STARTING TIME:
The first bell rings at 7:45. Children are considered tardy after 7:55.
School begins with prayer, pledge, and leaders.
PRAYER:
Throughout the year the children will learn the "Our Father", "Hail
Mary", "Angel of God", "Baby Jesus", "Glory Be", and the prayer before
meals. In addition to these formal prayers, we learn to talk to God and be
mindful of His presence.
DAILY HELPERS AND LEADERS:
We have three or three helpers each day. We change helpers every day so
each child will have a turn more often. The helpers each have special jobs
of helping with the calendar, holding the flag, turning on and off the
lights, closing the door, holding the outside door open, taking notes to the
office, and helping the teacher keep the room tidy.
BRINGING TOYS TO SCHOOL:
The children are not allowed to bring toys from home to play with at
recess. It is not necessary and often creates problems. We have plenty of
balls, and other outside equipment to play on.
TEACHING CIRCLE:
In order to have the children's undivided attention during actual teaching
time, the children sit in a semi-circle on the floor in front of the
teacher. This way the teacher has them up close and the children are more
inclined to listen and learn.
CENTERS:
We will have centers daily.
SCHOOL WORK:
After teaching time and explanation of directions, the children return to
their table to do their school work. While the students are working, the
teacher and aide go from child to child, reviewing their work and progress.
Mistakes are corrected, praise is given, and encouragement to continue given
to those who have slowed down to watch their neighbor.
HOMEWORK:
Each day the children will bring home their folders. The folder will
contain the school work we did that day plus important notes from the
teacher or the office. The child's "homework" is to show you the papers.
Let your child know how proud you are of his hard work by praising
him and displaying his papers. Praise can work miracles toward developing
your child's enthusiasm toward school.
NOTES TO and FROM THE TEACHER:
Parent teacher communication is so very important. We must work together to
provide the best possible school experience for you and your child. You may
always get in touch with me via e-mail, phone or a note in your child's
folder. Please date all notes sent to the teacher. I do, however, ask that
you do not call me after 7:00 in the evening.
SNACKS:
The children have two snacks each day. The first snack is around 9:00.
It is a little mid morning snack whick consists of a variety of fruit,
crackers, and juice. The teacher purchases this food with your supply
money. After naptime we have another snack. The parents supply the
afternoon snack, including juice. You will be assigned one week at a time
to send afternoon snack. You will receive a note about this. Let
your child help you pick out something he would like to eat after naptime.
Some suggestions might be cookies, brownines, small individual bags of
chips, pudding, fruit or fruit cups, Ritz crackers, cheese sticks, etc.
Please do not send cupcakes or sheet cakes unless it is your child's
birthday. (No peanut butter please) If your child has any food allergies,
please let us know!
BIRTHDAYS:
We also celebrate each child's birthday. We try to assign your snack week to
coincide with your child's birthday. However, there is sometimes more than
one birthday in a week. Therefore, your child's birthday may be celebrated
during a different week. If your child's birthday is in the summer or on a
holiday, your child will be assigned a "pretend" birthday. Your child may
choose cupcakes, sheet cake, or cookie cake for his birthday. Parents
do not attend the party. Children are not allowed to pass out birthday
invitations at school.
SEASONAL PARTIES:
The Kindergarteners have more parties than the upper classes. We have a
party for Halloween, Christmas, Valentines and Easter. The room mother will
contact those of you who signed up to send something.
ACTIVITIES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM:
PHYSICAL EDUCATION: The Kindergarten children have P.E. in the gym twice a
week. Mrs. Brandie Bartoe is the P.E. teacher. The children should wear
tennis
shoes on those days. K-3's P.E. days are Tuesday(8:00-8:25) and Wednesday
(1:50-2:10)
LIBRARY: We have library once a week with. Our librarian is Mrs. Jackie
Whitcher. K-3's library day is Tuesday (2:00-2:30).
MUSIC: We have music once a week. Mrs. Laura Koury is our music teacher.
K-3's music day is Monday(8:25 - 8:55).
SPANISH: We have Spanish once a week. Mrs. Carmen Porras is our Spanish
teacher. K-3's Spanish day is Wednesday(11:35 - 11:55). Spanish will begin
after Labor Day
NAP TOWEL:
Towels will be kept in your child's booksack during the week. They will need
to be washed every weekend. Please send a regular sized bath towel, NOT an
extra large one or a beach towel. I allow the children to bring a VERY small
pillow and blanket to sleep with.(NO BIGGER THAN 8" X 8") These will be kept
in the booksack until naptime. These items should be small enough to fit in
your child's booksack along with his/her folder. Your child should work on
packing these items with out help.
DAYS ABSENT:
Please write the teacher a note telling why your child was absent. This way
we can better take care of his needs on his return. If your child has
a "touch" of the virus, please don't send him to school. Sickness can
spread fast among the little ones who are close to each other. If your
child has fever, do not send him back to school until he has been fever-free
for 24 hours. The children will not get behind because they miss a few days
of school. We will give them extra individual help.
MEDICINE:
If your child needs medicine during the day, YOU must come to school to give
it to him. We are not allowed to dispense medicines anymore unless it is a
medication that must be taken on a daily basis. In this case a form
obtained from the school office should be completed by the physician and
remain on file in the school office. Medicines are then dispensed in the
office.
DISMISSAL:
Car riders are dismissed first.
PreK, Kindergarten and 1st grade car riders are dismissed at 2:40. Second
grade through sixth grade car riders are dismissed at 2:50. If your
kindergartner has a sibling in 2nd, 3rd, or 4th grade, the kindergartener
will not go out to the car line until 2:50. If you have a 5th or 6th grade
student, your kindertener will be picked up at Olive Street at 2:45.
Parents will be given a NAME CARD to display when they pick up children in
the car line. Please use these EVERY TIME you pick up children. Please make
extra name cards for others who might be picking up you child. If your
child is going home with someone else or a different way than usual please
write a note. We will not let the children miss the bus because they tell
us they THINK someone else is picking them up today.
I am looking forward to a great year with you and your child. Please let me
know if you have me any questions or concerns.
Mrs. Becky and Mrs. Pam