Absence/Dismissal:
Please remember to let the office know first if you child will be absent, or if they have a change in their dismissal plan. You can call or email. You can also enter an absence in ParentVue online; Once logged in, click on the "Attendance" tab, and then click on "Report Absence."
Absences: 651-621-8001 or noelle.valberg@moundsviewschools.org
Dismissal changes: 651-621-8000 marta.devine@moundsviewschools.org and/or noelle.valberg@moundsviewschool.org
Frequently Asked Questions:
In the section below, I'll answer some FAQs. I plan to leave the questions and responses up so you can refer to the information here as needed! Any time I add to the list, I'll let you know in an email. A link to this site is always in my email signature.
WHAT IS THE BEST PLAN FOR WINTER GEAR IN KINDERGARTEN?
#1- send a second pair of snow pants to leave at school. Label them with a name, and “SCHOOL” on the inside tag. They can stay hung up here at school and will be ready any day your child needs them, though I will send them home once or twice-usually over a long weekend- for washing (no fashion show here… this 2nd pair can be 2nd-hand and do not need to match or be fancy!)
#2- if you plan to send snow pants back and forth to school each day, I suggest a separate bag for snow gear. It can be really hard for kids to re-pack folders, shoes, library books, etc. all into their backpack at the end of the day. And sometimes the snowpants are still damp, which makes their folder and books damp too. A bag just for the extra snow gear is helpful.
Pro tip- check this bag nightly… as often damp gear needs to be hung up or washed and dried to avoid getting musty.
You are also welcome to send a pair of shoes to leave at school. They should be labeled with name and “SCHOOL” too, and can be kept on the top shelf of the coat-rack above your child’s nametag. *It is my strong preference that students wear boots to and from school in winter weather… this keeps our classroom floor and rug dry. I also appreciate students having shoes they can fasten/tie independently... as I can't tie 24 pairs of shoes at arrival and after lunch.
Pro-tip: toss an extra pair of socks in your child’s backpack on snowy days… when the snow is deep (and fun!) kids often come in from recess with wet socks. It’s really nice to have a warm, dry pair to put on as opposed to hanging out in damp socks for the afternoon.
Please try to label as much of your gear as you can! I will teach kids how to put hats and mittens inside their jacket sleeves, but things still seem to get moved around somehow!
WILL MY CHILD HAVE HOMEWORK IN KINDERGARTEN?
I will not be requiring formal homework this year, or setting up a specific homework routine (this is district policy for our grade level.) Families have different levels of committments outside of school and we honor that. Also, for some kids the full day at school is enough and more gross motor play or extra sleep may serve their body more.
I do think students benefit from sharing what they are learning with you in conversation at home. The weekly announcements, Mrs. Woodcock's newsletter, any photos shared, papers coming home might give you some launching points for conversation at home. Some students share more than others (remember, it's a long day for 5 and 6 year olds... when they tell you they don't remember what happened, that might be true!)
I also believe strongly in literacy at home; both adult modeling of reading, and adults reading TO their kindergarten student. Even if your child is reading a bit or begins to read during the year, research tells us that children still benefit significantly from being read to. So consider this your informal homework assignment- make time to read to your child.
HOW WILL YOU CELEBRATE BIRTHDAYS IN CLASS?
Birthdays are a fun part of our class culture. I want each child to have their special celebration day! If your child has a birthday in July or August, we will celebrate their half birthday in January and February. All June birthdays will be celebrated at the beginning of June prior to the end of the school year.
We do have a no-food policy in place at Snail Lake for birthdays. This means you may not send in any edible treats with your child on their birthday. Students will be celebrated by hearing their name on School-wide Announcements, I'll will provide a crown, the class will sing happy birthday, and we will make a little class book with birthday wishes for each student. If you would like to do something additional to celebrate, here are a few optional ideas: (there is no expectation to do anything additional!)
-join your child for lunch at 10:55 (sign in at the office, meet at the cafeteria entrance, no siblings please- there is very little extra space at the tables)
-record/compile a birthday video message and email to me. I will play it for the class at our morning meeting (9:15am)
-birthday napkins... send in enough festive, decorative napkins for the class and your child can pass them out at snack time. It's a fun way for kids to greet the birthday kiddo individually (during the pass out) and makes our snack for the day festive!
WHAT IS EXPECTED STUDENT BEHAVIOR IN CLASS? WHEN WILL PARENTS BE CONTACTED REGARDING BEHAVIOR?
At Snail Lake we say the school promise each morning: "We promise to practice Self-Control, Empathy, and Cooperation." We talk about and look for examples of these expected behaviors throughout the day, the week, and the year. (You can help reinforce these words and behaviors at home too!) I like to keep it positive in class and point out students showing expected behaviors whenever possible! Right now we have a "Listen Jar" we are filling up when the whole class stops to listen (showing self-control.) We had our first reward on Friday morning- extra play time!!
Inevitably, there will be times students need a reminder or a reset in class. Here are the steps I'll take then:
Teacher Gives a Friendly Reminder
STOP and THINK from chair spot (reset mind & body) Stop, Think, Return
If behavior continues; miss minutes from play time that day
Contact parents/care-givers
There are also some cases where a behavior concern is passed along to our Dean of Students, Mrs. Strickland. These would include hurting or threatening another student, hurting a teacher, unsafe action (running away,) hiding, innappropriate language at school. Mrs. S does a great job of listening and discussion with students, she also has a quiet space for kids to calm down and or reset. If students visit Mrs. Strickland, she follows up with a gold colored "Fix It" sheet that comes home in green folders and she usually calls home too.
WHAT IF I NEED TO PICK MY CHILD UP EARLY OR AT DISMISSAL TIME?
If you have an appointment or even find last-minute needing to pick your child up during the school day, park and come in to the office. Let them know your child's name and that they are in Mrs. Sabby's class. Office staff will help gather your child. (It's helpful to let them know if your child will be returning or not, this way they know if the backpack should come with.) It can be helpful to know our daily schedule ... if students are at specialist or recess when you arrive, it may take a few extra minutes to get them to the office.
If your child typically rides the bus, and you find yourself needing/wanting to pick them up at dismissal time call the office and let them know of the change. The office staff will generate a change in dismissal "ticket" that they bring to our classroom. This way, if I was unexpectedly out for the day, the guest teacher (substitute) would be notified of the change. If you have time and want to email me, or send a note in your child's green folder, I appreciate knowing about changes so I can reassure your child and prep them for change, but it's not necessary to contact me too. The most important and first communication should always be to the office. If it's early in the day or a day in advance, you can email office staff about the change. See the section right above this FAQ for email addresses to use.
