Back To School

Dear Mom and Dad,

The first day of school can be very overwhelming for our little ones! Please read the following in preparation for the first day of school.

A Successful Morning:
Please bring your student to our classroom no earlier than 8:30am. Outside my door will be a checklist stating how your student gets home (car, walking, bus, or KOC).  Please check the appropriate box. Have your student practice hanging up his/her backpack on the outside hooks. Walk your student into the classroom. Help them find their desk and put their name tag on. Once the bell rings, walk your student out to dot 12 on the blacktop and help him/her get in line. Give them a great big hug and kiss and remind them that you're very proud! Once I walk out to the line, please help your student gain independence by saying your final goodbyes on the blacktop.

Recess and Lunch:
For most of our little ones, recess is a new concept. In Kindergarten, students only have one time to eat. Before the first day of school, talk with your student about the difference between recess and lunch. ("Recess is a short period of time where you only eat one snack and lunch is a longer period of time where you eat what is left in your lunch box.") Tell your student that you will draw a 'happy face' on the snack that is suppose to be brought out to recess.

(*Over the last couple of years, I have noticed that many first graders end up eating their entire lunch during recess. Placing a happy face on their snack will remind them of your conversation and will help your student feel successful on the first couple days of school.)

Parent Pick Up:
Parent pick up can be a bit crazy, so please arrive early! I will intentionally walk my students out early on the first day. Although there is no way to avoid the chaos, hopefully this approach will help. Please make eye contact with me before taking your student.
(Please Note: If you are picking your student up in an automobile and your last name begins with the letter A-L, your student will be waiting on the island. If your last name begin with the letter M-Z, your student will be waiting on the mainland.