Our 4/5'a will return after Christmas break to learn all about the Arctic and the animals that love to live there!

Classes resume tomorrow December 1st.  We hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  December fun begins tomorrow with our 3 year-olds, and Wednesday with our 4/5 year-olds!  You can reach our Director at ark2dir@ptd.net if you have any questions or would like more information about our school.

Ark 2 classes start tomorrow!  4/5 year olds start on Monday and 3 year olds start on Tuesday!

Dear Ark 2 Preschool Parents,  It is with great JOY that I announce Ark 2 Preschool will reopen Monday October 5th for our 4/5's and Tuesday October 6th for our 3 year olds!
Ark 2 Preschool will look different this year, but we will strive to provide the same loving atmosphere for your child.  We have been working very hard to make this a fun filled year of learning and growing in a safe environment.

HERE IS IMPORTANT INFORMATION THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:
Parent Orientation for our 3 year old class is set for Tuesday September 29th at 6pm in the Light House gym.
Parent Orientation for our 4/5 year old class is set for Wednesday September 30th at 6pm in the Light House gym.
PLEASE NOTE THAT AT LEAST ONE PARENT MUST ATTEND THE ORIENTATION NIGHT BECAUSE MORE DETAILS WILL BE GIVEN THAT NIGHT ON OUR COVID PLAN.
At Orientation NIght, you will have the opportunity to choose a shield for your child to wear at school.  Ark 2 will provide the student's first shield.  Each child must wear a shield at school, however there will be opportunities throughout the day when your child will get time to take the shield off.  This will be explained more at Orientation.
Also: Our registrar Penny Carns will have invoices for you that night for October tuition, so it is OK to wait to pay tuition that night.

WALK THROUGH OPEN HOUSES are planned for Thursday October 1st.
3 year olds can visit from 9am till 10 am with their parent.  Please have your child wear their shield.  Parents should wear a mask.  The 3 year olds have 6 students.
4/5 year olds can visit 10:30-11:30 but since their will be 13 or 14 students, the group will be divided into half hour slots.  We will give you that information Orientation Night.

Classroom Changes: Moving to larger rooms!
3 year olds will be meeting in the old 4/5's room which is much larger.
4/5 year olds will be in the large room.  The church has given us the entire large room to use for a classroom.
Again, you will receive more information about this Orientation night.

Covid Plan:
To create our safe opening, we used the PA DEPT OF ED GUIDANCE.  We moved classrooms to the biggest areas.  We have access to outside, the pavilion, the gym, and our awesome playground.  We are not allowing parents or any visitors into our buildings except for the Open House walk through.  3 year olds and their parents will meet at the school entrance door before school keeping social distance.  4/5's will meet at the front double doors and keep social distance.  Director will take child's temp before parent leaves and next child is called forward.  Children will wear shields provided by the Ark.  Parents will wear masks when waiting outside the building.  Cleaning and disinfecting guidelines will be followed always along with a lot of handwashing to be explained more at Orientation.  Also how we will handle a covid case will also be explained with a sample letter at Orientation. 

OUR STAFF for 2020-2021
Debbie Lamson Director  (PLease note that it was with much prayer and tears that I had to decide to let go of my teaching hat along with being Director.  Covid has caused a lot of changes for many, and it caused a lot of changes for me.  So because I am in the age bracket of concern being in the classroom, it was wise to open the door for a younger teacher to take over.  I will devote my full focus to being Director and keeping your children and all our staff as safe as possible.  And I will see you every class morning!)
3 year old teacher: Jessica Achey
3 year old teacher assistant: Angel Keahey
4/5 year old teacher: Amber Ratti
4/5 year old assistant teacher: Angel Keahey
Registrar: Penny Carns
NOTE: ENRICHMENT IS NOT BEING PLANNED UNTIL THINGS IMPROVE WITH THE VIRUS.

The staff and I look forward to seeing everyone at Orientation and answering all your questions and concerns.  We know that these times are challenging, but we are confident in our plan and look forward to speaking with you more Orientation Night!
Debbie Lamson Ark 2 Preschool Director 

Information coming soon about Ark 2 reopening in October!  Our classes are filled, however you can add your name to a waiting list.  Let a message on our phone at 570 992-4950.  Watch for more information coming Friday!

