Welcome to the PSD Class!

You can reach me in several ways:

• E-mail me at ABreitenbach@HamburgSchool.com

• Message me using our Class Dojo app (quickest response will be acquired using this method)

• Write to me in your child's communication folder

• Call me at 973-827-7570  (extension 406)

Our continuous communication with each other will help ensure that our students remain successful.  I will always respond to your messages as quickly as I can. 

  If at any point during the school year (not just during parent / teacher conference times) you would like to meet with me or the Child Study Team, please do not hesitate to ask!  We will gladly schedule a meeting at your convenience.  I typically hold two sessions of Parent / Teacher conferences; one session in the Fall and one in the Spring.  Please note that we are not able to have discussions at drop off and or pick up times about how your child is doing.  Confidential conversations such as those must be held at other times.  However, we will be sure to schedule a time to meet with you at your convenience.  It's going to be a wonderful and productive school year!

  Drop off and pick up for your Pre-K student will take place in the drop off and pick up lines with all of our other students.  An adult will be readily available to help your child exit your vehicle at drop off.  There's no need to worry about your child arriving safely at the appropriate classroom, as our staff members will be sure to get them where they need to go.  At pick up time in the afternoon, an adult will use our Pick Up Patrol procedures to "call" for your child(ren) and an adult will assist in getting your child to your car.  Please do not leave your vehicle parked and walk up the sidewalk.  If you walk to pick up your child, there is a designated area for parents to gather in order to call for your child(ren) to exit the building.   In the event that you are late for arrival or early for pickup, you will need to park and come to the Main Office for assistance.  For more information about drop off and pick up, please see the school website or call the Main Office. 

  Welcome to the 2023-2024 school year at Hamburg School.  My name is Amy Breitenbach and I am a Special Education Teacher who will be working with your Pre-Kindergarten students.  The students call me “Miss Amy”.  

  The Pre-K years are an important time in a child’s life as students learn not only the foundational skills for academic success, but also build a love of learning and form friendships that often last a lifetime. It’s going to be a year full of enriching experiences for your child, and they are going to have a blast while learning so many skills.  Throughout the year, we’ll work on the usual preschool themes such as letters and numbers, colors and shapes, fine and gross motor skills. More importantly we’ll assist your children to become lifelong learners, teach them how to use appropriate social skills, continuously facilitate group learning, and so much more.  Students with IEP’s also receive one on one instruction using Applied Behavioral Analysis which fosters success at each student’s own pace.  Assisting me in providing these ABA services to our students are some of the most amazing paraprofessionals on the planet.  Each of the teachers in our classroom is highly trained in the areas needed to ensure our students continue to grow and be successful, and they work tirelessly to help our students reach their goals. Our wonderful staff members are the reason we are able to reach such high success rates.  Some students will also be receiving additional related services, such as Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and/ or Physical Therapy.  These direct services are provided in accordance with student IEP's, however we do participate in many activities within our classroom daily that will reinforce each of the skills covered by these therapies.  I believe that students learn best when they are having fun, and so we will create fun learning opportunities throughout each school day.

 Class Dojo will be utilized as a platform for us to communicate, and it will be the platform that we use most often to send you information about what is happening in our classrooms.   If you need information on how to join our classroom on Class Dojo, please email me at ABreitenbach@HamburgSchool.com and I will assist you.    

     Your child will need the following items for school: 

• A backpack large enough to fit an 8.5” x 11” folder inside

• A complete set of clothing, including socks and spare sneakers (In a ziploc bag)

• 2 healthy snacks and drinks (reusable, leakproof water bottle)

• Any personal hygiene items needed by your child

  Please make sure that ALL items are labeled clearly with your child’s name. It is also important that your child is wearing socks and sneakers or other secure footwear each day for safety reasons. We are very active throughout our day, including outdoor play (weather permitting) and gym class. Please note that sport sandals and boots are not permitted for gym class—sneakers only! If your child does not have proper footwear, he or she will not be permitted to participate in gym class activities. In addition, please have your child wear shorts underneath any dresses or skirts that are worn.

    Please pack healthy snacks and plenty of fluids for your child each day.  We do have a water fountain outside of our classroom that we can use to refill your child's thermos, and there is an option for students to purchase the school lunch if you choose to do so. Our cafeteria runs on a cashless system, so an account will need to be set up online.  For more information regarding our school lunch program or setting up an account, please see our school website or contact Mrs. Bifano at MBifano@hamburgschool.com.  All of the school supplies (such as crayons and scissors) that your child will need are already in the classroom.  

