Ms. Robertson’s Pre-K Handbook/Survival Guide

Dear Parents,

We would like to take the time to welcome you and your sweet angel to the Pre-K /Child Development Program at North Columbia Elementary School.  I am LaShonda Robertson, and I will be your child’s teacher this year.  April Maddox, who likes to be called Mrs. April is my amazing para.  Mrs. April and I are looking forward to an exciting year with you and your child.  We feel that it is important that we work together and support each other in order for your child to have a rewarding first educational experience.  It is our goal to provide social, academic, emotional, and physical development.  Included in this handbook are general information notes and answers to frequently asked questions that you may need to refer to during the year, so please keep it handy.  

Mrs. Robertson & Mrs. April

Absences

Children are not allowed at school with a fever and must be fever and symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.  Do NOT send your child to school if they are sick or exhibit any symptoms.  According to our district’s policy, your child is allowed 10 unexcused absences.  After that, in order to retain your place in this Pre-K program, you will need a doctor’s excuse for any further absences.  Please send a parent note or doctor’s excuse for every absence.

Administration

We have an awesome administration here at NCE.  Our principal Mrs. Gambrell, and our assistant principal, Mrs. Jones are amazing and are here for you and your babies.  

After School Program 

North Columbia provides after care for all students, Monday through Friday from 3:40-6:00.  

Arrival

The school building opens to students at 8:10 a.m.  All pre-k students are to report directly to our classroom if they are not eating breakfast in the cafeteria.  Staff will be available to help escort them to the classroom, if older siblings are not available.  A schoolwide policy is that parents are allowed to walk students inside the first few days.  Thursday is Independence day.

Assessment

Unlike other grade levels, Pre-K will not receive report cards quarterly.  However, they will receive 

a report of their progress twice a year in December and May.  We will hold conferences at this time.  They will also have informal assessments throughout the year to monitor their progress.  

Attendance

It is very important to have your child at school on time and ready to learn every day, unless they are sick.  If you are late getting your child to school, you must go by the office to sign them in.  The tardy bell rings at 8:40.

Behavior

We will focus and reward good behavior when your child had a great day.  If your child has a great day, they will receive a smiley face on their behavior chart to let you know.  When they accumulate 5 happy faces for the week, they may visit our classroom treasure box on that Friday.  Good behavior is very important.  Please reinforce positive behavior.  They can also receive dragon dollars for being respectful, responsible, and ready to learn.  These dollars can be spent in the class or school store!  Please see the Rewards section below.

Keep in mind that our Pre-K babies are only 4, so typical 4-year-old mischief is not a problem.  For disruptive and extreme behaviors, a note home or a phone call will be made and further action as necessary.  

Before School Care (Early bird)

North Columbia offers early morning care for all grade levels from 6:45 am-8:20 am.  Visit Rev Trak to register and view the cost.  Please contact Kim Drake at 706-541-1158 if you are interested in this service for your child.  Registration and payment through RevTrak is encouraged.  Please see the school’s website for more information.

Birthdays

Birthdays are very special occasions for young children.  We will recognize your child’s birthday if you are in agreement.  We welcome you to celebrate their birthday at school with a “read and feed” activity during snack time from 2:50-3:05.  You can even join them for a lunch date.  This is so exciting for them!  Just let us know ahead of time.  If their birthday just passed this August, you are welcome to come and do a “read and feed” in honor of their special day the 2nd week of school.  For summer birthdays, feel free to come in May.  Just reach out and let us know.

Book Bags

Your child needs to bring a standard size book bag large enough to fit a folder, towel/small blanket, and other supplies (labeled with his/her name) to school every day.  (Please do not send in mini backpacks.)  Blankets need to be able to fit inside their backpacks and will be sent home every Friday.  They MUST be washed so they are fresh and clean before returning to school on Monday.  Please do not send book bags with wheels, as these pose a threat of danger for young children in crowded hallways.  They also need to keep a complete change of clothes inside their backpacks inside a Ziploc bag with their names on it. Be sure to include extra underwear and socks inside this bag.  The clothes inside the bags need to be appropriate for the season and will remain inside their backpacks at all times.

