Dear Giraffe parents,
We are very excited that you are all staying with us! We just wanted to give you a heads up with some important information about how the Giraffe class will run this year.
The Giraffes officially opens this Sunday, 15th August! We will be ready and waiting for you! (Remember we are closed for staff training on Thursday 19th).
The group consists of 16 children; there are no new children in the group, all are continuing with us, many of whom have been with us since they were babies!
The ratio is a 1:8 ratio, so two staff are allocated to work with the group. As you already know, Jesca will be the allocated teacher to the group, she is a qualified and experienced Montessori teacher, and she will work with the wonderful Victoria.
Victoria will return to Rainbow from her summer off on 5th September, so until then Angela will be working with Jesca. Victoria will also finish work each day around 2pm, and another team member will work with Jesca in the afternoons, we will confirm shortly who this will be.
The group’s base classroom will be in the ‘old’ Rainbow room, on the middle floor, opposite the Mitbachon. Afternoon snack and lunch will be in the Mitbachon.
The group will also be in the Leopards classroom (without the Leopards) for an hour each day, between 9:20 and 10:20 – where they will have access to painting and role play (amongst other things!) during this time.
The group will also go out of the building twice per day. Once in the morning for snack and morning meeting, at 8:45 – 9:20 and this will be in Mazeh Square. Parents may wish to drop off during this time directly to the square, rather than waiting outside the building.
Before children leave the building, they will prepare morning snack for the group.
The group will also not have an allocated sleep time (so if you want your child to sleep – please speak to us! And, they will be able to join the Leopards class for sleep time). Instead, after their lunch they will go to the park each day. We will start by visiting the play area beside Balfour school, and as the year progresses, we may also venture to Shenkin garden. If you prefer for your child not to leave the building, please let us know, and we will arrange for them to join another class during this time.
The group have an exciting daily timetable, with a mix between working in colour groups (of 8 children) and working as a whole class (16 children). They will also have the opportunity to mix with Leopards before 8am each day, and will also be in the garden with other groups.
You can view the timetable below, and also download it by clicking the link.
Children arriving between 7:30 and 8:00 will join the Leopards children in their classroom, and will come down to Giraffes at 8:00.
Please note, that the Giraffes will NOT have pegs this year. In the lobby of the building, there are a set of 8 boxes allocated for the personal belongings of the children. Giraffe children will be allocated a box to share with one of their classmates, and in the box can be spare clothes, coats, in the winter, and other essential items. Please can we ask that you bring ONLY a wet bag, or lightweight fabric bag, and not bring any bulky backpacks.
Dismissal at the end of the day at 4:30 from the main entrance. They will come down to the lobby at 4:25, and come out at exactly 4:30. Between 3:45 and 4:30 there will be NO pick up for the Giraffes.
We will have a phone for the Giraffes team; the number is 058-7841109. Please save this in your phone. You can call this number if you arrive after 9:20, and someone will come to get you! However, as there are only two staff on duty with the class, you may have to wait sometimes (try to arrive before 9:20!). You should also message the phone, if you want a call back to discuss something about your child or the day. You can also message mini-updates about your child whenever you want!
It’s going to be a fabulous year!
If you have any questions, or queries about our work plan, please contact Emma – she will be very happy to discuss with you! 054-698-2969
Have a great year! And, thanks for staying 😉
