The ABC's of Pre-K
A
Arrival-Pre-K students may arrive at school between 7:30-9:00 and report directly to the Pre-K Cubs (3 year olds) classroom. Early arrivals, 7:30 - 8:45 will participate in free choice centers before starting their day. For the Pre-K tigers, school begins promptly at 9:00. When arriving for drop-off or pick-up, please follow instructions from faculty/staff on duty and the use of the stated traffic patterns in the Greenbook.
Attendance-When a student is absent because of illness or emergency, the parents are asked to telephone the Lower School by 9:00 a.m. giving a reason for the absence. A written excuse can be sent with the child when she returns to school.
In the case of the child leaving school early, parents should give a written note to the Lower School stating the reason for and the time of the dismissal. To receive credit for the day’s attendance, the student must remain in school until 12:00 noon.
Students who arrive to school after 9:00 a.m. are tardy and must stop by the Lower School Office before they report to class. Students must arrive before 10:00 a.m. to receive credit for the day's attendance.
B
Backpacks- Each girl needs a 9x11 book bag to carry to and from school. This size is long enough to accommodate their Tiger Talk Binder.
Birthdays-If you would like to send invitations to a party, I ask that you please mail them to the student's homes. Children are encouraged to be sensitive and discreet toward those not invited. Students are welcome to bring a special birthday treat to share with their classmates. Easily dividable items, such as cupcakes and cookies, work best. Please let us know in advance and we will make arrangements for your child's special celebration.
Your child will be receiving the 'Birthday Bag' on or near their birthday. The bag includes: birthday books that you can read and a journal to write and illustrate. Please help your child write and illustrate a page about their special day. Return the bag, including the books and journal, to school the next day.
C
Centers-Young children learn best through active play. Your child visits numerous centers each day. Activities at these centers are related to themes and developmentally appropriate and reinforce skills taught in our large\small group instructional times.
Clothing-I try to encourage\teach independence in Pre-K. Please send your daughter to school in clothing that she can manipulate fairly independently. Please label any articles of clothing so that it does not get lost. Also, please provide a change of clothes each day in case of an accident.
Communication-I believe that good communication between school and home is necessary for a positive educational experience. Newsletters and information on upcoming activities will be distributed to each family on a regular basis. I will contact you by written notes, phone, or email. You are welcome to contact us at any time.
D
Discipline-The purpose of discipline is to teach by example and to guide the girls so that they may learn individual responsibility for the community, based on mutual respect and shared values. Positive reinforcement is the form of discipline that is used in our classroom. The girls are praised for desired behaviors. They are encouraged to admit a negative action or behavior and make amends.
Dismissal-Lower school students are dismissed at 3:00. The Pre-K students will begin to exit the building at approximately 2:50. When arriving for pick-up, please follow instructions from faculty/staff on duty and the use of the traffic patterns outlined in the Greenbook.
E
Emergency-Parents are asked to make sure that the school always has their most current emergency contact information. Changes to the address, phone number, or emergency contacts should be directed to the school receptionist. Please complete the Emergency Contact Information and return to school. An emergency contact system is in place and will be used to contact every parent quickly, should the need arise.
F
Field Trips-Field trips are important components of the students' learning experiences. These trips are an integral part of the curriculum. A universal Field Trip Permission form will be completed by the parents at the beginning of the school year and will be in effect for all field trips. Parents will be notified of the details of each trip by a note sent home with the child or through school publications. If you do not want your child to participate in a particular trip, please let us know.
We may also be asking for volunteers. Information regarding field trip volunteers will be sent as well.
G
H
Health-The School requires students to provide documentation of an annual medical examination. Health forms are due on or before the date of the student's first scheduled school year activity. Students whose health records are not complete be the first day of school (August 27, 2008) will not be permitted to attend.
In order to provide as healthy a school environment as possible for all children and staff, the following guidelines have been prepared to help you make decisions regarding your child's health and school attendance. Feel free to call the school nurse with any concerns or questions.