Dear Ark 2 Parents,
The Ark 2 Board of Directors met Thursday August 6, 2020 and made the decision that additional planning is needed to open Ark 2 Preschool this fall.  We are not opening classes in September, but are anticipating an October opening if we can do so safely.  At this time, we do not have rescheduled Parent Orientation and Open House dates in place.
Please do not send in tuition payments until we contact you about opening.  If you prepaid tuition, our registrar will be contacting you about a refund for September.
These are uncertain times, and our hearts are heavy not being able to open in September.  Please know that the Ark 2 Board and staff are working diligently to provide a safe and secure and learning filled experience for you and your child.
If you have any questions or concerns, please give us a call at the office 570 992-4950 or email me at ark2dir@ptd.net, or our registrar Penny Carns at ark2reg@ptd.net.
Thank you for your continued support of Ark 2 Preschool.  We will contact you as soon as we have more information.
Sincerely,
Debbie Lamson
Ark 2 Preschool Director

This letter will be coming in your mail, but it is here for you to read:
ARK 2 PRESCHOOL 2020/2021
The Ark 2 Preschool staff has come up with a plan to open school this fall for our 3 year old through 5 year old classes.
Our Mommy & Me class will not be opening in the fall because of Covid-19 restrictions.  Parents will receive a refund of the registration fee paid to Ark 2 Preschool.  If things improve, we could consider opening m&m again, and at that time, you would be notified.
All teachers and students will need to wear a mask to school.  Parents are asked to wear masks whenever in the building.  The staff feels strongly that we need to see the faces of our students, and they need to see our faces too.  So Ark 2 will supply each student with their very own shield to wear to school.  Teachers will wear the same type of shield.  We will make it fun! 
We are going to take temps daily of teachers, students and parents.   Parents and students enter through our double doors and parents exit through our side door after dropping children at school.  Our plan is to keep only a few parents in the hallway at a time.  Student cubbies will be in the big room as you enter.  This plan will be explained further at Parent Orientation.  Children will wash their hands before entering the classroom.  Students will be washing their hands throughout the day as we exit and enter our classroom as well as other times.
Snack tables will be set up in the morning for student snack bags and lunches to be placed upon entering school.  These will be spaced out with name tags.
Each child will have their own supply bin that includes items as markers, crayons, glue sticks, journals etc…  This will eliminate many children reaching in the same bin for supplies. 
For our 3’s, they will have individual manipulative bins as they work with these each morning.  Our 4/5’s will rotate in centers allowing smaller groups to play in an area at a time.
Teachers will use creative ways to have downtime from masks for our children.  An example is in the big room or gym, each child sits in a hoola hoop as their space.  The hoola hoops are spaced 6 feet apart.  Children can take off their mask during a story time, or a music activity like rhythm sticks or music!
We are using the CDC guidelines for cleaning our rooms and school. 
If your family is traveling, we ask that you and your child self-quarantine for 14 days before returning your child to school.  Ark 2 Preschool should be notified if you or your child or any other members of your household test positive for covid-19.
 We have given our plan much thought and prayer and we will go into detail further at our Parent Orientations.  We have spaced these meeting out so that we do not have too many people here at one time.  Everyone who attends the meeting should wear a mask.
 
Parent Orientation:
Tuesday August 25th 6pm in the Ark 2 building for 3 year-old class parents
Wednesday August 26th 6pm in the Ark 2 building for 4/5 year-old parents
 
Open Houses are scheduled and we ask that only one adult attend a walk through type open house with your child.
Friday August 28th  9am  3 year olds
                                 10:30 am 4/5 year olds
 
 
Please note:
Please read and sign the attached waiver if your child will be attending Ark 2 Preschool in the fall.
Also Please complete the bottom section of this page and return in the enclosed envelope as soon as possible.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
Child’s name________________________________class_____________________________
Will attend Ark 2 Preschool in the fall __________________
Will not attend Ark 2 Preschool in the fall_______________
For those who make the decision not to attend Ark 2 Preschool in the fall, we will return your registration fee.
Sincerely,
Debbie Lamson Director and the Ark 2 Preschool Staff 2020/2021

A few openings remain in our 4/5's class and our 3 year old class.  Call today 570 992-4950.