Cherish All Things Big and Small

Not growing up in Baltimore, I was shocked when the cicadas emerged all over the city about 15 years ago. They sang their cicada songs at decibel levels I had never heard coming from insects and swarmed my car as I drove through the city. It was a phenomenon! Everyone was talking about it on the news, on radio stations, on the street. I was fascinated that they only emerged once every 17 years and were completely off our radars in-between.

This summer, I have thought a lot about cycles. Just as the cycle of the cicada is punctuated by the short amount of time we see them above ground, many of the cycles in our life are only acknowledged by major events and not the experiences in the interim. The first day of school punctuates the end of a long summer of experiences and memories. I wondered as we handed a flower to each student entering the school on the first day, what does this moment signify the end of? Is this the end of a summer at the pool, a summer filled with camps, a summer of experiences with happy or traumatic events? Is a student’s hug hello a hug to let go of the past two months, to celebrate a summer well-spent, and/or to embrace what’s to come?

I look forward to the cycle of this new school year, of celebrations and accomplishments, of challenges and goals. Although we will still punctuate the school year cycle with events, I welcome you to join me in cherishing the moments in-between. I offer my hand so that we can jump together with both feet into this marvelous new school year. Welcome back, everyone!!

Warmly,

Dr. Shyla.

This Thursday, September 12th, 6:30-8:00

Come and learn about new initiatives in the school and classrooms for this year! Doors open at 6:00. We will have childcare for children in Kindergarten or older for $5 per family in the cafeteria. You may drop your child(ren) off at 6:00 and head up to the auditorium where we will meet, share new schoolwide initiatives, and then describe the format for the rest of the evening in classrooms. We look forward to sharing the evening with you!

CNH 2nd Annual Dance Party –90’s Style!!

Friday, September 27th 6:30-8:30

Help us end the first month of school with a ridiculous amount of fun! We will have a DJ, snacks, awards for the best 90s outfits, CNH gear for sale, and simply a great time. Pay-what-you-can entry (suggested donation $5 per person). Attendees of this year’s party will also help to select the theme for next year! Hope to see you there!!

Earn Your Family Participation Hours With Activities that Suit Your Interests and Strengths!

Below is a small list of opportunities for you to earn family participation hours this next month:

  • Thursday, September 12, 5:45-6:30 — Help with the sign-in table for Back-to-School Night. We need volunteers outside of the auditorium as well as in the cafe for the daycare.
  • Any Day in September — Help to move books in the library onto the new hand-built bookshelves. We also need folks to help organize the library.
  • Friday, September 20 and 27, anytime in the morning — Support teachers by making copies, laminating signs, or hanging displays in the hallway. All work and instructions will be left in the main office for you.
  • Friday, September 27— Volunteer to help the 90s Dance Party go smoothly. We need volunteers to help people sign-in as well as to hang out in the quieter hallway behind the cafe and guide people to the quiet rooms to relax
  • Saturday, October 5th, 9:00-3:00 — Help us paint the concrete floor of the courtyard blue and the picnic tables orange. All skill levels and ages welcome!

If you are interested in helping with any of these events, please email Dr. Shyla at srao@cityneighborshamilton.org

Policy Review

DISMISSAL

  • Except in the case of emergency or illness, students will not be dismissed during the last 30 minutes of school.
  • Classes are in session until dismissal time at 3:15 PM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays and at 1 PM on Wednesdays.  Please wait until the children are dismissed from their identified dismissal area. If you arrive early, please do not interrupt class.  
  • Students will be dismissed only to those people listed on his/her Dismissal and Pick-Up form, so be sure to keep this form up-to-date. Students will not be dismissed via telephone instructions, nor will additions to your pick-up form be made by CNH personnel. All changes to your Dismissal and Pick Up form must be made by parents/guardians.
  • Because young children may misunderstand a discussion or plan play dates among themselves without parent knowledge, we cannot assume a child is to go home with another parent/caregiver who is not listed on his/her Dismissal and Pick-up Form. If you have prearranged a play date with a CNH family who is not on your Dismissal and Pick-Up form, you must send in a signed note to your child’s teacher indicating who will be picking up your child on the designated day.

LATE PICKUP

  • Children must be picked up at 3:15 on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and at 1:00 PM on Wednesday. Teachers and office staff are not available after school hours.  If your child is not picked up by 3:30 on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays or by 1:15 on Wednesdays more than three times in a trimester, you will be required to register your child with our aftercare partner United Education Corporation (UEC) and you will be required to pay the drop-off fee.  You can reach UEC at www.uecprograms.com.  

We know that emergencies sometimes occur, and disruption in pick-up routines should be anticipated (i.e. car break down or unexpected school closing for inclement weather.) Therefore, all parents are strongly encouraged to register for aftercare as a safeguard.  In addition, we strongly recommend that families use the Family Contact List to arrange— in advance—emergency pick-up plans with other families who live nearby. Once you have made those emergency plans, please be sure to update your Dismissal and Pick-Up Form.