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FIRST CIRCLE’S SEASONAL BULLETIN • WINTER 2024

upcoming holidays

THANKSGIVING

THURSDAY, NOV 28
FRIDAY, NOV 29
We close at 1:00 p.m. on Weds., Nov. 27

CHRISTMAS

TUESDAY, DEC 25
We close at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 24

NEW YEAR’S DAY

TUESDAY, JAN 1
We close at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 31

FULL HOLIDAY
SCHEDULE

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FALL FESTIVAL
Thank you to all the families who attended our annual Fall Festival! It was wonderful to get a chance to get to chat with so many parents and see all the excited children.
giving

giving

Every holiday season, First Circle families come together to give to other families in need. This year, we are collecting much needed items for Rosie's Place in Boston and unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Details for this year’s giving opportunities can be found here.

MyCharacterTM

building character to last
a lifetime!

CHARACTER EDUCATION
NOVEMBER

Character and the ability to make good choices, self-manage, and be helpful, honest, and compassionate are skills that are built over time, with examples, reinforcement, modeling, and practice.

Download the flyer for information about this month’s character trait, as well as specific activities you can do with your child to model and practice the character skills being taught in the classroom, so you can support your child in their character education development at home.

SENSE OF SELF

self-management

DOWNLOAD FLYER

winter reminders

severe weather

severe weather policy

The safety of the children and our staff is our primary consideration when deciding whether to open. We know that parents have work responsibilities that often cannot be rescheduled, and we make every attempt to balance those commitments with our responsibility to the safety of our staff.

First Circle does not follow the public school’s weather cancellations.* If we do decide to close early, open late, or close for the entire day, we’ll notify you via Procare Engage or email and update our Facebook page with all the information.

THE EVENING BEFORE

If the course and impact of the storm are still in question, we’ll delay our final decision about opening to the morning, holding off long enough to make sure the storm impact is known while giving parents advance warning of a closing. If there’s any change to our opening hours, we’ll notify you by 6:00 a.m.

DURING THE NIGHT

For a storm that hits during the night, we may delay opening the next morning, or open for part of the day.

DRIVING CONDITIONS

If driving conditions are predicted to be dangerous the entire day, we will close for the day.

LATE DAY STORM

If the timing of a storm is later in the day, we open on time and may close early if conditions will be dangerous.

*FOR NURSERY SCHOOL ONLY, please refer to Needham Public School’s closings.

PLEASE NOTE: Because we pay our staff for weather-related closings and delays, we do not adjust tuition for snow or other emergency closings.

snow + cold

We continue to go outside at least once a day during the winter, provided the “real feel” temperature with windchill is not below 15°.
preschool outerwear

winter clothing

Please take a moment to check that your child’s clothing and bedding are appropriate for the colder weather, and don’t forget to label everything! ​

  • jacket
  • hat
  • boots
  • mittens
  • snow pants
  • extra clothing to change into, including socks + shoes

parking + idling

Cold weather and snow make arrival and departure a little more challenging. Our parking lot is very busy, so please be extremely cautious and drive slowly when on the premises.
 
ALSO, PLEASE REMEMBER:
  • Don’t let children play or run in the parking lot.
  • Don't leave your car idling; make sure to bring your keys (and children!) into the building with you.
  • Allow enough wiggle room around your car so that other families may get out.
  • Please pay attention to marked fire lanes and avoid parking in them!

cold + flu season

With the start of the cold weather, we’re seeing lots of runny noses at First Circle! In keeping with the CDC recommendation for caregivers of children under 5, we require our staff to receive the flu vaccine. Although we do our best to prevent the spread of germs, we need your help.

exclusions from care summary

GUIDELINES for when your child must stay home

FIRST CIRCLE’S SEASONAL BULLETIN • WINTER 2024