--Colds: A student should stay home if she has an excessively runny nose, excessive coughing, elevated temperature, or is too uncomfortable to function in school.
--Chicken Pox: Students should stay home for 7 days after rash appears; all blisters must be dried and crusted over. Notify school nurse.
--Diarrhea: If a student has diarrhea 2 times in a day, she must stay home until diarrhea subsides and no other signs of illness exist.
--Ear Infections: Student should be evaluated by her physician if she complains of ear pain. Early treatment can ward off possible permanent damage to the ear which could result in hearing loss.
--Eye Infections: Inflammation or watery eyes requires a doctor's assessment to determine the cause of the conjunctivitis (pink eye) or possible eye injury. Eyes should be clear before returning to school.
--Fractures and Surgeries: Parents should contact the school nurse when a student has a serious injury or surgery, Modifications to physical activity and mode of travel throughout the building need to be evaluated. Please provide written information from your physician as to your child's recommended level of activity in physical education and recess.
--Fever: Student should stay home if she has a fever (>101 degrees). She should be free of fever and no longer seem lethargic or have poor oral intake for at least 24 hours before returning to school.
--Head Lice: Student needs to stay home from school and be treated with shampoo or rinse as recommended by your doctor or pharmacy. Child may return to school when hair is nit-free. Notify the school nurse if your child has head lice.
--Rashes: Student is to remain at home with any undiagnosed skin rash, or present a doctor's note stating that the rash is non-contagious.
--Strep Throat: Must be reported to school. Student should be treated with antibiotics for 48 hours before returning to school if there is a positive throat culture. Rapid throat cultures are not conclusive. Wait for the results of a 24-hour throat culture before sending your child back to school.
Homework- Students will be given a simple homework assignment weekly. The assignments will be in their Tiger Talk Binder with instructions on Monday to be completed and turned in on Friday. We expect that parents will organize a time and opportunity for the homework to be done, but ask that you allow your daughter to be as independent as possible unless it s a family project.
I
Immunizations-The state of Pennsylvania requires that immunization record portion of the student Health Report is kept up to date for all students. New students will not be permitted to attend school unless the immunization record is complete.
J
Journals-Your daughter will be writing and illustrating her very own journal throughout the year. This is a great way to see the progress made as she develops an understanding that each letter looks unique; words are made with letters; people draw pictures to represent things in the world around them; and that written words/pictures tell stories and convey meaning. The students will use letter or letter-like forms to write names, messages, and stories. The journals will be shared at conference time and they will be sent home at the end of the year or when the child has filled the pages and we have finished using it for assessment purposes.
K
Kindness-Please remind your daughter to be kind to all in the class.
L
Lunch-Lunch for the Pre-K students will be in the classroom at 12:00 noon. You may purchase a lunch at school or choose to send a lunch from home. When sending lunch from home, please remember that the children need to be as independent as possible when eating. We do not have the ability to heat or cool your daughter’s lunch. To purchase a lunch at school, ordering forms and a menu will be sent in the Tiger Talk Binder. Please make your selections, write them on the appropriately dated order form and send them to school via the Binder. The orders need to be made 1 day ahead of time. For example, you will send in the form for Tuesday’s lunch on Monday morning.
M
Math- Within a developmentally appropriate environment, the Pre-Kindergarten Tigers are given a variety opportunities to practice emerging skills and too expand their developing understandings. Within the context of exploration, discovery, and play, the girls will develop mathematical skills such as numeration, counting, operations, sorting, patterns, geometry, measurement, graphing, and time frames. For more on the expectations of Pre-Kindergarten, please click on the link above.
Medications-If a student must take a prescription or over the counter medication during regular school, hours the following procedures must be followed before any medication can be dispensed to students:
--For each medication, a completed Prescription & Long Term Medication Permission form must be on file with the school nurse. Forms are available from the nurse and on the school website. Rescue and emergency medications such as inhalers, may be carried by the student if she has demonstrated the proper handling and use of the medication.
