February Newsletter

Hands On

Art & Play�Inc.

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2800 SE Harrison St
Portland, OR 97214

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503-239-8521

February

Themes this month include:
Groundhog's Day
Chinese New Year
Presidents' Day
Friendship and Valentine's Day
Dates to remember:

February 8,9 & 10 Bring in Valentine's cards & walking trips to mail box.
February 14 Valentine's Day party. We will celebrate Valentine's Day a little bit all week so that all students have a chance to exchange cards and enjoy the holiday.
February 20 No School Presidents' Day
February 21Open houseand registration information available 2-4 PM
March 3 Art Walk and Open House 10 to noon, come by anytime!
March 26-30 No School Spring Vacation

Chinese New Year Celebration

On Monday, Jan. 23 Loann was our special guest. She visited both classes and to help us learn about Chinese New Year. This is Loann's third year visiting us and we were so lucky to have her join us again. Both classes love cooking with Loann and listening to her tell us about Chinese New Year!

Many more pictures from this school year can be found in the photo gallery on the website.

Balto!

The story of Balto was so much fun for the Picasso class to tell! It was great to use the stage and have all of the children decorate the stage and make their costumes. They did a fantastic job!

Making our costumes for Balto!

Valentine's Day

Both classes will be celebrating Valentine’s Day.

We will celebrate each day between Feb. 10- 14 to make sure everyone gets in on the fun!

Please bring in Valentine's cards by Feb. 8 or 9.

Please do not address cards to specific children; having all the cards the same and signed by your child really helps when they are passing them out.

Monet Class

·      Please bring 10 cards
   Picasso Class
·         Please bring 20 cards.

Don't forget to bring in a shoebox to hold your child's cards! Bring one in ASAP! Have extras? Bring them too!

On Wednesday, Feb. 8, both classes will walk to the mailbox on Harrison and 30th.   We will deliver some Valentine fun, so make sure your child has good walking shoes and a coat. Thanks!

Open House

Open House

Tuesday, Feb. 21

2 - 4 PM

and

Open House & Art Show
Saturday, March 3
10 AM to 12 PM

This year our open house will be joined with the SE Portland Art Walk. Our children's art show will be on display in the halls and the playroom.   St. David's will also host artists on the SE tour.

Registration materials and information will be available for summer camps and fall preschool Feb. 1. All of the registration forms will be available online and at our open houses.

Hands On accepts registrations from current students (and younger siblings) any time after Feb. 1.   Current students will know the camps and classes they are in by Feb. 21.   Camps and classes fill up fast, so turn in your registration soon for your first choice of days.

Hands On will accept new students for fall and summer beginning Feb. 21. New students are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.    New families may submit registration forms anytime after the open house. Registration forms will be dated when received.

If you are a new family and are unable to make the open house, call and sign up for a tour. Tours are given most Thursdays at 12:45 PM, or by appointment.

Current families do not need to attend the open house, but they are welcome to join in!

Friendship

Valentine's Day is a great holiday to celebrate friendship. Every day we talk to our classes about the importance of being a good friend, taking turns, sharing, listening and playing safely. Our preschool is a fun and safe place where students learn that we don't play games --even pretend games-- that hurt each other. This month we will be putting special focus on how to be a good friend!

Kindergarten Round-up

Kindergarten Round-Up is an opportunity for you to learn about your child's school. At Round-Up, you will likely tour the school, meet the kindergarten teachers, and register your child for school. Take this opportunity to ask questions about parent involvement and school events you and your child can attend before the start of school.

Schools schedule Kindergarten Round-up events every winter in February through early March. If you miss the Round-up, you should still go to the school to register. For more information about documents needed to register your child, go to http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools-c/register.php.