Acorn Program:

The purpose of the Acorn Program is to aid Christian Science parents in finding educational ideas to support their work as their child’s first teacher.

“Education is that which means the unfolding of individual capabilities along all right lines, physical, mental, moral, and spiritual. It should begin with infancy and go on eternally.” - Mary Kimball Morgan, Education at The Principia

Summary of the Programs:
The Principia offers three consecutive educational programs within Acorn — Parent-Infant, Play-In, and Co-Op. Below is a brief description of the three programs:

Parent-Infant
Age: Birth to one year (and/or child is walking)
Parent’s Role: You attend with your child.
Time: Usually 8:45–9:45 a.m. every other week on Thursday morning.
Siblings: Please arrange care for older siblings.

Play-In
Age: One-year (and/or child is walking) to three-year-olds
Parent’s Role: You attend with your child one morning every week, which includes an Acorn seminar every other week.
Time: 9:00–11:15 a.m. Mondays or 8:30–10:45 a.m. Tuesdays
Siblings: Younger siblings are welcome to attend. Please make other arrangements for children older than Acorn age.

Co-Op
Age: Two-year-olds by September 1 attending Play-In (rare exceptions made).
Parent’s Role: You may choose to have your child attend one to three days on his own. You assist as the parent volunteer approximately two times per semester for each day your child attends Co-Op. Parent(s) attends Acorn seminars or another Principia-sponsored parenting seminar.
Time: 8:30–10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday for the first few weeks, and 8:30–11:00 a.m. for the rest of the year.
Siblings: Please arrange care for any siblings when it is your day to serve as the assisting parent.

Toy Library
Use of the Toy Library is included with the Acorn Program. Three toys and three books (or one music or video tape and two books) may be checked out for two weeks at a time. Appointment times are scheduled through the Acorn staff. Details for toy check-out procedures are available in the Toy Library.

Note: Pictures are taken throughout the Acorn experience. These photos are placed in a box in Toy Library and are available for purchase at 25 cents per photo.

Acorn Staff and Office Information

Early Childhood Director:  Dorothy Halverson
Office phone: 314-275-3557,
dorothy.halverson@principia.edu

Director of Parent Education and Support: Debbie Dutton
The Parent Education and Support program grew from the seed of the Acorn program.
Office Phone: 314-275-3558
debbie.dutton@principia.edu

Acorn Teacher: Rissa Arens
Office Phone: 314-514-3099
rissa.arens@principia.edu

Principia’s Mailing Address and Main Phone Number:
The Principia
13201 Clayton Road
St. Louis, MO 63131-1099
314-434-2100

The Parent Education and Support director’s office and the Parenting Center are located upstairs in the main Upper School building. Enter the front door of the Upper School Lobby and go straight down a wide hallway on the right side of the receptionist’s desk. At the end of the hall and to the right of the Headmaster’s Office is a set of stairs. Go up the stairs and immediately turn to the right to enter the Parenting Center. The director’s office is just beyond the Parenting Center.

Metaphysical Support – First and foremost, parents are asked to pray for their children and the Acorn Program. Acorn teachers encourage parents to release all children into God’s care. There are many opportunities for metaphysical support during the program, including sharing inspiration and experiences at the beginning of seminars, rejecting false labels or traits for children and parents, seeking to view all the children as God sees them, positively stating the rules and reassuring each child of her God-given ability to obey the rules, and working through issues that arise. The Acorn Board also coordinates specific metaphysical support for the program.

Absences – Please inform the office as soon as possible regarding expected absences (314-275-5358). This allows for us to arrange additional assistance with children if needed. If it is your day to bring the snack, please switch with someone else. We do have a back-up supply of juice and snacks that can be used if a parent forgets. You will be asked to replace the supply.

Acorn Board – The Acorn Board is your representation within the Mother’s and Dad’s Club. The Board offers support to the Acorn staff and discusses issues relevant to Acorn. The members of the Board meet monthly and plan two events per year. In the past, there has been a picnic and a metaphysical talk. The Acorn Board chairperson meets with the other Principia grade-level board chairpersons once a month and meets regularly with the director of Acorn and school administrators.