  I am looking forward to working with your child each day.   Our continuous communication will ensure that our students are achieving their goals.  

 Be sure to visit the Hamburg School web page at www.HamburgSchool.com frequently for news about what’s happening at our school.  Sometimes our photos are even on display!

Our Pre-K teachers here at Hamburg School are dedicated to providing the best possible program for your children.  Together, our four Pre-K teachers share a common vision and have written it down to share with all of our families. 

Pre-K Team Vision

  We will work collaboratively to provide a kind, nurturing, loving, and supportive environment for our Pre-K community, including students, parents, and staff.  Our classrooms will be a safe space built on trust and community, encouraging the development of students emotionally, socially, academically, and physically.  As a team, we will promote life-long learning.

  At Hamburg School we celebrate birthdays in a variety of ways, but we do not celebrate with food that is sent in from home due to extreme, life-threatening allergies.  As an alternative to sending in food items with your child, please send them in with something to share, such as a favorite movie or game.  Students can also choose extra play time, or outside play time to celebrate.  The sky's the limit on ways to celebrate and we look forward to seeing how your children choose to celebrate.  If you would like to include a snack in the celebration, our cafeteria does offer an option that you can purchase.  Please let me know if you would like more information about that option.

Throughout the school year our Pre-K students and their families will have the opportunity to purchase age-appropriate books through the Scholastic Book Club program.  Each month, the fliers will come home with your child and you can look through to see if there are any that you would like to purchase.  Purchases can be made online, or by sending the flier back to school with your selection(s) chosen and the payment for your books.  Instructions for how to make a purchase come home each month along with the fliers, and the date that orders must be submitted by is written on the instruction sheet.   This book club option is a great resource, as books are often much cheaper than if you were purchasing them elsewhere and books are great gifts for our young students.  Also, purchasing books through Scholastic will earn free books for our Pre-K classroom. 

Scholastic.com/BookClubs

Our class code: GQKFY

  Pre-K is a very exciting time in a child's life.  It may be the first time he or she steps away from home and transitions to another setting.  There are many ways that you can help your child be confident and comfortable with this transition.  Here are a few tips that you may want to give a try:

• Establish set routines, especially for morning and bedtime.  Children need to get enough sleep and be prepared for the day without being rushed.  We want to begin every day setting our students up for success!

• Visit the classrooms ahead of time.  Our school offers a Pre-K Meet and Greet the day before school starts so that students can meet their teachers and some of their new friends.  Having parents with them on this day makes it easier for them to separate from parents on the first day of school.

• Read books together about going to school. Literature is a great way to prompt a discussion about going to school.

• Talk to your child about their feelings.  How do they feel about school, friends, teachers, and new activities?

• Practice getting ready for school each day before the day arrives.  Learning how to get ready takes time and practice.  Pretend it's a school day and go through the steps with your child of how to get up, dressed, fed, and out the door.  You may event want to start the trend of packing their backpack the night before with their communication folder and any special items that are needed for the next day.

• Rehearse self-help skills such as dressing, cleaning up, and hand washing.  Your child will be more confident when they are asked to do these things at school if they have practiced already.

• Involve your child in packing his or her snacks.  Ask them to make some choices (from items that you offer) and engage them in making and packing everything so that they can begin to take responsibility for their own items and choices. 

• Practice what snack time will be like.  Pack snack in their lunch box and then show them how to open and close it, and how to open some snack baggies or containers.  Let them give it a try on their own. They may need lots of practice with opening items, but the more independent they can be with their lunchboxes the more confidence and independence they will feel. 

• Be sure to speak to your child about how much they are going to like school.  If they hear you speaking positively about it, they are more likely to have a positive view of how their experience is going to go.

If your child is struggling with the transition to school, please let us know.  Together we will figure out the best ways to help him or her be successful.  School should be a pleasant experience for everyone involved!

Our PSD class will travel to other locations in the school building for these specials.  Please be sure to send your child to school wearing sneakers every day, as we do play outside almost every day, and secure footwear will keep our students safe. 

Monday- Gym

Tuesday- Art

Wednesday- Gym

Thursday- Music

Friday- Library