Dear Parents,
Welcome to Gan Aliya’s new Toddler Program!
We are honored to be part of your child’s learning experience and are committed to making this year a time of growth, community and meaningful learning.
Before school begins, we would love to hear a little more about your child’s interests, experiences, and/or anything you would like to share with us. Please e-mail classroom@ganaliya.org.
Here are a few examples:
- Did something exciting or new happen over the summer? (ex: trips, friends, animals, etc)
- Has your child ever separated before? If so, who with?
- Do they have a new favorite toy, game, food, etc?
- Anecdotes or other fun stories
In order for your child to have a smooth transition, we would like to add both family photos, as well as an individual photo of your child, to the classroom. Each child will decorate a picture frame to place their photo in, which we will place around the room. Your children's individual photos will be in their cubbies, making identifying their belongings simple. Please send the photos to classroom@ganaliya.org at your earliest convenience to help us make the classroom feel like their home away from home.
Additionally, we have included a photo of us in this e-mail. Please show it to your children over the course of the next few days so they can begin to grow accustomed to their new teachers before the school year begins.
PLEASE KEEP SCROLLING FOR OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION.
Thank you!
September 3rd: Parents Night
We are looking forward to seeing our parents at Parents Night on Tuesday evening, September 3rd at 7 PM. We will hear from our Infant-Toddler Program Consultant, Lisa Meisenbacher, Montessori Teacher-Trainer at Princeton Montessori.
September 4th: Orientation
We are looking forward to seeing our students and parents at Orientation on Wednesday, September 4th. Families with last names beginning A-G should attend from 3:15-4 PM, while families with last names beginning H-Z should attend from 4:15-5 PM.
This is a great time for the students, teachers, and parents to meet one another. We will be happy to answer any questions regarding this e-mail at that time.
What to Bring to Orientation
- A pair of indoor shoes (e.g., crocks or slippers whose soles have been cleaned from outside dirt) to be worn inside the classroom;
- a box of tissues;
- a box of disposable gloves;
- a smock;
- baby wipes;
- diapers; and
- a change of clothes (everyone should have a change of clothing, but those being potty trained should have multiple sets of clothing, especially pants/skirts and underwear).
- Please label everything.
- Please note we will provide each child who attends the afternoon sessions with a blanket, sheet, and mat for naptime. Each Thursday we will send the blanket and sheet home to be washed.
What to Send on a Daily Basis
- A backpack labeled with your child's name (please keep in mind to buy something large enough to fit work and projects in addition to the lunch box);
- a reusable water bottle with built-in spout;
- an insulated lunch box (note that Gan Aliya does not refrigerate or warm lunches for students), such as
- Please refrain from packing food in plastic or paper bags.
September 5: Transition Day
and Mandatory Lice Check
To help ease your child's transition, parents are invited to stay in the classroom from 9:00-9:15 AM on Thursday, September 5th. Once parents leave, children will remain in school until regular dismissal.
September 6th and on:
Regular School Hours
- Drop-off: 8:45-9:00 AM
- Pickup:
- Mon.-Thurs.: 12:30/3:00 PM
- Friday: 12:30 PM
- On-time arrivals greatly benefit both your child and the entire classroom atmosphere. To help parents avoid late dropoffs, school will open its door 15 minutes prior to the official morning start time. We hope this fifteen-minute window will make on-time dropoff easier and more efficient for you.
Class Directory
You can now access Gan Aliya's Toddler class directory:
Toddler Class List.
Transition for New Students
A Montessori classroom aims to provide a carefully planned stimulating environment that will help children to develop the foundational habits, attitudes, and ideas essential for a lifetime of creative thinking and learning. Our initial focus for new students will be fostering the skills that will allow them to flourish at Gan Aliya including:
- Showing courtesy to each other and the Morahs;
- Displaying respect for the materials and environment;
- Putting away their work where they found it;
- Tidying up after themselves;
- Helping a friend in need;
- Tucking in their chairs;
- Walking indoors;
- Finding their own work; and
- Developing independence.
At orientation, you will see that we limit the number of shelf activities initially. This is intentional; too many choices can be overwhelming. In September the works on the shelves are simple and self-correcting. Each week new works are introduced in a logical sequence ranging in levels of complexity. As the children grow and develop so do the materials in each area of the classroom.
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