FRIENDS AROUND THE NEIGHBORHOOD
PLAYGROUP PLANS
1999
Friends Around
The Neighborhood (Summer Playgroup 1999)
Our summer playgroup was such a success last year we are doing it again this
year. Our theme: THE COMMUNITY. Many of the same children that attended
last year will be attending again this year. Z has been going on community
field trips over the last couple of months with his therapist(s). This summer
we are going to put it to action with other children. The following is the
letter I will be giving to local businesses in regards to our field trips.
Hopefully, it will help you plan your summer too.
LETTER TO COMMUNITY BUSINESSES
Friends Around The Neighborhood
Dear _______________________________________________,
I am writing to you on behalf of "Friends Around The Neighborhood", a
summer
neighborhood preschool playgroup that will consist of 7 or 8 children between
the ages of 3 and 5. This playgroup was organized in 1998 to promote
socialization and friendship with other children in our neighborhood. Our theme
this summer is The Community. Every Thursday we will be taking a community
field trip, which leads me to why I am writing to you.
We would like to visit your establishment. Currently, I am trying develop our
summer schedule. We would like to visit with you on a Thursday morning. Our
playgroup is from 9:30am to 12:00noon. If Thursday morning is a convenient*
day/time to visit with you, would you please look over the following dates and
pick a date that will be favorable for you?
Thursday, June 3, 10, 17, 24
Thursday, July 1, 8. 15, 22, 29
After we have established a date, I would like to spend a few minutes with you
to discuss our visit in more detail. Thank you for taking the time to consider
our request to visit and learn more about what you do.
Sincerely,
Parent and Playgroup Organizer
*If Thursday's are not convenient for you, please don't hesitate to let me
know. I respect and understand that your establishment is a place of business
and Thursdays may not be good days for children to visit.
Date chosen: ________________________________
Time: ______________ to _______________
Contact Person: _____________________________
Telephone number: _________________________
Any Costs: $ ________________________________
Date request dropped off ___________________
Follow-up call: ______________________________
Friends Around The Neighborhood, Parent
Letter
The following has
been provided to the parents of the children that will be
participating in our summer playgroup this year....
Dear Parents,
Details for "Friends Around The Neighborhood" 1999
All children attending this summer, also attended last summer therefore, we
will not have an orientation day this year.
We are happy to announce Friends Around The Neighborhood will be three (3) days
per week this summer, June 1 to August 5, 1999. Tuesday, Wednesday*,
and Thursday* from 9:30 am to 12:00 noon.
[A calendar with Tues, Wed, Thurs each week printed here for the convenience
of a quick glance.]
*Thursday will be our "field trip" day. Hours may be extended
depending on the field trip location and activity. A detailed agenda will be
provided to you on June 1st. (We will visit places like: the fire department, a
new house being built, the police department, the post office, the Aquarium,
the water park,Nature Trail/Park, a train ride and picnic near the Zoo, the
recycling plant and the library.)
*Wednesday mornings we will have music. (details on page 3)
pg 2
There will NOT be a weekly charge for art supplies or snacks this year. Instead
you will need to provide your child with the following items, that he or she
can keep here:
scissors
glue
crayons (8 colors is fine).
In regard to snacks, your child will be assigned to bring snack/juice on
certain days. The schedule will be as follows. If you know that you will be out
of town or unable to attend on your child's snack day, please let me know so we
can make changes to the schedule. Please bring enough to serve 7 children.
Tues, June 1 D
Wed, June 2 R
Tues, June 8 C
Wed, June 9 S
[etc... complete list given with child's name highlighted on their snack days.
It averages out to about 3 days of bringing snack for each child]
** Thursday has not been listed for snacks because we will be on field trips.
Advance notice will be given regarding sack lunches or lunch money.
pg 3
Last year we had the added fun of a tumbling class. This year we are happy to
announce: WEEKLY MUSIC SESSIONS. *Wednesday Mornings at 9:30 am we will have a
music therapist join our festive activities. (Please drop your child(ren) off
between 9:15-9:30, so we can start promptly at 9:30.)
What is music therapy and why are we doing it? Music Therapy is the creative
use of music that provides many children with the following benefits:
-Increased self-esteem
-Improved body image and motor skills
-Increased auditory awareness and attention span
-Promotes math and reading skills
-Greater self-awareness
-Development of appropriate emotional expression
-Improvements in speech and language
-Facilitation of improved social behavior
-Leisure skills for everyday living
Music activities will be provided by Ms. V, a Registered Music Therapist. The
total cost of this addition to our summer program will be $X per child. Please
make checks payable to R.
Please fill out the attached information sheet so we can have emergency contact
names and telephone numbers.
This is to provide you with the basic information regarding our summer plans.
Please call me with any questions or concerns you have.
I look forward to hearing from each of you. Thank you for allowing your child
to participate in our summer program. Because of your child, Z has the opportunity
to learn social skills through peer interactions. AND your child will have a
fun filled summer, too!