September 2026 Calendar:
- September 8: First day in new classrooms
- September 11: First Friday
- September 23-24th GT School Pictures
- Playlist: parent gtcc2023
School Days
THE GOAL OF EDUCATION
IS NOT TO INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE
BUT TO CREATE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR A CHILD
TO INVENT AND DISCOVER, TO CREATE
CHILDREN WHO ARE CAPABLE
OF DOING NEW THINGS
CHEERS TO A FRESH START!
-JEAN PIAGET
Welcome back, Growing Tree families!
We hope everyone had a wonderful long week! Thank you for giving our staff a few extra days to rest, recharge, and get ready for the year ahead. It also gave us some much-needed time to tackle a few maintenance projects around Growing Tree. We are rested, refreshed, and ready to go—and we can’t wait to have our kiddos back in the building! Thank you, as always, for being part of our Growing Tree family. Here’s to another great year together!
Watch Before You Help
When we see a child struggling, our instinct is often to jump in and help. But sometimes the most helpful thing we can do is wait.
- Give them a moment to try the zipper. Let them figure out how to carry all those treasures. Wait while they work out how to get the shoe on. Let them struggle just a little.
- At Growing Tree, we want children to know, “I can do hard things.” They learn that not because we tell them—but because we give them opportunities to discover it for themselves.
- Watch. Wait. Encourage. Then help when they truly need it. Easiest is not always best.
School Pictures
Julia Duke Photography will be at Growing Tree on September 23 and 24 for school pictures. If you’re new to Growing Tree, the pictures on our wall are Julia’s work. Order forms will go out in the next couple of weeks.
Growing Tree Annual Fall Gathering
Our annual Growing Tree Fall Gathering is planned for Saturday, October 3rd, and we hope you’ll join us at DD Ranch in Terrebonne for one of our favorite fall traditions!
Spend the morning enjoying life on a working farm—tromp through the pumpkin patch, take a hayride, visit the animals, and enjoy time together with other Growing Tree families.
It’s always a fun, relaxed morning and a wonderful way to celebrate the season together.
Grab your boots, bring the family, and come help us welcome FALL—the Growing Tree way!
Annual Paperwork
Please check your child’s classroom file folder for any paperwork that needs to be completed. Thank you
Sunscreen:
It’s still sunscreen weather! Growing Tree applies sunscreen to children twice daily from April through October. We supply Rocky Mountain Sunscreen for your convenience, or you are welcome to bring your own. If you change your sunscreen brand, you’ll need to re-sign the sunscreen consent form (the teachers have it). Licensing doesn’t allow us to apply any sunscreen without a signed consent.
Play Lists:
Class playlists have been updated on the website under the Parent Tab. Please review to ensure your information is correct.
Please visit: thegrowingtree.org <parents<playlists
Log-in information is username: parent password: gtcc2023.
Immunization Rates:
Growing Tree’s and Deschutes County’s 2024 Immunization Rates are available for review on our website under Parents<Parent Handbook.
Brightwheel Sign In/Out
Please sign your child in and out daily using your Brightwheel App. QR codes are available at the front door and on each classroom window; we even have paper codes for your car as a convenience.
Volunteer Opportunities:
- Take Blue Bags to Bottle Drop –
- Clean rain gutters out.
- Pick up trash and pull weeds around the perimeter of the Center.
First Friday
First Friday is September 11, 2026 Growing Tree provides a parent’s night out on the First Friday of each month. This is an excellent opportunity for a date night or quiet time. The evening includes dinner, crafts, and a movie. Children should bring their pajamas. Cost: $40 per child
- Time: 5:30-10:00pm
- Cost: $40 per child Cash, Check or Venmo
- Bring pajamas
- Enjoy your evening
Helpful Hints
- All clothes from home should be labeled with your child’s name.
- Please take your child’s nap supplies home each Friday to wash and return them on Monday.
- Please check your child’s file folder on Fridays.
Blue Bags:
- Blue bags are available for your recyclable bottles and cans. Each sleeve of bags earns you one volunteer hour. Please drop your full blue bags at any bottle drop location. If you want to drop off Growing Tree’s recycling at one of the bottle drop locations, you will also earn one volunteer hour. To date, Growing Tree has received over $2000 from your recycling.
- Bottle drop locations
- New bottle drop location at the Albertson on 3rd an Revere.
- Fred Meyer has a bottle drop.
- Bottle Drop 755 NE 2nd St
Wishing you an enjoyable September!
Tammy