PARENT LINK - FEBRUARY, 2012

Fall 2012 Registration for current United Services families is now underway! You should have received your registration packet in your child’s backpack; if not, please let us know and we will supply you with everything you need. We are excited about the plans for a great year in 2012-2013, and we want your family to be involved! Please contact your Family Service Specialists if you have any questions. At US East contact Teresa (ext.211) or Joyce (ext 704); at US West contact Simone (ext. 890) or Kerry (ext. 840). Remember, register before February 29, 2012, and you’ll receive a $25 credit to be used towards your tuition during next school year!

Registration will be open to the community beginning Monday, February 6…please register soon!

The more words we use when our kids are upset overacting out, the less effective we become!

This is so true! Kids crave attention and recognition from the adults in their lives. Extremely easy-going kids prefer the positive variety and will often do just about anything to get it. In contrast, challenging children often get addicted to the negative…particularly when we fall into the habit of talking too much when they’re acting out. Once this negative cycle starts, our kids spend more and more time trying to push our buttons…so that they can hear more exciting lectures laced with emotion. So…what can we do? Save the words for happy times! Do more listening than talking. Tell your kids what to do instead of what not to do. Give your kids attention when things are going well instead of waiting for them to act out. Most importantly, give your kids at least 10 minutes of your undivided attention every day. It sounds easy, but many of us don’t do it! Happy Listening!

On page 28 of our parent handbook, you will find the detailed listing of our snow day policies.

Please remember to listen to local TV (channel 2, 4, and 5 ) and KMOX radio for school closings and/ or snow schedules (Child care opening at 9 am)

There are often times that preschool is closed, but extended care remains open. If you plan to use more time in Extended Care because the preschool is closed for a snow day, please call and let us know so that we can staff accordingly.

On Tuesday, January 17th US West held a kickoff for our playground renovation and expansion project there. Stop by the lobby and check out the drawing of the what the new outdoor classrooms will look like; we'll also hold a raffle for a Constructive Playthings item and you can purchase a brick to honor a loved one or feature your company. Samples are on display in the lobby as well. We hope you'll drop by to see what's in store and discover ways you can help in this effort.

NURSES NOTES:

Sick Day Guidelines: Making the Right Call When Your Child Is Sick

Should I keep my child home or send him or her to extended care/preschool?

School policy (and/or state law) requires a child stay home IF:

¨      Has a fever of 99 degrees axillary (under the arm) or higher

¨      Has been vomiting or has diarrhea

¨      Has a discharge of pus from the eye or eye swelling

¨      Has a cough that is high-pitched, croupy or whooping sounding, or a cough that makes the child get red or blue in the face

¨      Has symptoms that prevent him or her form participating in activities, such as:

Excessive tiredness or lack of appetite

Cough that he or she cannot control, frequent sneezing

Headache, body aches, earache

Sore Throat—A minor sore throat is usually not a problem, but a severe sore throat could be strep throat even if there is no fever. Other symptoms of strep throat in children are headache and stomach upset. Contact you doctor as your child needs a special test to determine if it is strep throat

Keep your child home until his or her fever has been gone for 24 hours without medication. Colds can be contagious for at least 48 hours. Returning to school too soon may slow the recovery process and expose other unnecessarily to illness.

Keep you child home until 24 hours after last vomiting or diarrhea episode, without symptom reducing medication.

Keep your child home if he is coughing or sneezing frequently as he or she is spreading his cold to others.

We currently have many children and adults with colds coming to school, and each one is passing their sickness to others. Please help others from becoming sick by keeping your child home during the worst of his or her illness.

Happy and Healthy Thoughts,

Holly VonFeldt, RN (East) and Caren Etling, RN (West and Warrenton)

DINE WITH US

United Services Parent & Alumni Group has organized a number of events this year to raise monies for the Sarah Jackson Scholarship fund. Tragically, Sarah (a founding member of the US Parent & Alumni group) lost her life after giving birth to their third child last fall. The Jackson's two older daughters attend United Services preschool and proceeds from these events will be used to offset the tuition costs for them to attend.

ÿPapa Johns - 4 area locations

Thursday, February 9

Mention United Services Early Childhood Center when placing your carry out or delivery order and 15% will be donated to US for the Sarah Jackson Scholarship Fund.

OTHER ÿUPCOMING DINING OUT EVENTS INCLUDE: March 8 - Grappa Grill; April 12 - Texas Roadhouse (O'Fallon); May 10 - Chick-Fil-A, O'Fallon and more.

IT'S BOOK FAIR TIME

MARK YOUR CALENDARS...

Bookfair - East

February 2, 3, 4 (during the Fun Fair), 6, 7 in Room 106

Bookfair - West

February 2, 3, 6, 7 in Conference Room W

PIGGY BANK UPDATE...

Did you know that the"YOUR CHANGE HELPS US CHANGE LIVES" contributions to date have raised over $4,300 to date? That amazing total comes from your pennies, nickels and dollars and has had a tremendous impact on the improvements we've been able to make to our playgrounds here at the agency. Please continue to collect those coins because as you can see, it truly does make a difference for all of US! (If you don't have a bank, please contact Jeanne Palombo at 636-926-2700 ext. 109). THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!