Classroom Information and Projects
Arrival
Students may arrive between 7:50 a.m. to 8:10 a.m. in Room 106. You are able to walk your child to the classroom and help them with hanging up their backpacks, putting their lunches in the correct bin, and turning in their folders. Please be mindful that the children are starting their free choice activities, so once your child has settled in to an activity it is time to say your goodbyes.
Daily Folders
These will go to and from school everyday. The monthly calendar will be put in the plastic inset. The left-side pocket will have papers that are to be returned to school, while the right-side pocket will have papers that are to be left at home.
Scholastic Book Orders
I will be sending home Scholastic Book Catalogs once a month. You are not obligated in any way to purchase books. I send the catalogs home for two reasons: a) you can get great prices on new books and old favorites that you and your child can enjoy at home... I especially like the holiday books, and b) every book that you purchase helps earn points that go to building our own Pre-K 4 classroom library! You can sign-up online to order your books, but I can also call your order in when you return your order slip by the due date that is listed. If you would like to donate any of the books you order to the class, your child will be recognized, as a book plate will be placed inside the book cover!
Shared Reader
You will know when it is your child’s turn to be the Shared Reader! It will be listed on the monthly classroom calendar that is sent home in your child’s Daily Folder. Also, I will send home a reminder slip with your child that lists their date for sharing. All that is required is that your child chooses a book he/she would like to share with his/her classmates. On their sharing day, they will get to talk about their book and why they chose it for their classmates. I will then read the story aloud to the class. Please keep in mind that we will have about 10 minutes to read the story. After the story, your child will get to make an illustration of their book to be hung in the classroom. Happy reading!
Home-Talk
Please refer to the “Homework” tab on the left.
Birthdays
You child will be recognized on his/her 5th birthday! We will celebrate the occasion at the end of our school day. We are no longer celebrating with treats in school, but if you would like to drop of a SMALL store-bought treat with your child in the morning, that would be fine. They will then be distributed at the end of the day! Please make sure that the treat is pre-bagged. Be mindful that we have 10 students on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and then 19 students on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. If your child is a summer birthday, we will celebrate at the end of the year (May/June)! To make this day special, you are able to visit the classroom on their birthday and read a story to the class (preferably from 2:00 to 2:30 p.m.). If you would like donate a book to the class, we can put a special book label in the book that celebrates your child.
Holidays
Information regarding specific holidays celebrations will be sent home and posted in my Weekly Letter. Specific volunteer opportunities will be communicated through our wonderful Room Parents.
Field Trips
We will take two field trips during the year. One in the fall, and one in the spring. You will have opportunities to join us as a parent volunteer (who are Virtus trained) when the time gets closer to each trip.
Show & Tell
We will be on Thursdays & Fridays and it starts in November. In order to get the most out of Show & Tell, I ask that your child brings just one item to share. In addition, I ask that the item is related to that weeks theme (reading or math) or that it incorporates our letters of that week! Also, please make sure your child is able to transfer it easily to and from school! Finally, it doesn't have to be a toy... it could be a photo, book, or art piece!
Visiting Readers
Let me know if you would ever like to come into the classroom to read a story to the class and we can find a time! Preferably between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m. Please keep in mind that you must be in compliance.
Rest-Time
It is required that we have rest-time for one-hour since this is a full-day preschool program. The children do NOT have to sleep/nap, but they are asked to stay quietly on their individual mat for the hour time-frame. Of course, if they need to use the restroom or get a drink, they are allowed to do so. If they would like to bring something soft from home to cuddle with at this time that is fine, but I limit the home items to two. Your preschooler could choose from a blanket, stuffed animal, or book. Please no plastic, noise-making, or light-up toys. My classroom library will also be open if they want to choose a book to look at from school. Please be mindful on the size of the items you send with your child. Items that are too large can be difficult for the children to carry to the dismissal door and pack into their backpacks.
Dismissal
PK-4 dismisses at 2:40 p.m. at the Belden St. door. If you are picking up your child in a car, you will pull into the chute on Southport Ave. and be directed around the corner by volunteers to Belden St. Please make sure your name card is placed in the passenger side window or so that it flips down from your visor and visible through your front window. As you have come to a stop in the chute, please stay in your car and I will bring your child to your car. I will also place your child in their car seat and buckle them in. This helps keeps the chute moving. If you know that someone else is picking your child up, please let me know as soon as possible. I will ask that person to sign your child out when at the door. If your child is in the Extended Day Program, they will be dropped-off at the EDP room by our classroom aide.