and staff in these circumstances.

 

Our Child Illness Policy is based on the Model Health Care Policies developed by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

 

Exclusion from the center is sometimes necessary either to reduce the transmission of illness or because the center is not able to adequately meet the needs of the child. Mild illnesses are common among children, and infections are often spread before the onset of any symptoms. In these cases, we try to keep the children comfortable throughout the day.

 

Please keep your child at home if s(he):

• Has an illness that prevents the child from participating comfortably in program activities, such as going outdoors.

• Has an illness that results in a greater need for care than our staff can provide without compromising the health and safety of other children.

• Is ill during the night or has a poor night’s sleep - this may be the first sign of an impending illness

• Has a fever (100 degrees or above) or has had one during the previous 24 hour period

• Has a cold that is less than four days old

• Has a heavy nasal discharge

• Has a constant cough

• Has diarrhea or watery stools

• Has vomited more than 2 times in the previous 24 hours

• Is fussy, cranky, and generally out of sorts

• Is just tired - rest at such times may prevent the development of serious illness

• Has symptoms of a possible communicable disease (rash, hives, bodily discharge, etc.)

 

Children suffering from a common cold will be assessed on an individual basis. Factors of consideration include the developmental level of your child in congruence with our ability to limit the spread of germs. The younger your child, the more difficult it is to keep the spread of germs down. For example, hand to face contact, mouthing of toys, uncontrolled nasal discharge, uncovered sneezing and coughing, etc.

 

As our world continues to struggle with the COVID-19 pandemic, we have instituted a set of protocols and procedures for everyone's health and wellness. Please visit www.gansinai.org/covid to read our “COVID-19” guidelines.

 

PICKING UP AND RETURNING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL

For your child's comfort, and to reduce the risk of contagion, we ask that children who exhibit any of the signs listed above be picked up within 1.5 hours of notification. Until then, your child will be kept comfortable and will continue to be observed for symptoms.

 

Children need to remain home for 24 hours without symptoms before returning to the program unless the we receive a note from the child’s medical provider stating that the child is not contagious and may return to the center. In the case of a (suspected) contagious disease, rash, or continuing symptoms, a note from the child’s medical provider may be required before the child can return.

 

The final decision on whether to exclude a child from the program due to illness will be made by the center.

 

Please notify us at once if your child has a communicable disease so we are able to inform other parents. We exercise discretion and confidentiality at all times. If your child contracts lice, pinworm, conjunctivitis, strep throat, etc. PLEASE BE SURE TO INFORM US. If your child is found to have nits or lice during our periodic checks (s)he is to be picked up immediately and kept home for a full 24 hours after using a delousing product.

 

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT THE SCHOOL BE MADE AWARE OF ALL HEALTH ISSUES (i.e. seizures, allergies, asthma, tubes in ears, a tendency towards high fever, etc.) We have no way of properly dealing with your children if we don't have adequate information. You can share medical information in the Playground app or directly with your child’s teacher.

 

As always, we remain committed to protecting your children and our staff and look forward to a great school year.

 

Class Placement

In placing children in classes, we consider what we know about your children, what you have shared with us, age, gender-balance, learning styles, friendships and much more. Our main goal is to ensure a healthy learning experience for all of our children. Class placements will be announced at Parent Orientation on the Thursday evening before school begins. You will also be able to see your teacher in the Playground app on your child's profile page.

 

Supplies

You can find an Amazon shopping list for the supplies you’ll need to bring into school below. 

 

• TGS Shopping List

• PK2 Shopping List

• PK3 Shopping List

• PK4 Shopping List

• K Shopping List

 

Want to do some extra shopping? Check out our wish lists for each classroom. On Back to School day, you will receive two carpool cards so you can easily access campus for drop off and pick up. You will also get a school shirt.