School Day Information
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO PREPARE MY CHILD FOR PRESCHOOL AT FLOURISH NATURE SCHOOL?
Flourish Nature School strives to make your transition into this new school environment seamless. You may read our family handbook for more information, but below, please read through our guides and procedures. We’re always taking suggestions and note of our parent’s curiosities and concerns!
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PRIOR TO YOUR FIRST DAY, PLEASE SIGN ALL WAIVERS
All liability waivers must be signed on the Johnsonburg website registration.
You must create a new account to register and select Youth Programming 2023 for Flourish Registration!
WHAT TO BRING TO SCHOOL
✓ Full-size backpack
✓ Change of clothing and seasonal layers - socks included
✓ Required — Rain boots (all year) and snow boots (in winter) — you may leave these at school
✓ Required — Rain Bibs (all year) and snow pants (in winter) — you may leave these at school
✓ Lunch
✓ Snack (optional) — Flourish will also provide snacks
✓ Labeled Reusable Water Bottle
✓ Please keep toys/extras at home!
WHAT TO WEAR TO SCHOOL
We provide an environment rich in open-ended materials such as paint, sand, dirt, water, clay, and more, allowing your child to freely express themselves and engage in self-directed learning experiences. Messiness is expected and encouraged! Please dress your child in clothing that you don't mind getting dirty!
We’ll be outside A LOT!
Dressing appropriately for the weather is crucial to ensuring your child's safety, comfort, and enjoyment. Click here for seasonal suggestions.
☼ MORNING DROP OFF
Please encourage your child to use the bathroom before leaving your home and during arrival at school. We have scheduled bathroom breaks, but potty before arrival is always helpful!
Please walk your child into the indoor classroom, located inside the Rec Center at 9 AM. Your child’s teachers will greet you in the classroom.
Parents will sign in at the classroom door. We ask you please stay no longer than 5 minutes, so your child can settle into the classroom and engage in center time before we head outside. Please read our arrival separation journal entry here to help keep this transition consistent and smooth! :)
We currently are not offering beforecare.
☼ AFTERNOON PICK UP
Our day ends at 1:00 p.m. We currently are not offering aftercare.
Children will be dismissed at the Johnsonburg’s main office. We will walk up together as a class and wait for families to arrive. Please form a line in front of the office and wait in your cars. To exit, you will pull into the parking lot to the left and loop around for a safe departure for all!
SPEED LIMIT AND PARKING
A 5 MPH is strictly enforced at Johnsonburg Camp and Retreat Center! For the safety of the children, staff, visitors, and wildlife, we kindly ask that you follow this walking speed limit as soon as you enter the Johnsonburg campus.
Slowly drive down to the Rec Center and park in the designated parking.
Rec Center location: Pass the camp office and drive through the gate. At the fork in the road, go right. The Rec Center is the first building on the right handside. Flourish’s indoor classroom is the room straight ahead, next to the bulletin boards.
TICKS AND POISON IVY
Given the nature of our school environment, please check your children after school each day for ticks! We will inform parents of any tick removal on your child during the school day. We will also be teaching our children about ticks and how to perform their own tick checks!
Poison ivy may also be present in areas we explore. We will do our best to identify and remove the plant or ourselves from the particular environment. We will also teach children how to identify it as well.
PLEASE CLICK HERE TO READ OUR FAMILY HANDBOOK FOR MORE SCHOOL DAY INFORMATION — you will find info on the calendar, absences, late policy, pick-up changes, school closings, health information, parent/staff communication, volunteering, birthdays, home situations, safety, technology policy, sick policy, discipline policy and more!
ABOUT JOHNSONBURG CAMP AND RETREAT CENTER
In 1959, Johnsonburg Camp & Retreat Center was established to provide experiential Christian education in support of the Presbyterian Church in New Jersey. Johnsonburg today continues to be a place set apart that cares for creation, builds community, values diversity, and facilitates personal and spiritual growth.
