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Recent Testimonial

With the end of the school year here, I have been reflecting on the year and feel so much gratitude for my son's preschool.  This is such a nurturing and supportive school. We are going into our third year next year and we are so glad we have this program.  The teachers are amazing.  Simply amazing.  Their capacity for love and caring is infinite.  They handle each child perfectly.  They are firm but kind.  They feed the children's hunger for knowledge and nurture their imaginations.  I really can't say enough about this place.  They just celebrated 50 years!  I was new to Seattle when we started and this school saved me.  They are there for you as well as the children.  These really are some very special people.  My son is thriving, and is so ahead of the game now - emotionally, and academically.  See below for more info and don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions.  

They still have openings for September, and you'll be so so happy there. 

Vanessa Thorpe 2015 

50th Birthday Print

The Children’s School

TCS is kicking off our 50th Birthday Celebrations with this one-of-a-kind offer for our families and friends...

This original artwork, a limited-edition silkscreen print created by our own Teacher Jen, is our gift to you for a one-time donation of $150. 

CLICK HERE FOR DETAILS

Don't wait to get one; they're flying out the door - hoot, hoot!

Thanks to all of you for your business, participation, and support over the last FIVE decades!  This is quite a milestone for our organization, and we're delighted to share this opportunity with you.  

Cheers, 

Team TCS

The Children’s School

2015/2016 Registration Begins

NEW FAMILY VISITS

Tuesdays and Thursdays at 9:30 am

CLICK HERE for details!

To make a tour reservation please email:

thechildrensschoolseattle@gmail.com

2015 - 12th Kid Interviews

The Children’s School

Here are highlights from the 

2105 - 12th Kid Interviews 

with our TCS announcer, Ms. Lloyd. 

Take it away...

Interview line up, Max at the mic

PJ - Kicked-off our 12th Man Interviews this year, thanks for getting us rolling! His favorite number is #6, and his family is hosting a Super Bowl party this year. They are serving cheese and pepperoni pizza, with coke and chocolate for dessert. PJ's going to wear his Seahawk's T-shirt, but you don't have to wear anything special to attend. A lot of people are coming, adults and kids. Go Seahawks!!!

Lyla answering strong

Max - He loves #5. Not only is he planning to wear his Seahawk's shirt, but also his green and blue ski hat (pompom-style?). As an aside, he did want me to know that he likes going to the Huskies' basketball games too. At his Super Bowl party, he too will be serving pepperoni pizza with coke and chocolate - yeah for the big game!

Peter - His favorite player is the same as the jersey he was wearing today - Russell Wilson #3! He's having a Super Bowl party at his house with his mom, dad, and grandma. He'd like to have spaghetti with extra Bolognese meat sauce - he really likes the sauce. His special message for the Seahawks was "Go Russell Wilson!"

Peter with Wilson pride
 

Henry - He doesn't have a favorite, but he too likes #3 Russell Wilson because he wins! He's having a Super Bowl party at his house, and he'd like his friends Milo and Peter to join him. He's going to wear the green shirt he has on today. He'll be serving strawberry-flavored fruit sauces to eat, water to drink, and for a treat, Christmas colored M&Ms (his big sister has a candy cane full of M&Ms!).

Milo - Russell Wilson #3 is his favorite Seahawk because he wins big games! He'd like to go over to Henry's house to watch the game; along with his whole family, he hopes that Aida will be there too. He's going to wear his blue with green stripes Addias jacket to the party, it's super sporty looking. There will be vanilla cake and chocolate chips to eat. Between quarters he wants to play some video games. Go Hawks!!!

Interview Roster 

Cooper - His favorite player is Roxy - he plays for the Seahawk blue team and he likes kicking the ball. Roxy is good at baseball and soccer too, his favorite number is "0" "2" "5" or "10," it just depends. At his party, there will be popcorn, chips, chocolate covered raisins, and chocolate ice cream. He is going to wear a blue beaded necklace, and during breaks in the action, he'll work on his ABCs.  Whoohoo Hawks! Go Hawks! 

