How To Help Your Child At Home

There are a number of things you can teach your child that will build confidence and help get school off to a good start.

Before they begin kindergarten it is a good idea for all children to know:

1. How to tie shoes, zip coats, and put on boots



2. The left hand from the right hand
3. The child’s full name
4. Your full name
5. The child’s address
6. The child’s phone number
7. The child’s school bus number (once school begins)
8. The parents’ work places
9. The parents’ business phone numbers

To help your child prepare for school:

1. Give your child chores to do around the house. This will help foster a sense of responsibility and independence and encourage him or her to see a task through to the end.
2. Read to your child every day. Ask him or her questions about the story. Try reading a little longer story to see if your child can pay attention that long. Set an example by reading yourself! Take your child to the library and choose various books for developing sensitivity, humor and vocabulary.
3. Make sure your child practices zipping and unzipping his or her jacket. Also practice fastening buttons and tying shoes. Make sure your child’s boots are big enough for your child to easily fit over his or her shoes.
4. Encourage your child to practice writing his or her name in upper and lower case letters.
5. Monitor what your child watches on TV, encouraging educational programs and keeping violence to a minimum.
6. Teach your child to cross a street safely.
7. Give your child lots of praise!

Welcome to Kindergarten

Dear Parents,

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child to Palmer Way School and to our classroom blog! My name is Mrs. Black and I am very excited to be your child’s teacher this year!

I hope that our class will be a friendly place that provides many enriching experiences for your child. I would like to make the transition from home to school a positive experience. you can assist me in this endeavor by doing the following:

1. Make sure that your child is on time for class!

   Class begins promptly at 8:15 a.m.

2. Please stay with your child while he/she waits in line before class.

   Students may eat a free breakfast at the cafeteria after 7:55 a.m.  To assure that behavioral standards are maintained, you should escort your child from breakfast to our class line outside of the classroom.  Please stay with him/her until I open the door at 8:15 a.m. The school does not provide outdoor supervision before 8:15 a.m.

3. Please be prompt about picking up your child in front of the classroom at 2:25 p.m.

   1st week pick up will be at 2:15 p.m.

4. Always send a note to explain absences.

5. Uniforms are mandatory.

   At Palmer Way, students may wear:
   Bottoms: Navy pants, navy shorts, navy skirts, or navy jumpers
   Tops: White, light blue, or navy blue collared shirts

6. Please put your child’s name on all jackets, sweaters, backpacks, and lunch boxes.

   Many student items look alike. Since we have many students using the room daily, it is important to label your child’s belongings.

7. Send a daily snack for your child’s nutrition break.

   Nutritious snacks such as cheese, crackers fruits, vegetables, or sandwiches are great. Sweets, sodas, gum, and glass bottles are not allowed.

I am looking forward to having a successful and enjoyable year with your child!  Please call me if you have any questions.

Sincerely,
Mrs. Deborah Black
(619) 336-8902