cONFERENCES

The Center will be CLOSED on Friday, March 20, for Parent/Teacher conferences. Our teachers have spent many hours taking observations to give you a picture of your child’s development. If you have not signed up for a time slot, please do so at the front desk.

January Challenge:

In January, 14 staff members committed to collectively walking 5 million steps in 30 days. I am proud to say we exceeded our goal by walking 5,362,847 steps. That is an average of 383,060 steps per person or 12,768 steps per day per person! Way to go, Growing Tree!!

Welcome:

• Grace Googins will be joining the staff in the Big Seed room. Grace has several years of teaching experience and we are excited to have her join our staff
• Kendra will move to our float teacher and provide teacher preps and breaks to the staff.

Staff Training:

In February, teachers focused on their required 20 hours of training. Growing Tree requires each staff member to complete 20 hours of training annually (licensing requires 15 hours). Each teacher has an individualized training schedule to help them advance in the Oregon Professional Development registry. Teachers receive a STEP 1-10, depending on their education experience and training completed. You can find their Step Certificates posted by the classroom doors.

Did You Know:

• Researchers have found that young children in high quality early childhood care and education settings have better development of language skills, cognitive functioning, social skills, and emotional well being.
• Brain research shows that high-quality early child care experiences expand your child’s capacity to learn. Responsive and sensitive caregiving supports a child’s brain development.
• Healthy child development depends on warm, nurturing caregiver-child relationships, a supportive environment, and appropriate activities which are found in high quality care and education settings.
• Children in high-quality care have higher levels of success when they enter school, continue to do well in school, and have higher earning potentials as adults.
• Current research shows that a child’s self regulation skills are a significant indicator of later school success and overall healthy development. High quality early childhood programs foster self regulation.
• Studies have shown that investing in high quality early childhood care and education pays multiple dollars for each dollar invested. Communities who invest in high quality care save money on remedial education, incarceration, and drug and alcohol treatment.

Under the Weather:

Cold and flu season is here and seems to be hitting hard. We understand how tough it is when your children are sick. I feel the same way when staff members fall ill. We truly appreciate you keeping your child home until they are symptom-free and medication-free for at least 24 hours. I know giving them an extra day isn’t always possible, but if you can, it really helps them recover their strength.

Inclement Weather:

Growing Tree does not follow the Bend-La Pine School District’s Inclement Weather Policy for closures or delayed starts. Our goal is to be open. If the school district posts a closure or delay, I will typically notify all families through our Brightwheel app about Growing Tree’s status for that day.

Winter Attire:

Our classrooms go outside at least twice every day. Please ensure your child has appropriate outdoor winter weather clothing for play. We appreciate the winter clothing staying at Growing Tree Monday through Friday, going home for the weekend, and then returning on Monday. Winter clothes include:

• Snowsuit
• Boots
• Two pairs of mittens
• Hat

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

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. First Friday March 6, 2026

• 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