Lyla - Her favorite player is Buzz Lightyear, his number is "15" "8" "7," and his uniform is green with white. She isn't going to a Super Bowl party, but will stay home and eat chocolate chips, granola bars, cereal, and chocolate M&Ms. Everyone will be coming over to visit, but she's especially excited to see her cousins. She's going to wear a belted dress, it's pink with flowers.           

12th Kid Interviews - GO HAWKS!

If you're following the Super Bowl, you know it's "media day" down in 

Phoenix, AZ. So TCS announcers are dusting off their microphones 

to kick off the 2015 12th Kid Interviews! 

Here's a review of last year's insights on when the Hawks pasted the Broncos: 

With their meteoric win, TCS kids couldn’t help but get engrossed in the Super Bowl celebrations. We hosted 12^th Kid Interviews, and our commentators, Teacher Maureen and Ms. Tierney, gleaned oodles about our local fans and their Seahawk spirit. 

Here are some play-by-play highlights:

Calix – His favorite player is Richard Sherman #25, he attended a party at Rowan’s house. They ate donuts and had fun!

Adelyn – Her favorite player is Marshawn Lynch #24, and she was quite fond of the blue and green Seahawk balloons. 

Daisy – She is a real Seahawk fan and her favorite player is #24 M. Lynch. Her Super Bowl party had special decorations and lots of shouting! Chicken wings and red Skittles were served.

Roslyn – She wore her blue and green dress to the Seahawk party, she too likes #24 M. Lynch. She enjoyed her favorite candies, mint chocolates and purple Skittles. Her dad was in NYC watching the game, and needed to be picked up from the airport at 12 o’clock sharp! 

Max – He’s a big Seahawk fan, and he loves #24 M. Lynch whose job is to run with the football. At the party there were green and blue balloons along with a rainbow of Skittles. Because he’s such a nice guy, Max wore an orange, blue, and white shirt just to honor the opponent. 

Kai – He's a true Jets fan (like his dad), but got into the spirit of the Seahawks. His favorite player is #41 Byron Maxwell. The Super Bowl party was great fun, he wore one of his favorite t-shirts and didn’t eat anything besides Skittles.

Matilda – She is a long-time Seahawk fan, her favorite player is #3 Russell Long (I think she meant to say “Wilson,” regardless, he can throw a long ball!).  She attended a Super Bowl party at her Auntie’s house, where everyone attending wore special t-shirts. She enjoys eating potato chips, jelly beans, and Skittles. 

Connor -  He likes the Seahawks, especially #3 R. Wilson. He wore a big coat to the party. Lexie and Aida were at the party, and everyone was eating Skittles. 

Henry – You gotta love him; he’s a Bronco fan, and his favorite player #00 catches and runs with the ball (because that’s his job)! He wore his soccer jersey (#2) to the Super Bowl party and ate Skittles the whole time. He wished he could have attended the parade.

Sophia – She’s a big Seahawk fan and her favorite player is #7 – not sure who that is – but his job is to catch the ball and he’s good! She put on her pretty, pink, summer skirt with the unicorn for the game. At the party she ate hotdogs and a big, chocolate bunny. She didn’t attend the parade, but there was a football to play with at the party. 

Emily – Her favorite player is #12, and she is a Seahawk lover! She wore a special jersey and ate lots of Skittles at the party, but missed the parade :(

AJ – As a true Seahawk fan his favorite player is #1 – he’s the best – and that’s how they won! He wore his blue and green Seahawk jersey and ate hot dogs and Skittles. He’s not sure about the parade, but would like to go. 

Tate – He’s a long-time Seahawk lover, and #81 Golden Tate is his favorite player – they do share the same name!! He wore his Golden Tate jersey to the Super Bowl party, and school on Monday, and he ate lots of Skittles, yum!

Zadie – She too likes #81 G. Tate and she’s a big Seahawk fan! She wore a special Seahawk-patterned bracelet and ate delicious candy at the party. 

