Pre-K Orientation
Welcome to Preschool! We are looking forward to sharing this new adventure with your children. We will be making new friends, putting our emerging independence to work, experiencing new things, adapting to our new learning environment, and most of all, having fun! The information below should prove helpful for both you and your child. Please read it carefully, as well as your Parent Handbook, as it contains much more detailed and valuable information.
Morning Arrival: Activities in the classroom begin as soon as your child arrives, just like the upper grades. Children quickly learn the routine of going to their cubby, unloading their backpack, and putting their folders out, by themselves! We prefer children to be dropped off in car circle. Should you choose to walk your child in, please keep the goodbye’s brief outside the classroom. This avoids separation anxiety between the two of you as well as upsetting other children who have already arrived.
Folders should be sent to school EVERY day. They are our main source of communication with you! You will get calendars, announcements, reminders, paper packet letters, etc. inside and may send notes, payments, etc. in them as well. A Calendar will be attached to the inside of the folder. PLEASE DO NOT REMOVE IT! We will change it each month for you. It will note basic information regarding what we are doing in class. It is also the source of communication regarding your child’s behavior. If they have a sticker or stamp on that date, they have had a great day! If there is a “sad” face or other notation, you should have a note explaining the situation. If there is neither, don’t panic! We probably had a “busy” day, which happens often in Pre-K!
Backpacks must be large enough to fit the lunchbox and their folder. Also, a gallon-size Ziploc bag filled with a complete change of clothes (underwear, socks, navy shorts or pants, and white t-shirt or St. Joseph PE shirt) in case of accidents must be inside the backpack every day. Backpacks with 2 large compartments work best as the Ziploc with the extra clothes can stay in one compartment at all times.
Circle/Group Time: We will have 2 circle times each day. These will be short sessions where children listen to Bible Stories, pray, hear stories that pertain to our daily lesson or theme, sing songs, learn finger plays, and assign daily helpers. It is a wonderful time of sharing , learning, and taking turns.
Center Time/Teacher Lead Activities: Our classroom is arranged into centers where they have a variety of learning experiences. Children will visit each center every day. Centers include activities for them to practice their math skills, manipulatives, science, reading, dramatic play, and art. There are two teacher-lead activities pertaining to the day’s lesson or theme where children get small group or individual attention. State and diocesan required standards are included in all activities, centers, and lessons.
Snack/Lunch: We will provide a small snack for the first few weeks of school in the morning classes. Stay and Play children will have lunch at 11:30, and children in Mrs. Romano’s afternoon class will have lunch shortly after arrival. Lunches may include a sandwich (or half), fruit and or veggies, chips, and a small treat. Children are encouraged to eat their sandwich first. Those who do not eat sandwiches can bring crackers with cheese or peanut butter, cereal bars, rolled up ham, turkey, leftovers in child-friendly containers, etc. We do not allow Lunchables with condiments, pizza Lunchables, or “Gogurts.” Children are encouraged to open their lunches, containers, and juice boxes themselves. We will assist them if necessary but expect them to be able to do this unassisted by December. Please remember to include any utensils they will need. WE EAT LUNCH IN OUR CLASSROOM, so it important to keep spills to a minimum. There are no volunteers to help serve or clean up, like in the cafeteria, and we do not have access to silverware.
Bathroom Breaks: CHILDREN MUST BE TOTALLY POTTY TRAINED! There are bathrooms in each classroom that the students can use as needed. For the first few weeks we will go as a class to the Gallery bathrooms where each child will be encouraged to “try” until they get used to the routine and are comfortable using the classroom potty without being prompted. Hopefully this approach prevents “accidents.” However, should your child have a “wet accident,” he/she must be able to change his/her own clothes. Should “another type of accident” occur, you will be contacted by the Clinic to come to the school and assist your child in changing his/her soiled clothing. We are NOT a licensed Daycare, so we have neither the approval nor resources to handle this type of accident. THIS IS STRICTLY ENFORCED.
Playground: We will go to the playground every day, weather permitting. Playground rules are strictly enforced for the safety of all children. Playground rules are included in your Orientation Packet. We will discuss the rules with the children several times at the beginning of the year and throughout the year as needed. If a child is having difficulty following the rules, a brief “time out” may be administered. Safety first!
Dismissal: Children will pack their backpack themselves before leaving school. Again, to make it easy on your child, be sure the backpack is large enough to hold all necessary items. Lunch boxes should be inside the backpack along with the change of clothes and folder. This is a very busy time of day. We will not be available for conversation at this time, as the safety of the children is our first priority. Please feel free to email us and we will be glad to set up a conference or give you a call about any concerns you may have.