Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of
students and parents.

1. Do the kids have enough time to eat their lunch?
2. Should I correct my child's handwriting in their homework book?
3. I want my child to have healthy eating habits. What goes on with food at Janney, including birthdays and class parties?

Do the kids have enough time to eat their lunch?

The short answer is yes, but here's a long answer-
First graders are new to the lunchroom and may be distracted, and also may be
busy talking to their friends.  If your child is coming home hungry and with
most of their food in their lunchbox, these are their options:
1. Encourage them to eat more at our morning snack time.  They might eat half a
sandwich, a small yogurt, hard boiled egg, cheese- some protein in the morning
might help.  
2.  I will allow children to get left-over food from lunchboxes to sit and eat
in our classroom while I read aloud to the class after lunch recess.  
Your child may still be hungry at dismissal time.  I know I am!  Some parents meet their child at 3:15 with a healthy snack in hand.
   

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Should I correct my child's handwriting in their homework book?

I suggest that in the beginning of the year you correct them if you see them
start to write anything from the bottom line.  ALWAYS START AT THE TOP, you
can tell them.  Also, we really work on number writing early in the year, so
correct oddly written numerals.  Later in the year, after we have gone through
our handwriting book, it will be OK to gently remind children of correct
letter formation.  BUT, first graders are often inconsistent in writing and we
urge them to keep going- keep expressing their ideas- even if the handwriting
is not perfect.  And a big consideration is you and your child- don't let
homework become a struggle between you.  Let me know if you have continuing
concerns.

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I want my child to have healthy eating habits. What goes on with food at Janney, including birthdays and class parties?

At Janney we care about the health and nutrition of your child.  We are very fortunate to have a wonderful nurse on staff full time, who occasionally teaches health lessons.  We keep two recesses a day  (dress your child for active play!) and the PTA has a Healthy Foods Committee you can join, if interested.  
Snacks and Lunches-  In our class, each child brings in their own morning snack from home (not a candy or dessert item), and we encourage that a bit of protein be included.  Many children enjoy a small yogurt, cheese stick, hard-boiled egg, crackers, veggies, fruit, etc. for this mid-morning snack.  Hot school lunches can be bought for $1.25 any day.  Lowfat milk can be purchased for 35 cents any day.  Many families pack their child’s lunch at home.  For those, we do not have the ability to heat or cool your child’s food, but insulated thermos containers and cold packs work well.  At Janney we really encourage reusable containers, as we believe the REDUCE part of REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE is the most effective!
Birthdays and Other Celebrations-  Each child’s family may bring in something special for the class to eat during a short class celebration of their child’s birthday.  I do not restrict these items, but we keep the treat small.  Many families bring mini-cupcakes, or sweet muffins.  Of course you can bring other items special to your child, such as popcorn, fruit kabobs, frozen fruit popsicles, etc.  When we have a class party, such as before Winter Break, Valentine’s Day, and a few others, parent volunteers sign up to bring food.  We typically request one sweet treat, something savory, and fruit and veggies, and usually offer juice and water for drinks.    My class will make our own applesauce, cornbread and butter at Thanksgiving.
Allergies and food restrictions -  You must let the teacher know of any allergies or food restrictions- if your family is vegetarian, vegan, doesn’t eat pork or shellfish, etc., just to make sure!  And keep in mind that we are now a NO NUT school.  If you are sending in food for the class, please check it for nut products.  If the package says it has been manufactured in a place where nuts are processed, that is OK but kindly alert the teacher so they may give our most sensitive children an alternative item.  Please feel free to let me know of any concerns you may have for your child.

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