St.Augustine School

2023-2024 PreK A Checklist

Mrs. Sandra Merheb

Ms. Carol Couture

Arrival: 

All Students are expected to be in the schoolyard at 8:45 AM as we gather as a school community for morning prayer. If your Child is going to be absent, I request that you send an email letting me and the school nurse know. For Safety reasons, the entrance to St.Julie Billiard Early Childhood Education Center will  be locked all the time. You need to call the classroom if you are running late at: 978-783-3937.

Early morning Care will be held at the main school.Parents participating in this program should drop off their child at the main school at the specific time pre-arranged with the Early morning team. 

Schedule:

Our daily schedule is not fixed and can be changed according to children needs. But I try my best to keep the daily routine that help the children understand the expectations of our classroom, feel secure  and comfortable. 

- We will have weekly special rotation: Music, gym, art and STREAM. 

- We will be going to church once a month with the school mass. 

- Rest is a part of our routine. The children are expected to rest for 45 min. Please bring a small blanket, that can fit in the cubbie. A stuffed animal that your kid would like to rest with. ( small blanket, stuffed animal, lovey, no toys, no pillow, no sleeping bags. ) 

Dismissal:

Now all our students are full day students. Full day starts at 8:45 am to 2:50 pm. Dissmisal will be at 2:50 pm to a parent or designated person at the PreK A back door. 

If your child is registered for afterschool program, we will make sure the student will get released to the afterschool team on time. 

I appreciate you being prompt in picking up your child. Parents must send a note in advance (morning drop off time is fine) if the person picking up your child has changed. I will need to check photo ID before releasing your child. I appreciate your patience, as these measures are employed to ensure the safety of your child. 

Snacks and Lunch:

All students should bring a small snack and a lunch, do not forget the water bottle.  If you are intersted in purchasing lunch for your child, the school is offering a lunch program Campus cuisine, you just need to create your own account and order daily. Please let me know if your kid has any allergies. Because of the risks with food allergies, children will be discouraged from sharing snacks or lunch. Packaging should be such that your kid can manage somewhat independently. Please bring your own napkins, straws, utencils as we do not always have these on hand. Please do your best to pack a healthy snacks fruits, vegetables, yogurt... please limit the sugar intake for your child during school hours. 

Labels: 

Everything should be labeled: school uniform apparel, backpacks, lunch boxes, coats, sweaters, boots, etc... 

We ask that your child please leave toys at home. 

Bathrooms: 

Please bring in a change of clothes, including socks, plus underwear for your child to have on hand should he/she have an accident. These items may be stored in a ziplock bag with the name of your child on it. 

In the event your child has an accident bowel movement, you will be contacted and asked to either pick your child up or to come and change his/her clothes. Please replace clothing promptly and change out clothing for the approriate season and/or growth spurt. 

School nurse:

There is a full time nurse on staff at St.Augustine School. Should your child need services, the school nurse will be contacted. There is a first aid kit in our classroom for minor cuts and bruises, as well as Ice packs for the occasional bumps to tender bones. Please remember that if your child is sick, he/she should be fever free for at least 24 hours prior to sending him/her back to school. Please check all the health protocol in the student guide and please check with the nurse before returning to school. 

Parent-Teacher communication:

Check your child's mail folder daily for important notices/updates and your child daily work. I will send a weekly email to update you with what we are working on. I will be using seesaw to send you cute pictures of your kids. If you don't want me taking pictures of your kid please let me know. 

Please notify me directly of any change to your child's life that may impact his/her comfort level in the classroom. Paper/pen are located on top of the cubbies for parents to leave notes, paperwork, forms,etc..You can always email me and I will get back to you ASAP Again if you need to contact me urgently, please call the classroom directly at: 978-783-3937.

Student report:

I will keep records on your child from the beginning of the year. Assessment are distributed in the middle (February) and at the end of the school year. Conference are scheduled in February, but you may request a conference any time, should the need arise. 

School closing/Early release:

Our schedule will be the same as the St.Augustine school Calendar unless noted differently. School closing due to inclement weather, you will get a call from our principal with all details. 

Volunteering:

I would welcome parent volunteers in our classroom as guest readers, to help with centers or special projects, or to accompany us on field trips. All volunteers must be Cori'd. Please see Katie in the main office to inititiate this process if you have not done so already. NOTE: please check the VIRTUS website for a schedule of upcoming Protecting God's Children training which is mandatory(One time in a lifetime). You can as well check the schedule at ST. Augustine andover parish and St. Micheals in North Andover. They are offering a in person training. 

-Please make sure to take a paper to register the days you are available so I can create volunteering schedule. We have two ways to volunteer: During centers (9:30 -10:45) , and as a guest reader in the afternoon( 2:00-2:20). 

Birthday Celebration:

On your child's birthday, you can bring a simple treat (edible or not edible) for the class to share. Please note: If your child has allergies, please consider leaving a supply of treats in the classroom for your child to enjoy if the children are having an edible treat that your child may not be able to have. 

If you are having a birthday party at home and are inviting all children in the class, you may bring invitations to school to distribute. If you are only inviting a portion of the class, please mail the invitations. This saves hurt feelings. 

Scholastic Book club:

A kid who read is an adult who think. It is very beneficial to read for your kids at least 20 minutes a day. The PrekA classroom has an opportunity to earn points toward the purchase of books, games, manipulatives, etc. for the classroom. I would be sending monthly emails to order books if you are interested. I will send a reminder before I submit the order for the month. Our class code: V7XWW and should be used anytime you place an order with scholastic. Last year I was able to get my students 3 books each from scholastic as a gift using my points, and few extra educational toys for my classroom. 

Dress code:

Students are to wear the St.Augustine school gym uniform to school. This will further promote our ties and solidarity with St.Augustine school. Please dress for the weather, not the season. We go outside, weather permitting, year round. the fresh air does wonders for a child. Please keep this in mind when sending your child to school. Children should wear sturdy shoes for the playground, no sandals, flip-flops or Crocs please. In winter, please be sure your kid wears boots, a warm jacket, hat, mittens, plus snow pants, or suits if we have snow on the floor. We encourage to keep a pair of slippers or extra shoes in your child cubby to wear in the classroom in the event shoes are forgotten on those boots days. 

Website: https://www.staugustineandover.org 

Teacher email: Smerheb@staugustineandover.org