September 10, 2009

Dear JK/ SK Friends and Families,

The end of the day pick up routine will be changing for us. There is too much traffic and congestion in our hallway and outside our classroom with parents coming and going from the Best Start room and Room 5. Mrs Richards’ class will be picked up outside now. The students will be packed up and ready for their bus buddies or parents to pick them up outside across from our play area, against the outside wall by Mrs Chinnick’s door. The students’ bus buddies will be told of this change, they will pick them up outside and take them directly to the bus. For parents picking up children there is no need for you to come inside the school, rather walk up the asphalt towards the play area and Mrs Richards will dismiss your child to you. There is an overhang that will protect us from any unkind weather as we wait for dismissal, but appropriate clothing is important each day.

Thank you for your cooperation. This should make for a less hectic dismissal.

Samantha Richards

JK/SK Teacher

TAPS

Hi! I would like to welcome our JK and SK friends. I hope that everyone has had a great summer.

Below are some reminders to ensure that your child is prepared for this school year.

Each child will need:

-a bookbag/backpack (with their name on it) to carry things back and forth to school. I will give every student a ziplock bag. This is to be kept in your child’s backpack. The bag will be for any correspondence between home and school. I will check the bag every morning. Please check the bag every night to see if anything has been sent home.

-a pair of Velcro or slip on shoes for indoor wear. Please, no laces unless your child can tie them independently. These should be labeled with your child’s name. They will be left at school.

-extra clothing (shirt, pants, socks and underwear) in a ziplock or grocery bag and labeled with your child’s name (on the clothes and the bag). The clothes will be kept at school in case of an accident, spills or puddles.

-one box of Kleenex to share. We go through a lot of Kleenex, especially in the winter. These do not need to be labeled.

Routines:

Each month a calendar and newsletter will be sent home to keep you informed about our day-to-day happenings.

Arrival: Students can be dropped off at the Early Years area after 9:00. Bus buddies will take any students that arrive by bus to the Early Years area. Students will play outside until the bell rings and then they will line up at our classroom door.

Lunch: We have two nutrition breaks that are 40 minutes each. Students eat for the first 20 minutes of each break and go outside for the next 20 minutes.

Our school is a “Nut Aware” school. Please do not send foods that are made with or may contain traces of nuts. We appreciate your assistance with helping to keep all of our students safe. Please read the pamphlet that is being sent home for more information. Due to severe allergies in our school we are asking that the Early Years students not bring any food treats to share with others. If you wish to send in treats, you may send in non food items (e.g. pencils, erasers, stickers, etc.). Please contact me with any questions.

Recess: We play outside at the same time as the rest of the school. We have our own playground area that is only for JK/SK students.

Toys from home: Please do not send toys from home. I would not want a toy to get lost or broken. Everyone will have several turns to be our sharing friend. They may choose to bring in a favourite toy to show the class at that time. I will be sending further information on this at a later time.

Illness: If your child is going to be absent or late, please call the school and leave a message.

Dismissal: The dismissal bell rings at 3:35. If you will be picking your child up, you may pick him/her up by a little early to avoid the confusion at dismissal time. Please wait outside the classroom in the hall well out of the way of student traffic. I will look for you and your child will be sent out to you. Students who ride buses will leave when the bell rings at 3:35. They will be picked up by their bus buddy and taken to the bus. If alternate arrangements are made for how your child will be getting home or who will be picking your child up, please call the school or send a note.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at the school. Thank you for your understanding and co-operation. Let’s have a super year!

Samantha Richards

richarsa@lkdsb.net