Virtual Learning Assistance Program
Mechanicsburg

Welcome!

Welcome to a New School Year and a New Experience! This is a first….. for all of us. One thing I am sure of is we will rise to the occasion and be here for your child. We will help guide them through their virtual day, not just technically but academically, emotionally and socially, as well.

Miss Leigh Ann

A little bit about me: After attending Mechanicsburg High School (yep, I’m a Wildcat, too!), I received a B.S. in Education, with a concentration in Community Health Education from Penn State University. Prior to TCG, I worked as a Wellness Educator at Highmark. While working for Highmark, I earned a Master of Education (M. Ed.) from Penn State as well. I started at TCG in 2004 as a Health and Wellness teacher for all classrooms until I became Director in 2006. In 2009, I stepped down as Director (enter Tracy Baxter) as I started taking classes at Temple for my PA K-6 teacher certification. I also passed an exam to teach middle school English Language Arts. I had several long-term substitute positions in a couple of local school districts, and even taught K-8 Science on a mobile science lab before coming back to TCG to teach PK 2. I also used to run the School Age summer program several years ago.

In addition to my time at TCG, I have been teaching Sunday School for 10 years, specifically 4th/5th, middle school and high school. And finally, I served as youth advisor when my kids attended and went on numerous retreats and mission trips with St. John’s Youth Group. I love teaching and being around kids of all ages. It’s so cool to see their light bulbs go on when they grasp a concept! I feel blessed to be part of their “village” on their life journey. Education isn’t just reading, writing and arithmetic (I’ve probably dated myself), it’s learning valuable life skills as well. Regardless of the age, they are all unique individuals and must be treated as such. Every voice of every child matters. I look forward to this new challenge and I look forward to getting to know your child this Fall.

Classroom Information

Tentative Schedule

While K and 1st grade start at 7:40 on the days they are face-to-face with their teacher, their hours at The Children’s Garden may vary depending on when they are expected to log-in on the days they are remote learning. It also depends on your childcare needs. Our hours of operation will be 7:00 – 5:00. They should plan to arrive no later than 30 minutes prior to the start of their remote school day at TCG. This will give them a chance to get settled, meet with me, get their earplugs ready and log-in.

• Group A (first letter of last name A-K), will attend The Children’s Garden T, W and F.

• Group B (first letter of last name L-Z), will attend The Children’s Garden M, W, Th.

We don’t know what any of this looks like yet but if they need instruction, a concept taught again or reviewed with them, I will be there to assist with that as well. Just so you know, I have 22 kids on roster, however, every day except Wednesday will have approximately 10 -12 students in the classroom. Wednesday, everyone is remote so we will all be together. Our classroom is located in the spacious library on the first floor and extending out into the lobby, on Wednesdays. Every attempt will be made to create a classroom feel and engaging learning environment.

I imagine the daily detail will be different for everyone, and I also understand they are unknown at this time. I am hoping “brain breaks” and lunches are the same. Please email me your child’s detailed schedule as soon as you receive it from your child’s teacher, prior to 9/8. The chart below is from the MASD email announcing the Hybrid Model. The column titled Remote Setting is a glimpse of what your students’ day will be like with me at TCG. I will help them manage their day, log into their classes, and assist them with their lessons and any homework.

Please complete the form listed under "Forms" and return prior to the start of school. I will need your email addresses to invite you to our new parent/teacher communication app, ClassDojo. It’s very easy to use and you will be able to see your child’s progress and receive updates and messages from me.

***This form will ask for passwords to whatever app your child is using (probably Seesaw or Google Classroom) so that we can help them log-in. Please return it as soon as possible.

What Will Your Child Need

Please LABEL EVERYTHING.

FULLY Charged iPad or Chromebook (whatever the school hands out)
Charger(s) for all devices.
Earbuds/headphones. Maybe 2 pairs? This is vital to a classroom of on-line learners.
Change of clothes (we hope they don’t need this but you never know with spills, sickness, etc)
2 face masks to be kept here. The one they wear to school will go home every night, unless we’ve swapped one out for a clean one during the day. We have a washer/dryer now and we will wash their masks!
4-5 pictures from home to create a family collage in the classroom.

Our center is peanut and tree nut free. Also, if something says it was made in a facility that may process peanuts or tree nuts, we are NOT allowed to serve it. Thank you for adhering to the allergy policy for the health and safety of our students.

Procedures & Policies

Classroom Management

Communication

We will be using the app ClassDojo for all communication. Please download this app either using Google Play or the App store. You will then be sent home a code to login in to our classroom. You will be given this code the first day of school. I can share work your child completes, stories to the whole group, or even individual messages. You will also be able to send messages to me as well. This is a great communication tool that provides instant notifications straight to your phone.

Intervention and Enrichment

In order for each student to be successful, we are committed to providing intervention strategies and enrichment activities on an individual basis. Intervention is the use of providing extracurricular activities or support used to master a skill or concept.

Behavior Modification

Communication is key between student and teacher and teacher and parents. If a situation arises in the classroom, the teacher will talk with the student about the behavior. Every attempt will be made to ensure the success of the student. If additional support is needed, the teacher will reach out to the Department Head and/or Director. The teacher will let the parents know via a phone call, email or at pick-up.

Cleaning Procedures

Just like the other classrooms in the building, we will be cleaning and sanitizing tables and chairs after each use. Children will be assigned to a table and chair spot in the classroom for learning and mealtimes. Floors will be swept and mopped daily. Carpets are vacuumed each day. Hands-on items will be cleaned after each use. We will have “toys” and other free play items for after school care or non-teaching days that will be cleaned after each use. Our school has purchased a washer and dryer to wash face-masks weekly. At the end of the day, the entire classroom and fixtures are sprayed with a hospital grade disinfectant spray.

Forms & Resources

Family Photo Sheet/Collage

Please bring in a family photo collage when your child starts at The Children's Garden. It is a STARS requirement that we have one displayed for each child in our room. If you need paper, we always have some available; just ask a teacher. We also need a 4x6 photo of your immediate family.

Forms

Please complete the "Getting To Know Me - School Age - Mechanicsburg" Form
Permissions & Handbook Acknowledgement Form

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Virtual Learning Assistance ProgramMechanicsburg