Thank you!!

Parents,

We are now using a new email provider to bring you information, updates, newsletter, child care tips and parenting tips.

Thank you for confirming your email address and have a Happy Thanksgiving!

Jennifer

Hello November! And Hello to a month of Thankfulness. Let’s celebrate our Blessings together!

Beginning today, we want to make sure we take every opportunity this month to show you how thankful we are for you and for your family. Did you know that today is National Donut Day? I hope each of you got a chance to grab a bag of donuts and a cup of coffee, just one small way to start the month by saying “Thank you” (plus they taste really good!).

We have a LOT planned for this month and we hope to get a LOT of involvement from our families this month, so mark these things in your calendar! (( you can also find all of our events on the Calendar of Events page on our website http://appletreekidsinc.com/calendar.html ))

First, since everyone thinks “Turkey” when they think November and Thanksgiving… we are giving away Turkeys! For the next three Friday’s, we will draw a name to win a Thanksgiving turkey (to be given away the week of Thanksgiving). To get your name in the drawing simply give us a written testimonial, or to get your name twice in the drawing give us a video testimonial, or to get your name three times in the drawing give us an online review. (( 1. see below for more information on how to give testimonials and reviews ))

Second, November is “Family Stories Month” and we would love to compile a video of Parent’s and Children’s stories of what our Center means to them. Next week we will have the video camera set up, if you and/or your child could say at least one sentence (your short “story”) of what we mean to you, we would love to add it to our “Family Stories” video. 

Third, and a HUGE one, November is National Scholarship Month and Appletree Kids, Inc. will be awarding a Tuition Scholarship for 2014. The scholarship is for $3000. We will be accepting applications Monday, November 11^th through Friday, November 29^th.  (( 2. see below for more information on how to apply and how the funds are distributed ))

Fourth, November is “National Inspirational Role Model Month” and we want to encourage the children to find positive, inspirational role models for their lives. We are looking for role models from all types of careers to come speak to the children at the center throughout the month. If you, or someone you know, would like to speak to the children on the importance of finding and having positive role models, we would love to have you! At the end of the month, the children will have a “Role Model Look-a-Like” day where they get to come dressed as their role model, best dressed from each class wins a prize! (( 3. see below for more information on how to speak at the center ))

AND for the yummy part, NOVEMBER 26^TH is our Bake Sale Fundraiser. We need volunteers to bake and volunteers to work. We will have reminders and signup sheets out in a couple of weeks, but definitely mark it on your calendars now!

We are also going to try something new. We are closed every year for Thanksgiving, Thursday and Friday. ( How did “Black Friday” become a holiday anyway? $20 to the first person who can email me how that happened! ) We are going to offer Drop In care for Friday and Saturday for an additional fee (don’t worry, since we are closed, you aren’t paying for Friday, so it’s not double charges). We will let you know closer to those dates how many openings we have and get a signup sheet for you. (( 4. see below for times and costs ))

And we have a few other surprises and treats up our sleeves! 

If you want to make sure you are keeping up with everything going on, make sure you are in all of the right places. Weekly emails go out every Monday, do we have your current email address? We update and post information on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Google+, YouTube, Linked In, Blogger. We send out text messages from Remind101 application. We have a parent portal on our website. We post on our sign outside, the bulletin board inside, and newsletters. Pretty much anywhere you can think of… we are there. So, make sure you can find us so you don’t get left behind!

 So, have a great November and a great Thanksgiving and let us show you how thankful we are for you this month!

Jennifer, Vivian, Nicole, & all of the Appletree Kids Staff

1.      How to give testimonials and reviews

a.      Written testimonials – You can pick up a testimonial card from any of the rooms at the center, or in the foyer or office – you can simply answer the questions and we can put it into paragraph form, or you can write your own paragraph. The questions are simply to give you an example of the types of things you can write about. You can also email a testimonial to admin@appletreekidsinc.com

b.      Video testimonials – Any member of management can help you with this (Jennifer, Vivian, Nicole) – it is basically a 60 second “paragraph” that you are reciting for the camera – good questions to speak about are “Why did you choose Appletree?”, “What is your favorite experience at Appletree?”, “What do you like best about Appletree?”, “Who would you recommend Appletree to?” or similar – they are best when unrehearsed, in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the center, and even with your children in the video – we can edit them so you can do as many “retakes” as you need!

c.      Online Reviews – On the back of the testimonial cards is a QR code (also a list of review sites), you can scan the code and it will bring you to the Google Places Review section, or you can type in any of the suggested review sites – most sites have their own questions they ask, and they ask to give a star rating – just follow the steps on the site – when you have submitted your review, you can either do “print screen” and paste that to an email or email the link to your completed review to admin@appletreekidsinc.com

1.      Tuition Scholarship

a.      The scholarship is for $3000 divided between the 52 weeks of 2014. It is not redeemable for cash.

b.      Scholarship applications will be available November 11, 2013.

c.      Applications will be accepted from any family, it is not limited to only existing Appletree families

d.      Scholarship will be awarded on a need-basis (decided by answering confidential questions on the application)

1.      How to speak at the center for National Inspirational Role Model Month

a.      If you (or know of someone who) would like to speak to the children, please schedule a date/time with management (Jennifer, Vivian, Nicole)

b.      We welcome anyone with a positive message; interesting careers are a bonus

c.      Any “show and tell” items you can bring are also encouraged

d.      Siblings that are not enrolled, however, may not attend during your presentation

1.      Drop in care on Black Friday and Saturday

a.      We will be open Friday 6am-2pm. The cost is $45 per child.

b.      We will be open Saturday 8am-2pm. The cost is $35 per child.

c.      Children do not have to be enrolled at Appletree, however, if they are not additional paperwork will be required before the child can be left at the center

d.      We will have signup sheets closer to these dates, spaces are limited!