FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
I have a new baby, should I join the LPPTA?
The LPPTA serves families with children from birth to kindergarten age. People generally join as soon as they find out about us, because it is a great way to meet other families with children. We even have members who join while they are expecting their first child! For parents of infants, we offer both social and educational evening activities, as well as a drop in center during the school year where you can go and your baby can crawl around and play, as well as access to our playgroups list, which is divided by age. Members get our monthly newsletter, which lists both our own activities and what's going on around town, as well as our annual Guide for Parents, which gives info about parks, playgrounds, preschools and more. We hold our annual Open House in September, where you can come with your baby to find out more about what we do, or you can join now with the application on our website.
How do your playgroups work? How can I join one?
Members may sign up for this free service year round. The playgroup chairperson provides parents with a list of potential playmates who are close in age to their own child. Groups are then formed independently. Playgroups are a great way for you and your children to have fun, share ideas, build a support network, make new friends, and enjoy a valuable social experience. Members who sign up for playgroups will receive a Playgroup Information Packet which includes a master list of other people who have expressed interest in joining and/or forming a playgroup. The packet also includes general guidelines for setting up playgroups as well as some added articles and information. In addition to age specific playgroups, there are also special interest playgroups such as a bilingual playgroups, working parent playgroups, nanny/caregiver playgroups, and pre-playgroups for expectant parents. You can join a playgroup by emailing Laurie Buchta the following information: Parent/Caregiver's name, address, phone number, email address, child's name, date of birth, any siblings 5 and under and your school district. If you are interested in any special interest groups, such as bilingual, working parents, expectant moms, or a sibling group (a group that includes multiple age groups), please indicate that as well. Or, click here for a sign up form.
How can I find childcare?
Our booklet, Lexington for Preschoolers: A Guide for Parents (which is updated annually and distributed free to all our members) , has several sections that will be very helpful: the Childcare Services section gives information and contacts for the Lexington Family Child Care Association, as well as other State Resources, and it also contains a complete listing of all Lexington Daycare Centers and Nursery Schools. Members also have access to our Yahoo Group, where they can post requests for information and childcare.
How can I choose a preschool? Can you recommend one?
The LPPTA does not recommend particular preschools since the choice of a preschool depends on whether it is a good fit for the child and the family. Our booklet, Lexington for Preschoolers: A Guide for Parents (which is updated annually and distributed free to all our members) , contains a complete listing of all Lexington Daycare Centers and Nursery Schools. Parents should consider whether they are looking for a tradition preschool program or one with a child care component, the schedule, tuition and ages served by the program, the particularly educational or religious philosophy of the program, and the enrollment process, all of which is detailed in the booklet. Parents can also attend our annual Nursery School night in October, which is an open house sponsored by the LPPTA for all Lexington based Preschools and Child Care centers.
How can I communicate with other LPPTA members?
The LPPTA has a Yahoo! Groups email list which is a free, easy-to-use email group service which you are welcome to join at any time. As a member of this email loop, you may send messages to the entire group using just one email address: lppta@yahoogroups.com. We offer this service so that LPPTA members can easily communicate with one another. Feel free to use the list to foster discussion, request information, or provide information. You can initiate a conversation or reply to one. If you would like to be a part of this new discussion forum, you will need to opt-in to the list by sending an email to lppta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Please click here for more information on this email loop.
I receive email from the LPPTA, am I a part of the email loop?
No. The LPPTA has a master email list that we use to send you information about upcoming events and we use it to send you the electronic version of the monthly newsletter. The email address you give when you join is added to this master membership list. You receive information from this email list, but you cannot reply to it or send a message to the entire membership. If you would like to be a part of the LPPTA Yahoo! Groups email list, you must opt-in to the list by sending an email to lppta-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. By being a member of this list, you can send a message to all members that have signed up to be a part of the loop. You can initiate a discussion or pose a question to the group or you can respond to one by sending email to the group email address of lppta@yahoogroups.com. These are two different email lists with two different purposes. The master list is used to convey information to our membership whereas our membership can use the Yahoo! Groups email loop as a communicate vehicle. Please send an email to Allyson Huntington if you have any questions.
Will I get spam if I join your email loop?
We understand that you may have concerns about privacy and spam with regard to joining the Yahoo! Groups email loop. Yahoo!'s privacy agreement and terms of service can be read by clicking these links:
Please take the time to read through this agreements; particularly if you are concerned about your privacy or spam. After reading through the information, it seems as though Yahoo! does not sell or give away your email without your explicit consent. They also say that by registering with them, you may receive Yahoo! correspondence that you can't opt out of. You join at your own risk with regard to spam but most Yahoo! Groups members have not experienced any negative effects from joining this list.
When can I pay my dues? When do I need to renew my membership?
The LPPTA membership year runs from September to the end of August. Members pay the full annual dues to join or renew any time prior to February 1st, but only pay half price to join or renew between February 1st and the end of May. Members who join or renew from Lexington's Discovery Day (at the end of May) on, pay the full dues, but are joining for the full upcoming year, and will receive the summer newsletter. If you renew your membership prior to our Open House in the middle of September, you will also be eligible for a ticket to our free Member Appreciation Night later in the fall.
I am moving to Lexington, or am new here - how can I find out more about what's going on in Lexington?
You can join the LPPTA prior to moving here, and we will mail you our newsletter (please remember to contact the membership chairperson when you have your new address). We can also suggest subscribing to the Lexington Minuteman weekly newspaper, which has a calendar of local events go to: http://www.townonline.com/lexington/ for more information. Lexington also has a Newcomer's Club.
How can I update my address, phone number or email address?
Please contact Betsy Wilkinson our membership chairperson.