O.W.LOutstanding, Wonderful Learners

Mrs. Aiello- Lead Teacher

Mrs. Cunningham- Co- Teacher

• Our classroom is very busy throughout the year. Communication is necessary so that you can know about all the wonderful activities occurring during the week and any changes in our classroom policies.

• We also have a classroom Phone Tree. This is a great way for families to plan social activities outside of school Please fill out the form before you leave so we can add you to the Phone Tree.

• The “Woodland Flyer” is our classroom newsletter that will be sent home in each child’s folder at the beginning of each month, as well as being posted on the classroom website at www.sfab.org.

• If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at maiello@sfab.org. I check my email frequently throughout the day.

• We are very excited to be implementing the Starfall Pre-k Curriculum in our class this year. This is a hands on and center based curriculum.

“This exciting PROGRAM integrates math, science, health, creative arts, social studies, physical movement, early literacy, and social-emotional development, all under a framework of guided instruction and imaginative play. Key curriculum highlights include:

• Motivation — Build a cooperative classroom environment to fuel motivation, with child-directed instruction, hands-on experiences, ownership of materials, and interactive online activities, and by supporting and exploring imagination.

• Phonological Awareness — Ensure readiness for phonics instruction with short, daily exercises.• Phonics — Introduce letter-sound relationships systematically, sequentially, and explicitly. We use the Lively

Letters Program.• Vocabulary — Explore vocabulary in quality literature, during instruction, and in everyday communication.• Social & Emotional Development — Prepare children for new social environments presented at school by

example, through direct communication, and with cooperative learning activities.• Science — Explore the magic of the natural world with simple scientific experiments involving plants,

temperatures, textures, and more!• Math — Build a foundation for mathematical thinking through center exploration, activities, and games, using

math children encounter every day.”• www.starfall.com

• Each child should have a backpack in order to transport all their belongings to and from school. We ask that your child’s name be clearly written on the backpack.

• Following in our belief that classroom communication is the key to a child’s success, we have provided each child with a School to Home Communication Folder. Please send this folder to school with your child each day

• These folders will hold all important notices, permission slips, and letters from the teacher. Please put any notes that you have for Mrs. Aiello/Mrs. Cunningham in this folder.

Thank you!

• As we are a Catholic school, each child should be in full uniform every day. This includes a navy t-shirt, navy shorts(until October 1st) pants and a navy sweatshirt all with the St. Francis emblem on it.

• Sneakers work best for the children in the pre-school environment.

• Like the backpacks, we ask that each child’s name be printed clearly on each piece of their uniform (particularly the sweatshirts).

• Accidents can happen during the day, and that’s okay We ask that the children bring in a large labeled zip-lock bag with a change of clothes just in case an accident occurs. We will keep this extra set of clothes at school

• This bag should contain a pair of socks, clean underwear, sweatpants/ shorts, a t-shirt, and a sweatshirt. All labeled please

• Our school procedure is that we will escort the child to the nurse’s office to change and then a note from the teacher will be sent home as well as a call from the school nurse if necessary. Clothes will be sent home to be washed and returned so that we always have an extra set at school. A note will also be in your child’s folder.

To ensure the children safely get dismissed we have several dismissal procedures.

•If your child stays half a day, the following procedures apply:- A teacher will walk them to the front entrance of the school after their lunch recess at 12 pm.

•If your child is full day, the following procedures apply:– The teachers will stand by the Washington St. glass doors with the children

immediately following prayer at 1:45. Children will be dismissed to a parent/guardian.

– If your child goes to the Extended Day Program, an Extended Day Teacher will bring your child to the Extended Day Program in the School Hall.

•To further ensure their safety, we ask that if there is a change in the child’s transportation home, a note must be sent in to the teacher. We will then inform the main office of this change.

•If your child is going on a play date with another child or non-family member, a note is needed from both parties. This ensures that you know that they are going home with another parent and the other parent is aware that they are taking additional children home with them. If however, another family member (aunt, uncle, grandparent…) is picking the child up, only the note from the parent is necessary.

• Due to our busy schedule, many of the children often become hungry mid-morning. We ask that each child bring in a healthy snack to eat to help keep them satisfied until lunch at 11:05.

• However, with the growing number of allergies in our classroom, our classroom is Peanut free. Please no peanut butter snacks for morning snack. For lunch, a special table is designated for those with allergies, therefore, peanut butter is allowed at lunch.

