F.A.Q.

What is the best way to get in touch with Mrs. Dunn?

Call the Wycallis school office at 674-7283.  The office will take a message and I will call you back as soon as possible.  

You can also email me at rdunn@ d s d h s . c o m  [don't leave spaces between "dsdhs.com"]

Do you have snack in Kindergarten?

We have a daily snack time in Kindergarten.  Please pack one dry snack everyday for your child to eat during this time.  This will help keep your child's brain and body working at their best!  Our snack time should take no more than 15 minutes and will be eaten in the classroom, so please keep that in mind when planning your snacks.  Also, foods requiring minimal clean up are best! 

Students will use their water bottle at snack time.  Please make sure it's filled with only water (juice, Gatorade, or sugary-drinks are very sticky when spilled).  Please keep snack separate from your child's lunch.

Some snack ideas that students seem to enjoy include: crackers, pretzels, dried cereal, string cheese, raisins, fruit, baby carrot sticks.  It is appreciated if you would avoid sending in candy, cakes, pudding, fruit cups in juice, soda, greasy chips, and finger-coloring foods.  Do NOT send anything with peanuts or peanut butter due to allergies.

Can I come into school to read or help out?

I welcome parent/caregiver volunteers!  Information on ways to help will be shared as the year progresses.
*Volunteers must have their clearances on file with the WPC office.  Please click here for more information.

Does my child get a report card?  What do you use to assess his/her progress?

Each child is formally assessed quarterly.  Skills include social/emotional development, reading and language, writing, and mathematical skills.  Your child's Standards-Based Report Card will be published on the Parent Portal of CSIU for parents/caregivers to view.  Conferences are set up in November and February to discuss individual results and to monitor progress.  

What support services are in place for Kindergarten students?

Reading Specialist

Wycallis Primary Center has two Reading Specialists that work with small groups of children who need additional support to learn beginning reading skills. In addition, students may also work with our Reading Specialists to support emerging literacy skills. Children receiving this support are assessed often to monitor progress and determine the best intervention for them.

School Guidance Counselor

Our school counselor offers whole-class lessons around making friends, cooperation, self-esteem, and problem solving.  The school counselor is also available to assist students who struggle with feeling comfortable at the start of Kindergarten and/or who have some trouble separating from parents.  She is also available throughout the year to help any child who needs support with coping skills and understanding and dealing with feelings.  

Special Education through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)

Children who need support beyond the regular classroom may be eligible for special education services.  Most times children who need an IEP transition to Kindergarten from preschool/Early Intervention with an IEP.  The school faculty will meet with you to review the IEP and possibly conduct a re-evaluation.  Children who do not already have an IEP but may need additional intensive support may be referred to the school's instructional support team for interventions and possible referral for a psycho-educational evaluation with the school psychologist.  Parents are a significant part of this process.  

Speech/Language Therapist

The Speech/Language Therapist is available to support children who need additional help with articulation and/or language skills.  Sometimes, our Speech/Language Therapist will work with children on an informal basis to help them more consistently make a particular sound correctly.  Other times she will work with children who have an IEP with specific speech and language goals and objectives.

Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapists work closely with Kindergarten teachers to observe and assess students who need additional support with learning fine motor skills such as buttoning, zipping, pencil grip, writing, cutting, etc.  The occupational therapist may make suggestions to your child's teacher and/or complete additional assessments, which may result in a child working directly with the occupational therapist.  If your child needs direct services with the occupational therapist, your child's teacher and/or the occupational therapist will be in touch with you.  

English Language Learners

Children who do not speak English or who are just beginning to learn English receive additional instruction to assist them with their language development.  These children gradually learn the language through their classroom experiences and their time working with the English Language teacher.  Students who receive ESL are assessed and monitored throughout the year to determine the level of English Language support they need. 

Gifted Support

Teachers differentiate their instruction to support the learning needs of all students and embed enrichment activities into their instruction. Students who may qualify for gifted education services are referred for an evaluation to determine if additional support is needed.