Welcome to Kindergarten!

Parent Information 

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE

Your child’s regular and prompt attendance at school is crucial to his/her success.  I can’t emphasize this enough.  Most of the activities in your child’s day are group oriented and involve interaction with other students.  It is difficult to make up this work at home.  It is school policy that if a child is going to be absent, the parent is expected to notify the school.  The school office number is 428-5473.

ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL TIMES

Morning Kindergarten:

Arrival time is between 8:40-8:55.

Please do not send your child before 8:40 or your child will not be supervised.

Start time is 8:55        Dismissal time is 11:45

Afternoon Kindergarten

Arrival time is between 12:40-12:55.

I will unlock the “Kindergarten Door” (SE entrance) at 12:40. Children should not arrive before 12:40 because they will not be supervised.

Start time is 12:55        Dismissal time is 3:45

HOME PLANS

If there is a change of plans as to where or how your child is to go home from school, please send a note, call the office or tell me in person.  Although usually reliable, I cannot go by the child’s word.   

YUMMIES IN OUR TUMMIES

We will have milk break every day with the option for snack.  This will depend on the status of “Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard.”  Your help is needed to fill the cupboard.  Please send snacks for the class anytime during the school year.  I do not assign specific dates to bring snacks – just send them at your convenience.  It looks like we will have about 17 tummies in each class.  I will let you know a more accurate number after the year gets going.

Healthy Snacks are more than welcome – just be sure to send spoons if you send applesauce or pudding and pre-wash fruit.  Pre-packaged snacks (cookies, crackers, gummies, etc.) allow me to fill “The Cupboard” if more than one child brings a snack on any given day or if we have a snack planned to go with a theme.  Thank you!

TAKE HOME FOLDERS

Your child’s take home folder will be a vital source of information for you.  The folder may contain work samples for your child to share with you.  The folder will also serve as a primary means for relaying important letters, newsletters, and notes. 

 Please be sure to check and empty your child’s folder DAILY!  Thanks!

LABELING

Please be sure to label your child’s belongings.  Remember to repeat this process when it’s time for winter clothing.  Believe, me, I have seen A LOT of pairs of “look alike” snowpants, mittens, etc.!

MONEY

Occasionally, your child may need to bring money to school.  Please send the money in a sealed envelope with the following information on it:

1.  Your child’s first and last name

2.  The amount of money

3.  Purpose for money (book order, party money, milk ticket, etc.)

4.  Teacher’s name and class section  (Mrs. Stone K-AM or Mrs. Stone K-PM)

This information helps the office and I reduce the likelihood of errors and allow for identification if lost.

OUTDOOR RECESS

The children go outside for recess (free play) on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s unless it is raining or extremely cold.  Please keep this in mind when helping your child select clothes and shoes for the day.  We are fortunate to have a variety of playground equipment and would like the children to be “dressed to play!” 

When shopping for shoes, boots and outdoor gear, be aware of how easy (OR DIFFICULT!) they are to put on.  We would like the children to be as independent as possible when dressing themselves to go outdoors.  And, since outdoor play is a highlight, children seem to want to be ready in record time.  Test out zippers, buttons and laces to make sure they are not frustrating for your child.

For the most part, if your child is well enough to be at school, he/she is well enough to go out for recess. In fact, the germs that cause colds thrive more readily in the heated indoor air and it is beneficial to go outside and get some fresh air.  If for some reason, your child cannot go outdoors, please send a written note.  Since I will be outside on playground duty, any child that needs to stay inside will have to “hang out” with Heidi in the office.

ACTIVITIES SCHEDULE

We will be having our activities on a four day rotation schedule.  These activities include art, music gym and computer.  Every month, I will send home a calendar with a schedule of our designated activities.  If we miss an unexpected day of school (i.e. snow day), the activity scheduled for that day will move to the following school day.  This will alter your whole calendar and I will send home a revised schedule.

Your child will need tennis shoes on the days we have gym.  These can be the same shoes your child wears to school, or you may send a pair in his/her backpack.  Shoes that do not leave black scuff marks are required.

LIBRARY

We will be visiting the school library once a week throughout the school year.  I will note the specific day of the week on your activity calendar. 

Each child will have the opportunity to check out one book.  The book needs to be returned by the next library visit in order to check out a new book.

BIRTHDAYS

We will celebrate each child’s birthday at school.  If you wish, you may send treats for the children in your child’s class on the birthday.  If your child has a summer birthday, you may choose any school day to celebrate.  Just drop me a note to give me a heads up.  Just a suggestion…consider celebrating a summer birthday on their “half birthday.” J  Also, if a birthday falls on a weekend, you may choose whether that Friday or Monday work best to celebrate.

Birthday Invitations…I realize this gets to be a difficult subject but please be somewhat discrete when sending birthday invitations.  I know birthday parties are often limited to a few friends at this age, which can sometimes lead to hurt feelings.  If possible, please give or mail out invitations outside of school hours.  If you would like to have invitations handed out at school, please instruct your child to give them to me to hand out during an inconspicuous time.   Thanks for your thoughtfulness.

ADULTS IN A KINDERGARTNER’S DAY

Dr. John Jewett:  Principal

Ms. Jody Stone:  Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. Lori Morris:  Kindergarten Teacher

Ms. JoAnn Borns:  Kindergarten Associate

Ms. Eileen Elverson:  Art Instructor

Mr. Ryan Robb:  Gym Instructor

Ms. Audrey Boerema:  Music Instructor

Ms. Lisa Mathiason:  Computer Instructor

Ms. Heidi Adams:  School Secretary

Ms. Dolly Feehan:  Librarian

Ms. Sara Hoogestraat:  Counselor

Ms. Jill Dvorak:  School Nurse