Bits and Pieces 

Welcome to Kindergarten!  I am very excited about the upcoming year and hope you are too.  I have many activities planned and I am looking forward to having a super year.  If you have any questions please feel free to write me a note or call me at school (678) 494-7621. 

There are several things that we would like for you to know about getting our kindergarten year off to a great start.  Below is a list of expectations and classroom procedures. 

• Parent/Teacher Relationship - I believe that a good parent-teacher relationship is necessary for your child's maximum school success.  Throughout the year I will communicate through weekly newsletters, special notes and telephone calls.  All papers will come home daily in your child's white folder.  Please look for communication notes in these folders and I will look here for notes as well.  There will be a communication log inside.
• Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled for September and March.  I am also available for a conference regarding your child's progress at any time.
• School Attendance - It is important for your child to have regular and prompt attendance to ensure his/her school success.  We begin our day right after the morning announcements.  If your child is tardy, please have him/her stop by the office to pick up a 'tardy' slip for entry into the classroom.
• School Hours - Our school hours are from 7:50 am to 2:10 pm each day.  There are 5 early release days.  On these days the students are dismissed 2 hours early.
• Absences - Any time your child is absent from school, please send a note explaining the absence upon his or her return.  The absence will be recorded as "not excused" if a note is not received.
• Changes in Transportation - During "Sneak-a-Peek" I will have a form for you to fill out that will let me know how your child is to get home in the afternoon.  You will choose whether your child will be a bus rider (please provide bus number and run number), car rider, day care rider, or will go to the After School Program (ASP).  This is the way I will send your child home each day unless a written note is sent in with your child.  We cannot accept verbal changes from your child or a sibling.)  In the event of an emergency, you may call or fax the school about the change before 1:00 pm.  It is requested that all parents sign up for ASP for emergency situations.
• Snack - We will have snack time each day.  Please remember to send nutritious snacks only.  Please do not send drinks.  We have a water fountain in the room that is always available for students.
• Birthdays - Birthdays are special days for young children.  You may wish to send in a healthy snack or treat for your child's classmates on his/her special day.  If you do, please send the snack in the morning.  Your child will help serve his/her classmates during our snack time.  Another idea is to have your child donate a book to our classroom library.  Often children have birthday parties outside the school setting.   If you are planning this, please do not send invitations to school.  Often some children are left out which causes hurt feelings.  Thank you for understanding.
• Book orders - Throughout the year your child may be given the opportunity to purchase books through book clubs.  This is optional
• Outdoor Recess - We will go outside on most days weather permitting.  During our fall, winter and spring seasons, dress your child appropriately for out door play.
• Money - Anytime that you send in money for your child, please make sure that it is in a sealed envelope.  On the outside of the envelope, please include the following information:     *your child's first and last name, *my name, *the purpose for the money (lunch, book order, ASP), *the amount.
• When sending a check with your child, please do not write one check covering several things.  We ask that separate checks be written for separate purchases or donations, due to the fact that they go into separate accounts.  If you have more than one child attending Chalker, please send separate checks for each.  This will help eliminate many bookkeeping problems.
• Lunch - School meals may be paid for on Monday and Tuesday mornings.  After Tuesday, lunch may be purchased in cash on a daily basis.  We encourage weekly or monthly payments towards your child's lunch account on Mondays.  This allows students to move through the lunch line more smoothly.  School lunches are $1.60, milk is $0.40 and all adults and guest lunches are $2.50.  Also, please write your child's name on the check, especially if your child's last name is different than the name printed on the check.  Please do the same for other times that money may be collected (field trips, performing arts, pictures, etc.).   You can prepay for your child's lunches online at https://www.mealpayplus.com/.    Ice cream is .60.  Our class has a "no note - no treat" policy.  Please jot us a note when you have given your child permission to purchase ice cream.  You are welcome to join your child for lunch.  Please remember that you should sign in at the front office and then wait for our class outside of the lunch room.  You may sit with your child at the "guest table".  Your child may choose one friend to join you.
• Medicine - All medicines will be kept in the clinic and will be given in the clinic.  When your child needs to take any medication at school, the medicine will need to be in the original container for us to give the proper dosage.  This is a county policy.  all medicines are to be brought to the school by the parents.  Make sure that both the office and teacher know the times to give the medicines.
• Visitation - Please obtain a visitors pass any time you are visiting the classroom.  This is to ensure a safe and secure learning environment for your child.  Thank you in advance for your cooperation with this important issue.
• Parent Participation / Volunteer Opportunities - There will be special center days where parents are asked to help manage a center.  I usually contact the parents who have indicated to me that they are available for such activities to help out on these days.  If you are ever interested in helping on one of these days, please let me know.  I welcome the opportunity to have your support for your child and his/her classmates.  Field Trips are also times when parent participation is welcome.  Your support of school activities is very appreciated!
• Toys  - Please do not allow your child to bring toys to school.  We will be having days for sharing.
• Take Home Folder - Your child should bring their white folder (1 inch - 3 ring binder with pockets) to and from school every day.  Help teach responsibility by letting them know that it is "their job" to bring their white folder every morning and to bring it home every afternoon.  Their work, papers and projects will be found here as well as my weekly newsletter.  There will also be a communication log in the folder for you and I to write notes to one another.  Look for the Hedden's Headlines and their homework on Mondays.
• Schedules  -          *Specials 10:40 - 11:25
•                              *Lunch     12:26 - 1256

Sincerely, 
 
 

Terri Hedden