Breakfast and Lunch 

Breakfast is available every morning.  If your child will be eating breakfast, please have them to school before 8:20.  If your child brings their lunch box, please be sure the lunchbox is labeled with his/her name.  The cost for a full price breakfast is $1.75 and lunch is $3.50.  Adult breakfast is $2.75, and lunch is $4.75.  Make payments via  EZSchoolPay.com.  Please keep in mind that your student's balance should not exceed $14.75. 

Bus Behavior and Procedures

If your child rides the bus, explain to your child that he or she must obey the bus rules set forth by the bus driver, and stay in their assigned seat.  Each child will be assigned a route number for their specific bus.  Please help your child remember their route number for their bus, and I encourage you to begin helping your child learn his/her address.  Parents are responsible for getting your child on the bus at the designated bus stop for your neighborhood.  In the mornings, your child will be supervised getting off the bus at school, and they will either go directly to class or to the lunchroom if they choose to eat breakfast.  There is a system called Edulog that will allow you to track your child’s bus.  I highly encourage you to sign up for this app if your child is a bus rider.  

Car Riders

At dismissal, your child will be dismissed in the car line, which will be on the side of the school.  Please get in the car line and place your transportation card on your rearview mirror, so that it is visible to scan electronically.  (These tags need to be obtained before picking up your child in the car line.)

Change of Clothes

Please send in a change of clothes that includes a shirt, pants (shorts during warm months), 2 pairs of underpants, and socks.  Have all clothing labeled, and place them in a clear plastic gallon sized bag labeled with their names.  These will remain inside their backpacks.  This will help us, help you for small accidents that occur here at school.  For major accidents and bowel movements, a parent will be called, and it will be necessary to come change your child.

Class Parties

Typically, we have a Fall Celebration, a Winter Jingle, and an End of the Year Program.  There will be other celebrations throughout the year.  Please check your weekly newsletter for more information throughout the year.  We welcome volunteers during this time!  If your child can not participate in these events or have food allergies, please let us know as soon as possible.

Classroom Rules

1. Looking eyes (Eyes on the speaker during instruction.)

2. Listening ears (Ears listening when the teacher is teaching or a classmate is speaking.)

3. Quiet Voices (Mouth quiet during learning time.)

4. Hands and feet to yourself (Hands are for helping, not hurting.)

5. Quiet feet (Walk quietly, and never run inside.)

Clothing

Please dress your child in comfortable and manageable clothing that is easy for them to manage independently to use the restroom. On P.E. Days, please dress them in sneakers. 

Daily Schedule

Our daily schedule will be posted online on my web page, and will also be sent home.  Our schedule is carefully designed to meet the state and school requirements to ensure that your child receives optimal learning in a fun environment.

Dismissal

The students are dismissed at 3:40.  During open house, we verified your child’s mode of transportation for dismissal to determine how they will go home in the afternoon.  If at any time, there is a change in the routine you provided us, we need to have written notice indicating that change.  If something comes up and transportation changes during the day, please message me via the Parent square app and call the school (706-541-1158), so we will be notified of this change.

If your child will be picked up by someone other than you or the designated person you provide to us, please let us know.  All visitors to the building are required to show ID.

Email

Mrs. Robertson can be reached by email at my school email address:  lashonda.robertson@ccboe.net, and Mrs. April can be reached at april.maddox@ccboe.net.  We check our email first thing in the morning, and again at the end of the day.  If there is something that we need to be aware of immediately, please call the office and leave a message if we do not respond to your message.  Our cell phone service is very “sketchy” in this new beautiful building, so there is no guarantee that we will receive your message.  If we don’t respond, assume that we did not get the message.

Emergency Cards

Your child will have an emergency card on file in the office.  At least two working phone numbers are required in order to contact parents in case of illness or emergency.   If your numbers change, please notify the office and your child’s teacher immediately.

Facebook

Our class has a facebook page online called 2026-2027 Mrs. Robertson and Mrs. April’s Pre K Class.  This is a private facebook group where we post pictures of exciting learning experiences that take place in our classroom to give families a birds eye view of your child’s academic journey on pre-k.  You may join our facebook group using the direct link provided in the Parent Square app.

