Student & Family Orientation
Dates for Student & Family Orientation:
- Virtual Option: 8/27
- Friday, August 28th: 3:00–4:30 PM
- Friday, August 28th: 5:00–6:30 PM
- Monday, August 31st: 8:15–9:15 AM (After First Day of School Drop Off)
Orientation is designed to give children and families a joyful, comfortable introduction to the school year. Children will have an opportunity to meet their teachers, explore their classrooms, and begin getting to know their classmates, while parents and caregivers learn more about what to expect in the year ahead.
Our hope is simple: every child leaves feeling, “I know this place. I know my teachers. I belong here.”
What to Expect
A Joyful FSH Welcome
We’ll begin together outside with music, bubbles, and plenty of friendly faces! You’ll meet members of our Leadership Team and find your child’s teachers before we officially kick off our morning together.
Students Explore & Connect
Children will spend time with their teachers and classmates exploring their classroom, playing outdoors, participating in a community gathering, and getting comfortable with the routines and spaces that will soon become part of their everyday lives.
Parents & Caregivers Connect
While students are with their teachers, parents and caregivers will spend time with our Leadership Team for a practical introduction to life at FSH. We’ll cover the essentials—including communication, daily routines, arrival and dismissal, health and safety, our Family Handbook, important dates, and our Quaker identity and values. And, of course, there will be plenty of time for questions!
Meet Your Classroom Community
Parents and caregivers will then join their child’s teacher for a classroom meeting. You’ll learn more about your teacher, the classroom philosophy and daily rhythm, what your child will need for school, communication expectations, and ways we can partner together throughout the year. Meanwhile, children will enjoy supervised outdoor play with members of our FSH team.
Back Together!
We’ll finish by bringing families and children back together outside as we celebrate the beginning of a wonderful new school year!
A Special Note for Our Youngest Friends
We know that separation looks very different for our youngest learners! Young Toddler and Toddler orientation will be intentionally flexible, gentle, and relationship-based.
Families will have additional opportunities to explore the classroom alongside their children and talk with teachers about routines including separation, rest, feeding, diapering/toileting, comfort items, and daily communication.
Our goal is never to rush separation—it is to begin building trust.
We recommend that parents of students in our Young Toddler (Ones) and Older Toddler (twos) classes attend one of the in-person sessions on Friday but also join either the virtual session on 8/27 or the Session on the first day of school to fully engage with the leadership team! (we will record the virtual session and post it for anyone who is unable to attend!)
Can’t Attend Orientation?
Don’t worry! We want every FSH family to begin the year feeling informed and connected. Additional opportunities will be available for families who cannot attend, including a family orientation make-up opportunity and a virtual orientation session.
Come ready to play, explore, ask questions, and connect.
We’ve been working all summer to prepare for this moment, and we are so excited to finally welcome our students and families back to FSH!
For Questions about Student & Family Orientation, Contact Dr. Kim