Ms. Tierney – She likes the way #3 R. Wilson can throw the ball. At her Super Bowl party they ate fried chicken and candy. She missed the parade because she was teaching yoga at TCS. 

  

Open House 2015

The Children’s School

New Family Registration
Thursday, January 22, 2015 from 11:30 am to 12:30 pm

Click here for details!

TCS kicks-off its 

Harvest Canned Foods Drive! 

We will be collecting canned foods and other non-perishables for our neighbors in-need. The donations we collect will go to the University Food Bank http://www.udistrictfoodbank.org as well as the Ave Foundation Homeless Tent Encampment which is currently housed in a portion of our building's parking lot.

The food bank happily accepts:  

• Canned foods
• Soups and stews
• Cereal
• Cooking oils
• Baby formula
• Reuseable shopping bags
• Toiletries and hygiene supplies
• Pet food

The Ave Foundation, is an organized homeless community, that the University Congregational United Church of Christ (UCUCC) http://www.ucucc.org recently invited to erect its tent encampment on-site. There are approximately 20 people living in the encampment, they range in age from 18 to 37 years old, there are also two children - one is 10 months, the other is two years of age - along with a dog named Sassy and a hamster named Nugs. 

One of Maria Montessori's educational tenants was that when children are supported to explore, learn, and develop freely, they feel connected to everything; moreover, they are naturally caring to each other and the world around them.   

As a team, all of us at TCS see the encampment as a learning opportunity and experience - helping us on a micro-level better understand the larger, systemic problems that we know impact every community, big or small, across the entire United States. These issues are timely and align with our November curriculum which includes food, harvest, and Thanksgiving.

Thank you for helping us help others!

Emergency Preparedness and Safety Handbook

The Children’s School

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS & 
SAFETY HANDBOOK

2014/2015

Emergency Procedures at 

The Children’s School

Types of “emergencies” TCS Staff is Prepared for:

• Lockdown or "Shelter in Place"- threat to the Program from outside the building (Room #340 is our pre-determined area)
• Evacuation- (short term) threat to the Program from inside the building i.e.: fire or gas leak (16th Ave NE, north of the playground/alleyway, on the sidewalk is our pre-designated place)
• Disaster- (long term) shelter in place i.e.: an earthquake 

In any of the above scenarios, your child will not be released to anyone who is NOT listed on your emergency contact sheet. Picture ID will be required for release.

In the event of a crisis or disaster, The Children's School will be fully prepared to care for all staff and children present during the crisis for 3 days. This includes (but is not limited to) food, first aid supplies, and emergency communication tools.

Should your child be at The Children's School during an actual lockdown, evacuation or disaster, please follow these steps:

• DO NOT COME TO OR CALL THE SCHOOL! The Children's School Staff will be busy caring for the children, making sure everyone is safe and secure. Telephone lines will be for emergency communication only (police, fire, rescue) for the  first few hours. Know that your children are safe, and do wait for instructions via text or email. Please note: during a lockdown key pads are deactivated/ KEY CARDS DO NOT WORK.
• Look for a text from a school staff member to be sent to the cell phone number you listed on your emergency contact information sheet. DO NOT RETURN THE TEXT. It will not be answered.
• Check for school updates via email, here on our blog or Facebook at "The Children’s School Seattle". We will make every attempt to use these secondary resources for communication.
• Listen to KIRO Radio 710 AM for broader situation updates.
• In the event of a crisis or disaster, we will leave a school situation update with our out-of-town resource, University Congregational Church in Missoula, Mt., PH: 406-543-6952. This phone number will have a recording of our status, including, if necessary, any off-site address to which we may have moved.

We ask your cooperation with our state of preparedness in the following ways:

• Prepare your child by explaining to them, in a quiet moment, that if ever there was a time when you are not able to pick him or her up quickly, they will be cared for by their teachers until you (or someone from your emergency contact list) can come to take them home.
  
