Dear First Step Preschool and Childcare Families,

Welcome to the 2020-2021 school year!  I hope everyone is safe and well!  Our wonderful staff members have been working very hard to prepare for the excitement of this school year.  I want to thank everyone for their continued support. 

 I am so honored to be appointed as the Coordinator of First Step.  I have over 17 years of experience in early childhood in the Cleveland Suburbs and Chicago.  I worked with the First Step staff and community last year as well.  I am a proud graduate of Valley Forge High School and am blessed to return to my hometown.  In a world of uncertainty, I hope to provide some consistency and clarity. 

We will be doing our very best to maintain a sense of normalcy and calm throughout the school year.  Much has changed, and we all still have many questions.  Rest assured that we will continue to do our best to care for our students, both academically and social-emotionally.  Together, with your support, we will make this year another great year at First Step!

We will start the first nine weeks of school remotely but will continually monitor the state’s safety guidelines and the Cuyahoga County Board of Health.  Please be assured that our staff has worked diligently to develop high-quality remote programming for your students that includes whole group and small group instruction. 

Technology

All students served at the preschool and childcare (excluding infants and toddlers) will receive a PCSD iPad device.  We are working on setting up times to have families pick-up iPads to access virtual learning.   Each First Step student (excluding infants and toddlers) is given an email address and code to access.  Access information is forthcoming.  As early childhood educators, my staff and I know that “screen-time” should be limited; however, this technology allows us to provide high quality, individualized instruction to meet your child’s needs. 

Enrichment Activities

Enrichment activities will be available throughout the remote learning process. Families are encouraged to work on these packets weekly; however, the crucial instruction will be the distance live learning from your child’s teacher.  Times/dates for pick-up for our team created packets will be communicated at a later time. 

Peer Models

During the first nine weeks, PCSD will waive tuition fees.  Once school resumes, the tuition will return to standard rates.

First Day for Students

The first day for students will be Wednesday, September 8, 2020. 

Class Assignments

Soon you will receive a mailed letter of which section (AM or PM) with your child’s teacher.

Distance Learning Schedule for Preschool:

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me! 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Svihlik

Lara A. Svihlik, M. Ed.

Early Childhood Coordinator 

First Step Preschool and Child Care

Parma City Schools

440-885-8665

svihlikl@parmacityschools.org