Indoor Playground Update

Last week, the state came to inspect our new indoor playground. Although the equipment exceeded all of the safety guidelines required, TDPFS has issued a new regulation that prohibits children under the age of 5 years from playing on self-contained soft play structures located inside state regulated schools. Of course, no one was aware of this new rule since it is not located in print ANYWHERE... including our minimum standards handbook or the TDPFS childcare regulations website. However, I have been told that it is a new ruling and all schools that have these types of structures are being notified of the new regulations and they are not being granted and tme to comply. In fact, failure to comply will lead to having your variance to use the equipment rescinded and the state will require the equipment be removed. I have been all over the net looking for data to support this decision. The only study that I can find relating to this type of equipment was done in 1995. During the 6 month research period, there were 17 injuries and 1 death reported. Of course, the death and the majority of the injuries were sustained in ball pits. We all know the dangers of ball pits now and most retail establishments with these structure have removed those elements. Here is the link. http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/foia02/os/scpe.PDF Please forward me any additional information that you may have. Conversly, the data that I have collected regarding injuries and deaths on outdoor play equipment is staggering. In 2004, over 200,ooo children were treated for injuries sustained on playground equipment. The majority resulted from falls. That is the benefit of self-contained play equipment.... low fall zones, ours are less that 2 feet. I have included another link. http://www.kdheks.gov/safekids/downloads/factsheets/Playground.pdf Of course, everything is as safe as you make it, supervision is the key!

Aguirre Family Fund Info

Aguirre Fund Established At Melissa Bank
Early on the morning of Wednesday, December 17th, we as a community began to receive the regretful news that a beloved Melissa family was involved in a fatal car accident south of Dallas on Tuesday morning. More specifically, Stephanie Aguirre, a fifth grade student enrolled at Melissa Ridge Intermediate School, did not survive the accident. Stephanie's younger sister and father also sustained serious injury and remain under the watchful care of physicians in two separate local hospitals. Predictably, as word began to spread, the caring and supportive nature of the individual residents who comprise our community began to emerge. As a result, you may want to be aware that a support fund has been established for the Aguirre family at the Melissa branch of First National Bank of Trenton. Bank location and contact information is as follows:
1308 South Highway 121
Melissa, TX 75454
972-837-2800
For specific information about the fund or to learn more about how you may contribute, please contact bank staff directly at the phone number listed above.

UPDATE ON WEATHER 12/17

As of 5 am, it looks like we are going to be on time. Be careful on the roads this morning... there is still ice. Our parking lot is also very slick. See you soon, Danielle

Weather Info for 12/17/08

I have already had several calls from concerned parents regarding the weather and possible delays or closings for tomorrow. Currently, a few of the local districts near Melissa have already scheduled delays. Unless the weather becomes dangerously severe, Mudpies will operate tomorrow, even if MISD chooses to close. If the ISD delays start or cancels classes, we will plan to open at 8:30 inorder to give our staff ample time to arrive safely. If school is closed, we will offer a full day drop in for school age kids. Please understand that schedules, class sizes and activities may change if we open in inclement weather. Obviously, we would experience some shortage of staff and may need to adjust accordingly, but we will be here for you. If MISD opens late and your child is enrolled in before-school care, you may bring them when we open and we will get them to school. If they are not enrolled in that program, talk to the director on duty to see if there is space for a drop in.

Staff: In the event of an ISD delay or closing and ypu are scheduled prior to 8:30, please report at 8:30. If you are scheduled to arrive later, plan to arrive at your scheduled time. If you are unable to report to work for any reason, it is your responsibility to contact Danielle or Lori at least 2 hours before you are scheduled to arrive.

Keep watching the blog for updates.... hopefully this will all clear up tonight and we can open on time. Thanks for your patience and understanding. We know that we have the very best families at Mudpies!

Melisa ISD CLOSED

Based upon a re-evaluation of current weather reports and road conditions this morning, please be advised that Melissa ISD has determined that school will be closed on Tuesday, December 16, 2008. I accordance with the ISD decision to cancel classes, Mudpies will close as well. Normal hours will resume on Wednesday, December 17, 2008. See you tomorrow!

Updated Weather Information 5:30 AM

Based upon current weather reports and road conditions, please be advised that Mudpies & Lullabies will open at 9:30 AM on Tuesday, December 16, 2008, in accordance with Melissa ISD. The district plans to re-evaluated conditions at approximately 7:30 a.m. on Tuesday morning. If continued inclement weather results in the need to close school for the day, parents and staff will be notified via this blog.

As of 5AM, the roads were very icy, especially our parking lot (I got some skating practice for the school age field trip to the ice rink). If you do decide to venture out early this morning, please use extreme caution.... North Texans don't know how to drive on ice!!!!!

All staff that is scheduled before 9:30 AM should report to work at that time. We will offer a bus run to MISD for staff children and children who are already registered for MISD before school care.

Weather Delay 12-16-2008

As of right now, 10:45 pm, MISD is delayed 2 hours, with McKillop students starting school at 9:45 AM. Mudpies will plan to open at 9:30 AM. If weather conditions worsen, please check the blog for additional updates.

Our playground is complete!

Make sure you come by to check out what all the buzz is about.... the playground is complete in the multipurpose room of building two. We are awaiting inspection from the state and it will be ready for the eager kids who have watched it go up over the last two weeks. Not only will your kids have a great new indoor play area to use in inclement weather, but you can also schedule your child's next birthday part in the only indoor play facility in the area. We have several party packages for you to choose from and we are offering a discount for currently enrolled families. See Danielle for more information!

Watch for Weather Updates

Keep checking back to see if we are closing or delaying opening due to the weather.

Why we created this Blog...

We created this Blog as a way to share information with the families enrolled at Mudpies. The type of information that you will find here would include reminders about upcoming events, weather related closings and general school information. No specific student information or pictures will be posted on this site. Please sign up to follow this Blog so you don't miss out on any important news.