  
• Keep your list of emergency numbers for yourself and your emergency contacts accurate and UP TO DATE. It is important to note that in the case of an emergency, your child will only be released to a person listed on your emergency contact list.
  
  
• Make sure you have completed your child’s emergency/comfort packet 
  *see comfort pack instructions below
  
  
• Provide a 72 hour supply of any medication or medical supplies/equipment that your child may need.
  
  
• Carry a completed “Children’s School Contact Information” sheet in your wallet. 
  

  
  

  The Children's School Contact Information
  TCS Address: 4515 16th Ave. NE, SEA 98105
  TCS Landline: 206-523-6899 (outgoing msg. only)
  Director Mary Lloyd cell/text: 206-419-6479
  Fill in Your child’s Teacher (name and cell):
  www.thechildrensschool.blogspot.com
  https://www.facebook.com/thechildrensschoolseattle
  Trettin Drop-in Preschool: 206-729-3723
  Out of State Emergency Contact #:
  University Congregational UCC, Missoula, MT. PH: 406-543-6952

  
  

  
  
• Assist us in our collection of emergency supplies by donating the item assigned to your family. We will be putting a slip in your child's take home box at the beginning of the year notifying you of your assigned item.
  
  
  
  
  

  
  
  FIRE DRILLS at 
  The Children’s School
  
  
  
  Fire drills are conducted once a month by facility management. During a fire drill, EVERYONE is required to evacuate the building. We keep a log of the fire drill dates, number of students and staff, and any results or special circumstances that may have arisen during the drill.
  
  
  For your information, here are the steps followed at TCS during a Fire Drill:
  
  
  • Alarm goes off (this is a VERY loud buzzer noise).
  • STAY CALM.
  • Cover ears until the alarm stops.
  • Each class heads for the doorway, and waits.
  • Children line up, single-file, behind the teacher.
  • Account for all children and check the bathroom.
  • Classroom bag and class sign-in sheet are collected by a teacher.
  • Teacher falls at the back of the line, closing the classroom door as the class heads outside.
  • All classes proceed down the stairs. (All children must be walking on their own.)
    

    
  • Last staff member does final check in hallways and bathrooms before leaving the school, closing doors as he/she goes.
  • Once outside, account for children, and:
    • If a drill, sit down on the sidewalk and wait. (Good time to sing!)
    • If a fire, proceed to designated place.
      

      
  • Wait for the “All Clear” signal.
  • Return to the classrooms.
  • Account for all children.
  • Designated staff member records fire drill information on form.
  • Earthquake drill is practiced by each classroom:
    

    

    
    
    • Stop drop and cover.
    • “Is everyone here? Are you ok?”
    • Sing “earthquake” song (e.g. “ABCD”).

We finish with our ritual of songs/stories and marshmallows on a blanket...

You can also help by teaching your child how to 

be prepared for emergencies at home. 

Together you can:

Make a plan

-Plan for people, pets and property

-Make a family emergency communication plan

-Review and practice your emergency plans

Build a kit

BASIC KIT SUPPLIES FOR 7-10 DAYS:

Water for 7 to 10 days- 1 gallon per person per day for drinking and sanitation

Food for 7 to 10 days- At least a 7 to 10 day supply of non-perishable food per person

Cash- ATMs won’t work without electricity. Small bills are best.

Battery-powered radio and extra batteries

Flashlight and extra batteries

First aid kit

Whistle to signal for help

Filter mask or cotton t-shirt to help filter the air

Moist towelettes for sanitation

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities if needed

Manual can opener for food

Shelter items like tents, tarps and rope

Garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation

Unique family needs- Supplies for infants, pets and elderly, prescriptions, and important family documents 

SAVE IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS AND RECORDS:

Identify critical documents that are important to keep safe. These may include items such as:

• Birth certificates
• Passport/Identification
• Social security cards
• Real estate contracts
• Insurance contracts
• Bank records

Make copies and save them with your kit and in a safe deposit box. If possible, save files on a USB drive and keep in both locations.