Folders/Money

Each child will bring home a folder daily, and keep in mind that “Family Involvement Starts Here.”  The pockets on the inside of the folder will be labeled “Keep at Home” and “Return School”.  Please check your child’s folder everyday, and remove all items on the “Keep” side of the folder. The daily communication/behavior chart and any other important notes that need immediate attention will be on the Return to school pocket.  Please sign the behavior chart daily.  Weekly newsletters will change every Monday, and will be placed inside the plastic sleeve in the back of the folder.  This folder is very important because it will be our main line of communication.  Whenever money is sent to school with your child, it should be placed in a sealed envelope placed on the return side.  Write the child’s name and the purpose for the money on the outside of the envelope.  Place the envelope in your child’s folder.  Discuss with your child that he/she is not to remove anything from his/her folder.  Only the teachers or a parent should remove items from the folder.  Your child should never remove any papers from this folder.  Please check and empty the folder daily.  

Google Web Page

We will have a google web page with helpful information.  Go to our school’s website and click on my name to view the page.  This page will be updated soon with standard information.

Guidance

Our school guidance counselor is available if you feel it would benefit your child to meet with her to discuss major issues in his/her life.  Our school counselor is Ms. Simons.  She can be reached at tina.simons@ccboe.net.  She sponsors several helpful parent classes throughout the school year.  

Homework

Please read with your child nightly, and review letters, letter sounds, numbers, and sight words.  Any other skills to practice will be sent home in your child’s folder.  

Ice cream

Ice cream is available to purchase during lunch time for $1.25.  If you would like your child to have ice cream, please specify on their folder for that day.  However, we have been informed that we as teachers are unable to limit children from buying extra items at lunch.  Therefore, if you don’t want your child to spend your money without your permission, please send a note to the lunchroom manager or contact her via email at paula.basham@ccboe.net.  The price of the ice cream varies.  It is preferred if this money is put on EZ School Pay. However,  you may also pay via cash or check.   If you send money in with your child, money needs to be labeled and placed in an envelope on the return side of the folder.  

Illness

Please do not send your child to school if he/she has a temperature or displays any signs or symptoms indicating that they do not feel well.  If he/she does have a fever, please know they must be fever and symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school.  If your child becomes ill at school, you will be contacted to come and get them.  We need at least two working phone numbers at all times to contact you in case of an emergency.

Inventive Spelling

Inventive spelling is when children write the sounds that they hear to spell a word (example: elufnt, for elephant).  This is perfectly acceptable and developmentally appropriate for Pre-K.    Please do not tell your child how to spell words, but rather, encourage them to use their sounds to facilitate inventive spelling, by “sounding it out”.

Journal Writing

The students will learn how to do journal writing.  I encourage you to buy a journal at home to encourage free drawing and writing.  Journal writing for Pre-K is a process that begins with scribbles and gradually develops into written expression complete with age appropriate drawings.  You should see growth in your child’s writing throughout the year.

Kindermats

Every child will be provided a red and blue Kindermat for rest time.  They will sleep on the red side, and the blue side will be on the floor.  These mats will be cleaned weekly, and they must remain in good condition.  So, please express the importance of taking care of school property.  

Learning Centers

We use learning centers in the classroom to enrich and extend learning.  When they are in learning centers, they are learning academic and social skills, such as cooperating with others.  

Me Bags

A paper bag (lunch size) will be sent home for your child to fill with items that will help us get to know him/her better.  Please return these August 21, the week prior to our “All About Me” theme.  Four children will be featured each day that week.  More specifics will be attached to a bag when it is sent home.  

Medication

All medication must be sent in its original container with written permission and dosage amount.  All medicine will be administered and approved by the school’s nurse.  If you send cough drops, please send these to the nurse with a note as well.  Be sure that all medicine is labeled with your child’s name and placed in a plastic bag. Our new school nurse is Ms. Rebecca Mills.  If you have any questions regarding medication, please contact the nurse. rebecca.mills@ccboe.net).