--For short-term medications, such as antibiotics, please deliver the medication to the nurse with a signed parent note.
--All medications must be given to the school nurse. Medications are stored in a secure, locked cabinet. Student may not carry medications with them at school nor store medication in their cubbies, with the exception of inhalers.
--Medications must be in the original, labeled pharmacy container. Notify the school nurse of any changes in the original prescription by submitting a new pharmacy container.
--A limited list of over-the-counter medications will be administered with signed parent permission. Please complete the Over-The-Counter Medication Permission form and return it to the school nurse.
--A record of the medication dispensed to each child is maintained in the nurse's office.
N
Names- It is necessary to label your child's belongings with her first name and last initial. We don't want any of her precious things to get lost. Examples of items include: lunch box, jackets, backpacks, extra clothes, toys brought for show and tell, etc. Also, the girls will be learning to recognize, spell, and write their names in Pre-K. It is important that they have many opportunities to see their name in print.
Newsletter- You will be receiving a classroom newsletter highlighting special events, holidays, birthdays, and other pertinent information on a monthly basis. The newsletter will be located in your child’s Tiger Talk Binder at the beginning of each month.
Numbers-We will be focusing on learning our numbers 1-10 throughout the year. Please practice recognizing, writing, and counting these numbers at home. Proper reinforcement and practice at home is critical to a child's success. It helps to solidify the concepts that she has learned in school.
O
Outdoor Play- The girls will be given a 30 minute recess following their lunch and a gross motor activity time each afternoon. Please have your child wear shoes appropriate for running and active movement or provide her with a change of shoes. We do not want her to trip and hurt herself during play. We will enjoy the outdoors as long as weather permits. If you wish that your child not participate on outdoor play, for health reasons, please let us know and we will provide an alternate activity.
P
Parties- We will be having several parties throughout the year to celebrate different occasions. You will receive information prior to classroom parties. If you wish to volunteer or donate supplies, please let us know or contact a Room Parent for details. Some of the parties that we will have include: Halloween party, Winter Party, Valentine's Day Party, Spring Party, and an End of the Year Party.
Progress-Evaluation of student progress is communicated through twice-yearly conferences, progress reports. Additional conferences can be arranged upon parental or school request. In addition, the Lower School parents receive a year-end progress report and a letter from their child's teachers.
Q
Quiet Time/Rest-Following recess each day, the girls will enjoy some time to rest. You may send in a fitted bed sheet to cover her mat and a favorite toy or blanket to snuggle with. The girls are not expected to go to sleep, but may if they are tired.
R
Recess-Recess will follow lunch at 12:30 and the students will play on the playground with the proper supervision, weather permitting.
Restrooms- There is a restroom in our classroom with two toilets. Your child may use the restroom as she needs to. We will also be taking several bathroom breaks throughout the day. In the case of an accident, please pack an extra change of clothes in your child's backpack.
Room Parents- Room parent responsibilities include: helping to organize classroom parties; setting up volunteers for field trips, parties, guest readers, school activities, or to assist in the class; help with curriculum planning/preparation; etc. Two room parents are selected each year.
S
School Hours- The lower school business hours are from 7:30 a.m.-5:45 p.m. School begins promptly at 9:00 a.m. for the Pre-K Tiger students. Students may arrive between 7:30-8:45. Arrivals before 8:45 will engage in free choice centers to transition from home to school and enhance their social development.