Please look in your Mother’s and Dad’s Club Directory for the current chairperson of the Acorn Board. All parents are welcome to attend board meetings. Please go to the director to discuss any concerns about the Acorn Program or staff. If you have further concerns, you are encouraged to contact the chairperson of the Mother’s and Dad’s Club.

Acorn Playground – Children may play on the Acorn playground when the Acorn Program is not using it, as long as parents are supervising.

“All our children” – We try to drop “mine” and “yours.” These are all God’s children — ours to teach. All are cautioned to avoid making comparisons.

Bathroom

• Diapers and changing facilities – There is a bathroom for changing diapers. Please use the safety belt and wipe down the changing table if needed. The bathroom and seminar rooms have plastic bags in which to seal used diapers before placing them in the garbage. Diapers should only be disposed of in the designated diaper pail in the bathroom.
  
• Toilet and hand-washing procedure – Potty-trained children should use the toilet and then wash their hands. Those in diapers who are not ready to use the toilet should also be helped to wash hands. Show children how to wash hands, then give them a towel to dry and throw away. There are stickers available to reward children as they progress through the potty training process.

Clothing and Shoes

• Clothing for parents – Wear comfortable clothes that allow you to play on the floor with the children.
  
• Clothing for Parent-Infant – Babies should be in comfortable clothes including socks or soft shoes. No hard-soled shoes should be worn by infants.
  
• Clothing for Play-In and Co-Op – Children should wear play clothes that allow freedom of movement. Rubber-soled, non-skid, closed-toe shoes are required. Long dresses and skirts, sandals, boots (heavy shoes), sock feet, or bare feet are not appropriate. Bring a jacket or sweater for outdoor play on cool days. (We go outside if the temperature is above 40 degrees and dry.) Children and parents are encouraged to wear the color of the week (refer to schedule distributed at the beginning of the year) to Play-In.
  
• If your child is in Co-Op, please bring a shoebox, labeled with your child’s name, that includes: socks, pants, shirt, sweater or sweatshirt, and disposable diapers or underwear. In warmer weather include shorts and short sleeved shirt. Please check your child’s box regularly to make sure clothing still fits and is appropriate for the season and to restock diapers. Boxes are kept in the bathroom.

New Families and Host Families – Each new family is assigned a host family that has already attended Acorn programs. As a new family, please feel free to ask your host family any questions that you have about the programs.

Outdoor Play – The children get to enjoy the playground outside if the weather is above 40 degrees and it is not raining. Please bring a jacket and any other appropriate clothing (hats, mittens, boots) for cooler weather. It is helpful to write your child’s name inside jackets and clothing.

Parent Orientation Meeting – The Thursday evening before the first day of Acorn, there is a parent orientation meeting. Families enrolled in the Acorn Program will receive a detailed letter prior to the meeting. Bring your calendars. The following sign-ups will be available that evening:

• Toy Library – an appointment time that will be every other week throughout the year
  
• Play-In – a confirmation of the day of the week you and your child will be coming
  
• Play-In – dates to bring juice and cookies
  
• Co-Op – dates to serve as the parent helper
  
• Co-Op – a confirmation of the day(s) your child will be participating

Parking – Spaces are designated for those using Toy Library to make it easier to carry toys in and out. Please do not park in these spots except when you are using Toy Library. While there are a few reserved parking spots for other Acorn programs, most parking in front of the building is shared with the Pre-School. You will also need to obtain a Principia parking decal to place on your car.

Seminar – The seminars are the core of the Acorn Program. Seminar discussions in Parent-Infant and Play-In focus on parenting topics from three perspectives — metaphysical study, educational theory (Education at The Principia by Mary Kimball Morgan, Acorn and Parent & Family newsletters, and outside reading), and the participant’s own experiences. Seminars for parents of infants are held Wednesdays. Seminars for parents of the one- and two-year-olds take place during the last hour of the Play-In session. Each parent has a seminar every other week.

