Kindergarten

Dear Kindergarten Family,

Welcome to Willsboro Central School Kindergarten!

This is my 14th year of teaching and my 3rd year teaching kindergarten! I’m super excited to invite you to participate in your child’s kindergarten school year. Together we can provide a high-quality learning experience and make many positive memories.

Our kindergarten classroom will have 22 children. It will be a busy place and I am hopeful that having this information will be helpful in the future.

In anticipation of questions you may have about kindergarten at this time, I have provided a brief overview of many topics.

I look forward to a great year filled with growth and learning with you and your child.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time with questions, thoughts, or concerns that may arise!

Enjoy the remainder of your summer!

Miranda Laferriere

Transportation	John Sucharzewski is the Transportation Supervisor. For information regarding bus routes, pick up and arrival times, or any other questions, please call John at 963-8650. Please inform John of your school transportation plans before the start of school, so that he can plan for your child’s needs. If your child is to be picked up or dropped off in a vehicle, a note should be sent to school with this information. I am not allowed to let children go with anyone except a primary caretaker without written permission. When writing a note; please provide the date, a clear description of the destination, your child’s first and last name, and your signature. The busses are color-coded so that the children can easily identify the correct bus. I always walk the children to their busses to ensure safety. Please remind your child of the rules: watch for the bus driver’s signal before crossing, stand away from the side of the bus, keep hanging cords safely tucked in, never go under the bus for any reason, stay seated when the bus is moving, and keep hands inside windows. More safety topics will be reviewed the first week of school.
Supplies	Your child should have a backpack and folder for carrying important items back and forth to school. If at all possible, I am asking that each child bring the following items to the classroom the day of open house: One package of washable Crayola markers One box of Crayola crayons Two packages of yellow Ticonderoga brand pencils Three packages of non-toxic glue sticks One old t-shirt to be used as a smock No other tools are necessary.
Dress	Kindergarten is a very active place, so children should be dressed comfortably. The children have physical education every other day, and they go on the playground daily. Please make sure that your child has a pair of rubber soled sneakers to wear for play everyday. Your child should also have a jacket to wear in case the weather changes during the day. In the winter, all children need to have snow pants, boots, jackets, a hat, and mittens on a daily basis. Every child should have extra clothing in case of spills or accidents. These can be sent in a clearly labeled zip lock bag to be kept in the classroom. If your child is sent home in borrowed clothing, please make sure to return them quickly. Please take the time to write your child’s name in all jackets, boots, sneakers, backpacks, etc. Many children have identical items, and we often have
Meals	The cafeteria provides breakfast and lunch daily. You may choose to pack a lunch and drink for your child instead of purchasing a meal. A menu will be sent home each month. Lunch or breakfast money should be sent in on the first day of the week in a clearly labeled envelope with your child’s name and the purpose of the money. Please be sure to alert me of your child’s food allergies.
Snacks	Children have snack every afternoon. Each child takes a turn bringing in snacks and drinks for the class. A snack calendar will be sent home monthly with your child. I ask that you send in a can of 100% juice or milk in addition to your child’s snack. (This can be sent in anytime so that your child does not have to carry it.) Fresh fruit, crackers, cheese, raw veggie sticks, applesauce, and granola bars are great choices for snack. Please avoid things like ice cream, cake, and cupcakes (with the exception of birthdays) as they are very difficult to distribute and clean up. There is a refrigerator to store perishable items. You may want to provide a separate snack to be stored here in the classroom for your child if he or she has food allergies. If you forget your child’s snack day, I usually have an extra available. It is very helpful if you send in a replacement to replenish my supply. If you send a snack which requires utensils or paper plates, please send in the items with the snack.
Birthdays	I honor every child’s birthday in kindergarten. If your child’s birthday falls on a school day, we celebrate on that day or as close as we can to that day. If your child’s birthday falls during a vacation or in the summer months; we still celebrate it. I call this an un-birthday, so it is not confused with the real date. You will see your child’s special day designated on the snack calendar. You may send in a special birthday treat on this day. Note: Please do not send in birthday invitations to be passed out in school unless you plan to invite everyone. Feelings are very easily hurt in kindergarten, and no one likes to be left out.
Toys & Electronics	Toys and electronics should be left at home unless it is a show and tell item. The classroom is filled with materials to encourage growth and development. Toys from home often cause distractions and other problems that can detract from the learning environment.
Communication	A weekly parent letter will be sent home every Friday outlining the activities of the week and what to expect for the following week. You may email me or call me at school with any other concerns that are not covered in the letter. School- (518) 963-4456 ext. 263 Email- mlaferriere@willsborocsd.org In emergency situations only, I can be reached at home. Home- (518) 963-4676
Personal Hygiene	Our classrooms will have a bathroom this year. We will be taking scheduled bathroom breaks throughout the day. Your child should be able to use the toilet, wipe, flush, and wash his/her hands independently. Of course I expect occasional accidents. It may be helpful for you to send in a box of flushable wipes for your child to use if he or she has trouble in this area.
From the Nurse	Please send in your child’s immunization records in if you have not done so already. Karen Crowningshield will copy them and send them promptly back to you. If you need to excuse your child for a medical appointment; please send in a note of explanation and the time of departure. Parents must sign out children in the main office if it is before regular dismissal time. Please let the nurse know about any health concerns.
Your Child	If your child has any fears or apprehensions about anything; please tell me about it. I want everyone to be as healthy and happy as possible in school.
Visitors	Visitors to the school may enter through the main office and sign in at the desk. All other entrances will be locked during the school day. Please try to avoid unnecessary classroom visits as it often causes children to become emotional and takes away from the learning environment.
Volunteers	I have a student volunteer in the classroom daily. Occasionally, I will also ask for help from family members such as on field trips or during special holiday projects.
Schedule	The entire school is on a rotating six day schedule. The specials schedule is attached to this letter. I will also note the day of the cycle on the snack calendar. The children will be split for all specials except gym due to the large class size. Please note I have also included a rough schedule of our day.