Director’s Newsletter: July 2022

We hope everyone had a fun and safe Independence Day! We have reached the midpoint of summer and we are enjoying the long days of sunshine.

We would like to thank Andrea Walker for her generous donation of plants for our garden! We are excited to have tomatoes, squash, basil, mint, and many other plants currently growing in our garden.

Many families are planning vacations this summer, please be sure to visit our website and submit the “Student Absence Form.” This allows us to communicate with teachers the days students will be out and so we may plan accordingly with staff scheduling.

Splash days are continuing at our center and the children surely enjoy it! Please remember to bring an extra change of clothes, swimsuit, water shoes, towel, and sunscreen.

Thank you, parents, for your precautions keeping your child at home when sick or not feeling well. We know the extra stress this creates, but as you all know it is required to keep everybody safe and healthy. We truly appreciate you all.

The school has signed a contract to update the pre-school playground. The total cost of the project is about $25,000. We are going to pour new rubber on the playground.

We have recently welcomed Miss. Amy from “Music Kids” back and she is offering her music classes to our Sunset Academy families. Music Kids teaches children a variety of songs, fun and silly fingerplays and introduces instruments. Please click on the link to register or learn more.

Staying Safe in The Sun: Along with the summer sunshine often comes poor air quality and the need to be more aware of the impact of excess heat.  Both poor air quality and high temps affect young children more acutely. 

Poor Air Quality

Children are at greater risk from poor air quality.  This is due to several factors outlined by the American Lung Association:

  • They are often more active and, therefore, breathe in more air – and air pollution.
  • Children have a greater risk of coughing, bronchitis, and infection from air pollution.
  • Breathing high levels of air pollution while lungs are still developing put children at a greater risk of developing long-term lung disease as they age.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Mayo Clinic, outdoor air pollution is associated with numerous health conditions:

  • Headaches
  • Irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat
  • Asthma attacks
  • Bronchitis
  • Respiratory symptoms
  • Hospital and emergency room visits