Snack – Snacks usually consist of nutritious crackers, muffins, or cookies, and non-staining juices or milk. Snacks should not include nuts. If the snack includes chocolate, please bring an alternate choice for children who aren’t eating chocolate. Enough should be brought for second helpings. Co-Op sheets specify the snack the assisting parent should bring.

Supplies Needed

• Education at The Principia, by Mary Kimball Morgan – available at the Principia Panther Bookstore
  
• Parent & Family newsletter – subscription will be automatically billed to your account
  
• Back issue CD of the Acorn Newsletter – available from the director of Parent Education and Support
  
• Three-ring notebook for hand-outs

Telephone Tree – The telephone tree, set up by the Mother’s and Dad’s Club, is used to inform parents about a change in time of a meeting, to communicate a special need to a specific grade, to notify parents of a emergencies like a water main break, or other special needs. The telephone tree is no longer used to notify parents of school closings due to bad weather. (See “Weather-related school cancellations or delays.”)

Visitors – Visitors are welcome at Play-Ins and Parent-Infant seminars. Please arrange all visits with the director of Parent Education and Support.

Weather-related School Cancellations or Delays – Please dial the school information hotline directly 314.514.3000 to get up-to-the-minute information regarding school closings and start times. You can also get this same information by dialing the switchboard before it opens or after it closes at 314.434.2100 and choosing option #9.

OR tune into one of the following radio and television stations for confirmation of closing:

KMOX (1120 AM) 5:30 am & 6:30 am
KSDK-TV (channel 5) 5:30 am - 8 am
KMOV TV (channel 4) 5:30 am - 8 am

In addition, you can access the Principia web page (www.prin.edu/hotline) and find the link to current information regarding school closings.

LATE STARTS - A late start usually means that school will open at 9:30 am. The radio and television stations will state whether Principia is closed or will have a late start. This information will also be posted on the web and hotline.

EARLY DISMISSAL - During the school day, if severe weather (ice/snow) occurs, you will be notified about early dismissal in time to pick up your child. Please consider that our students travel from a very wide geographical area, where weather may be inclement in one area and not in another. Also, the safety of children traveling on the Elsah buses is of primary importance.

Parents and their babies up to the age of one (or until they walking) attend Parent-Infant seminars together. While babies play, nurse, eat, or sleep, parents share inspiration, discuss parenting topics, sing songs, and learn games to play with infants.

Schedule
Gathering. Sit with your baby in an informal circle on a blanket with other moms and/or dads and their infants.

Singing time. Words to songs will be on the seminar sheet handed to you when you arrive. In addition, a box of infant-appropriate toys will be passed around the circle so that you may choose a few toys for your baby to play with.

Spiritual inspiration. Feel free to share any healing, testimony, or inspiration concerning your child or your role as a parent.

Current questions. Ask any question you may have regarding your baby. Examples of questions that have been asked, “How can I help my baby start sleeping through the night?” or “When can I start feeding my baby cereal?”

Seminar information. The rest of the meeting is dedicated to a particular topic of interest to parents of babies. The topics include: food, sleeping, safety, language development, and first discipline. This is an open sharing of ideas. The conversations are considered confidential and are intended to offer support, not judgment.

Toy Library suggestions. The Acorn staff seminar leader will share ideas for appropriate Toy Library toys for each infant.

Closing. Singing of the first verse of a hymn.

Clean-Up. At the end of the seminar, parents share the responsibility of cleaning up. One parent takes the blanket home to wash. Others wash the toys in the sink and leave them out to dry.

Homework. The topic and assignment for the next seminar is at the end of each seminar sheet.

Weekly Play-In sessions for parents and their one- and two-year-olds provide many opportunities to practice developing skills using the Acorn materials and equipment. Your child learns best from having a rich environment to explore and will find his or her own interest and skill level. Parents provide supervision as well as aiding children by giving them the needed words to ask for turns and playing with the other children.

Schedule

Tuesday sessions begin at 8:30 a.m.
Monday sessions begin at 9:00.
Times for Monday activities are in parentheses.

