September 1, 2016

Dear Families,
Welcome to the beginning of an exciting adventure, the start of your childs education.
At Passos Avante Preschool, we provide a safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate
environment for preschool aged children. Our focus is to provide a quality early care and
educational experience that promotes each childs social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and
cultural development. In an appropriate and nurturing atmosphere we strive to create a happy
place to learn through play and discovery. As we begin to build the bridge between school and
home, we guide children toward developing a positive image while building social skills in a
school setting. Being based in a Peabody Public School allows your child opportunities to grow
by having extra resources and more community involvement. Starting Preschool is a milestone
for children and families alike. We look forward to working with you and your child.
My name is Mrs. Vaz and as your childs teacher, you should know that I have been
working with Preschool aged children for twelve years and love it! I hold a Bachelors degree in
Early Childhood Education and am currently working on my Masters degree at Gordon College,
furthering my knowledge, to provide the best education for your child. I am also a mother of two
wonderful daughters who have had the privilege of attending this school, which contributes to
our family involvement going into the Elementary grades. My philosophy of learning is based
on the belief that children learn best through hands on play: planned activities, both teacher
directed and child-centered. I am a firm believer that the process rather than the product is of
the most importance. They grasp concepts through the process as well as gain independence and
foster responsibility for learning instructions. I encourage your child to come to class with an ear
for learning, a curious mind, and filled with excitement. I want each child to have the best
preschool experience possible, so dont hesitate to call me or write a letter with any questions or
concerns. The school number is (978)536-5760. I will get your message and return your call as
soon as I can. You may also email me at vazj@peabody.k12.ma.us. I check my email daily. An
on-going communication between parents and staff is available on a daily basis by telephone,
email, or at arrival/pick-up time. The following is an overview of procedures and responsibilities
you will want to know.
DAILY SIGN IN-OUT PROCEDURES

Arrival:
Children may be dropped off any time before 9:00 A.M in order to avoid interruption to the
children who are engaged in important daily activities. We ask you to please walk with your
child to their classroom and have your child sign in by using our classroom signing in system
daily. If your child will be arriving late, please call to let us know when to expect your child.
Departure:
Children may be picked up at any time during the day, but no later than 4:30 PM or a late fee
may be applied. Children are released only to a parent, guardian, or people designated on file at
the program. If someone other than the person on file will be picking up your child, please
notify myself or the director. For the safety of your child, we ask to see identification for any
person we have not met before. Also please remember to check your childs cubbie each day
for important notices and papers that need to be taken home.
Our Preschool has an extended morning and afternoon program that runs from 7:15-4:30
to accommodate families that have to work early or late shifts.
NUTRITION
Breakfast:
If your child will be participating in the breakfast program, it will be served
promptly at 8:00 AM so please arrive before that time.

Lunch/Daily Snack:
Children may bring breakfast and lunch from home. They may also purchase
school lunch, daily or weekly (a lunch menu will be sent home monthly). You
may pay for lunch daily or be billed monthly, but do not include lunch money
with your childs tuition, this must be paid separate. Children also need to bring a snack and
drink from home each day. Please label you childs lunchbox and all other belongings with
your childs name.

Food Program prices for the school year are as follows:

Breakfast $1.00 per day
Lunch $3.00 per day
Milk only $0.50 per day
(Prices are subject to change)
To foster good nutrition for your child, here are a few suggestions from each of the four basic
food groups:
Protein: eggs, beans, cheese, fish, meat
Fruit/Vegetables: carrot sticks, celery, fruit, pickles
Dairy: milk, cheese, yogurt, cottage cheese
 Grains: bread, cereal, crackers

NAP/REST TIME

Young children need to rest their mind and bodies during the day. Therefore, our class will be
required to rest every afternoon for 45-60 minutes. They will be provided with their own
individual floor mat for the school year, but we ask each child to bring in the following items:

small blanket
crib sheet
small pillow (no bed pillows)
a cuddlie or a book may be used if needed

You will also need to provide either a backpack or tote bag big enough for your childs sleeping
things to go home on Fridays to be washed. Please keep an extra set of clothes such as a top,
bottom, undergarment, socks, and shoes in a Ziploc bag inside this bag if needed to change into.
***Reminder to clearly label personal belonging with your childs name***

ROOM 2S DAILY SCHEDULE

8:30-9:00 Morning Arrival/Free Play

9:00-9:15 Clean Up/Transition Time
9:15-9:45 Circle/Morning Meeting Time
9:45-10:00 Bathrooms
10:15-10:30 Story Time
10:30-11:00 Learning Centers/Choice Time
11:00-11:20 Lunch
11:20-12:00 Back to Centers
12:00-12:15 Clean Up/Transition Time
12:15-12:30 Bathrooms
12:30-1:00 Outdoor Play/Large Motor
1:00-2:00 Nap/Rest Time
2:00-2:15 Afternoon Snack/Bathroom
2:15-3:00 Free Play/Departure

CLOTHING

We have fun play at school each day and have hands on activities that we perform throughout the
year. We ask for your child to wear clothing and shoes that are comfortable and appropriate for
activities that might get messy. We try to go outside every day weather permitting. Make sure
children have warm jackets, hats, and mittens/gloves in the cold weather and sunscreen applied
in the warm weather. Please dress your child in clothing that is easy to manage and that
encourages them to be independent. Certain independence allows for more focus when
preparing for Kindergarten and further grades.
EMERGENCIES

The health and wellness of your child is very important to me and I want to make sure that they
stay safe. Please let me know if you child has any ALLERGIES and provide a detailed
description when filling out the emergency form, found in you Preschool packet. Any in school
celebrations must consist of allergy free food and drinks. Only small store bought treats in the
original packing are allowed! Your child should only be sent to school in good health. If they
become sick during school hours or show any sign of illness, you will be contacted or asked to
pick up your child as soon as possible. In the event of an injury or sudden illness requiring
emergency care beyond ordinary first aid, the program will immediately contact the
parent/guardian.
I hope I have covered all areas of importance and information for you. If you have any further
questions or concerns please feel free to call me at any time. I hope your family feels as excited
as I do to start a journey full of developmental milestones.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Vaz