Construction continues to progress with the back parking lot, but is yet to be completed. Therefore, all families will need to continue parking on Greendale Avenue when picking up and/or dropping off their child for preschool. If you have been dropping off and/or picking up you can see that parking is limited and all available spots are needed for our families and staff. Therefore, please pull up as far as you can so that we can maximize the number of cars that can park along Greendale. If there is an angled spot open, please pull into it rather than blocking it.
Families who are bringing their child in for speech services may use the visitor spots in the temporary back parking lot. The remainder of the temporary parking lot is used for construction workers.
Our students had their first safety drill on Friday, by practicing how to safely exit the building in case of a fire. We will have two more fire drills in the month of September with one of them being observed by the Niles Fire Department.
In October we will have a lockdown drill with a representative from the Niles Police department. The lockdown drill does not include any simulations that mimic an actual school shooting incident. Instead, an announcement is made over the intercom for the staff to go into lockdown by locking their classroom door and moving the students to a corner of the room where they can't be viewed from the window in the classroom door. In order to keep the children quiet during the drill, the teachers typically have the students look at books and/or quietly play with a toy. Parents can opt out of the lockdown drill for their child. An email will be sent to parents in a couple of weeks with more information about the lockdown drill and a form to complete if they choose to opt out.
A tornado drill will be held in November to prepare students for inclement weather. Finally, a bus evacuation drill will be scheduled for this fall, but the date has yet to be determined.
Historically, our students do a great job following the teacher's directions for each of the safety drills. The drills help to reinforce safety precautions and procedures for our staff and we use the drills to problem solve potential situations. With the yearly safety drills we are better prepared to ensure everyone's safety in case of an emergency.
Developmental Screenings
On a monthly basis the Early Childhood Diagnostic Team conducts screenings of children ages three to five. The screenings are conducted by a team, consisting of an occupational therapist, speech language pathologist, psychologist, and social worker. The areas assessed include motor, communication, play skills, pre-academic and thinking skills. The next Preschool Screening for the 2022-23 school year is scheduled for October 4th. Twice a year the team conducts screenings of children birth to 3 years of age. The first Birth to 3 screening is scheduled for Wednesday, October 5th. To schedule an appointment for a screening call 847-318-4290.
Preschool is a busy place and sometimes it is messy! Please send in an extra set of clothes for your child, including shorts/skirt, top, underwear, and socks. The weather also fluctuates so a light jacket or long sleeve shirt would be helpful as the students frequently play outside.