8:30 (9:00) Arrival and welcome. Teachers greet the children, who are encouraged to look the teacher in the eye as they shake hands and learn to say “Good Morning.” Discussing and preparing your child for this before arriving at school is helpful. Parents check in at the desk and pick up handouts. On alternate weeks, sign up for a child to watch as well as an activity to help with during the time the other parents are in seminar. Children have time for free play on any equipment that is out. Please arrive promptly to allow your child time to play before singing time.

8:40 (9:10) Singing time. Take your child to the circle with the other children and parents. Children are expected to sit with the group during singing time. Encourage children to stay seated rather than run around the circle.

Occasionally, a child may want to sit with another adult or with an Acorn staff member. That is fine, as long as it is not constant movement from one place to another.

8:45 (9:15) Table activities or free play. Table activities may include stringing objects together, playing with different textures like dried oatmeal, rice, or beans, or working with puzzles and shape sorters. Children may play on the active equipment at this time as well.

9:15 (9:45) Juice and cookie time. Children sit at the tables for snack and announcements. Parents who bring juice and cookies put out the cups and napkins provided by Acorn, serve the snack they brought, and are responsible for clean-up (wipe tables and sweep floor). When your child is finished, help your child bring his or her cup to the sink to pour out extra juice and then throw away the cup and napkin. This is a time to work with the children on basic manners such as “please” and “thank you.”

Preparation for seminar. Before going to the seminar session, see that your child has used the bathroom or had a diaper change, if needed. Parents not in the seminar provide care for the children of those parents in the seminar. Introduce your child to the parent who will be caring for him or her and indicate to the caregiver where your diaper bag and your child’s jacket are located. Always tell your child you are leaving. Parents remaining with the children help make Play-In a rich learning experience through activities planned by the Acorn teacher.

9:30 (10:00) Seminar. Parents are divided into two groups, Seminar I and Seminar II, based on the age of the children and the needs of the program. Each parent has a seminar every other week. Please bring a three-ring notebook to hold seminar sheets and handouts. Time is provided at the beginning of each session to write about your child’s progress and challenges. All seminars begin with time to share metaphysical inspiration and ask current questions before discussing the seminar topic.

Activity centers. Parents not attending the seminar supervise activity centers planned by the Acorn teacher. Centers remain open until children lose interest. This an essential part of the program that enriches the children’s time in Play-in. Children and parents benefit the most when the parents take an active teaching role in the activity center. The Acorn teacher is available to offer ideas for working with the centers. Note: If the children you are watching are not playing at your center, ask another parent to watch them while you are busy.

10:05 (10:45) Outside option (weather permitting).

10:30 (11:00) Clean-Up. The “Clean-Up” song from Barney helps the children transition from play to clean-up.

10:35 (11:05) Seminar concludes. Parents and children join together again. It is helpful at this time for the caregivers to share a brief report with the parents whose child they were watching.

10:35 (11:05) Singing time. The same rules apply as in the earlier Singing Time.

10:45 (11:15) Good-bye. Children learn the social skill of saying good-bye to teachers and friends. Many of the children give each teacher a hug.

Children get on coats and leave, holding parent’s hand. Parents help children learn parking lot safety — staying on the sidewalk and staying with the parent.

Guidelines For Parents
Toddler independence. Encourage independence for all of the children. When toddlers want to climb on to riding toys and spring horses, teach them how to get on and off rather than lifting them. Stand close by when a child attempts to climb over the A-frame structure. (This requires close supervision.)

Singing time. If your child has trouble sitting quietly during music, you may stand to quiet him. If there is continued disturbance, move outside the door to watch until he is settled, then re-join the group. Children sit during Play-In music. If your child wanders, gently guide him back to a chair or your lap. Often children enjoy sitting in other adult’s laps too. The goal is to help your child learn to sit and participate during singing time.

Supervision. Parents should take an active role in discipline, in helping the children learn the words needed to interact with other children, and in encouraging the children to be problem-solvers. When parents talk with other parents, they should continue to keep a watchful eye on the children, especially those they are directly responsible for.

Rules. Help children learn the rules by stating them positively. The following list of rules includes positive statements that teach each rule.

