August 15, 2008

Dear Pre-First (Kindergarten) Families,

         With our summer of fun soon to be over, we need to give some attention to the first few days of school. We are looking forward to another year full of having fun, learning new material, and making great friends. We wish to extend a welcome to our new families that are joining us this year. If you have been here before we are excited to have you back and would appreciate you offering help to anyone looking bewildered on the first day of school.

You and your child are invited to a “Meet your Teacher” Party on Thursday, August 28th, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. This party is for all Pre-First students and parents. This initial visit will make the first day of school in September a little easier on you and your child. Our Pre-First teachers will greet you in the back yard. Students will be escorted to the classroom with parents. Parents who are able to easily separate from their child will join on the back porch for a “question and answer” session and enjoy refreshments while the children complete a short activity and visit with their teacher. Sign-ups will be available for enrichment classes, parent volunteer opportunities, car pools, etc.

On the first day of school (Tuesday, September 2^nd), please bring your Pre-First student to their classroom between 8:45 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Class lists will be posted on each door. If your child needs to be dropped off earlier, please go to Before School Care, located in the Great Room until 8:00 a.m. and in the backyard thereafter. A permanent Before School Care location will be announced later. Tuesday is a full day: please pack a snack, lunch, and after school snack if your child is staying late. Milk and hot lunch can be purchased; please return the forms to the office by August 25th.

Tears are more common with mothers, rather than the children, who quickly become very involved in the classroom. If need be, please accompany them into the classroom or to the door, and leave as soon as possible. Separation anxiety usually diminishes after a few weeks. Please call the school at any time if you are concerned with your child’s adjustment.    


Drop-off/pickup information:

Monday – Thursday:  8:45 a.m.- 9:00 a.m. classroom is open. The tardy bell rings at 9:00 a.m.  Pre-First will be released at 3:00 p.m. at the northeast double gates in the front parking lot or the east gate in the rear parking lot depending on the child’s class. At 3:05 p.m., all children will be transferred to the After School Program and can be released from After School Care by signing them out, usually in the back yard. After 5:00 p.m., the students are usually in the Great Room or Computer Lab (in the basement).

FRIDAY: School begins at 8:30 a.m. in the Great Room, for a 15 minute, all-school assembly. Parents are invited to attend. School is out at 1:00 p.m. every Friday. Please remember to pack a lunch if you are not able to pick up directly at 1:00 p.m. 

To continue our security on campus, we ask that all parents remain outside the gates or designated area during school hours. At the bell, your child’s teacher will bring your child to the gate and release him/her to you, one by one. This process only takes 5 minutes. Please be patient as your child’s safety is our first concern. If you need to talk to the teacher, please feel free to contact the office for a scheduled phone conference or a visit. Your teacher will have scheduled available times for parent conferences.  All late and early departures and late arrivals should be done through the office.

Important Immunization Information:

All students need updated immunizations records. Please fill out the enclosed Verification of Immunization for Childcare form and attach a copy of your child’s shot record. This must be in their file by the first day of school. After reviewing all records, we may ask that you have your child’s immunizations be updated.

We are looking forward to a wonderful school year with you and your child. If you have any questions either before school starts or during the year, please don’t hesitate to call me at 825-0257 or email at cbbrookfield@yahoo.com.

Sincerely,
Ms. Bettingen, Assistant Director