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A B C's
of Mrs. Zemaitis’ Preschool Class

 

 

j0283273.gif Allergies:  Please notify me if your child has any allergies – food or seasonal.  Special accommodations will be made for students with food allergies when we have class parties or birthdays.  ** The preschool classroom is a peanut-free classroom.**


 j0283274.gif Backpacks: roomy enough to hold a lunchbox, 9x12 folder, large papers and yet easy for your child to carry independently (NO wheels).  Please label the backpack with your child’s name.   


j0283275.gif Creative Curriculum:  The Creative Curriculum is the research-based curriculum approved by the State of New Jersey and chosen by the Riverdale School to educate preschoolers. 

 

j0283276.gif Donations:  Any help you can offer when I periodically request tissues or items for craft projects is greatly appreciated. 


j0283277.gif Emergencies:  You will be contacted if your child is injured or becomes ill during the school day.  We also have a school plan in case of fire or lock down emergencies.  It is very important you provide phone numbers where you can be reached as well as emergency contacts.  Please keep this information current and notify us immediately of any changes. 


j0283278.gif Field Trips:  Preschool field trips relate to a unit of study or thematic unit.  In the past, we have taken walking field trips as well as had visitors to the class.  Advance notice of any trip is given to parents. 


j0283279.gif Guests:  If you would like to share a talent or occupation with our class, please let me know and we can arrange a time for you to visit.  It is great to have parents teach us too. 


j0283280.gif Handwriting:  Hand dominance, strength, grasp, and coordination are only a few of the components of handwriting.  Many of the projects we do and the manipulatives we use provide the groundwork for good fine motor and handwriting skills.    The four-year-old class will have a semi-formal introduction to handwriting and the three-year-old class will be introduced to handwriting based upon their individual abilities and through writing his or her name.

 

j0283281.gif Illness: Please keep your son or daughter home from school if any of the following symptoms appear: fever of 101 or higher, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea, cold symptoms with green/yellow mucus and/or a persistent cough, a rash of unknown origin, or pink eye.  If during the school day any of these symptoms manifest themselves, you will be contacted by the school nurse to pick up your child.   


j0283282.gif Jackets:  Weather permitting, even chilly winter days, we will go outside to play.  Please label all of your child’s garments; children often do not remember which items belong to them or sometimes they fall in love with a classmate’s items.  We also have a ‘Zipper Club.’  To be a member you must be able to put on your own jacket, engage the zipper in the track, and pull the zipper shut.  


j0283283.gif Keep up:  and stay informed by checking and addressing all of the flyers and forms that come home in your child's folder.  Also, read and initial the ‘Tell Me’ Books every day. 


j0283284.gif  Label:  LABEL, LABEL, LABEL everything with your child’s name.  

 

j0283285.gif Messy Materials:  Part of preschool fun and learning is getting messy.  We use lots of paint, markers, glue, and shaving cream.  We will paint with brushes, sponges, hands, fingers and feet!  Please be mindful when selecting outfits for your child to wear to school.  We use ‘washable’ products and wear smocks but occasionally clothes might get soiled.  

 

j0283286.gif Nutrition Policy:  The Riverdale School has a nutrition policy.  It is published in the Student Handbook.   Please refer to this policy when sending a treat for a birthday celebration or a class party. 


j0283287.gif Outdoor playground:  We will play outside weather permitting; this includes chilly autumn days and mild winter days.  Our playground has a special rubber surfacing to minimize bumps and scrapes, but please keep in mind sneakers or rubber-soled shoes are the safest footwear for preschoolers.  Please, no flip-flops. 


j0283288.gif Parent –Teacher Conferences:  are formally scheduled twice a year (fall and spring).  Communication and conferences are not limited to these specific times.  Please feel free to contact me anytime during the school year to discuss your child’s development, ask questions about progress, or share any concerns. 


j0283289.gif Quick Goodbyes --- leave dry eyes!

 

j0283290.gif Report Cards:  Preschool report cards are distributed three times a year – fall, spring, and June.

 

j0283291.gif Snack:  Students should bring a small snack every day in a lunch box or brown bag labeled with his/her name.  Please pack a small drink and nutritious item (fruit, veggie sticks, etc.).  Remember healthy habits that start at a young age can last a lifetime.  * Please, NO PEANUTS or PEANUT BUTTER.*

j0283292.gif Toys: Please avoid allowing your child to bring toys from home to school; unless it was specifically requested.  Hearts are broken when treasured items or toys go missing or break. 


j0283293.gif Units of Study or thematic units:  Basic concepts, reading, writing, and math readiness skills are taught through thematic units.  Preschool themes relate to tangible and observable things in a child’s environment such as seasons, holidays, community helpers, etc.  A newsletter/flyer is distributed to make you aware of our unit of study. 


j0283294.gif Volunteer:  Join the PTA!  When you are involved and feel a part of our school, your children will see and realize how important you believe school is. 


j0283295.gif Weather and School Closings:  Please register with the Honeywell Instant Alert System to be notified of school closings, delayed openings, or early dismissals.  Preschool is in session with a modified schedule on these days.  


j0283296.gif eXciting, eXperiences, and eXperiments through our units of study  


j0283297.gif Year-long calendar:  is distributed at the beginning of each school year.  Information can also be found on the school website.  


j0283298.gif ZZZZzzzzz:  We are busy, busy, busy!  A good night’s sleep makes for a good day.  Preschool children need 12 – 13 hours of sleep a night.  Sweet dreams!