Frequently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions of
students and parents.
- Is there any way I can reach you after school hours?
- When does my child eat lunch? Can I eat with him/her?
- What should I do if someone else is going to pick up my child at school?
- What can I do at home to help my child have a more successful year?
- What does my child need to know before coming to kindergarten?
- What are phase-in days?
Is there any way I can reach you after school hours?
Feel free to e-mail me anytime. My e-mail is
ktownsend@clevelandschools.org. I am usually in the school
building until 4:00 daily. However, the office closes at 3:30.
So, you may contact me on my cell. I will give you this number at
our parent meeting.
When does my child eat lunch? Can I eat with him/her?
You are always welcome to eat with your child at school. The
cafeteria staff appreciates a note letting them know you plan to
join us so that they can prepare enough food. But, if you have
some time on your hand, pop in for lunch any time. Our lunch
time is 10:35 - 11:05. Let me warn you, though. School lunch
time is a real experience!
What should I do if someone else is going to pick up my child at school?
If someone who is not on our dismissal cards will be picking
up your child from school, please send a note or call the
school. You can directlydial the classroom by calling 479 - 4231
and asking for my classroom, or extension 109.
What can I do at home to help my child have a more successful year?
Be positive and supportive. Encourage your child to always do
his/herpersonal best, then praise him when he does so. Look over
your child's workwith him, talking about what he/she did well.
Discuss any mistakes he/she may have, and talk about what he/she
could have done to correct them. Make sure your child gets
plenty of rest each night and eats a healthy breakfast
each morning. *Our cafeteria serves breakfast daily from 7:30 -
8:00.
What does my child need to know before coming to kindergarten?
Children develop at different rates. All children cannot be
expected to be at the same level when they begin kindergarten.
However, as a basic guideline, we have some general expectations.
We would like for your child to enter kindergarten ready to
learn. This means that he/she can separate from Mom or Dad
easily, is prepared to sit in a seat when asked to do so,
and understands that he/she is expected to follow directions
given by the teachers. Your child should be able to indepently
take care of his/her bathroom needs. We would like for your child
to be able to recognize his/her name in print. While it is
beneficial for incoming kindergarteners to know colors, basic
shapes, some letters and numbers, it is not a prerequisite.
We will begin working on these concepts from day one.
What are phase-in days?
It can be a very overwhelming experience for a child to begin
kindergarten, especially when there are 20 other students in the
room. Therefore, we have a phase-in day which allows your child
to acclimate himself to the classroom without being overwhelmed.
On these days, only 6 or 7 students will be attending. This will
ease your child into the process. This schedule provides your
child an opportunity to get to know a few friends
and his/her teachers on a more personal basis. Then, when he
comes back to school with all of his classmates, he will have the
security of knowing a few friends and knowing that his teacher
knows his name and who he is.