April 2003

Friday, March 28, 2003 Dear Parents, In these uncertain times with war and practical threats of terrorism in the United States, we feel it is important to be as prepared as possible. We want to make you aware of the measures we are taking to protect your child. While we feel it is in your child?s best interest to be kept in the building in case of emergency, we will put the Homeland Security Advisory System into effect. This system is designed to provide a comprehensive means to disseminate information regarding the risk of terrorist attacks. This system provides warnings in the form of graduated threat conditions ranging from green (low) to red (High). Should there ever be a ?Red Alert? we would take the following steps: 1.We would be in close communication with our local agencies. 2. We would be monitoring radio and television reports for current information. 3.We would maintain all building security procedures of locked doors, security checks of all adults entering the building and implementation of our emergency plans. 4.We would take precautions to be alert for suspicious activity and report it to our authorities. 5.We would discuss the children?s fears as appropriate. 6.We would maintain a normal and routine schedule unless otherwise instructed. In the event that it is necessary, we will put our severe weather measures into effect. Everyone will be put in the northeast corner of the building, in the kindergarten room away from the windows. If we feel it is necessary, we will put the children in the bathrooms. It is important that we have accurate, updated emergency contacts and telephone information for each child. Each teacher has a sheet of contact numbers, if you have any changes or additions to the numbers we already have, please talk to your child?s teacher. Each room will be equipped with a Disaster Kit containing a flashlight, batteries, cardboard, markers, attendance sheets, parent contact numbers and a First Aid Kit. The teachers will not leave the children at any time until you come to pick them up. Although it might be important to allow older children to participate in viewing and talking about the news, it might be wise to limit young children's exposure to TV news. It is important that young children be reassured about their own safety and the safety of their parents and loved ones. Subtle changes in parent's moods and behaviors can have an affect on children especially if they witness reactions in their parents that they have not seen before. Be prepared to spend extra time with children if necessary, and continue normal routines and activities. Use the opportunity to explain how and why people are reacting the way they are. > Children need your controlled actions to help them remain calm and secure. To that end, we have included several websites to help you be informed and suggestions on how to speak to your children. Feel free to call us if you have any questions. Sincerely, The Tiny Tot Staff http://www.ed.gov/inits/september11/adults.html Suggestions for Adults Talking and Thinking with Children about Terrorist Attacks http://www.disasterrelief.org/Library/Prepare/chilcope.html Helping Children Cope with Disaster http://kidshealth.org/parent/positive/talk/news.html How to Talk to your Child about the News http://www.aboutourkids.org/articles/war.html Talking to Kids about Terrorism or Acts of War http://www.casel.org/trauma.htm Resources for Handling Trauma and Crisis http://www.cnn.com http://www.msnbc.com http://www.whitehouse.gov http://www.fema.gov

Spring is really here...
		Please check Your child's container of clothing and exchange for lighter and most likely larger clothes. We will be outside on a daily basis and ask you to dress your child appropriately. Proper shoes are very important for the safety of children. Gym shoes are the best. Please, no sandals or jelly shoes! Thank you for your cooperation.

The MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION jumps for joy...
	over 60 local daycare centers, preschools and grade schools are taking part in this year's MDA Hop-A-Thon. These organizations, through the dedication of their children, are raising money to contribute to the fight against neuromuscular disease. But what is a MDA Hop-A-Thon? Well, it's a great way to teach children about disability awareness while having fun and helping others. The Tiny Tot Hop-A-Thon will be on Friday, April 25^th. The donations the kids raise though the MDA Hop-A-Thon help provide:
	• • • • • • •	MDA Summer Camp Research to to find cures and treatments Assistance with purchase of wheelchairs and leg braces Support groups for families Clinics And much more!

"The Chicks are Coming, the Chicks are Coming..."
		On April 30th, the eggs will arrive so that the fours and fives will get to see eggs incubate and hatch into baby chicks. The children are very excited and will be learning how chickens develop. This is a wonderful unit for Spring. We'll keep you posted on how it's going. Feel free to stop by and take a look in May.

WEEK OF THE YOUNG CHILD April 6-12, 2003
The Week of the Young Child is a time to recognize that children's opportunities are our responsibilities, and to recommit ourselves to ensuring that each and every child experiences the type of early environment--at home, at child care, at school, and in the community--that will promote their early learning.

EARTH DAY April 22, 2003
		Do something nice for the planet by teaching your child the definition of the word recycle. RECYCLE: to treat or process in order to use again. -Webster's Dictionary Also learn to recognize the recycle symbol and try to find it on all sorts of products. Give the word and symbol meaning by recycling newspaper into wrapping paper and grocery bags into trash can liners.


	April Birthday List A.G. M. April 4^thTatiana J. April 5^th Ziana M. April 11^th Zaynab N. April 17^thOlivia O. April 20^thMiss Kathy(5's). April 22^ndMarkos Z. April 24^th^{HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!}

JUST A REMINDER!
Tiny Tot will be CLOSED on Friday, April 18th.

WHAT'S HAPPENING...

Our Teddy Bears, the two's ... Here's the Scoop! The two's had a picnic week. They had an indoor picnic with lots of yummy food and then they made these ice cream cones for art.


The Bunny Bunch, the threes ... welcomed Spring by making very colorful butterflies as well as a picture of a blooming flower. During Space Week we made our very own galaxy. The children loved learning about the planets.



Our 4's, our Junior Kindergarten ... is ready to hop down the bunny trail with our hand-made Easter Baskets. Students are "Soaring with Science". Along with our study of space, we made crater necklaces from the moon.



Our 5's, our Kindergartener's... to celebrate the beginning of Spring, made bluebirds to hang in our window. Seeing a bluebird is a definite sign that Spring has arrived. The 5's have also been decorating the classroom with paper chains. While adding some color, they have also helped us create our own patterns.



You can now print our Registration Form.