Rules For Children

• Gentle hands. “We use gentle hands (and feet) with our friends.”
  
• Turn-taking. Whoever is playing with a toy may keep it until finished. We ask for a toy and may not grab from another child. Enforce this rule consistently, asking for the child, “May [child’s name] have a turn when you’re through?” Then help the child waiting for his turn find another toy. Follow through with the sharing when the child finishes with the toy.

Indoor Equipment

• Riding toys. “We stop at the stop sign.” All riders should ride counterclockwise. “We use our brakes.” Children who bump cars intentionally need to park them and choose another toy.
  
• Permanent ramp. “Only people on the ramp; toys stay down.”
  
• Wooden car ramps. “We only put cars on this ramp, not people.”
  
• Low walking ramp. “We take turns and are careful when we jump.”
  
• Climber. Adults watch carefully.“Only one climbing at a time.”
  
• Small rocking boat. Help child find a friend to learn cooperation.
  
• Jumper. One or two children may jump at a time.
  
• Spring horses. One child at a time. “Let’s give the rider plenty of room to ride. Stand back and keep hands away from the springs.” Climbing under the horse is not permitted.
  
• Sand. “Sand stays in the sandbox.”
  
• Train. “Pieces stay on the train board.”
  
• Wooden balls. “Balls stay by the inclined tube. Only balls go in the tube.”

Outdoor Equipment

• Swings. Children should have on safety belt. Guard other children carefully around moving swings.
  
• Sandbox. Watch carefully to see that sand stays in the sandbox and is not poured on or thrown at friends. “Sand stays in the sandbox and in our toys.”
  
• Careful supervision. Each area of the playground needs close watching. Look for sections (sandbox, swing set, Acorn structure, playhouse, climber, Little Tykes set) where more hands are needed.
  
• Riding toys. “Bikes stay on the blue surface of the playground.”

Co-Op is a first pre-school experience. Children learn to work together with other children as part of a group, to make friends, and to take directions from other adults. They also learn to sit quietly in a school setting and to share. This is often a first experience without parents close by. Parents can help their children have a happy experience in Co-Op by releasing them to their Father-Mother God.

Home visit. Before the first Co-Op, the teacher will call to arrange a home visit, which bridges the home and school experience. Pictures taken of the child during the home visit will be put in a photo album for all the children in the Co-Op classes to enjoy.

Curriculum. Through Co-Op experiences, children increase their language skills, work on counting with one-to-one correspondence, improve their social skills, and grow in a vast number of other areas developmentally appropriate for two- and three-year-olds. Each Co-Op session includes music, art, and free play.

Art: Easel painting, sponge painting, gluing, play-dough, and many others. Emphasis is on the art process rather than on the end product. Art projects may be displayed in Acorn before being given to parents.

Music: Singing, following the beat, and music games.

Free play: With equipment and games, opportunity is provided for development of physical skills such as ball handling, riding tricycles, climbing, and somersaults.

Schedule. Co-Op information sheets are available at Play-Ins for the following two weeks and include the theme for the week, what the child needs to bring, the schedule, the snack brought by the assisting parents, and the assisting parent assigned to serve. The following are sample schedules:

First 6 weeks (approximately)
Rest of year
8:30 Free play
8:30 Free play
8:40 Circle time
8:50 Circle time
8:45 Art project
9:00 Art project
9:15 Bathroom/wash/Story time
9:30 Bathroom/wash/Story time
9:25 Music
9:40 Music
9:40 Snack lesson
10:00 Snack lesson
9:50 Active -in/out
10:15 Active – in/out
10:20 Put away toys
10:50 Put away toys
10:25 Assembly
10:55 Assembly
10:30 Good-byes
11:00 Good-byes 

Learning Goals For Co-Op Children May include, but not limited to, the following topics. Concepts color family and friends home – kitchen numbers – counting and beginning one-to-one correspondence shapes – circle, square, rectangle, triangle texture size – big, little, middle-sized opposites foods – fruits, vegetables, how foods change with cooking, taste, smell, texture store temperature music and sound water air zoo animals farm animals transportation – cars, trucks, trains, airplanes beginning letter recognition Thinking Skills decision making and learning consequences of decisions problem solving Control obedience following directions sitting still and listening Social knowing friends’ names trying to see viewpoint of others sharing cooperation Physical climbing balance riding tricycles jumping tumbling (rolling, somersaults) ball handling moving to music obstacle course

