requently Asked Questions: This page contains answers to common questions
of students and parents.
What does my child need to bring for snack?.
WE ARE A KIWI-FREE CLASSROOM THIS YEAR!!!!! PLEASE, PLEASE check and double your labels.
While most preschoolers bring fruit, crackers, cheese, fruit snacks, raisins, pudding cups, even sandwiches, I would like to encourage you to occasionally send your child with something that requires utensils to eat. It's such good practice, and also a precursor to holding writing utensils! Anything that is manageable by your child and that you think he/she will eat.
Morning snack is generally between 9:30 and 9:45 and in the afternoon class, we usually have snack at 1:30,
so keep these times in mind when feeding your child before coming to school.
What if my child isn't toilet trained yet?
Many of the children in preschool aren't yet toilet-trained, or are working on it. I work very closely with families to maintain consistency and have many children on toileting schedules and reward systems, as needed. Please be sure to send your child with enough diapers, pull-ups, wipes, etc. and if you make a change over to underpants, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
thanks
What do I do if my child is out sick?
Please call me directly in the classroom before 8:00 (I'm at school no later than 7:30, and will see a message if you leave one), (or 11:20 for pm students) and if your child rides the bus, please also call the bus company to save them a trip--thanks You can also e-mail me--I check my e-mail before leaving the house in the morning and several times throughout the day.
When is my sick child too sick to be at school?
PLEASE CHECK THE STUDENT HANDBOOK-THE POLICY FOR ILLNESS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE MUCH MORE STRICT THIS YEAR!
Obviously, use your own judgement, but children who have been vomiting,running fevers, up all night or coughing excessively should not be in school. I don't worry too much about runny noses-everyone has them. Check the student handbook for any other more specific regulations.
My child is taking medication--should I send it with him/her?
NOOOOO! I can not dispense medication of any kind! This includes cough drops. If your child needs to take something during the day, please, please, bring it to the school nurse and she will dispense it.
What should my child wear to preschool?
Your child should wear comfortable play clothes every day that he/she can manage as independently as possible and also that can get dirty. We take our time in preschool very seriously, and often get very dirty. Although the children always wear paint smocks, some inevitably gets on clothes. And in hair, and on faces.....! We do a lot of rolling around on the floor and try to spend as much time outside as possible. I know all the children love, love, love their Crocs, but safer footwear is appreciated. During boot season, the children need to change in to SHOES, not slippers, and not socks. We never know when we might have to leave the building for a fire drill.
How are birthdays addressed?
On your child's birthday, he/she will be given a special crown to wear, we will sing "Happy Birthday" at circle, and if you choose to send in a treat to share, we will enjoy it at snack. Non-edible treats such as bubbles or stickers are fun too, as we regularly have students on restricted diets. Please touch base with me a day or 2 prior to the big day so I can relay the message to parents of children with restrictions, so they have a chance to provide a safe treat for their child.
What about holiday parties?
I try to keep these as low-key as possible. Stay tuned for more information regarding parties this year!
Are there parent volunteers?
I generally prefer not to have volunteers in the classroom for 2 reasons.
#1: this is a special education environment and confidentiality is strictly enforced.
#2: I have found that preschool students respond to teachers much more effectively when parents are not around. If you would like to help out, I often have cutting, laminating, copying etc. that can be done. I will also be looking for a parent to manage monthly book orders. If you are interested, let me know.
Is there outside play time?
Yes, but as the weather gets colder, it is not possible for us to go out every day, due to the time constraints. Until the snow comes,we will squeeze in as many days as possible, so please be sure your child is prepared every day with a jacket or sweatshirt in the fall and coats, hats and mittens when it gets colder. We do not go outside when the temperature is below 20 degrees. During the fall and spring, we sometimes have some of our gross motor centers outside as well, weather permitting.
It's very important that all children be prepared on all designated "outside" days, as the safety of the group becomes compromised if one staff member must remain inside with a child who is unprepared for the day's scheduled activities.
What about confidentiality?
Our classroom is a special education program and under IDEA, the rights of the children are closely monitored. This means, that I can NOT answer questions about other children, can not tell you other children's last names, addresses, phone numbers, disability,etc.
If a parent or staff member is interested in photographing/videotaping the class,permission must be granted from all parents.
Please do not ask the paraeducators about children other than your own, and if there is important information that needs to be shared about your child, please come to me personally.
Feel free to ask me questions about your own child.
of students and parents.
