Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of students and parents.
Do you need volunteers? What if I work full-time but, want to help?
YES! YES! YES! I love to have parents and grandparents in the classroom and your child does too! It is wonderful for your boys and girls to see you show an active interest in their school. If you have a specific day of the week you can come to our classroom, please let me know and I will have things scheduled for you. If you work full-time or are unable to volunteer your time in the classroom, feel free to help by donating items from the "Wish List" - equally appreciated!Back to Top
What can volunteers do to help the Pony Class?
There are many activities volunteers can do in the classroom or at your home. We need BOOK BUDDIES to read to or listen to the students read, RECESS BUDDIES to play and have FUN with the Ponies, CLASSROOM COOKS to assist the Ponies with fun food experiences, FIELDTRIP chaperones, CUTTERS to assemble books and activities, PONY PARTY PLANNER to help coordinate special treats and many, many more things. Please let me know if you have a special talent or career you would like to share.Back to Top
How do I get in touch with you?
If there is an emergency during the day or if you unexpectly need someone else to pick up your child, please call the office (775-0234). To discuss your student's progress or other questions or concerns, my email address is astidham@cullmancats.net.Back to Top
How can my family or business support our classroom and school?
I would love to have a "Smart Board" to use with my "Elmo". The cost is $1,400.00. They are awesome and the Ponies education would definately benefit from the technology. If your business needs a tax deduction - I can help! Please see me for additional details!Back to Top
When is the best time to have a conference with you?
I will be glad to conference with you any day during our PE time or after school. If you need to speak with me, please send a note and we can schedule a day and time to discuss your concerns.Back to Top
When are book orders due and how do we make payments?
We will have a book order each month. The due date for the order form will be written on the book order. Please send money by a check which is made out to the book club.Back to Top
DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills)is a set of tests which measure a child's early literacy skills. Students are tested at the beginning of kindergarten on Initial Sounds Fluency (Example--Can the student identify that the SOUND at the beginning of the word "cat" is /c/?) and Letter Naming Fluency (correctly naming letters within a 1 minute time constraint). In January, students are assessed again in the areas of Initial Sound Fluency, Letter Naming Fluency, and Phoneme Segmentation Fluency (breaking words apart into their sounds--for example, the word "grab" has 4 sounds /g/-/r/-/a/-/b/). In May, kindergarten students are tested for a final time in the areas of Phoneme Segmentation Fluency, Letter Naming Fluency, and Nonsense Word Fluency (decoding words such as vat, nix, etc.) The DIBELS assessment is simply used as an indicator of a student's progress and to identify areas of strength and areas which need further instruction.Back to Top
Breakfast is served in the lunchroom every morning beginning at 7:30. If you would like your child to eat breakfast at school, please drop them off at 7:30 at the exterior door adjacent to the lunchroom (drive around the school/door is at end of building next to dumpster). Students who receive free or reduced lunches may eat breakfast for free. All other students' breakfasts are $1.70.Back to Top
Can I eat lunch with my child?
We would love to have you eat with us! Grandparents are welcome too! Please send a note with your child to let me know you are coming and I will order a lunch for you. Lunch is at 11:25. Adult/visitor lunches are $3.50.Back to Top
We have special celebrations throughout the year when the Ponies have achieved a preset goal or reached a special milestone. We have two official class parties during the year at Christmas and Valentine's Day. Parent volunteers coordinate the snacks, drinks, and minimal decorations for the parties. For Christmas, our class takes up $5 per student and the homeroom chairman uses this to purchase the same gift for all the girls and the same gift for all the boys. This prevents disappointment and hurt feelings. For Valentine's day each child brings in a card for each of his/her classmates. These do not have to be fancy-- homemade or store-bought are both fine. We encourage all parents and grandparents to drop in for our parties!Back to Top
Can my child celebrate their birthday with the Pony class?
We always try to accommodate special treats for special occasions! *Please let me know ahead of time and we will coordinate a time for you to bring a birthday treat. The children like any type of cupcake or cookie (the easier to pass out individually, the better!) but please no soft drinks. If you wish to provide a drink, Capri Suns or fruit juice boxes are perfectly fine. Also, I request for children's safety that all items brought in be purchased rather than homemade.Back to Top
Other Questions, Comments or Concerns!
If you have any other questions, please e-mail me and I will respond ASAP. My e-mail link is on the home page of my class website, in the top right hand corner.Back to Top