CREATE CUSTOMIZED KITS FOR YOUR CAR, OFFICE AND PET

visit: www.makeitthrough.org for more detailed information

             

Help each other

Being prepared isn't only about identifying an emergency contact and storing food and water- it's also about learning how to help each other.

Helping Children Cope with Disaster

American Red Cross/FEMA

Children can feel very frightened during a disaster and afterwards some children will show temporary changes of behavior.
For most children these changes will be mild, not last long, and diminish with time. However, reminders of what happened could cause upsetting feelings to return and behavior changes to emerge again. Watching scenes of the disaster on television can be distressing for children, especially for younger children. 

Some children are more vulnerable, and their reactions can be more severe and last for a longer period of time.
Factors that contribute to greater vulnerability include:

• Direct exposure to the disaster
  This includes being evacuated, seeing injured or dying people, being injured themselves, and feeling that their own lives are threatened.
  
• Personal loss
  This includes the death or serious injury of a family member, close friend, or family pet.
  
• On-going stress from the secondary effects of disaster 
  This includes temporarily living elsewhere, losing contact with their friends and neighbors, losing things that are important to them, parental job loss, and the financial costs of reestablishing their previous living conditions.
  
• Prior exposure to disaster or other traumatic event 
  

WHAT PARENTS AND CAREGIVERS CAN DO
How parents and caregivers react to and cope with a disaster or emergency situation can affect the way their children react. When parents and caregivers or other family members are able to deal with the situation calmly and confidently, they are often the best source of support for their children. One way to help children feel more confident and in control is to involve them in preparing a family disaster plan.

It is important for parents and other caregivers to understand what is causing a child’s anxieties and fears. Following a disaster, children are most afraid that: 

 The event will happen again.
 Someone close to them will be killed or injured.
 They will be left alone or separated from their family. 

Parents and caregivers can clarify misunderstandings of risk and danger by acknowledging children’s concerns and perceptions. Discussions of preparedness plans can strengthen a child’s sense of safety and security.

Listen to what a child is saying. If a young child asks questions about the event, answer them simply without the elaboration needed for an older child or adult. Children vary in the amount of information they need and can use. If a child has difficulty expressing his or her thoughts and feelings, then allowing them to draw a picture or tell a story of what happened may help.

TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS: 

Encourage your children to talk and listen to their concerns.
Calmly provide factual information about the disaster and plans for insuring their ongoing safety.
Involve your children in updating your family disaster plan and disaster supplies kit
Practice your plan.
Involve your children by giving them specific tasks to let them know they can help restore family and community life.
Spend extra time with your children.
Re-establish daily routines for work, school, play, meals, and rest. 

MONITOR AND LIMIT YOUR FAMILY'S EXPOSURE TO THE MEDIA
- Especially for younger children, repeatedly watching images of an event can cause them to believe the event is occurring again and again. 

PREPARE YOUR FAMILY

-when people feel prepared, they cope better.

Learn more:
www.redcross.org
www.fema.gov
www.ready.gov

_______________________________________________________

*COMFORT PACK INSTRUCTIONS

This colored envelope is the beginning of your child’s “Emergency Comfort Packet.”

It should be filled with the items listed below. These envelopes will be placed with 

The Children's School Emergency Supplies. In the event of an emergency while your child is with us at school, we will have these “comfort packets” to pull out to comfort and reassure the children. We certainly hope that we will never need to use these during our time with your child, but they could be invaluable in some circumstances.

Items you should consider placing in the envelope:

• Family Photos
• Special bedtime story, poem or song
• Small stuffed animal or toy
• Reassuring note from family members

We appreciate your cooperation in creating this comforting experience for your child. At the end of the school year, your child’s teachers will review this packet with your child before returning it to you. This year-end tradition is a sweet experience for each child. Please do your part by completing your packet and returning it to your child’s teachers during the first week of school.

_____________________________________________