ABC
Each day we work on activities to help the children understand the
relationship between letter and sounds. We explore reading and writing
together!
Absences
A written excuse is required (by New York State law) each time your child is
absent from school. Please refer to the Student Handbook for school policy
information regarding excessive absences.
Arrival & Dismissal
The front doors open at 8:00 am. Any child arriving after 8:10 is
considered tardy. Those children must report to the office for a "Late
Pass" before reporting to the classroom. The children are dismissed at 2:55
pm from the front doors. If your child is being picked up early (ex. for a
doctor or dentist appointment) you will need to go to the main office. They
will call our classroom for your child to be dismissed.
Art Smock
An old, large t-shirt (one of mom's or dad's!) makes an excellent paint
shirt for those messy projects! Please send in a smock for your child as
soon as possible.
Birthdays
We love to celebrate birthdays! Each month birthdays will be scheduled on
our calendar. Please check to see when during your child's birthday month,
we plan to celebrate. If your child has a summer birthday, we will
celebrate their "half birthday". The children may bring a special treat for
their birthday snack to share with the class. Cupcakes or cookies are
fine. Please do not send in cakes.
Book bags
A book bag or back pack will be needed each day to carry home papers,
projects and our Communication Notebook. The bag should be large enough
that your child can put in and take out papers without much difficulty.
Book Clubs
Each month you will have the opportunity to purchase books for your child at
very reasonable prices. This is an option for you. Money and order forms
(with your child's name on it) are returned to me. Checks are to be made
payable to the book company. The books usually arrive within two weeks.
Change of Clothes
Each child is asked to bring in a complete (underwear, socks, shirt, pants)
change of clothes to keep in school. This allows your child to have clothes
that fit in case of any one of the following: bloody nose, spilled milk,
bathroom accidents, vomiting, etc.
Communication Notebooks
The school will be providing each child with a steno notebook so that
home/school communication is encouraged. I read the notebooks first thing
each morning. I will make a sincere effort to write in each child's notebook
at least twice a week (hopefully more!). I would like you to write to me,
as well, with any concerns, questions or comments. We are a team in your
child's education, so your input is important to me! Please check your
child's notebook each day and return it to me the next school day. This has
proven to be an amazing way to keep in touch! Bus notes, early dismissal
notes, or notes for the nurse should not be included in our Communication
Notebook.
Computers
The children will attend Computer Lab, w/ our computer teacher, beginning in
October. We also have computers in the classroom that the children are able
to use during Play Station time.
Contacting Me
You may send a note or call the school to contact me. An even better way to
contact me is via our school email. The computer is on my desk and notifies
me when I receive a new message. I am able to respond several times
throughout the day. You may email me at alapuma@dolgeville.org
The phone number at the school is 429-3155. You will hear a recording giving
you various prompts. You may enter my extension number 1206 and leave me a
message. The phone will NOT ring in my room - it will go directly to my
voice mail. If you leave a message, I will get back to you as soon as
possible. If you are calling regarding an issue requiring more immediate
attention (for example, a bus change for that day), you may choose to speak
with a secretary in the elementary office and she will get the message to me.
Gym and Recess
The children have Gym class every other day. They go to recess each day
after lunch. The children need sneakers each day (a pair may be left in
school).
Ingredients
On occasion, I may request that each child or certain children, bring in a
specific ingredient for a cooking project. If you feel you are unable to
send in the requested ingredient, please drop me a note the day before the
cooking project, so that I can obtain the ingredient elsewhere. This will
prevent the cooking project from being cancelled.
Labels
Please label all items belonging to your child: coats, lunch boxes, art
smocks, book bags and especially ANYTHING containing money.
Language
Language activities are a priority in kindergarten. We use books, class
made books, Big Books, poems and songs, as well as, our Morning Message
(daily news), to provide a language rich learning environment.
Lunch
The cost of a school lunch is $1.50. You may pay for school lunches by the
day, week or month. When 10 lunches are paid for at one time, your child
will receive one free. Checks should be made payable to Dolgeville Central
School. Students bringing a lunch from home, may purchase milk for 25 cents.
Mascot
We have a frog class mascot named Freddy. Each child will have a turn to
bring him home for a few days. He will be sent home in a backpack with a
journal and frog books. Please write in the journal with your child about
the adventures our frog has with your family. Photos and drawings by your
child will add interest to the journal when it is shared with the class.
Please be considerate in returning him on the assigned day so that the next
child can have his/her turn. The children LOVE this activity!
Math
The children explore the world of math and numbers by using real objects to
help build mathematical understanding. They will sort, graph, classify,
pattern, measure, estimate and more!
Money
I will be providing each child with a Ziploc bag that may be used for
carrying money to school. Any time money needs to be brought to school,
please put it in your child's Ziploc bag (or an envelope) with a note
stating your child's name, how much money you are sending and what the money
is to be used for (ex. lunch money, book orders, field trip, etc.)
Morning Program and VIP
Kindergarten/Headstart Morning Program is held each Wednesday beginning in
October. MP is held in the auditorium from approximately 8:15 am - 8:45 or
so. We love to have parents join us! Each child will have an opportunity
to be our class VIP (Very Important Person). We generally go in alphabetical
order (by first names) and this will occur twice a month at Morning
Program. I will try to put each child's VIP date on the monthly calendar,
so that you can plan to attend.
Parties
During the course of the year, we will be having 5 classroom parties. Each
child will be asked to bring a party snack for one of the parties. The
monthly calendar will indicate which party the children are scheduled for.
I will also send home a Parties List for the year.
Rest Time
We have rest time each afternoon. The school provides rest mats. We do not
use pillows, blankets or stuffed animals.
Science, Social Studies and Health
The children learn about themselves and the wonderful world around them!
There are many opportunities to explore, compare and experiment.
Snack
Milk and crackers will be provided by the school each afternoon. I allow the
children to choose each morning whether they would like milk on that day.
If you would like to send in a snack for the children, they do enjoy a
change from crackers, now and then. Please be sure to send enough for the
class (15).
Toys
Due to the possibility of loss or damage, toys should not be brought to
school, unless I have specifically requested something for a special day
(ex. stuffed bear for Bear Day).
Writing
We work on handwriting (also called penmanship), as well as, writing to
express our ideas. Our writing program is called "Handwriting Without
Tears". Please use the examples I send home to have your child practice
their printing. The children will also use letters, numbers and pictures to
write to express ideas. They will learn to listen for sounds and to write
the letters that make those sounds. ALL attempts at reading and writing are
encouraged and accepted!