Welcome to this enjoyable teaching experience. We are working together to make this a rich learning experience for the children. When you are assisting, you have the opportunity to observe your child’s progress and become better acquainted with your child’s friends. Consistency is important for two- and three-year-olds.
Here are some guidelines to aid in consistency.

Sign up for assisting. Parents sign up to serve as assistants in the class at the Acorn orientation meeting. If you are unable to serve on your day, it is important that you trade with another parent as early as possible. Please let the teacher know.

Caring for your own child. If your child needs extra hugs and reassurance while you are serving, don’t hesitate to give them. It is not always easy to share mom or dad.

Working with the children. While working with a child or group of children, keep eyes and ears open to the needs of others. If possible, position yourself to see children beyond your immediate area of supervision. Listen, speak with a quiet voice, and do as little directing as possible. Get down to the level of the children to talk to them. When the teacher is teaching a group, if needed, you may whisper in a child's ear or physically guide her back to the group if she strays; but don’t speak out loud, diverting attention from the teacher. If a child takes a toy from another, see that it is returned and help the child wait for a turn.

Supervising art activities. Write the child’s name with manuscript letters, spelling it aloud as you write. Children may make more than one picture. Clean up art area when they are finished.

Supervising table activities. Give children help as needed, encouraging them to finish the activity. Help them put one material, or toy, away before getting out another. Clean up the table area when finished.

Toilet and hand-washing procedure. Children are encouraged to try to use the toilet and then wash their hands. Those in diapers are encouraged to at least sit on the toilet. Offering choices that lead the child to sitting on the toilet is helpful in gaining the child’s cooperation. If they refuse, help them wash hands before taking them to rejoin the group. Show children how to wash hands, then give them a towel to dry and throw away.

Music time. When your area is cleaned up, come as soon as possible to the rug for music. Bring children who may stray away back to the rug. Join the children in the activity. Quietly encourage children to participate in musical activities (walking, marching) by offering a hand, but don’t force. When there are two parents, one can finish cleaning up and prepare for snack time while the other joins the group for music.

Snack lesson. Get food out and listen for directions from the Acorn teacher. The snack typically relates to the day’s theme or color. When children finish, they should ask to be excused. The assisting parent will need to help children wash up after they put their napkins and cups in trash.

Assembly and story time. Help children stay on their carpet rectangles. If a child leaves the area, quietly bring him or her back. Always speak positively to the children, telling them what they may do when correcting them.

Toy Library reminders.

• Wash and dry the toys the night before you bring them back to Toy Library. (Clorox wipes can be used when the dishwasher or washing machine can’t be used.) Be sure the toys are completely dry before putting them into their box or baggie.
  
• Appointment times are scheduled by the Acorn staff. If you cannot make your scheduled Toy Library appointment, you may come at another more convenient time. If someone else is scheduled for that time, please be respectful. Allow them to show the toys to their child and finish without interruption.
  
• If a piece is missing or broken, please let the director of Acorn know. You may call and leave a message at 314-275-3558. The method for replacing or repairing the toy will be determined based on the age of the toy and the amount of damage to it. Every attempt will be made to be reasonable, including giving families time to find or fix the piece.
  
• This is an honor-based program. The success of the program depends on the families using the Toy Library. At the end of the year, the Toy Library will be as good as the care you’ve given it. If you want clean toys in good repair, please return toys that are clean and in good repair.
  
• If it would be helpful to you to have some suggestions for appropriate toys, please feel free to consult with the Acorn staff.

Parent & Family newsletter — This newsletter is published three times a year. The cost of the subscription is billed to your account. If you have an idea for a topic or an article that you would like to write, please see the director of Parent Education and Support.

