Thanksgiving & Winter Breaks

Just a reminder that we will be closed, Thursday and Friday, November 27th & 28th, for Thanksgiving.

(UPDATED!) Looking ahead, we are also closed December 24th through 31st for Winter Break, and January 1st and 2nd for New Year's Day.

The Ann Arbor Public Schools are closed Dec. 22nd-January 2nd. If your school-aged child needs care on the days the schools are closed but we are open (i.e., Dec. 22nd & 23rd, Dec. 29th & 30th), please contact your center ASAP to reserve a spot.

Michigan Theater Family Events

This Saturday, November 22, Ann Arbor gem the Michigan Theater is showing the beautifully restored Wizard of Oz at 1:30 p.m.

Next weekend, November 28th, they're showing the classic version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, also at 1:30 p.m. Admission is free for kids twelve and under! What's more, for every $5 you spend at neighboring shop and movie sponsor Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, you will receive one free adult ticket to Willy Wonka!

The Michigan Theater is a beautiful local landmark that offers a genuine, old-time movies experience. For more family-friendly events, please click here.

-- Admin

Calendar Note

Please remember that all Ann Arbor Gretchen's House centers will be closed for staff work days August 27th, 28th, and 29th. This is an annual event. Staff attend in-service trainings, do team-building activities, and get their classroom spaces and record-keeping updated for fall.

ALL Gretchen's House centers will also be closed Monday, September 1st for Labor Day.

August is already upon us! Enjoy these last weeks of summer.

-- Admin

Happy 4th of July!

All Gretchen's House Centers will be closed Friday, July 4th 2008
in observance of Independence Day.

Last year, we marched in the Ann Arbor Jaycee's Parade

to celebrate 25 years of providing
quality child development programs.

We're not marching this year, but the parade is a great family event.

This year's parade starts at 10 a.m. at the corner of State and William,

then travels north on State, west on Liberty,
south on Main, and east on William.

(Complete slideshow of last year's parade photos is here.)

CPR & First Aid Classes

State of Michigan child care licensing rules require that at least one staff member at a facility be certified in CPR and First Aid. At Gretchen's House, all our teaching staff have both certifications.

GH offers regular CPR & First Aid certification/renewal classes for staff. Parents or other community members are welcome to sign up. Here's the upcoming class schedule:

• Tuesday, June 3 (Initial)
• Wednesday, June 4 (CPR Renewal only)
• Wednesday, July 9 (Initial)
• Thursday, July 10 (CPR Renewal only)
• Tuesday, Aug. 12 (Initial)
• Wednesday, Aug. 13 (CPR Renewal only)

CPR certification must be renewed every year, while First Aid Certification is good for three years. If you'd like to sign up, please contact Heike Hampel.

--Admin

Summer Camp Tuition Discount Deadline

The deadline for discounted tuition for our Summer Camp (SCamp) programs is rapidly approaching...May 2nd! Take a few minutes to start mapping out your summer plans and take advantage of this $5 per day or $25 per week savings...a considerable amount of money whether your child plans to attend two weeks or all ten!

Program information and registration paperwork is here.

-- Admin

M.O.Y.C.

We celebrate the Month of the Young Child every April with special events for children, parents, and staff. Activities include serving parents breakfast, displaying children's art at local businesses, and creating crafts and special snacks. Parents often ask how they can participate--we've listed a few options on this printable flyer.

--Admin

PAG Meeeting Location Change

The Parent Advisory Group meeting on March 4th will be at GH-Mt. Pleasant, not W.I.S.D. as listed below. Please make a note of it.

Gretchen's House All Centers 2008 Calendar

Please note that days the centers are closed are in bold. Center specific information can be found in the GH newsletter, classroom news, and classroom bulletin boards.

January

• January 1st: all centers closed for New Year's Day

February

• Kindergarten meetings, various: check at each center
• 25-29: Ann Arbor Public Schools winter break, sign up for school-age care at your center

March

• Parent Advisory Group meeting at GH-Mt.Pleasant, 6:30-7:30 p.m.
• 27-29 MiAEYC Annual Conference in Grand Rapids

April

• Month of the Young Child Events: check newsletter insert for details
• 7-11 Ann Arbor Public Schools Spring Break: sign up for schoolage care at your center

May

• Parent-Teacher conferences: schedule with your child's teacher
• May 26th: all centers closed for Memorial Day
• Saturday center workdays, varied. Check with your center.
• Potlucks, varied. Check with your center.

June

• 3rd: Parent Advisory Group Meeting at GH-Dhu Varren
• 12th: Last full day of school for the Ann Arbor District
• 16th: First day of SCAMP
• Saturday center workdays, varied. Check with your center.
• Potlucks, varied. Check with your center.

July

• 4th: all centers closed for Independence Day

August

• 27th-29th: all centers closed for staff work days

September

• 1st: all centers closed for Labor Day

October

• Curriculum Night, various: check your child's class bulletin board

November

• 4th - 7th: National Association for the Education of Young Children Conference in Dallas
• 27th and 28th: all centers closed for Thanksgiving

December

• Holiday parties, varied: check with your center
• 24th-31st: all centers closed for winter break

--Admin