Classroom Information
Contact:
Please make sure to send all notes and important papers in your child’s folder. I will check these folders in the mornings. If there is an emergency, you are welcome to call the school. Please know that while I am teaching, I cannot answer the phone. You can leave a message with the school secretary and I will return your call. Quite often voice mails get lost or overlooked. I do check my e-mail during breaks in our day.
E-MAIL IS THE BEST WAY TO CONTACT ME!
Change of clothes:
Please send to school a complete change of clothes (pants, shirt, socks, undies). Place the clothing in a ziploc bag which will be kept in their lockers as backup. Accidents of all sorts happen frequently in Pre-K.
Specials:
Students at Alward get to participate in 4 different specials; PE, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, Math), ART, MUSIC. Children also get to go to the Library once a week.
PE Shoes:
Students are able to keep PE shoes at school in their lockers or wear gym shoes on PE days
Birthdays:
We love to celebrate birthdays in Pre-K. However, due to allergies we will be having treat free birthdays. Students may bring in a send home item to celebrate their birthday such as pencils, stickers, bubbles or other dollar store items. Summer birthday? Feel free to send items in for a celebration on their half birthday. Please only send party invitations to school if you are inviting our whole class!
Rest Time:
Everyday we take a rest break following lunch. All students are expected to lay down and take a silent break. Please send in a towel or very small blanket for your child to lay on during rest time. This will stay at school with the student, do don't send their favorite one! Towels will be regularly sent home to be washed. No pillows or stuffed animals will be allowed.
Snacks:
Students will have a brief snack break in the morning and afternoon. Please place snacks in the front pocket of your child's backpack (seperate from their cold lunch). Candy, soda, and other similar items will not be allowed to be eaten. I will have a classroom treat bin if anyone forgets.
Lunch:
Please send in a lunch in a designated lunch box. Please do not send soda or candy.
Lunch Choice:
There will be two lunch choices every day. Please review the choices at home, so it is not overwhelming in the class. If your child is bringing lunch from home, please make sure they have items they can open.
Transportation:
If your transportation is changing, you MUST send the change in WRITING or call the office with the change information. Please remember if it is not in writing the child will be sent home the same way we have in our records.
Take Home Folder:
Your child will have a take-home folder. This folder is my way of communicating with you daily. Please make sure to check the folder daily for important papers, homework and behavior updates. If you have notes for me, lunch money, transportation changes, book orders, please make sure to put them in the folder. I will check their folders first thing every morning; please make sure they are returned daily! Please ignore the labeled sides of the folder. Students will pack their own folder and tend to stuff things on either side. Please check everything in the folder regardless of which side it is on.
Money:
Please make sure that you ALWAYS send money in an envelope. Please label money that you send to school with students name, purpose, and teacher.
Toys/Items from Home/Locker Decorations:
Please do not send items that may be a learning distraction to school. These items include stuffed animals, play jewelry, watches with alarms; purses, etc. Outdoor equipment, including balls are NOT allowed. Please keep them at home.
Water Bottles:
Students are allowed to bring water bottles. Please make sure they close VERY well. They will be dropped, tipped in backpacks, etc. We do have a drinking fountain in the classroom that students are welcome to use. PLEASE ONLY PUT WATER IN THE WATER BOTTLES. Sweeteners, juice, lemonade etc. are sticky when they spill! They need to be cleaned daily.
Google Site:
It is very important that you check the Google Site weekly for important announcements. There are also useful links such as lunch, library, and the Alward blog.
Classroom updates will be posted on the classroom site. This will explain what your child is learning and ways you can help. This will also include the specials schedule, important dates, star student of the week, and homework.
Background Checks:
If you have not already done so, please fill out a visitor background check form online. All visitors who plan on coming for walk-a-thon, lunch, parties, field trips, book fair, etc. must have background checks. The background check takes a few days to process, and often parents do not have it cleared in time to attend special events. Please have both guardians complete this check.
To complete this check, please follow the instructions below:
Go to:
The Hudsonville Public School Website- http://www.hudsonville.k12.mi.us/
1. Click on Schools
2. Click on Elementary Schools
3. Click on Alward
4. Click the orange box on the left called Parent Resources
5. Click on Volunteer Background Check Form
6. Complete the form
** You do need to redo this every year.**
Conferences:
You are always welcome to request a conference. However, I must have at least 24-hour notice. I will always do my best to accommodate your schedule. I cannot accommodate pop in conferences as this will take away from my teaching time. We will have formal conferences in November and March.
Visitors:
ALL visitors MUST sign in at the office BEFORE they come to pick up their child before school hours are over. Teachers cannot release children (even to parents) if you have not signed in at the office. This includes picking up children from the playground, lunchroom, and specials.
Tardiness / Absences:
You MUST go to the office to sign in if you arrive after 8:50 am. Please make sure to call the school and e-mail me if your child will be absent. If your child has been absent, please send a note with the reason for the absence.
I am very excited to build a relationship with your family! If you have any questions or concerns, please let me know!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Harmsen