Specials-Your daughter will be participating in two special classes per day. Please provide your daughter with a pair of sneakers to leave at school for gym days. The Tiger’s special schedule is as follows:
|
Monday |
Tuesday |
Wednesday |
Thursday |
Friday |
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Gym 11:10-11:30 Art 11:40-12:00
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Gym 11:10-11:30 Music 11:40-12:00
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Music 11:10-11:30 Art 11:40-12:00
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Gym 11:10-11:30 Music 11:40-12:00
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Library 11:10-11:30 Art 11:40-12:00
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Snack-Our brains need fuel to operate. During mid-morning and mid-afternoon, the students are given a healthy snack provided by the school. They may also bring a snack from home. If you would like to donate a snack, good school snacks are fig bars, ginger snaps, raisins and other dried fruit, pretzels, carrots, fresh fruit, and milk.
T
Technology-In the Lower School, the students interact with technology and use technological learning tools on a daily basis. The Pre-K students become familiar with technology in the classroom through the Listening Center, the Computer center, music CDs, and educational videos/DVDs.
Tiger Talk Book- All students will receive a T.I.G.E.R (Today I’ve Got Everything Ready) Talk Binder. This is a parent/teacher communication book. This will be sent home and returned daily. Within each T.I.G.E.R Talk Binder you will find all pertinent information for your daughter. It will include items required to be returned to school and items to remain at home, a monthly and a 2007-2008 calendar, a schedule, student roster, any homework and lined paper. The lined paper is for us to communicate regarding your daughter.
Transportation-Please communicate your child's transportation to and from school with the homeroom teachers and the Lower School Office. A change in transportation plans must be in the form of a written note in the Tiger Talk Book and the school must be notified in advance. If a parent needs to make a change during the school day, please call the Lower School Office.
U
Uniforms-Pre-K students do not wear the required school uniform, but are encouraged to wear suitable clothing that is neat, clean, and worn appropriately. Blue jeans are not permitted. They will not change their clothes for physical education (P.E.), but they do wear sneakers. Be sure to send your daughter to school in clothes appropriate for active movement on gym days. If you would like to purchase school items, the Paw Shop is open from 7:30-11:30 mid-August until mid-June.
V
Visitors/volunteers-We would love to have you visit us! If you have time to help out, an interesting activity to share, or you would like to be a guest reader, please let us know.
Parents, family members, and invited guests must check in with the security guard in the parking lot to obtain a visitor's badge. This badge must be clearly displayed while on campus. If the security guard is not visible in the parking lot, visitors must see Lower School office for a visitor's badge.
W
Weather-Parents will be notified via the automated calling service for weather related school delays and closings. Please indicate two phone numbers on the emergency contact form: one to be used in the event of a morning delay or closing and one in the event of an unexpected early dismissal.
You are asked to check these other resources for delay and closing information:
--School Website
--School Phone
--TV Stations KDKA, WTAE, and WPXI
Opening and closing decisions are made independently of the City of Pittsburgh public schools. Decisions will be made by 6:00 a.m. whenever possible. In the case of a two-hour delay, the school day for the Tigers will begin at 11:00 a.m.
Websites-Be sure to visit our classroom website often to stay up to date with the most up to date in the Pre-K Tiger room. There are also learning links for your child to use on the internet.
Writing-The students are provided with ample opportunities to write and are exposed to a variety of written text throughout the day. They participate in a writing center where they can write with the Magna Doodle, write letters to friends, shape play dough into alphabet letters, journal write and illustrate, write words around the room, etc. Your daughter will be praised for all attempts and accomplishments during writing. It is important that each child explore and play with letters and numbers as she builds understanding of the symbols and their meanings. As each child is unique, those understandings will develop and various times throughout the year. The writing center provides exposure and practice.
X
EXpectations-Our community is committed to the education of the girls and young women. It is a community based on mutual respect and consideration of others. The following expectations are principles that govern our behavior:
--Show respect for others.
--Do your best.
--Be friendly and kind to others.
**For Pre-Kindergarten Learning expectations and information on what they are expected to learn before Kindergarten, please visit the link above.
Y
You are great and we appreciate you!! You can help your child have a successful year by doing some of the following:
Z
Zooming through a great school year!! Before you know it, your daughter will be on her way to Kindergarten!