Program Logistics

A step by step summary of who needs to be where when and what needs to happen.

SPECIAL NOTE: This is a program where parents are encouraged to participate in every phase of the program and attend any and all sessions, prep and trip.  The more involved a parent is, the better a child will learn the importance of helping others and the more personal the learning experience will be for your child.  We recognize that many parents work and may not be able to be at the sessions.  You can still participate by singing the songs with the children several times between the prep and the trip.  Two hours is not enough time to teach the young ones nine songs, so doing "homework" is especially important for them.  Please tell your child several times how happy you are that they are doing this and how proud you are of them for wanting to help others.

• An email message will go out to all parents, reminding them of the preparation session that Friday.   It is critical that you respond to the email so we know how many children to expect.
• If a child cannot attend the preparation session, but really wants to be a part of the trip, they should practics the songs on the sing along page.
  1. Contact Gail Grant at 324-3822 or grant@glgc.com to discuss options
  2. Schedule a private prep session or
  3. Obtain the materials to teach the child the necessary information and songs, as well as complete the crafts.
  4. Confirm with Gail that the preparation has indeed been completed prior to the trip date.
• Read any pre-preparation materials noted in the invitation and perform any required tasks, such as asking the child to think about what they would like to bring to show and tell.

• Children may be dropped off at the parish hall anytime after 3:15 and picked up at 5:00.  If a parent has not arrived by 5:15, we will call the number given at registration.  Please let us know if a different number should be called for late pick-ups/emergencies.
• In some prep sessions, children will be asked to bring something for show and tell, so we can practice it for the trip to the nursing home.  That is not the case for this session, but it will be the case in later sessions.

• Parents are encouraged to stay and participate in the prep session.  For children younger than 4, a parent or other adult must be present at the prep session.
• Children will be broken into two groups: younglings and readers.  A reader is a child who can read the words of the songs easily while singing.  Please prepare your child for this, especially if they have just learned to read.  It is up to the parent to encourage those who have trouble reading to go with the younglings group.

• The web site has all the words to the songs we will be singing.  The theme song is on a separate page and includes a sound file with the melody, as well as a picture of the music.
• Parents are encouraged to sing the songs with the children, especially the younglings, so they can learn all the words.  Don't worry if they don't learn the words; the readers will make sure that the words are known.  What is important is simply that the children become as familiar as possible with the music.  If they don't know the words, they can sing la-la-la instead.

Before the trip to the nursing home (usually Monday of that week):

• An email message will go out to all parents, reminding them of the trip that Friday.
• Each parent will be expected to respond with the number of people who will be attending or to indicate that they won't be able to attend that session. It is critical that you respond to the email so we know how many children to expect.
• Read any pre-trip materials noted in the invitation and perform any required tasks, such as dressing the child in brightly colored clothing, or bringing special props (such as mittens and hats or umbrellas).

• Older children may be dropped off at Palo Alto Nursing Center, 911 Bryant St. in downtown anytime after 3:20 and picked up at 4:00.  If a parent has not arrived by 4:30, we will call the number given at registration.  Please let us know if a different number should be called for late pick-ups/emergencies.
• Children who are under school age must be accompanied by a parent, friend of the family or babysitter.  Older children may be dropped off and picked up by carpools, but make sure we know the person driving, so we can keep your children safe.
• If you are staying with your child, note that there is only street parking for the nursing home.  If there are no spaces on Bryant, there is usually parking available on both Addison and Channing.  Please allow time for finding parking and getting the children out of the car.
• Please let the program volunteers know if you need to pick up your child early.

• Parents are encouraged to stay for the program.  Chairs are at a premium, so please stand at the back of the room, by the front door or around the edge of the seniors.
• For pre-school children, a parent or other adult must be present for the whole session.  The parent/friend will be responsible for taking the child to the bathroom and watching to make sure she/he does not get frightened.  Bathrooms are located behind the nursing stations.
• If a child gets frightened or is reluctant to join the group, the parent/friend is encouraged to sit on the floor behind the child, with their arms around them.  This is true for BOTH the performance and the interaction with the seniors after the singing.  Please do not stand in the middle of the singing group, since this may block another child's view of the leader.  If you are unable to sit/kneel beside your child, move to the edge of the group, where the view of other children will not be blocked, and hold their hand.