What does my child need to bring for snack?.
WE ARE A KIWI-FREE CLASSROOM THIS YEAR!!!!! PLEASE, PLEASE check and double your labels.
While most preschoolers bring fruit, crackers, cheese, fruit snacks, raisins, pudding cups, even sandwiches, I would like to encourage you to occasionally send your child with something that requires utensils to eat. It's such good practice, and also a precursor to holding writing utensils! Anything that is manageable by your child and that you think he/she will eat.
Morning snack is generally between 9:30 and 9:45 and in the afternoon class, we usually have snack at 1:30,
so keep these times in mind when feeding your child before coming to school.
What if my child isn't toilet trained yet?
Many of the children in preschool aren't yet toilet-trained, or are working on it. I work very closely with families to maintain consistency and have many children on toileting schedules and reward systems, as needed. Please be sure to send your child with enough diapers, pull-ups, wipes, etc. and if you make a change over to underpants, PLEASE LET ME KNOW!
thanks
What do I do if my child is out sick?
Please call me directly in the classroom before 8:00 (I'm at school no later than 7:30, and will see a message if you leave one), (or 11:20 for pm students) and if your child rides the bus, please also call the bus company to save them a trip--thanks You can also e-mail me--I check my e-mail before leaving the house in the morning and several times throughout the day.
When is my sick child too sick to be at school?
PLEASE CHECK THE STUDENT HANDBOOK-THE POLICY FOR ILLNESS IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE MUCH MORE STRICT THIS YEAR!
Obviously, use your own judgement, but children who have been vomiting,running fevers, up all night or coughing excessively should not be in school. I don't worry too much about runny noses-everyone has them. Check the student handbook for any other more specific regulations.
My child is taking medication--should I send it with him/her?
NOOOOO! I can not dispense medication of any kind! This includes cough drops. If your child needs to take something during the day, please, please, bring it to the school nurse and she will dispense it.
What should my child wear to preschool?
Your child should wear comfortable play clothes every day that he/she can manage as independently as possible and also that can get dirty. We take our time in preschool very seriously, and often get very dirty. Although the children always wear paint smocks, some inevitably gets on clothes. And in hair, and on faces.....! We do a lot of rolling around on the floor and try to spend as much time outside as possible. I know all the children love, love, love their Crocs, but safer footwear is appreciated. During boot season, the children need to change in to SHOES, not slippers, and not socks. We never know when we might have to leave the building for a fire drill.
How are birthdays addressed?
On your child's birthday, he/she will be given a special crown to wear, we will sing "Happy Birthday" at circle, and if you choose to send in a treat to share, we will enjoy it at snack. Non-edible treats such as bubbles or stickers are fun too, as we regularly have students on restricted diets. Please touch base with me a day or 2 prior to the big day so I can relay the message to parents of children with restrictions, so they have a chance to provide a safe treat for their child.
What about holiday parties?
I try to keep these as low-key as possible. Stay tuned for more information regarding parties this year!
Are there parent volunteers?
I generally prefer not to have volunteers in the classroom for 2 reasons.
#1: this is a special education environment and confidentiality is strictly enforced.
#2: I have found that preschool students respond to teachers much more effectively when parents are not around. If you would like to help out, I often have cutting, laminating, copying etc. that can be done. I will also be looking for a parent to manage monthly book orders. If you are interested, let me know.
Is there outside play time?
Yes, but as the weather gets colder, it is not possible for us to go out every day, due to the time constraints. Until the snow comes,we will squeeze in as many days as possible, so please be sure your child is prepared every day with a jacket or sweatshirt in the fall and coats, hats and mittens when it gets colder. We do not go outside when the temperature is below 20 degrees. During the fall and spring, we sometimes have some of our gross motor centers outside as well, weather permitting.
It's very important that all children be prepared on all designated "outside" days, as the safety of the group becomes compromised if one staff member must remain inside with a child who is unprepared for the day's scheduled activities.
What about confidentiality?
Our classroom is a special education program and under IDEA, the rights of the children are closely monitored. This means, that I can NOT answer questions about other children, can not tell you other children's last names, addresses, phone numbers, disability,etc.
If a parent or staff member is interested in photographing/videotaping the class,permission must be granted from all parents.
Please do not ask the paraeducators about children other than your own, and if there is important information that needs to be shared about your child, please come to me personally.
Feel free to ask me questions about your own child.