Money

When sending money to school, please send it in a sealed envelope with the following information: your child’s first and last name, the amount of money, purpose for the money, and teacher’s name.  Place the sealed envelope in your child’s daily folder on the return side.  Do not send your child to school with money in their hands, in their pockets, or loose in their folders.  Keep in mind that a separate envelope is needed for lunch, school pictures, etc. because they are not all sold by the same organization. Revtrak is the preferred method of payment whenever possible for our school district.

Notes

Look for any notes from the office and from us to come home in your child’s daily folder.  If you need to send a note, it should be sent on the return side of the folder.

Outside

Your child will have outside time daily, weather permitting.   Please dress your child appropriately for the weather for outdoor play time.  Sneakers are ideal, but not required.  

Parent Involvement

Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school.  Your first involvement should be checking your child' s folder daily, and we welcome volunteers.  As we need specific help in the classroom, I will reach out via our weekly Newsletter, Parent Square, or Facebook.  Please remember that everyone must sign in at the office and receive a pass before entering the classroom.  All volunteers must attend the volunteer training prior to helping in the classroom.  I recommend both parents and grandparents fill out the volunteer form now, so when you want to volunteer or attend fieldtrips, everyone is good to go.

PBIS

North Columbia Elementary is a PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Support) School.  This means that our school creates a positive learning environment for all students.  We have a school-wide reward system using dragon dollars that we use to frequently reward positive behavior.  Your child will be able to spend these dragon dollars weekly.  If a dragon dollar comes home with your child, please be sure to return it in their folder, so it is available to use at the Dragon dollar store.

Parent Square

Parent square is the new app that will replace the Remind app.  We will use the Parent Square app for all important messages.  It  is a quick one stop shop form of communication that allows us to get short messages or pictures to the entire class quickly.  Please download the Parent Square app to receive important updates and reminders that will come directly to your phone from me, the school, or the district. 

Personal Belongings

Your child does not need to bring any personal belongings such as toys, books, jewelry, or school supplies unless we specifically request these items.  They will be allowed to bring a toy on show and tell day only (Fridays); however, the toy they bring needs to be a learning opportunity to learn and reinforce beginning letter sounds.  Their general school supplies will be provided for them.  The things that they need to get started are a towel or small blanket, a small stuffed animal, and a change of clothes placed inside a gallon size Ziploc bag.  

Principal

Our amazing principal is Mrs. Tonya Gambrell, and our amazing assistant principal is Mrs. Jackie Jones.  They are outstanding administrators who are passionate about this school and always look out for the best interest of North Columbia Elementary.  Mrs. Gambrell can be reached at tgambrell@ccboe.net, and Mrs. Jones can be reached at Jacqueline.jones@ccboe.net .

PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization)

All parents are strongly encouraged to join the PTO at North Columbia Elementary.  This organization does a lot for our school, and more specifically for our classrooms.  We love and appreciate our PTO!  Please join, participate, and support our PTO.

Questions

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s education.  I will be happy to meet with you to discuss your concerns.  You can contact us by calling the school at (706) 541-1158, or by emailing any questions, comments, or concerns to lashonda.robertson@ccboe.net.  If you have an immediate concern, call the school or send a message via Parent Square because I only have time to check my emails during my break at the end of the day.

Quick Goodbyes…leave drier eyes!

Read:  Read to your child daily, and let your child see you reading daily.  Children learn so much sharing this bond with a grown-up.

Remind

Our school district will no longer be using the Remind app.  Parent Square has replaced the use of this app.

Rest Time

Our Rest Time will be towards the end of the day.  Your child will be provided a kindermat.  They will need a small blanket or towel, and a very small stuffed animal.  Even though I am permitting your child to bring a small stuffed animal, if it becomes a major distraction, your child could lose his/her privilege to do so.  Please wash your child’s blanket or towel and stuffed animal every Friday or a day on the weekend and return clean on every Monday.  If you choose to wash it more often than once a week, that’s great, too.

Revtrak

Revtrak is a secure credit card payment processing industry that is used to handle the financial transactions of our school and school district.  Revtrak allows you to pay for all school activities and services online.

