847.864.7100 director@totalchild.org 516 Church Street, Evanston, IL 60201-4515

Annual Special Events

Community Events

August: Orientation Day

The morning before the first day of the new program year, new and returning children and their grown-ups visit their new classrooms and meet their teachers and classmates. Orientation Day has an open house format and families are welcome to stay for the entire two hours or visit for a shorter time. We are always delighted to see old friends and start to make new friendships.

September: Grown-Up Night

Grown-Up Night is an evening for both new and returning parents to gather together with Total Child’s staff. Teachers give an overview of the upcoming program year and review important information, and there is an opportunity for questions. This is a great time for parents to get to know each other and learn more about their child’s classroom.

October: Harvest Soup

During the day, children help to prepare a delicious vegetable soup and enjoy the sights and smells of it cooking. In the evening, families gather for a pot-luck dinner with soup as the star entree. Harvest Soup is a beloved annual community-building event!

November: Lantern Walk

Families and staff gather in the morning in our beautiful courtyard to celebrate light and kindness as fall begins to fade to winter and the days grow shorter. Children decorate lanterns at school which they carry as we walk from the courtyard, around the building, and back inside to the darkened sanctuary where we stop to sing simple songs about light.

December: Grandparents & Special Visitors Day

Grandparents and other special grown-ups are invited to join their child in their classroom for an hour during drop-off time in the morning. This is a fun time for children and their visitors to do a special activity and enjoy a light breakfast together.

January: Grown-Up Coffee Chat

Parents and caregivers are invited to join the administrative team for coffee or tea, to meet other parents, and to chat and get to know each other better!

February: Grown-Up Coffee Chat

We meet again for coffee and tea and deepen our friendships and support for one another.

March: Books & Breakfast

Special grown-ups are invited to visit their child’s classroom during drop-off time in the morning to read a book with their child and enjoy a light breakfast. Books may be brought from home or chosen from the classroom bookshelves.

April: Grown-Up Coffee Chat

Once again we gather for warm beverages and cool conversations.

May: Moms & Special Visitors Day

Moms and other special grown-ups are invited to join their child in their classroom for an hour during drop-off time in the morning. This is a fun time for children and their visitors to do a special activity and enjoy a light breakfast together.

June: School Picnic

Total Child families and staff gather together in the evening for a picnic on our lawn to celebrate the end of another successful academic year! We love having the opportunity to relive all of the happy memories together!

June: Dads & Special Visitors Day

Dads and other special grown-ups are invited to join their child in their classroom for an hour during drop-off time in the morning. This is a fun time for children and their visitors to do a special activity and enjoy a light breakfast together.

July: Garden Party

As a celebration of summer and growth, children explore different garden-themed activities on the playground. We welcome parent volunteers to help with each activity. This is a lovely time to celebrate the earth together and appreciate our beautiful grounds.