First Day of School Information
Gerner Family Early Education Center
Ready for a Great First Day on Monday, August 23rd!
We are so thrilled by the wonderful turnout at Back to School Night and just know this is going to be a wonderful year together! Dr. Ward has recorded a video to watch before our first day arrives.
All of our staff have been working very hard to welcome all our Super Cubs to school starting Monday, August 23rd. From day one we will focus on developing strong relationships, creating a positive community, and preparing all students for success as a learner.
The following information has been communicated previously but is a reminder for all families in order to start day one with success.
Arrival and Dismissal
We have multiple programs at Gerner with many different arrival and dismissal timeframes and plans. Please be patient with staff and children as we get into our routine. It can get confusing and hopefully the following information helps.
ECSE/BF/Horizons programs process:
Bus riders and Car riders will all enter through the back of the building (off of Atkins Court).
Buses - arrive and park along the curb near the building (East side of the parking lot). It is important to not block the entrance of buses entering the parking lot. Please have bus tags placed on your child's backpack that was provided at Back to School Night. If you were not able to join, please have your child's name written on something in the backpack, so we can identify the children and quickly direct to their classroom teacher.
Cars - will enter the parking lot and line up along the West side of the parking lot to go under the awning. Children will be picked and brought to cars each day by staff. It is important to have the car placard signs easily visible so staff can quickly know which child needs to be reunited with their families.
AM session time: 8:40 - 11:40 AM
PM session time: 12:40 - 3:40 PM
Tuition program process:
Families will drop off and pick up children at the front of the building (in the circle drive). Staff will meet children at the car doors and take them to their classrooms each morning and bring children back to their families in the afternoon/evening.
Please have your car placard visible to identify families arriving each day. We will have cones strategically placed with numbers to help staff know which car to bring children to at dismissal. Please do not allow your child to get out of the vehicle unless you are parked at a cone.
Arrival time: 6:30 - 8:30 AM
Dismissal time: 3:30 - 6:00 PM
Daily Meals
The Tuition program serves breakfast, 2 snacks, and lunch each day. The daily menu is created by the Park Hill School District Nutrition Services department. The menu for the month of August is included below. Breakfast will be served to children at 7:45 and 8:15 each morning for children that need to eat this meal.
ECSE/BF/Horizons students receive one snack each day they are in session. Families pay a $5 per month snack fee to help cover the cost of the snack given to the children.
Helpful Office Numbers
Front Office (questions and attendance): 816-359-4600
Lacy Northweather (Parents as Teachers): 816-359-6566
April Setser (Tuition Preschool): 816-359-6376
Kourtney Vaughan (Buses and ECSE/Horizons): 816-359-5717
Andrea Richardson (ECSE Programming): 816-359-6111
Kellie Galley (School Social Worker):816-359-6929
Melissa Dixon (Health Room): 816-359-5505
Park Hill School District Pandemic Plan
Gerner Family Early Education Center follows guidance from the Park Hill School District regarding processes and practices to make learning at Gerner as safe as possible.
Please see the detailed information provided by the Park Hill School District regarding our Pandemic Plan that is also followed at Gerner.
MASKS: The Park Hill School District School Board issued a mask mandate for all students, staff, and individuals in all school buildings. Please prepare your children to wear a mask starting on Monday.
Child Worried about Separating on the First Day?
If your child is showing that they are worried about going to school and separating from you on the first day, spend a quick moment enjoying a book titled The Kissing Hand together. This is a great story about remembering how loved children are even when they are away at school.
Gerner Family Early Education Center
Caring Staff ~ Quality Instruction ~ Purposeful Learning
