Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Dear families,

I am very pleased to have your child in my class! The beginning of the school year is a very busy and exciting time for everyone. The first few weeks will be spent learning classroom routines, meeting new teachers, and making new friends.
        
I will frequently be posting on our classroom blog, http://mrsnewmanclassroom.blogspot.com/ to inform you of classroom news and information. The best way to contact me is by email. My email address is hnewman@westfordk12.us. You may also contact me by phone at the Miller School: 978-392-4476 ext. 4110, or by putting a written note into your child’s Take Home Folder. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
        
The remainder of this letter includes some important information regarding our classroom. Please take a minute to read it over.
Snack Time: We have snack time in our classroom twice a day. Please send two snacks and two drinks in two separate bags or lunch boxes with your child’s name clearly labeled on the outside. I encourage you to send nutritious, non-messy snacks.

Lunch and Rest: The children will have a lunch period every day. Please have your child’s lunch labeled so that it is easy to find in our classroom lunch bin. Students also have the opportunity to buy milk, individual lunches, and lunch tickets. Each day after lunch the students will have a short rest period where they will need a beach-sized towel or blanket to rest on. Rest time will be a quiet time in the classroom; the lights will be off and soft music will be playing.

Absence from school: Please leave a message with our school secretary at: 978-392-4476. She will call your home if she does not receive a message from you. If you have a planned absence you may send a note beforehand and I will notify the office.

Dismissals: Please send a note in your child’s Take Home Folder if he/she is going home any way other than their usually transportation. I may not have time to check my email or voicemail during the school day. If you do not have a written note, I must follow normal procedure and send your child home on their typical transportation. If you are picking up your child, please sign him/her out and wait in the office area.

Bus Tags: I will be sending home a laminated bus tag the first day of school. The tag will be attached to your child’s backpack. Please make sure this tag stays attached to the backpack for at least the first two weeks of school. It really helps at dismissal time! 

Teaching Assistants: We are very fortunate to have Mrs. Sevigny and Mrs. DiMatteo as our teaching assistants this year. They are both incredible assets to our classroom and the children are sure to love them.

I am looking forward to a wonderful school year together.  Thank you for sharing your children with me!