Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of
students and parents.
- When does the school day begin and end?
- Who do I contact if my child will be absent?
- What does my child need to bring to school?
- When does my child work with special subject teachers?
- Do children celebrate their birthdays in school?
- What kind of volunteer opportunities are available?
- When will I attend a parent conference regarding my child's progress?
- When will I receive my kindergartner's report card?
- How can I contact Mrs. Walker?
When does the school day begin and end?
Each day begins promptly at 8:40 a.m. Children arriving after 8:40 a.m. are
marked tardy. Our school day ends at 3:10 p.m. Kindergarten students are
dismissed to their bus lines or the kindergarten pick up line at 3:00 p.m.
Who do I contact if my child will be absent?
If your child is late to school, please check him/her in at the office and
inform the office staff of his/her arrival and the school kitchen if your
child will be purchasing lunch that day.
If your child will be absent, please call the school office prior to the start
of the school day to inform them of your child's absence and send a note to
school with a reason for the absence upon your child's return to school.
What does my child need to bring to school?
Kindergartners should bring two small snacks to school each day which may be eaten during the
morning and the afternoon. Each child should also bring a lunch from home or have a plan to
purchase lunch.
A backpack which is large enough to hold 9x12 papers and can be closed to safely protect school
work, notices and treasures. A bus tag will be attached to your child's backpack identifying your
child as a member of Mrs. Walker's class with your child's designated bus number.
A ziploc bag with a change of socks and underwear is recommended. You may wish to also include
a pair of pants and a shirt for slips in puddles, mud, etc. The bags will be kept in the classroom, and if used, unclean clothing
will be sent home for washing.
I will be sending each child home with a pocket folder which I will refer to as a "Home to School
Folder. Pockets will be labeled "From Home to School" and "From School to Home." This folder
should go back and forth from school to home daily and should contain any notes or dismissal
changes you may have for me. Should your child's folder "wear out," feel free to replace and we'll re-label the interior pockets.
When does my child work with special subject teachers?
Each week our class will visit different special subject teachers. Our schedule is as follows:
Monday ~ Spanish with Sr. Marcille
Tuesday ~ P.E. with Mrs. Costello
Wednesday ~ Library with Ms. Boulay and Music with Mr. Turner
Thursday ~ Art with Mrs. Dalton
In addition, we also have a regularly scheduled time to visit the Computer Lab where I will be
teaching a lesson that requires the use of the computer as a tool to facilitate the lesson.
Do children celebrate their birthdays in school?
Your child is welcome to celebrate his/her birthday in the classroom by sharing a non-food item
with his/her classmates. If your child's birthday occurs during the summer months when school is
not in session, his/her birthday may be celebrated as a half-birthday or on a designated day in
June. This is completely up to you.
If your child will be having a birthday party outside of school, please plan
to mail your invitations through the U.S. postal system.
What kind of volunteer opportunities are available?
In our kindergarten classroom volunteers are utilized to assist us throughout the week with
literacy workstations, in the library and with special crafts and activities. Volunteers are also
utilized from home to assist with a variety of activities such as making play-dough and washing
smocks.
All potential volunteers must complete a C.O.R.I. and agree to abide by the
Cole School Confidentiality Policy.
When will I attend a parent conference regarding my child's progress?
Parent conferences are scheduled in December and again in March. Of course you should feel free to
contact me at anytime should you have a question or concern about your child and a conference will
be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.
When will I receive my kindergartner's report card?
The first kindergarten report card is sent home in March prior to the scheduled parent conference. An
additional report card is sent home in June on the last day of school. Please note that in kindergarten,
the December parent conference is a verbal exchange of information intended to update parents on
their child's adjustment to school as well as social/emotional and academic growth.
How can I contact Mrs. Walker?
I can be reached at school during the day by phone and email. You may call the school at 978-887-
2856 and leave a voice mail message at extension 209. I will return your call as quickly as I am able
to. I can also be reached via email at hegwalker@yahoo.com or hwalker@boxfordschools.org.