What is an icy sponge?
When a child bonks her head or skins his knee, they quickly learn that a Gingerbread icy sponge helps minimize the hurt. Either that or they just like them! In either case, we take a cellulose sponge (available everywhere) and cut it into small pieces (about 1″ square). We put them in cold water until they’re saturated, then squeeze out as much water as we can. We seal these into a large zip lock bag so air can’t get to them and put them in the freezer. We encourage the children to throw these away when they’re through with them, but sometimes they’re discarded on the playground where another child can pick them up (if blood is involved we make sure they go into the trash). If your child brings home an icy sponge don’t assume they had a boo boo–they could be starting a collection. If I were making icy sponges at home, I would just pop them into the dishwasher or clothes washer and reuse them.
What is an Elf? Giant? Scottie? Kindie?
The Elves and Giants named their classes way back in the 1960’s, the Scotties in the 1980’s and the Kindies evolved from Kindergarten. Elves are our two three year old classes. Each class has their own house for their classroom. We don’t refer to them as the three year olds since they will be having their birthday during the school year and you don’t want to call a four year old three! Giants are two and three day four year olds. Scotties are five day four year olds and Kindies are five year olds in Kindergarten.
How does the drive through work?
BREAKFAST CLUB (7:30-8:55) Please pull into the drive to the left and a teacher will come get your child from your car. The teacher will sign them in and they will have breakfast and play with other children who want an earlier drop off. Staff will take children to their respective classrooms at the appropriate time.
DECK TIME (9, 12 & 2:30-3)
Preschool Parents: Please enter the drive off Villa from the North end, pulling up as far as you can. During morning “deck time” (8:55-9:10am) a teacher will be out helping children out of their cars and will see that they get to their class. During afternoon “deck time” (12 and 2:30-3) the Gingerbread staff will bring your child to you. Again, please pull south as far as you can. If you need to make a brief stop, you may pull to the left side of the drive or better yet, park on Villa. Do not drop your child off by themselves to get to their class–the transfer needs to be adult to adult. Thanks for your help.
Kindie Parents: You may pull south on Villa and your child may cross the grass from the curb to the Kindie house during drop off times. Please make eye contact with the teacher waiting for your child. Pick up at noon is the reverse (on Villa) and at 3:00 is from the deck (see preschool pick up above).
EXTRA EXTENDED DAY (3-5:30) From 3:15 to 3:30 (weather dependent) the children will be outside and you’ll need to pull to the left of the drive and walk up to the big deck (to the right of the blue mailbox) to sign your child out. After the 3:00 “deck time”, the children will be signed in and will return to the Giant house (on the corner of Villa and Alameda) where they will have an afternoon snack and select toys, games, art and other activities as we wind down our day. Please pull to the left in the drive and a teacher will sign your child out and bring them to your car.
When does Gingerbread close for severe weather?
We make every attempt to keep Gingerbread open in severe weather. Exceptions are dangerous ice or a loss of power. We make the closing decision by 7 am and put a message on the call notes of the Gingerbread phone. Call 405 321-0087 and the message will say if we are closed for that day. If the regular Gingerbread greeting is still on the answering machine, this means we will be open as usual. JUST BECAUSE NORMAN PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE CLOSED DOESN’T NECESSARILY MEAN WE WILL BE! In case of snow we love to sled the hill, so come join us if you have the day off!
What is “choice day?”
Some days are “not choice days” for wearing coats. This means in your child’s teacher’s judgement it is too cold/windy to go outside without one. Some days it’s “choice day for zippers” which means wear your coat but you don’t have to zip it if you don’t want to. The children really like it when it’s “choice day.” They get to decide for themselves if they want to wear a coat. We want them to begin experiencing their own bodies and what they need and we allow them to do this when it’s not life (or health) threatening. Keep in mind that often it’s cold enough for a coat when they come to school but they may not need it later on. We refer to this weather as “forget your coat” weather!
What does it mean when something is “closed?”
We use this term when it’s time to sit for morning meeting (the blocks/toys/games are closed) or the guinea pig needs a break from being held (the guinea pig is closed) or some other limit is being placed on something at school. This can be helpful at home as well (your baby sister is closed) so go ahead–add it to your parent responses.
