11500 Southern Highlands Pkwy Las Vegas, NV 89141 (702)617-1184

1. 11500 Southern Highlands Pkwy Las Vegas, NV 89141 (702)617-1184 Parents, December is here and with it came the cold winter air and many fun things happening at the preschool! We have new teachers and classrooms, to holiday programs and parties. So get ready for lots of excitement this month! I want to take a moment to wish all of our families a very happy holiday season! We are very thankful to have you and your children as part of our preschool family! Enjoy the time with family and friends and we look forward to an amazing 2012!!! Thel Jackson, Principal December/January Dec. 7th – The Pottery Shop comes to SHPS Dec. 8th – 10:00am- Preschool Holiday Program – The Snowman Dec. 16th – 6:00-9:30-Parents Night Out-Polar Express Dec. 19th – Jan 2nd – Winter Break Dec. 19th – Dec. 23rd – Winter Camp Dec. 27th – Dec. 29th – Winter Camp Jan. 3rd – School Resumes Jan. 16th – No School – Martin Luther King Jr. Day Winter is here! Remember your child should have outerwear that is suited to the weather in order to allow for outdoor play. Make sure that all clothing is labeled with your child’s name.   Children are required to wear school uniforms at SHPS. If your child comes to school without the appropriate standard student attire we will call you to bring a uniform to your child and/or pick your child up from school. Contact Campus Club School Uniforms if you need to purchase additional items. . www.campusclubuniforms.com Code: shps1084 1-702-360-0555

2. Southern Highlands Preschool Presents The Snowman Dec. 8th 10:00am – Upper School Gym • As the cold and flu season approaches, I just want to remind all families of our sick policy that is stated in our Parent Handbook. Thank you for your cooperation. • B. Sick Policy • The purpose of our sick policy is to reduce the spread of illness among children and to encourage full recuperation of sick children before they return to school. We depend on parents to assist us in maintaining a safe and healthy environment for all of our children. • We reserve the right to send home any student who shows signs of illness at school. Any student who becomes ill at school will be made comfortable until his/her parent can be notified and the student is picked up from school. A parent must pick up the ill child within one hour of notification. • A sick child must stay home where he/she is most relaxed and comfortable. Children may be sent home if they have any specific symptoms as listed below. In addition, a child must be free of all of these specified symptoms for at least 24 hours before he/she can be returned to school. These symptoms are as follows: • A fever of 100 degrees or more • Vomiting within the previous 24-hour period • *Diarrhea within the previous 24-hour period (including recurring episodes of diarrhea at school) •  A heavy nasal discharge indicative of infection •  A constant cough or sore throat •  Fussy, cranky behavior and generally not himself/herself •  A skin rash, excluding diaper rash •  Head lice •  Symptoms of a communicable disease • Following an illness, a child may return to school once he/she has either been seen by a doctor or it has been determined that the illness is not contagious. (A doctor’s clearance may be requested.) Reminders! *The Pottery Shop forms are due by Tuesday, Dec. 6th *Winter camp forms are due by Wednesday, Dec, 14th. Note: Space is limited. *Polar Express-Parent Night Out forms are due by Wednesday, Dec. 14th. Note: Space is limited. No School December 19 – January 2 Camp is Available Dec. 19 – Dec. 23 and Dec. 27 – Dec. 29

3. Our next Open House will be January 28, 2011 10:00 – 1:00 Helping you and your child cope with separation anxiety Tear-filled goodbyes, clinging to your leg, and cries for the parent to return--- we all know that separation anxiety is a normal part of child development yet this doesn’t always ease the reality of it. Separation anxiety, by definition, is the strong negative emotional reaction a child expresses at the time of removal from his or her parent or caregiver (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2011). Research shows that separation anxiety first emerges in mid infancy (at or around 4-8 months of age) as children come to acquire object permanence, or the concept that items (or persons) still exist even when they are no longer able to be seen. Babies realize that you still exist even when out of sight, yet without a sense of time, there is an unsettling discomfort at the parting. This stage generally continues until about 18-20 months of age before waning, but there is a great deal of variability from child to child. Some children may go through this stage as late as 18 months to 3 years of age, while other children may never experience it. Other factors in the child’s life can also trigger feelings of separation anxiety, most notably a new environment, a new sibling, relocation, or family transitions. As a parent, this reaction, regardless of your child’s age, can trigger a wide range of parental emotions: joy that your child is so attached to you, guilty over leaving your child while he or she is expressing discontent, and even feeling of being overwhelmed by the competing demands of your child’s emotional reaction and work/life demands. There are some things that will help you and your child work through this difficult phase: Practice lesser separations. Introduce your child to new people, and encourage him or her to make eye contact, verbalize, wave, and interact in their own way with you nearby. While your child is playing, move slightly away from your child while still encouraging him or her to continue playing. Gradually increase this distance to show your child that he or she can still play and have fun while you are at some distance, yet still within eye sight. Say a goodbye. As tempting as it is to slip out while your child is distracted, experts agree that it is best to give your child a quick goodbye and exit promptly. To not say goodbye to your child could actually elicit greater feelings of anxiety and has been shown to prolong bouts of separation anxiety in some children. Follow through on promises. It is important that you are reliable in returning when you say you will for your child. Although your child may not yet have a grasp of time, give him or her a point in time by which they can expect you: “I’ll be back right after your nap” or “Mommy will come get you when you come in from outside.” This way your child, or your child’s teacher, has a measure by which to help ease and prepare your child for your return. Remember, that this is just a phase and it, like many things, will pass quickly. Lauren Starnes, PhD- Manager of Curriculum and Instruction/ East We would like to welcome 3 new teachers to our SHPS Preschool family. We are so happy to have them! Ms. Andrea Kenney – Intermediates Teacher – Room 8 Ms. Kristi Lambert – Pre-K 2 Teacher – Room 3 Ms. ChrissyDiCarlo – Camp Director /Extended Care Coordinator