• Hot Lunch is available for the children as well. We ask that if your child is buying hot lunch that a note with their meal choice and the money be sent to us in a clearly marked envelope in your child’s School to Home Communication Folder. Hot lunch does begin on September 8th

• For more information about the lunch program, visit the lunch program page at www.sfab.org.

• While much of our day is based on center based learning in the classroom, certain times in the day are set aside for the children to explore outside the classroom as well. We will provide jump ropes, chalk, hula hoops and other outdoor equipment for them to use.

• Lunch recess will be everyday from 11:45-12:00• Please be aware of the weather and make sure that your child is

wearing the appropriate clothing. School Policy is that the children will not be allowed to play outside if they do not have the proper attire in the cold weather (jackets, hats, gloves…).For we do not want them to be cold.

• Be sure that the child’s name is in all of the child’s outerwear as well for easy identification.

• Our schedule consists of many fun filled activities, therefore, it is necessary for the children to have a cool-down period. All children will have a 30 minute rest time. During this time, soft music will be played and books will be read to the children.

• The children may bring in one small stuffed animal to snuggle with during rest time. Please no blankets or pillows.

• The children are not required to sleep, but we stress the importance of letting our voices and bodies take a break for a short time.

Prek Specials• The prekindergarten children do have

specialist classes throughout the week.

• Prekindergarten children participate in the following:

• IPad class-Monday Afternoons• Art Class- Tuesday Afternoons• Gym Class- Wednesday Mornings• Italian Class- Wednesday Afternoon• Music Class- Friday Mornings• Reading Buddies- Friday Mornings

• *Schedule subject to change

• With our busy schedules, special toys and possessions often get lost or broken. Therefore, we ask that all toys except the rest time buddy be left at home.

• There are plenty of toys in our classroom for the children to use freely and this will help the children learn the concept of sharing with the other students

Prek Behavior Policy• We believe in reinforcing the positive

behavior and making a child feel comfortable and safe when he/she has made a not so good choice.

• Our policy is that a child will be given three friendly reminders to make a better choice.

• If after three reminders, the child is still choosing to not listen the child will be moved to a better learning spot.

• If the child is still choosing not to listen after being moved. The child will go to the “Friendly Forest” for 5 minutes which is a special place in our classroom that allows the child to calm their bodies, snuggle with a stuffed buddy, engage in puzzles/coloring activities and talk with the teacher about making better choices

• The teachers will send a note home in the take home folder if your child needed to visit the “Friendly Forest.”

• Although we take every precaution to keep the classroom a germ-free environment, the children still find a way around staying healthy. We kindly ask that if your child is sick, that they should stay home from school. Please send in an absent note when your child returns to school. This does need to be a handwritten note.

• The nurse has also asked that if your child is out with flu-like symptoms, that they bring in a handwritten doctor’s note upon their return.

• There is a full time nurse available in case your child feels ill at school. The nurse will call you with any concerns she may have. If your child is running a fever, they will be sent home.

• There are many ways to get involved with our classroom/school activities. Some examples include:– The major school fundraisers– Book Fair– Guest Reader Friday afternoons in our classroom– Play Doh Club– Lunch/Recess Volunteers

• If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out a CORI form in the main office. CORI Forms take two weeks to process.

• This year we will have a stuffed wolf “Frankie” as our class pet. The wolf is also the mascot for our school

• Each weekend starting in October, the children will be able to take Frankie home and journal about their adventures. We will read about these adventures during Circle Time each Monday.

• Frankie will also come with a book that you can read at home together

• A note will be sent home in advance when it is your child’s turn with Frankie.

Star of the Week• In October, we will begin our

Star of the Week Program!• Each child, will have an

opportunity to be the Star Of the Week.

• The Star of the Week will be able to choose his/her classroom job for the week and will also be sharing special things about him/herself throughout the week.

• A Star of the Week Poster will go home with your child the Friday before.

•In our classroom, on a birthday, the child will receive a birthday crown, pencil, certificate, and a pin. We will also sing “Happy Birthday” to them before snack time. They will additionally be the line leader for the day.

•As for holiday parties/special events, our classroom has decided to be engaged in a variety of arts and crafts to celebrate. In your child’s School to Home Folder is also a Special Snack Permission Slip. This will allow your child to take place in any special food activities throughout the year The children will each be receiving something extra special from the teachers on these extra special days

for coming to our Open House!

We hope you enjoyed your visit. If you have any questions, please feel free to

contact us.

We cannot wait to see you again on September 8th

Have a great Labor Day Weekend!Mrs. Aiello and Mrs. Cunningham