Welcome, “New to Chance” Families! And welcome back, Chance friends!

We are excited as the Chance School community gathers for another wonderful year. You and your child are well on your way to a meaningful school experience.

Our goal is to help make each person feel welcome – parents and children. Please let us know how we can help you transition “back to school.”

Here are some important facts for your reference:

Office Hours:
* 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. during the school year
* 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. for the summer months

School Store Hours:
* From 8 a.m. – Noon on Opening Conferences days
* During regular schools hours when classes are in session.

If You Have Questions or Concerns :
Parents and teachers have a unique relationship in that they share a common bond – a child at Chance School. It is in a child’s best interest that adults work together by channeling their efforts productively, appropriately and respectfully. 

Parents are encouraged to contact the appropriate personnel at any time and share questions or concerns.

• If you have general questions, please call the school office at (502) 425-6904. We’ll be glad to help.

• If you have specific questions or concerns about your child’s classroom, contact your child’s teacher first. Send in a note with your child or leave a message with the school office. Teachers will return your call as soon as possible.

• If you have questions about curriculum or assessment, please contact Program Coordinator Sue Musson. In addition, Sue is available to assist teachers and parents with classrooms.

• If you have questions about the extended programs at Chance – Chums, enrichment classes, summer camp – contact Extended Program Coordinator Kim Tabler.

• When necessary, your concerns will be referred to the Head of School Gail Lotze.

Contact the office at the following:
Mailing address: 4200 Lime Kiln Lane, Louisville, KY 40222
Phone: (502) 425-6904 Fax: (502) 326.5462

Know these names in the office:
* Lindsi Swenson, Office Manager – office@chanceschool.org
* Gail Lotze, Head of School
* Gerin Ballard, Director of Finance & Operations – gerin@chanceschool.org
* Margaret Droste, Director of Admissions – admissions@chanceschool.org
* Debbie McCoy, Director of Development – deb@chanceschool.org
* Amy Fowler, Director of Communications – amy@chanceschool.org
* Sue Musson, Program Coordinator (avail. Aug-May) – sue@chanceschool.org
* Kim Tabler, Extended Program Coordinator – kim@chanceschool.org

Here are the steps for kicking off a great year and some important dates you’ll want to remember:

• In mid-April – The “Back to School” Packet is given to families registered for the upcoming school year with important information and required school forms. We must have valid, current forms on file for EACH student and EACH parent for EACH school year. This early distribution gives each family 11 weeks to get these papers in on or before the July 1 deadline.The packet is divided into sections:
  1. Required MEDICAL Forms  (Refer to  Student – Outline for Required Medical Forms) - including an up-to-date, original Immunization Certificate for all students; copies of Student Health Examination, Student Eye Examination and Student Dental Examination for each student entering kindergarten; copies of existing professional evaluations for any students with existing documentation of social, emotional, learning, physical, medical concerns impacting your child’s learning and growth; and a Student Athlete Sports Physical for each student participating on the cross country team.
  2. Required STUDENT Forms – (Refer to  Student – Outline of Required School Forms) including an original birth certificate (from the Office of Vital Records in the state which your child was born – for new students only), a Family Profile (provided by the school, to verify and complete information that will be used for Health & Emergency, directories, contact, mailings, carpool, etc.); Student Personal Information Form for each student; a Student Permission & Release Form for each student to participate in school activities, attend field trips, receive emergency medical care and be included in photograph, video and printed materials representing Chance School; Student Technology & Internet Agreement for each KPI student with signatures of both the student and parent/guardian for access to networked computer services and the Internet; Chance Chums Registration Form WITH the first payment, for each student needing before and after school hours.
  3. Required PARENT Forms – (Refer to  Parent – Outline of Required Parent Forms) Parent Background Check – Youth Leader Form and Parent Background Check – CAN Form are required for each parent, grandparent and nanny involved in school activities; Parent Volunteer Form for each family.In addition is information for the 2012-2013 school year once available.  For the 2011-2012 school year, included is:
  * 2011-2012 Annual School Calendar
  * August 2011 School Calendar
  * Extended Program Guide
  * Student Supply List
  * School Store Order Form
• On Friday, May 11, 2012, 9 – 10 a.m. – “New to Chance” Open House. This is a wonderful opportunity for your child to experience a little of what it is like to be a student at Chance—with you. This event is for one or more parents AND your registered child.
• On June 1—Tuition payment is due. According to the Enrollment Contract per student, the time has come for payment of tuition. The enrollment contract is binding and you are liable for the year’s tuition, unless we receive written notification of changes in registration before June 1.
• By July 1 – Back to School Forms are due. So that we can prepare for the start of a new school year, please complete forms in their entirety and respond to dates and times promptly. If you have questions, please contact the school office.
• On Friday, July 27 – Class Lists and Opening Conference Schedules. Via email and the internal website, parents will be notified of their children’s class assignments and conference appointments. Look for this information midday on the first Friday of July. Class assignments are determined over the summer at the discretion of the Head of School based upon information including but not limited to gender balance, individual considerations, diversity and class dynamics. Conference schedules are then organized so that conferences for parents with two or more Chance students are on the same day. If your conference time is not convenient for you, please switch with another family and let the school office know of your new time. Each family’s contact information is included with your conference email.
• On Friday, August 3, 2012, 9 – 10:30 a.m., “New to Chance” Parent Orientation. This adult-only meeting allows school representatives and Chance’s newest parents to discuss the logistics of a school day at Chance, i.e. arrival and dismissal, health and sickness policies, snacks and lunch, diapers, extended programs, etc. Opportunities for parent involvement are highlighted. The Parent Handbook and internal website will be referenced with information for the upcoming school year. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide¬ child care.
• On Friday and Monday, August 10 & 13, 2012, 8 a.m. – noon. Opening Conferences Opening conferences serve as an introduction to the school year – for the parents, teachers, AND students! This initial meeting, prior to the start of school, is an exciting time. It allows your child to meet his or her teachers and explore the room. It provides an opportunity for the parents and teachers to share their thoughts and review information in the “Welcome Packet.” Preschoolers are asked to bring their school supplies to this scheduled meeting. Elementary students will bring their supplies on the first day of class. Child care is available for siblings during your conference session.

Other information about your school year:

• During the first week of each month – the Chance E-News is emailed to Chance families and posted on the website. The school’s newsletters will highlight happenings at Chance. The August issue will highlight the start of a new school year.
• In mid-March – the Summer Camp brochure is distributed to registered families, complete with details of each week’s activities and camp schedule. During the months of June and July, Chance’s Summer Camp is in session for rising 2-year-olds through fifth-graders. Registration is offered to Chance families in March and then opened to the general public. Families often use camp as a fun, easy and relaxed introduction to the school.
• In late May – the “Welcome to Camp” mailing is sent to registered families.
• The School Store is open on conference days and on days that classes are in session.