Rewards

We love rewarding awesome behavior!  When students have great behavior all week, they will earn a chance to go into the treasure box on Fridays.  We welcome any donations to fill our treasure box and treat jars!  In our classroom, we try to constantly give verbal praise, and often, they may come home with a sticker, stamp, or candy for good behavior.  For exceptional behavior, we may send home notes in their folders or message you.  As a school, we are doing a school-wide behavior initiative where any teacher in the school can reward the students for good behavior with dragon dollars, and they can save these to visit the school store to buy prizes.  Ask your child often about their dragon dollars.

Show and Tell

We will have “Show and Tell” on Fridays.  Feel free to coordinate your child’s show and tell along with our featured letters we are learning in class.  We will use their show and tell to emphasize beginning sounds, so it would be helpful to review this with your child before they share their show and tell.  Be creative!

Snack Time

We will have snack time every day after the kids return from specials.  We will have a snack sign-up sheet, and we ask that each parent sign up for at least 2 different months, and provide 2 large snack items for the month signed up for (Ex. Box of cereal, Large box of goldfish, Large container of cheese balls, cheez-its, pretzels, etc.).  If we run out of snacks, we will contact only the parents who signed up for that specific month.  We may also request specific theme related snacks throughout the year.

Special Needs

In the event that your child has any special medical problems or custody issues, please inform both the office and teacher in writing so appropriate accommodations can be made.  Also, please submit any special religious requests in writing so that they may be honored for your child.  

Supplies

In Pre-K, we do not have a required supply list.  The only supplies that the students absolutely must have are a small towel/blanket and a change of clothes.  We will provide mostly everything else they need.  However, we will have a “wish list” that we will put on the weekly newsletter for needs in our classroom.  Please remember, the items on the wish list are optional and not intended to pose a financial burden on anyone.  The items we put on this list are often just items we would love to have to help our job be a little easier, a little more fun, or most importantly, a little healthier environment for your child.

Toys

Toys from home are not allowed unless they are brought to represent the focus letter for show and tell.

Units and Themes

We will study many different units and themes throughout the year.  Please check the weekly newsletter for the themes and units of study.  A complete glance at our year’s weekly themes will be sent home.

Volunteers

All Volunteers must complete the volunteer training before volunteering or chaperoning for any event at North Columbia Elementary.  All visitors must check in in the front office and receive a visitor’s pass prior to coming to the classroom.  We need a volunteer form (Fill out front and back.) and a copy of each volunteer’s drivers license that will be kept on file in the office.  You can send a copy or email your ID to kelly.lonergan@ccboe.net.

Water

Please send in a child-size leak proof water bottle every day.  These water bottles should only contain water and should be cleaned daily.  We have refill stations available throughout the school.

Weekly Newsletter

Each week, we will send home a weekly newsletter that lets you know what your child will learn each week, and the skills to practice at home.  We will also include important reminders that you need to be aware of.  Please look for this newsletter at the beginning of each week, and read it carefully.  To keep you informed, the class newsletter will be on one side and the school newsletter will be on the other side.

Wishlist

Occasionally, we will send home a wish list of items needed for class projects or immediate classroom needs.  It is not required that you donate items, but we would greatly appreciate anything that you can donate.

EXperiences 

We will have many wonderful experiences this year, such as crafts, science experiments, hands-on activities, making class books, and playing many different educational/learning games.  They will all be fun and exciting.

You

You can help make your child feel successful this year by doing some of the following:  Reading to your child is the single most important thing you can do.  It encourages them to become good readers.  Another important way to help your child is to discuss the school day with them by reviewing skills of the week and asking questions that cause them to reflect on their learning, which in turn, helps them to remember new information.  

ZZZZ’s 

Your child should get plenty of rest each night.  Children their age require 10-12 hours of sleep a day.  It is so important for your child to be alert and ready to learn each day.  Set a bed time and be consistent.

Thank you for taking the time to go over this information.  It’s a lot of information, but hopefully it answers any questions you may have.  Please feel free to write a note, email (lashonda.robertson@ccboe.net), or call (706-541-1158).  We are looking forward to a great year!  We understand your desire to have a wonderful first school year experience for your child, and we share that same desire.  You are turning over your greatest treasure, and we plan to take great care of them.  We will do everything possible to provide a year in which your child feels loved, safe, and happy.  Our primary goal as a team is to develop in your child a joy for learning!

LaShonda Robertson & April Maddox