2026-2027 Annual School Calendar

Clyde’s Corner | September 2026

Monthly Updates:

🏆 WE DID IT! The Big Red Barn is officially one of the BEST! 🏆
- We are beyond excited and incredibly proud to announce that The Big Red Barn Early Learning Center has been awarded the BEST of 2026 Lakewood Award in the Preschool category! 🎉💛
- This is such a huge accomplishment for our BRB family, and we could not have done it without our incredible team. Most importantly, we want to recognize YOU—our amazing teachers and staff!
- You work incredibly hard every single day to provide our kiddos with top-tier care, meaningful learning experiences, and a safe and loving environment to grow.
- This award is a reflection of the dedication, heart, and passion you bring to BRB every day. We are so proud of our team and everything you do for our kiddos!
🚪 Drop-Off & Pick-Up Reminder
- When we are doing drop-off and pick-up outside, please make sure we are all following the same expectations.
  - Gates and doors are for parent and teacher use only. Children should never be opening, closing, or operating the gates or doors.
- At drop-off:
  - Parents/guardians need to walk their child all the way to the playground.
  - Children should be safely with a teacher before the parent leaves.
- At pick-up:
  - We will not release a child from the playground until their parent/guardian is physically present.
  - Please make sure you have confirmed that the parent/guardian is there before releasing the child.
🚨 Fire & Tornado Drill Reminder 🚨
- We will be practicing fire drills every month, as well as tornado drills throughout the year. All kiddos will participate in these drills so they can become familiar with our safety procedures and know what to do in an emergency.
- These drills will not be on a scheduled basis. They will take place at some point throughout the month so that we can practice being prepared for an emergency at any time.
  - 🔥 Fire Drills: Everyone will evacuate the building and meet at our designated handicap spot in the front of the building.
  - 🌪️ Tornado Drills: Everyone will move to their classroom bathroom and practice staying in our designated safe area.
  - IMPORTANT: If a drop off or pick up while a fire or tornado drill is taking place, please hold off on accepting a kid or dismissing a kid until the all-clear has been given by Miss Alyscia or Miss Jenny.
📚 Friday Show & Tell! 🧸
- Fridays are Show & Tell day in every classroom! We love giving the children an opportunity to share something special with their friends and teachers.
- Please remind families that Show & Tell items need to be:
  - Non-chokeable
  - Safe and appropriate for school
  - Something they are okay with potentially getting lost or broken at school
🎨 ENRICHMENT & ENGAGED LEARNING
- We are still working on adding extracurricular and enrichment programs for our kiddos! We are excited about the opportunities we are working toward and will share more information as we get programs in place.
- In the meantime, we need everyone to be getting creative! Please come up with extra activities and learning opportunities to do with your kiddos throughout the day. Think beyond the basic classroom routine and look for ways to keep the children engaged, learning, exploring, and having fun.
- We are now following our classroom schedules, so please make sure you are using your scheduled times intentionally and providing plenty of engaged learning opportunities throughout the day.
- Our goal is to make sure our kiddos are not just being supervised throughout the day, but are being given plenty of opportunities to learn, explore, participate, and engage. 💛
Parents Night Out
- We will be hosting Parent's Night Out on September 12th at the Christian Academy from 4:00pm-8:00pm. Please use this link to sign up to work it.
OKTOBERFEST
- Mark your calendars and get those family recipes out! Our annual Oktoberfest and Chili Cook Off celebration will be hosted at The Big Red Barn Learning Center on Saturday September 19th from 3:30 - 7:00 pm! Join us for good food, great beer, and some groovy live music performed by our very own Mr. Luke's Jam Band! The winner of the Chili Cook Off will receive an extra day of either Baby PTO for parents or vacation PTO for staff!
- Please use this link to sign up to enter your chili in the competition!

New Schedule 8-31st | 9-11

New Schedule | 8/17 – 8/28

Clyde’s Corner | August 2026

Monthly Updates:

- Staff Meetings & Trainings Beginning in September
  - Starting in September, we will be closing at 4:00 p.m. on the third Tuesday of almost every month for mandatory staff meetings and trainings.
  - Please plan accordingly, as these dates will be blackout dates and time-off requests will not be approved.
  - To confirm that you have read this month's newsletter, please stop by my office and pick up a copy of the annual school calendar.
- Clocking In & Out
  - We have officially switched to clocking in and out using the iPhone at the front desk.
  - The ability to clock in and out through the app on your personal phone will be disabled, so please remember to use the office phone each day.
- Time-Off Requests & Weekly Schedules
  - I have officially taken over managing time-off requests and creating the weekly schedules.
  - Please keep the following in mind:
    - No more than two employees will be approved for time off on the same day.
    - Before submitting a request, please check the calendar in the office for available dates.
    - This does not include employees working a 4/10 schedule, although we will do our best to rotate those days fairly so everyone has opportunities for time off.
    - Co-teachers will not be approved to be off on the same day except in special circumstances.
    - All time-off requests must be submitted at least two weeks in advance using the request form located next to the office calendar.
    - Once the schedule has been posted, changes will only be made for emergencies.
  - Thank you for helping us keep classrooms properly staffed and running smoothly.
- Underground Spirit Week
  - Teachers will be participating in an Underground Spirit Week, where families will try to guess our daily spirit themes for a chance to win a gift card.
  - We'll also be awarding gift cards to our best-dressed staff members!
  - Please remember to keep all outfits fun, school-appropriate, and professional, as we work closely with children and families each day.
  - Monday- Decade Day ( 80's 90's or 00's)
  - Tuesday- Framer Day- BRB Themed
  - Wednesday- Anything but a cup
  - Thursday- Black out Day (dress in all black)
  - Friday- Green and Yellow!! (or sports day)
- Parents Night Out
  - Our next Parents' Night Out will be held on September 12th at the Christian Academy.
  - If you're interested in working, you'll receive $80, paid by check the same day.
  - Use this link to sign up
- ❤️ Thank You
  - As we wrap up another incredible summer, We just want to say how incredibly grateful we are for each and every one of you.
    
    Thank you for the love, patience, creativity, and dedication you bring to our children every single day. Because of you, The Big Red Barn continues to be a place where children feel safe, loved, and excited to learn.
    
    We can't wait to see everything we accomplish together during this new school year. Here's to another year filled with growth, laughter, teamwork, and making a difference in the lives of our kiddos!

August 3rd-14th Schedule

New Schedule- 7/20-7/31

Clyde’s Corner | July 2026

New Schedule | 7/6 – 7/17

New Schedule | 6/22 – 7/3

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