Acorn Newsletter CD — Articles from 1975 to 2001 are available on this computer CD (for PCs only). There is an index to help you find all the articles dealing with certain topics. $15 will be billed to your account to cover the cost of the CD if you do not already have one.

Acorn Songbook and Tape — A cassette tape and songbook of many of the songs sung in Acorn may be purchased from the Acorn staff for $7.

Parenting Center — The Parenting Center is a place for Principia parents to find metaphysical articles, books, and helpful CDs and tapes on parenting. Most of the references are available for check-out, or you may study and read in the center. There are comfortable chairs as well as a choice of beverages for you to enjoy.

Library of Parenting Books and Articles — Located in the Acorn Office and Parenting Center.

Pre-, Lower, Middle School Library — Families enrolled in Acorn may check out books from the Pre-, Lower, and Middle School Library located in the Middle School. The Story Room has books for Co-Op age children and is available when not being used by a class. Parents can talk to the librarian to find appropriate materials. The Upper School Library, located on the level below Ridgway Auditorium, is also available for parents’ use.

Campus House — This is the care facility on campus. Christian Science nurses are available at all times for any nursing need. The Campus House phone number is 314-275-3590. It is located on campus across from the Headmaster’s House.

Principia Information Hotline — Call 314-514-3000 to find out about school closings, school events, and any messages for parents.

To comply wholeheartedly with what Mary Baker Eddy refers to as “the health laws of the States on the question of infectious and contagious diseases” (see The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, page 344:21-6), we expect parents to report physical problems of this sort to the Acorn director promptly.

Any student presenting such a problem is required to leave school and be under the care and responsibility of the parents until the healing is complete. Principia acknowledges the power of divine healing without limitation, and in so acknowledging it, must assume the responsibility for requiring that a complete healing be evidenced before the student can return to school. A permission slip should be obtained from Campus House (Principia's on-campus car facility) after a child has been absent with this type of challenge.

A student who has been absent with a suspected contagious disease may return to classes when all symptoms and signs of disease are no longer in evidence and when there is every indication of a complete healing. No student may return to school as long as there are physical symptoms or signs of disease. If parents request that their son or daughter who still shows signs of the contagious belief be allowed to return, Principia can consider approving the return only if the family wishes to obtain a physician’s approval.

Careful observation of all these points is necessary to protect Principia, the student, and the family.

Opening songs
Good Morning!
Good Morning!
We like to say good morning!
Good Morning!
Good Morning,
Upon this (sunny, rainy, cloudy, cold, foggy) day!
(Red, red, red, red)
Today we’re wearing (red)
Look around and you will see
Someone’s wearing (red).

Clean-Up Songs
Clean-up, clean-up,
Everybody everywhere.
Clean-up, clean-up,
Everybody do their share.

Snack Song
Thank you _____ (teacher)
Thank you _____ (children and parents)
Thanks for juice and cookies. (teacher)
Thanks for juice and cookies. (children and parents)
Thank you God for all good. (teacher)
Thank you God for all good. (children and parents)

Play-In Closing Song
Good-bye everybody.
Good-bye [teacher’s name].
Good-bye everybody.
Good-bye [teacher’s name]
See you next time.
See you next time.

Co-Op Closing Songs
Two little hands to do God’s work.
Two little feet to walk His walk.
Good-bye everybody,
Yes indeed, yes indeed, yes indeed.
We had a good time now, yes indeed.
Yes indeed, my darling.

God made everyone a perfect child.
God made everyone undefiled.
Everyone is an avenue for everything
Good and pure and true.

Play-In Closing Song
Good-bye everybody.
Good-bye [teacher’s name].
Good-bye everybody.
Good-bye [teacher’s name]
See you next time.
See you next time.

Co-Op Closing Songs
Two little hands to do God’s work.
Two little feet to walk His walk.
Good-bye everybody,
Yes indeed, yes indeed, yes indeed.
We had a good time now, yes indeed.
Yes indeed, my darling.

God made everyone a perfect child.
God made everyone undefiled.
Everyone is an avenue for everything
Good and pure and true.

Brochures:

Parent to Parent Student to Student