All of the information you might be interested in is contained in our Parent Handbook, which you may download here. [PDF document, 187kb]

Please be On Time!
The teachers have prepared important and fun lessons for the first circle at 9:00 am.  To get the most out of the school day, please make sure your child arrives in time for circle.Being punctual at arrival and dismissal times is important for a child’s sense of security.

Arrivals and Dismissals
Arriving children are to be accompanied by a parent to the foyer.  Children may be picked-up only by adults listed in their file. Any changes to the list must be made in writing and signed and dated by the child’s parent.  Please sign your children in and out when you drop them off and pick them up.  The sign in sheets will be in the foyer.

After School Care As Needed  You may use the early arrival and after school options on an as needed basis.  It is $5.00 per time per child.  Please let us know in advance if your child will be staying late.

School Closes at 4 p.m.  The last teacher leaves the school at 4 p.m.  If your child hasn't been picked up by thattime, the teacher will try to reach you by phone.  If she can't, she will deliver your child, in a car seat, to Joan's house at 3 Torreon Place (466-2363).  There is a $50.00 penalty due when you pick up your child.

Notification of Absence  Please notify us if your child will not be coming to school due to illness, injury, vacation, or other reason by calling 466-1251 or email info@childrensgardensantafe.com.

Snow Days and School Closures We follow the Santa Fe Public School's decisions about weather related late openings, early closings and cancellation of school. As soon as we know, we will put a notice on this website's home page, email all parents, and change the message on the school phone, 466-1251.  If the Santa Fe Public Schools call for a two hour delay, we will open at 10 a.m.  Any delay more than two hours will be a cancellation for our school.

Hanging Files  Your child has a hanging file by the entrance in which the teacher will put completed work for you to bring home.  We will also occasionally put notices in these files.  Check them every day.

Reports and Conferences
We will send home a detailed written progress report in November, and hold individual parent teacher conferences in April.  You are, of course, welcome to speak to the teachers before and after school.  Contact the director if you would like to have a parent teacher meeting earlier in the year.

Naps  The younger children nap in the afternoon.  The older children simply rest quietly.  The school provides the napping mats.  You may send a small blanket and/or a pillow to keep at school if your child will be sleeping. 

Appropriate Dress for Children
Ms. Frizzle from the Magic School Bus says: "Take chances, make mistakes and get messy!"  Kids play and get messy, kids are artistic and get messy, and kids explore and get messy.  Please let your child dress in clothes that can get messy, too.  Children should wear comfortable clothing which they can manage by themselves. We play outdoors, so your child should wear shoes that he or she can run and play in.   Apply sunscreen if needed, before you arrive at school, as the teachers do not apply sunscreen to the children.  In the winter, we still play outside almost every day. Children should have warm coats, hats, gloves or mittens and warm shoes or boots in the winter. 

Extra Change of Clothes
On the first day of school, please bring an extra change of clothes for your child.  In case of spills or accidents, children will then be able to change clothes. When the weather turns cooler, bring in a second warmer set of spare clothes to trade out. 

Celebrating Holidays  Although the school does not celebrate religious holidays, we encourage parents to present different cultural celebrations in the context of stories, special foods and family traditions.  Examples: Fiesta de Santa Fe, Day of the Dead, Hannukkah, Christmas, Chinese New Year, Passover, etc.

Volunteer OpportunitiesWe request parents’ help in a variety of ways:  Be the Parent Coordinator for your child’s class.  Be a guest teacher, and share a lesson with the children.  Assist teachers with special projects or holidays.  Help with maintenance projects around the school.  Bring in special treats for holidays. Drive and chaperone a field trip.

Licensd and Inspected by the Children Youth and Families Department