September

Dear Parents

Welcome to Willow Glen School and the full day kindergarten program.  With the beginning of the new school year I welcome your interest, your concern and your cooperation.  If we support each other on behalf of your child, we can guarantee a year of positive learning.

Our kindergarten program is based on the developmental needs of the young child.  Your child will have many experiences in art, music, drama and literature.  There will be many opportunities to socialize and make new friends while exploring and interacting with the school environment.

Learning to be independent and responsible is an important and integral part of every child’s growth.  For some children this separation process can be difficult, and the transition from home to school can be stressful.  With patience and understanding we can ease your child into the school routine.  You can help to prepare for these exciting first days by talking about school and assuring your child that someone will be waiting after school.  The children will be dismissed from the kindergarten entrance at 3:15. Please make every effort to be prompt in picking up your child.  If you are unable to be there at 3:15, please notify the school and we will have your child wait for you in the office.

Crayons, markers, scissors, pencils and glue will be stored in small group containers to be shared.  This method of organization promotes positive qualities and behaviors.  Learning to share and care for supplies contributes to a sense of community and caring.  Children learn to be responsible for the materials they use and begin to understand how their actions affect the well being of their classmates.  This system of organization also allows more time for on-task learning activities and decreases set-up and clean-up time.  There is no need to purchase a school box or label the supplies, other than the watercolor set, scissors and art smock.

SUPPLIES  Your child will need the following supplies:

1 box of tissues

2  4oz Elmer’s School Glue bottles

Fiscar scissors with points

1 boxes of 24 crayola crayons

1 boxes of 8 wide crayola markers - basic colors

Prang or Crayola watercolor paints

Old daddy pullover t-shirt for art smock (no buttons please)

Waterproof school bag

Plastic mat or yoga mat for resting

BIRTHDAYS:  Your child may bring a treat for the class on their birthday.   Please do not send party invitations to be passed out at school.  Feelings are easily hurt when children are not invited.  

SHARING:  Please encourage your child to bring in things from home connected to our units of study.  Suggestions would include books, nature specimens, pictures, souvenirs, projects, etc.  Please do not send toys.

SPECIALS:  Our kindergarten children have the opportunity to have art and music with specialty teachers in the district.  We will be going to the school library every Wednesday.  The children will be able to check out one book to be kept for the week and returned on the following library day.

SNACK TIME:  We will have a snack time every morning.   Each child is responsible for bringing his own snack.  We try to encourage healthy eating habits, so please help us by sending healthy snacks with your child.  Some suggestions would include fruit, vegetables, crackers, cheese, pretzels, sandwich, etc.

OUTDOOR RECESS:  Each day the children will go outside to play during the lunch recess.  Please dress your child for the weather.

LUNCH TIME:  Our lunchtime is scheduled for 11:20-12:05.  The children may bring their own lunch from home or purchase a hot lunch.  Milk will also be sold.  Please follow the procedure that is outlined in the parent handbook about purchasing lunch tickets.  If you know that your child will be having hot lunch regularly, it might a good idea to purchase for the week or the month.  Please send the money with your child in a ziplock baggie with their name clearly written on it.  Change will be returned to you in this baggie.  In addition to the hot lunch selection, an alternate cold sandwich is offered daily.  With this cold lunch choice, the children select a cold sandwich instead of the main entree, but still receive all of the other foods listed on the menu for that day.  Please go over the lunch menu with your child each day so he will know what is being offered.  Your child may go home for lunch, but please send a note letting me know, so that I can have them ready to meet you.  Each day we will be going outside before lunch to play.  Please make sure to dress your child for the weather.

Frequent information will be sent home keeping you informed of what is happening at school.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

I look forward to a fun and successful year!

Sincerely,

Mrs. Sanfilippo