September Newsletter

Dear Parents and Guardians,

Welcome to Kindergarten and welcome back to those of you returning to Senior Kindergarten!  I hope that you all had a wonderful summer and are refreshed and ready for a new school year.  Here are a few important details to help us get off to a smooth start.

Monthly Newsletters

Monthly newsletters will be sent home during the last week of every month.  This newsletter will outline what we have been covering in class, an overview of the following month’s activities and provide a calendar of upcoming events.  Please read the newsletters carefully, so that you have a good picture of what goes on in your child’s classroom, and are aware of upcoming events.

Friday Folders

Each Friday your child will bring home his/her Friday Folder.  Inside you will find important classroom information, letters, calendars, updates, notes and activities completed by your child.  Please read through the folder with your child and ensure that it is returned to school each Monday.  This way we can add things into your child’s folder as the week progresses.  Thank you!

Attendance

School hours are between 8:45 a.m. to 3:20 p.m.  If your child is going to be absent or late, please let the school know by leaving a message with the school office.  Please see us for the phone number, if you do not already have it.  If you arrive late, please sign in your child at the office before entering the classroom.  Once the door is closed, we have begun our program for the day and would appreciate your understanding in not interrupting the class by knocking.  Also, please ensure that your child joins the rest of the class whether we are in our room, in the library, gym, etc.  For your child’s safety, it is important that you wait with your child until the entrance bell rings and the children are invited into the classroom.

Clothing

Please send your child with appropriate clothes for indoor and outdoor activities.  Clothes should be practical and comfortable.  To ensure safety in the classroom, gym and on the outdoor play structure, all students should wear closed toed shoes with rubber soles.  Feel free to leave a pair of your child’s running shoes at school if this is convenient.  If possible, please have a change of clothes in your child’s backpack.  Please be sure to clearly label all your child's clothes, backpacks and lunch bags with your child's name.

Toys

We ask that children keep toys at home to reduce the chances of special toys being lost or broken.

Snacks and lunch

We have 2 snack times – one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Please remember to send your child with 2 small, nutritious snacks.  Nutritious foods help children stay focused and become better learners.  Snack time is about 15 minutes long so one item is usually enough.  Some snack suggestions are: half a cheese and crackers, dry cereal, cut up fruits or vegetables.  Please send water instead of juice.  If your child has any food allergies, please alert us ASAP! 

Students will be eating lunch in their classrooms.  Please be sure to send lunch foods that are ready to eat and do not require heating in a microwave.  Please use separate containers/bags for each snack and lunch and talk to your child about which items are to be eaten during which parts of the day.

**Do not send in food items containing nuts or nut products.  We have children in the school with life-threatening nut allergies!  Please read all labels before buying any pre-packaged snacks, as we will send back items that read “May contain traces of peanuts/other nuts”.**

Birthdays

We understand birthdays are a special time for children and that you may wish to celebrate that special day in the classroom.  However, due to various food allergies in the school we do not allow any food items to be sent to school for these celebrations.  If you wish to send in party invitations to be handed out or to mark your child’s birthday by sending in some small items, such as pencils, we would be more than happy to accommodate those requests.  Please speak to your child’s teacher if you have any questions or for more information.

Contact Numbers

It is very important for us to have a current daytime phone number where you could be reached in case of emergencies.  Please update the school on any changes in telephone numbers and emergency contacts during the school year.  Also, for safety reasons, if you ask a friend/neighbour/relative to pick up your child from school, please send a note indicating the name of that person and the dates on which they will be picking up your child.  

We are looking forward to a great year filled with much learning, growth and excitement.  Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

The Kindergarten Team