August Message
Laying the Foundation for Future Success
Welcome
Dear Child Development Center Families:
The beginning of school is almost upon us and we are thrilled to welcome your child to the GCS Child Development Centers. We are looking forward to a wonderful year together where your child will amaze us all as they progress through the year. Our mission at the Child Development Centers is to work together with you to Lay the Foundation for Future Success for your child; we are excited to begin this new journey together.
With the teachers returning this week, August 8, we will be offering you a one-on-one or small group “Meet the Teacher” event with your child’s teaching team. Your child’s teacher will reach out to you at the beginning of the week to invite you to this event with them. This will be a time for you and your child to meet the teaching team, interact with them, learn more about the classroom and what to expect this school year. In addition, this will be the time the teachers will get information such as transportation home details, contact information and also allow you to share important information about your child as we prepare for the new school year.
School will begin August 15 with a staggered start following the schedule below:
If your child’s last name begins with A-C, he/she will attend school on Monday, August 15 and then again on Monday, August 22 and every school day after that.
If your child’s last name begins with D-J, he/she will attend school on Tuesday, August 16 and then again on Monday, August 22 and every school day after that.
If your child’s last name begins with K-P, he/she will attend school on Wednesday, August 17 and then again on Monday, August 22 and every school day after that.
If your child’s last name begins with Q-T, he/she will attend school on Thursday, August 18 and then again on Monday, August 22 and every school day after that.
If your child’s last name begins with U-Z, he/she will attend school on Friday, August 19 and then again on Monday, August 22 and every school day after that.
School hours are from 7:45am-2:15pm for all 4K and special education 4-year olds (9-11:30 or 11:45-2:15 for special education 3 year olds). If your child is a bus rider, Monday, August 22 is the first day that 4K buses will be running; special education transportation will begin on August 15, however.
Here are a few items that I think will be helpful to know as we begin this journey together:
Arrival and Reunion
Your child can be brought to school anytime between 7:15 and 7:45am on the days that they are scheduled to attend school.
On the first day you can park your car and walk your child up to your child’s teaching team. You can drop off any completed “start of school” paperwork at that time, if you have not already done so. Once your child has transitioned to their teachers for the day, the teachesr will take them back to the classroom.
At the end of the day, 2:15pm, your child will be brought to your car as you wait in the designated carline. (there is no need for you to get out of your car at this time) Please be sure to display your dismissal tag by hanging it on your rearview mirror so we can match up the number on your tag with your child’s assigned number.
At ANY time during the year, if someone (including you) is going to pick up your child at school or the bus stop, they MUST have a dismissal tag for your child. Please notify the front office if you need more tags PRIOR to needing one.
Things to Bring to School
Completed paperwork that you picked up at “Meet the Teacher”
A change of clothes, a water bottle, and a towel or blanket that can fit in a 2 gallon plastic bag for a brief quiet time each day. Please label each of these with your child’s first and last name.
No official 4K Supplies are needed from home for the 4K program.
We are eager to welcome your child to the school year and are committed to working with you to make this a valuable year that lays the foundation for their future success. If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me or call your individual Child Development Center Office; all offices are open and available so feel free to reach out.
Enjoy the remaining days of summer and we look forward to seeing you soon.
Please be sure to check our web page frequently for any updates that you may have missed over the summer. https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/Schools/child.asp
I am thrilled to start the new year with your child and for you to join the Child Development Centers where will begin “laying the foundation for future success”.
Amanda Lecaroz
Child Development Centers, Principal
Free & Reduced Lunch but ALWAYS Free Breakfast at the CDCs
Family Handbook
Farm to School Produce of the Month
If your child comes home this month asking for peaches, here is why!
We have partnered with our Food and Nutrition Department (FANS) and identified a locally grown fruit or vegetable to showcase each month of the school year in our centers. This month, Ms. Produce will introduce the Peach as the produce for August through a book and costume. Peaches will also be served in August for breakfast or lunch each week of the month.
Why Peaches?
Peaches are native to this area so if your child likes them, they are easy to find, locally grown and therefore, fresher.
Peaches are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Peaches also contain beneficial plant compounds like antioxidants, which can help protect the body by boosting your child’s immune system.
Next Month will be “tomato” in case you were wondering.
Manner of the Month
If you would like to join us, you can focus on this at home as well. When we partner together, we can help our children learn these important social skills more effectively, so PLEASE consider joining us.
Greenville Child Development Centers
Email: alecaroz@greenville.k12.sc.us
Website: https://www.greenville.k12.sc.us/Schools/child.asp
Phone: (864) 452-0400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GCSCDC