JJ’s Jam Start of Summer 2023

Written By Carol Arens

Dear JJ's Jam Families,

Our youngest campers graduate into the JJ’s Jam program soon and then we officially kick off summer! We are excited to see everyone soon and have a few important reminders as we get ready for the start of summer. Please read this newsletter carefully as it contains information regarding our new app, calendar, and field trips for this summer.

General Reminders

  • Please remember that JJ’s Jam has a zero-tolerance policy for any behavioral issues that may arise at any time during camp. Parents will be notified and must be available to pick their child up if needed.

  • Closed toed shoes and socks are required. Please do not send your child in crocs or sandals.

  • Children will need to have their own non-aerosol sunscreen each day as we do not share sunscreen. We will apply and re-apply frequently throughout the day! Each child, including siblings, should have their own bottle labeled with their first and last name. These are kept in the classroom and parents will be notified as needed to replace this.

  • Outside toys are only allowed on designated days. Books, however, are encouraged to be brought in daily.

  • The JJ's Jam Permission Form is required to attend JJ's Jam. If you have not signed it yet, please do so as soon as possible. 

  • JJ's Jam events and programming can all be found on our Google Calendar which is located on our website and can be added to your calendar via the link below.

What to Bring to JJ's Jam

Please bring the following items to JJ's Jam daily.

  • Sunscreen to leave at JJ’s Jam (non-aerosol)

  • Water Bottle

  • Backpack

  • Close-toed shoes - no crocs or sandals please

  • Sweatshirt or rain jacket (if needed)

  • Hat (if needed)

  • Extra change of clothes (if needed)

Additional items will be noted in newsletters. An example would be a swimsuit, change of clothes, and a towel for swim days. 

Updated Calendar

There have been several updates to our calendar. Revised versions of the calendar are linked below. These updates are also posted on our website and the Google Calendar has been updated. 

Payment Methods - Summer 2023 

Last fall, Jack & Jill renewed its credit card processor with new terms. The revised terms include a 3.5% non-cash adjustment fee in addition to your monthly tuition for all charges on credit cards & debit cards. If you paid by credit card for your deposit but would prefer to pay by check for summer, please email accountsreceivable@jackandjilledu.com or call 612-455-8955 ext. 203. Checks can be dropped off in the black boxes located at any of our main entrances. 

 

Child Pilot
JJ's Jam and Jack and Jill have recently begun using a new software for childcare management called ChildPilot. If you have not already, you will soon receive an invite to join our portal. If you do not receive an invite, please email info@jjsjam.com to request a link to join. This will be used for texting communication, reminders as needed, and additional updates about your child. More information can be found on our website linked below.

JJ's Jam Team: Summer 2023

We are very excited to announce our team for this summer! We have an amazing team of teachers for this summer that you will meet in the coming weeks & many returning faces! See below for a complete list of teachers at both locations! 

Blaine:

  • Ms. Cory: Ms. Cory joins JJ's Jam for an 9th summer and brings over 20 years of experience in preschool and school age to JJ's Jam. She will be working with the Kindergarten program this summer.

  • Ms. Paige: Ms. Paige joins JJ's Jam for a 5th summer and brings many more years of experience working at Jack & Jill! She will be working with the first and second grade program this summer. 

  •  Ms. Kaitlyn: Ms. Kaitlyn joins JJ's Jam for a 3rd summer. She has recently finished her third year of college and brings many years of experience of working with children. She will be working with our first and second grade program this summer. 

  • Ms. Annika: Ms. Annika joins JJ's Jam for her 1st summer and recently finished her third year of college. She will be helping out with all ages this summer. 

Saint Anthony:

  • Mr. Giles: School Age Director. Mr. Giles joins JJ's Jam for a 7th summer and will be working with all age groups at both sites throughout the summer. 

  • Ms. Vanessa: Ms. Vanessa joins JJ's Jam for a 4th summer and brings nearly 20 years of experience working with children to JJ's Jam! She will be working with our Kindergarten program this summer. 

  • Ms. Nicole: Ms. Nicole joins JJ's Jam for a 3rd summer and brings over a decade of experience with children to JJ's Jam. She will be working with our first and second grade program in this summer.

  • Mr. Caleb: Mr. Caleb joins JJ's Jam for a 2nd summer and has recently finished his 1st year of teaching pre-K. He will be working with the second & third grade program this summer. 

  • Mr. Dexter: Mr. Dexter joins JJ's Jam for his 1st summer and works in our pre-K program during the school year. He brings years of pre-K and coaching experience to JJ's Jam. He will be working with our first grade program this summer. 

  • Ms. Jenn: Ms. Jenn joins JJ's Jam for her 1st summer but brings many years of teaching preschool at Jack & Jill in the preschool program. She will be working with our Kindergarten school age program in Saint Anthony this summer. 

  • Ms. Lydia: Ms. Lydia joins JJ's Jam for a 7th summer. She is currently attending graduate school at the U of MN. She will be helping out in all programs this summer! 

  • Ms. Cora: Ms. Cora joins JJ's Jam for a 2nd summer. She is a graduate of Gustavus Adolphus college and is currently finishing up the school year teaching Kindergarten! She will be helping out with our second and third grade programs this summer in Saint Anthony. 

  • Ms. Lauren: Ms. Lauren joins JJ's Jam for a 2nd summer. She has recently finished her student teaching for her elementary education degree. She will be helping out with our fourth grade & up program this summer. 

  • Ms. Abby: Ms. Abby joins JJ's Jam for a 2nd summer. She just finished her second year of college at Purdue University. She will be helping out with our Kindergarten through second grade programs this summer.

  • Ms. Madison: Ms. Madison joins JJ's Jam for her 1st summer and is currently attending graduate school. She will be helping out with our Kindergarten school age program this summer. 

  • Ms. Rachel: Ms. Rachel joins JJ's Jam for her 1st summer and recently finished her second year of college. She will be helping out with our first grade program this summer. 

  • Ms. Alex: Ms. Alex joins JJ's Jam for her 1st summer and is currently attending graduate school. She will be helping out with our first and second grade program this summer. 

Arrival and Departure Times 
JJ’s Jam is open the same hours as Jack & Jill Childcare, from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM in Saint Anthony and 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM in Blaine. However, please note that certain field trips will have highlighted arrival times. Your child needs to be dropped off by this time daily or else they will miss the day’s activities, as the buses for these field trips can leave as early as 8:15 AM. Additionally, there are certain field trips with highlighted return times. We will not return on these days until the scheduled return time.

Summer Communication: Monthly & Weekly Newsletter

As with last summer, you will receive a monthly newsletter outlining the field trips and activities for the month. This will also provide details on any field trips with earlier departures or later arrivals during the month or any dates that provide special items (ie a swimsuit and towel). The June Newsletter will be sent out later this month.
We will also send out a weekly newsletter reminding families of these weekly schedules. 

We cannot wait to see everyone this summer! Please reach out with any questions.

Best,
Giles Koski
GilesK@jackandjilledu.com 

Carol Arens
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End of Summer Newsletter