Headlines ... Keeping Parents Informed
August 2019
We hope you enjoy this parent communication tool, designed to give you quick, easy to read updates about school wide activities and events. This newsletter will be released monthly highlighting important happenings in our community.
SUMMER IS ALMOST OVER!
August is a transition month from Summer to Fall and from the carefree days of summer holidays to the more focused back to school schedule. We hope you have all had a wonderful and relaxed summer and are preparing for back to school. To help with transitioning back to school, here are a few tips you can use:

  • Modify your children's sleep schedule now from later bedtimes to earlier.
  • Modify children's screen time. Begin to reduce the number of hours infront of a screen sooner than later. (see our parent handbook for screen time policy).
  • Talk about back to school often to get children excited about going back to school or attending for the first time. Talk about new friends they'll meet or old friends they havent seen over the summer, field trips, school activities and events that are upcoming. See school calendar.
  • If parents appear anxious about back to school, the children will be anxious. Planning helps relieve anxiety. Take some time to be organized - get all new supplies ready like backpacks, lunch packs, shoes clothes etc ready in advance. Discuss where backpacks will go after school, what types of lunches and snacks will be sent to school, what drinks etc. Remember we support healthy snacks, peanut free foods, and dye free drinks. See parent handbook.
  • Finally, children thrive best when they have a routine. If they have been off their school time routine over the summer, its best to begin to transition them back into their school routine soon. Routines help children cope with transitions as well as help them learn self-control. Its a win for parents and a win for children.
We can't wait to have you all back!
  • All parents should check their balances on the sign in computer. If you have a balance, please clear your account so that we can start the year with a fresh start.

  • All medical/health forms or updated shot records should be submitted to the office no later than Friday, August 23.

  • All parents should sign and update their emergency contact forms at the front office no later than Friday, August 23.

  • All Elementary and School Age student's tuition payment plans begin August 15, 2019 and are considered late August 20th.

  • Annual Tuition payment is due August 15.

Watch for updated Parent Handbook later in August.
FAREWELL AND THANK YOU!
Our sincere thanks and gratitude to graduating families for their contributions to Starmaker's community! Thank you for giving us the opportunity to be part of your family and for helping support your children. We wish you all the best and we are confident that your child (ren) will continue to soar and do well!
  • August 1 - Tuition Due
  • August 6 - Zumba Dance Party
  • August 9 - Ocean Adventures
  • August 14 - Mathnasium
  • August 15 - Elem and Before and After Sept Tuition Due
  • August 15 - Annual Tuition Payments Due
  • August 16 - Ocean Adventure
  • August 20 - Jump Bunch
  • August 23 - Kona Ice
  • August 23 - Health forms and Shot records due
  • August 23 - Parents should update Emergency Cards at front desk
  • August 29 - School Closed - Transition Back to School/Staff Professional Development
  • August 30 - School Closed - Transition Back to School/Staff Professional Development
  • August 30 - 3 - 4 pm Open House - Meet and Greet Teachers
** Music is on Thursdays each week.
SUMMER ACTIVITIES
This section will feature local or regional resources for families:
What is Cerebral Palsy?
Cerebral palsy is a developmental disorder and leading cause of disability in young children. It affects approximately 500,000 children and adults, with around 8,000 babies and between 1,200 and 1,500 preschool-age children diagnosed each year.
Cerebral palsy occurs as a result of a brain injury sustained during fetal development or birth. However, because the symptoms of CP affect a child’s coordination and independent movement, the injury is not always diagnosed right away, especially when the symptoms are mild. For additional information, visit: https://cerebralpalsygroup.com/cerebral-palsy/
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Please do not hesitate to share useful resources you may be aware of. Send an email to administrator@starmakerschool.org with subject line : Local resources
Starmaker School for Early Education at Wildewood
23443 Cottonwood Parkway
California MD 20619
301-863-7740
Editor : Florence Freeman, Executive Director