August 15, 2011
Dear Families,
Welcome to kindergarten! My name is Megan Johnson and I will be your child’s teacher. I am fortunate to have Christine Leavitt, paraprofessional working with me as part of our classroom team. Kindergarten is a dynamic year, full of tremendous growth. It is also a time of great transition for children and parents. Below you will find some important information to help you get ready for kindergarten.
Backpacks/bags: Your child should have a backpack or bag that they bring to and from school. It should be big enough to fit their supplies for the day (snack, lunch, snow pants, boots, notes…).
Arrival/dismissal: For the few weeks of school we will be meeting outside at the bus loop. There will be a sign with my name on it so you know where to meet. We will say our good-byes outside and walk inside as a class. After students are comfortable with the arrival process they will walk to the classroom on their own. Students will enter the school through the main lobby by way of the front doors. At dismissal pick ups will be brought to the lobby and bus students will be taken to their busses. On the first day of school students will be given a name tag with their name and teacher on the front and their dismissal information on the back. For the first couple of weeks have your child wear their name tag so that we can help them safely get where they need to go in the morning and at the end of the day.
Snack/lunch money envelope: We will send home an envelope each Friday for snack and lunch the following week. Please complete the information on the front of the envelope and send the envelope back on Monday. Please fill the envelope out even if your child is bringing snack and lunch from home. This helps us ensure all students have the proper snack and lunch. If you are going to purchase snack and/or lunch from school and would like to write a check please make it payable to the Norris School Lunch Program. The school lunch menu will be sent home each month and can also be found on the school’s web site (wmnorris.com).
Lunch: We eat lunch at 11:30 each day. Students may purchase lunch through the cafeteria for $2.50 (lunch and drink) or a drink (milk or juice) for $.35. Lunch orders are taken at the beginning of the day. Please help your child know if or what they will be ordering for the day. This helps the lunch count go smoothly and quickly during our busy morning. Monthly menus are sent home each month and can also be found on the school’s web site. Keep in mind that we are a peanut/nut free school. This means that food items that have tree nuts or peanuts in them are not allowed. In addition items that were manufactured in a facility that processes tree nuts/peanuts or processed on machinery shared with tree nuts/peanuts are not allowed. Please help your child know what food is meant for snack and what food is meant for lunch.
Snack: We have snack time each afternoon. Please pack a healthy snack such as fruit, yogurt, cheese, crackers, or veggies. Keep in mind that we are a peanut/nut free school. This means that food items that have tree nuts or peanuts in them are not allowed. In addition items that were manufactured in a facility that processes tree nuts/peanuts or processed on machinery shared with tree nuts/peanuts are not allowed. School snack is available for purchase for $.75. The school snack menu will be sent home each month. Please help your child know what food is meant for snack and what food is meant for lunch.
Quiet time: After lunch we have a quiet time. During this time some students fall asleep while other rest, read or talk quietly. Please send in a towel that can be used as a resting place. Clearly mark the towel with your child’s name. Towels will be kept at school but will be sent home monthly to be washed.
Something special from home: Entering kindergarten is a big transition. It can feel overwhelming and a bit scary. To help with the transition it is okay for your child to bring something to school that will help them feel safe and remind them of home. This could be a special stuffed animal, a picture of their family, a small blanket…It will be kept in their cubby and when they need a bit of reassurance they can give their stuffed animal a hug, or look at the picture of their family.
Recess: We go out most days unless it is raining or the temperature is below 10 degrees. Please help your child select suitable clothing and shoes so that they will be safe and comfortable on the playground.
Specials: Each week students will attend music, library, physical education and art. I will let you know the specials schedule the first week of school so that your child can be prepared for PE class.
Clothes/Extra Clothes: Please label all coats, backpacks, sweaters, sweatshirts and lunchboxes with your child’s name. It is amazing how often children forget what their clothing looks like. It also helps when looking for lost items. Please send in an extra set of clothing to have on hand in case of accidents (spilled drink, paint, wet slides…). Place the clothes in a labeled shoe box. Make sure all clothing is labeled with your child’s name.
Notes: If there will be any change to the way your child is dismissed at the end of the day, please send a note with your child to school.
Make sure you date and sign the note. The note is sent to the office so that the office is aware of the change. If your child is going on a different bus or is riding the same bus but getting off at a different bus stop the bus driver will be given the note (signed by the office) as the child gets on the bus at the end of the day. Notes can also be sent in to let us know about things that might be affecting your child. For example, if they did not sleep well or had a bad dream it would be helpful for us to know so that we can support them throughout the day.
Birthdays: Birthdays are very important to young children. They are exciting and bring great joy. We want to celebrate your child and make them feel important. Some families enjoy sending in something special on their child’s birthday. If you want to send in a treat, please let me know several days ahead of time. There are children with food allergies that may not be able to eat the treat you send in and other arrangements for that child can be made with enough planning time.
Conferences/Communication: Official parent teacher conferences are held twice a year (October/March) but at any time if you have questions and/or concerns about your child we can meet or talk on the phone.
The school’s phone number is 527-0811. I can also be reached by email (mjohnson@hr-k12.org).
Classroom Volunteers: Through out the year we will be asking for volunteers to help with special projects and activities. We also love having family members come in and read. All volunteers must have a completed CORI on file with the school. CORI forms can be picked up in the main office. The forms take up to a couple of weeks to process so they can not be completed right before a field trip. The CORI is good for three years. There are also several things that could be done at home. If you are interested in helping, please let us know!
Classroom Donations: Throughout the year I will let you know of needed supplies based on upcoming activities and needs. These items will be included in newsletters and in the pocket chart in the front lobby.
Gifts: At holiday times some families like to give gifts to teachers as an expression of thanks. I ask that instead of giving gifts to the teachers that you give a gift to the class. This gift could be a copy of your child’s favorite book, game, or gift card. Please do not feel that you need to but if you do please keep this request in mind.
I look forward to getting to know you and your child this year. Have a wonderful end to your summer!
Newsletter highlights/review:
On the first day of school your child will need:
- a full sized backpack
- an extra set of clothes, labeled with their name and in a shoe box
- a towel, labeled with their name for quiet time
- a lunch
- a snack
- a special transitional object (stuffed animal, blanket, picture…) if needed
* For the first several days of school we will be meeting outside school by the bus loop at the start of the school day.
*Have your child wear their name tag to and from school for the first couple of weeks of school.
* I can be contacted by phone (413-527-0811) or by email (mjohnson@hr-k12.org).
Important dates:
September 6th – first day of school
September 12th – ice cream social (students and their family are invited to school in the evening for an ice cream sundae and to socialize with other Norris families)
September 20th – open house (students and their family are invited to explore the classroom and school, meet their teachers and other members of the class)
September 26th- picture day (picture envelopes will be sent home the week before)
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