FAQ

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Table of Contents

Infants

At Smiling Kids, we focus on offering a bilingual education in Spanish and English. While English is the primary language used in our classrooms, we also emphasize Spanish instruction to provide children with a strong foundation in both languages, preparing them for a multicultural and multilingual future.

Co-operative play is something we truly value. But it has to be learned, as well as appeal to our social instincts… The best way to achieve this is by copying what we see. Therefore, our nursery teachers and educators model play and co-operate whenever they can, so the kids get a sense of what it looks like. Taking turns, acting gently, speaking in a kind manner: all of these are examples of positive reinforcement. Soon enough, the play will start to diffuse social tension as a result.

We begin with short separation times, as children need to have faith that their caregiver will return. This builds trust and mutual understanding. Once these brief periods become the norm, we extend the length of separation. A comforter from home often helps, something like a blanket, toy or teddy bear.

It’s normal for a child to cry during their initial state at kindergarten of semi-independence. Please remember that it’s a natural, healthy response to the love you’ve given them so far… For transitions and promotions, too, we create a plan that’s tailored to their personality traits.

You may drop your child off in the school driveway as early as 7:30 am, 20 minutes before school. Kindergarten students meet and line up on the Kindergarten playground before school. Supervision is provided on the Kindergarten playground every morning.

We recommend that parents walk their Kindergarteners to the playground for at least the first few days of school. Park on the street or in the lot at St. James Church and walk your child into the kindergarten playground.

Additional information is available on our Arrival and Dismissal Procedures page.

Toddlers

All children will be walked to the pick up lines under the shade structure on the east side of the parking lot. Children will be supervised at all times. You may either wait in the car line for driveway pick up or park your car in on the street or in the St. James lot and walk to pick up your child. Please wait outside for your child.
Breakfast is served in the cafeteria every morning starting at 7:10 am. Children may bring a healthy snack to eat during morning recess, around 9:30 am. Kindergarten lunch time is 11:00 am. Students may purchase lunch from the cafeteria or bring a healthy lunch from home. Breakfast costs $1.25, lunch is $2.25, milk is $.35 and juice is $.30. You are welcome to pay ahead; just visit the cafeteria before school to set up your child’s account. Additional information is available on our Cafeteria page.
Uniforms consist of khaki or navy blue bottoms and a white, light blue or navy polo or dress shirt. Jackets of any kind may be worn. You can purchase uniforms at the PTA uniform sale before the first day of school, or at any major retailer, including Target, Sears, JCPenney, WalMart, The Children’s Place and Land’s End. Additional information is available on our School Uniforms page.

We have a School Nurse or Health Clerk on campus 5 days/week. Your child will be evaluated and treated immediately. You will be called right away if the injury is severe, or if your child needs to go home due to illness.

Additional information is available on our Health Office page.

Preschool

We use fun, research-based, multi-sensory strategies to help children develop early learning skills, including Lively Letters, Open Court for phonics and literacy, Handwriting Without Tears, and Everyday Math. We use Responsive Classroom as the basis for our social and emotional learning curriculum throughout the school.
It is strongly encouraged that all children starting in Preschool, except for those entering the Toddler program, be potty-trained. However, it is not required.

At Smiling Kids, only children who stay for Creative Afternoons will have a rest period after lunch. At the Elementary School, Kindergarten students have a rest time after lunch, which often includes a read aloud story time.

Parents can access information instantly about their child(ren)’s classroom activities, schedule, and plans through our Smiling Kids Portal, which also provides access to family contact information and is where parents can update emergency contacts or the list of individuals allowed to pick up their child(ren). In addition to class specific information, all school events, notices, weekly newsletters from classroom teachers, monthly newsletters from specials teachers, Parent Association news and minutes, directory listings, school calendars, and photos live on the secure Parent Portal. In addition, we host numerous informational events for families throughout the year and send out Schoolroom Notes, our bi-annual all school newsletter, and our annual report.

Kindergarden

Yes, all of our Kindergarten rooms are clustered together, on the first floor, in the main building.
Kindergarten students have their own playground on the west side of the building, facing Pepper Drive. The gate on this side of the campus is locked at all times. All three kindergarten classes have lunch and recess together.

All class lists will be posted at the PTA social on the afternoon before school starts in August. They will also be accessible at the front door facing Washington Boulevard overnight.

You may drop your child off in the school driveway as early as 7:30 am, 20 minutes before school. Kindergarten students meet and line up on the Kindergarten playground before school. Supervision is provided on the Kindergarten playground every morning. We recommend that parents walk their Kindergarteners to the playground for at least the first few days of school. Park on the street or in the lot at St. James Church and walk your child into the kindergarten playground. Additional information is available on our Arrival and Dismissal Procedures page.

Flex Care

Smiling Kids’ certified teachers design specific curriculum, so kids get structure and socialization! Our teachers are loving, attentive, smart and cater to the group!

Smiling Kids has traditional full time and flex care services available.

All class lists will be posted at the PTA social on the afternoon before school starts in August. They will also be accessible at the front door facing Washington Boulevard overnight.

For Oregon, you do not need to bring them in for Drop-in, but do require them for Full Time. But it’s great if you can bring them in for us. We do require vaccinations. For LA, both immunization records and vaccinations are required whether or not you are using Drop-in or Full Time. Skole’s immunization rates are here and you can find the Multnomah County Immunization Rates here, Clackamas County here, and Washington County here.

Art Program

Yes, all of our Kindergarten rooms are clustered together, on the first floor, in the main building.
Kindergarten students have their own playground on the west side of the building, facing Pepper Drive. The gate on this side of the campus is locked at all times. All three kindergarten classes have lunch and recess together.

All class lists will be posted at the PTA social on the afternoon before school starts in August. They will also be accessible at the front door facing Washington Boulevard overnight.

You may drop your child off in the school driveway as early as 7:30 am, 20 minutes before school. Kindergarten students meet and line up on the Kindergarten playground before school. Supervision is provided on the Kindergarten playground every morning. We recommend that parents walk their Kindergarteners to the playground for at least the first few days of school. Park on the street or in the lot at St. James Church and walk your child into the kindergarten playground. Additional information is available on our Arrival and Dismissal Procedures page.