Preparing for the first day of school

September 03, 2009

Preparing For the First Day of School

Dear Families,

Again thank you for all of your help and support as we begin our first day of kindergarten. Ms. Molly and I are very excited to begin the new school year. Some parents have asked what their child should bring and what the first day will look like so I thought I would send out a brief outline.


Each child will be given a cubby to store their snacks, lunch, blankets, and other personal items.
**Cubbies are not very big so please take that into consideration.
** I prefer students do not bring their own school supplies- we have classroom supplies (thank you for all your donations!).

Healthy snack- please provide two healthy snacks for your child: one for the morning and the other for the afternoon. Students can have these separate from their lunch so they know what is for lunch and what is for snack.  If you need ideas of healthy snacks, please let me know.

Towel or small blanket labeled with your child’s name- we will have a quiet time after lunch. I will be turning the lights off and students can lie down—if children fall asleep I will allow them to take a nap while others move into Creative Workshop (choice time).
**As we move into 2nd and 3rd trimesters I imagine there will be less napping and more constructive play, science, and/or social studies.

Extra clothing- In case we get messy or have accidents, please send an extra set of clothes in a Ziplock bag for your child.  Please clearly mark your child’s name on the outside of the bag.


The first week:
8:15-8:45: parents are welcome to stay and help children adapt to the morning routines.
Student and parent can decorate their cubby label and choose a cubby.
Students will put their snacks, lunches, and other items in their cubbies.
I will take first day of school photos.
Parents can read books provided in tubs to read with their child.
*At 8:45 I will put on Good Morning song and that is parents cue to say their goodbyes and students will begin their day. If your child has difficulty saying goodbye, Ms. Molly and I will be there to support them while you leave the room.  I know this is a difficult time for both child and parent, but it is an easier transition if all parents leave at the given time.  Thank you for helping our class adjust to our new and exciting schedule!
This routine will be repeated all week with a different project.

Week 2 and the following weeks: Parents may read with their child until 8:30.

Wish List- Many of you have asked about my wish list—I find it is best if I purchase items when I need them partly because I get a teacher’s discount and partly because I know exactly what I want. I would prefer gift cards either in the form of a Visa, Target, Staples, or Amazon.  We also need to outfit the turtle tank so we can bring our turtle, Scooter, into the classroom.  **If you can, PetCo gift cards would be extremely helpful so he can join us during the first few weeks of school.

Volunteer Opportunities:
1.    Weekly Laundry: We will have pillowcases and hand towels to be laundered.
2.    Wednesday or Thursday: I need a parent (or 2!) to help laminate and cut Thursday packets so they are ready to go home on Thursday.
3.    I will send home a parent survey in the first Thursday packet asking more about the types of volunteering you would like to do.

As the year progresses there will be plenty of volunteer opportunities in the classroom but I do prefer the first 6 weeks or so I prefer to establish a classroom culture with the students, Ms. Molly and I.

Daily Schedule:
8:15-8:30    Parents and children read
9:35-10:10    Snack and Recess (in the K-2 yard behind our classroom)
11:45-12:30    Lunch and Recess (in the K-2 yard behind our classroom, though children can venture to the ‘Big’ playground for recess)
2:00-2:15    Snack (if needed) and Recess
2:30        Dismissal at front of school benches (**please note that on Monday, dismissal is 1:30)

Also, the new Odyssey website has launched (www.odysseycharterschool.org)!  Please check it for further school information, news, as well as classroom information.  I will post all emails sent on our classroom blog, as well!

There is also a group of parents with a fantastic fundraiser: they are selling reusable sandwich, snack, grocery bags.  I will have more information about this on the first day of school.  If you haven't already bought your child's lunch containers, please wait to support our school!

See you on Tuesday!


 

Tags: parents , schedule , volunteers , wish list

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