We had a wonderful first day of school!  I can tell that we will have a great year!

A few quick notes for you.

• Snacks should be packed outside of the lunch box.  We bring the lunch bin down right away in the morning and snacks packed in lunches are gone.
• We have a drinking fountain in the classroom so water bottles are not necessary.  IF your child drinks water for lunch, please pack it in the lunch box.  No need to purchase a smaller water bottle-just label it with your child's name and help them remember to put it in the lunch bin.
• Folders will go home on Monday.  We will be a few days behind on some school-wide flyers but the delay means we will have a chance to establish the routine.  Once folders go home they will go back and forth EVERY DAY.

I am working to upload some photos from today.  Thanks to Ms. Diehl, Evangelia's mom, for taking great snapshots this morning.  They will be available SOON!   (They are worth the wait since they are super-cute!)

The Night Before Kindergarten

This is it!  I am sure, like me, you are wondering where the summer went and how your child got to be so old?  Remember I am here to help you make this transition smooth and happy.  You lay out the first day outfit, charge your cameras, and update facebook.  I will take care of the rest.

We will have a great year together and I look forward to starting it tomorrow morning with all of you.  Remember you are welcome to join us for the first hour of Kindergarten.  It is an opportunity for you to see the morning routine.  We will be done with our activities shortly before 9:00.

One of our morning routines is taking lunch count.  I have linked the menu for the month on the left of this post for you to see.  If your child plans on ordering hot lunch at any point this year, it is a good idea to order one this week when we have extra help in the lunch room.

Thanks for being patient this week with almost daily updates on the blog.  Once we are all in a routine you should only need to check back weekly.

Kindergarten is Almost Here!

Kindergarten is Almost Here!

Kindergarten is here! I am sure, like me, you are excited and a little nervous about a new beginning!  Here are a few notes to help you navigate the classroom, the school and our routines.  It was great seeing so many of you at supply drop off!  What a treat to meet so many of you before the first day!

First Day

• I hope you can stay for the first hour of Kindergarten.  At dismissal we will follow our regular procedures.  
• If it is raining during the drop off in the morning, I will open my classroom door.  After the first day, if it is raining, you will drop your child off in the cafeteria.  
• I will have goldfish for snack in case you forget to pack a snack those first few days.  Going forward, your child will want a snack as we eat lunch rather late. 

Schedule:

• Opening Bell rings at 7:55.  We will go in at 7:57.  
• Lunch and Recess is from 11:45-12:40
• Closing Bell is 2:55.  Wednesday it is at 1:55.
• If you arrive after 8:00 please go to the office for a tardy slip.  
• If your child will be absent call the office.  Please let me know via email. 
• Please stay with your child until the bell rings in the morning.  Please arrive promptly for dismissal.  Children get nervous when they see all their friends leave and they are still waiting for a familiar face.

Communication:

• A folder will go home EVERY DAY with a daily report after the first week.  Please talk with your child every day about this report.  I will do my best to get these out on the first day using your child's supply folders.  However-my priority the first day is your children.  It may be the next day before this folder is ready to go home.
• I will update the blog weekly.  I will send you an email when it is updated.  If you prefer a hard copy, please let me know.  
• For day to day communication- email is best.  You can reach me at bparkinson@op97.org
• I will respond to your email within 24 hours.  It is hard for me to email during the day unless I have a planning period.  If you need to get a hold of me during the day please call the office. 708-524-3090

Health and Wellness

• We will have a snack each morning.  I will provide goldfish for the first few days.  After that (or before if you prefer) you should send in a snack for your child.  It is a good idea to have it labeled so there is no confusion.  We have allergies in the classroom.  Please talk with your child about NOT sharing snacks and lunches.  
• Our lunch is late so encourage your child to eat a hearty breakfast and pack a snack that has some staying power.  
• PLEASE TALK WITH YOUR CHILD EACH MORNING ABOUT WHAT S/HE WILL HAVE FOR LUNCH THAT DAY.  
• LUNCH CHOICES ARE: HOT LUNCH (school) or HOME LUNCH.  Milk is included in hot lunch.   IF YOUR CHILD HAS A HOME LUNCH they can order milk-but they need to know it in the morning. 
• NO NUTS in our classroom, but it is fine to have nuts in lunches as the cafeteria has a nut free table.  Please no peanut butter granola bars, no peanuts or nuts in snack mixes, etc.
• Plan on ordering a hot lunch once in the first two weeks when I will be in the cafeteria to help.
• No edible birthday treats.  More on that on curriculum night. (September 24.)
• I cannot give medicine.  Our school nurse, Ms. Jaime Strokosch will help you navigate medical forms.

Other Information

• I am looking for lots of great parent volunteers throughout the week.  There will be opportunities to work with individual students, help with projects, and help with keeping the classroom looking great.  Please consider signing up on curriculum night.
• Homework will start in a few weeks.  It will go home on Monday and should be returned on Friday.