Mrs. O'Neill's Kindergarten
Chapel Street School Room 11
Welcome to KINDERGARTEN!!!
I am so excited to be your child's kindergarten teacher this year.
My name is Dena O'Neill and I have been teaching Kindergarten for over 20 years and I LOVE my job!!! Each year is full of rewarding experiences as I get to help your child learn and grow. I am hopeful that this year will be a rewarding one for all of us as we work together to provide enriching experiences for our children.
The months of September and October are a time for adjustment. The children will be working on playing together, learning the classroom rules and routines and staying at an activity for a certain amount of time. Remember that play is an important part of learning. It takes a while to become acclimated to a new school, new room, new teacher, and a new routine. We want school to be fun and we want your child to feel safe and comfortable.
In order to make an easier kindergarten transition for the children, parents, and myself, I offer the following procedures to you:
- Label ALL personal items (backpacks, lunchboxes, coats, etc.) with first and last names.
2. I have provided a folder for each child as a means of communication. Please be sure that you check it each night and return it to school EVERYDAY.
4. NEVER send money to school unless it is in an envelope with your child’s name on it and what it is for. Money will not be accepted unless it is in a marked envelope.
5. LUNCH: Students can order a lunch from the lunchroom or bring a lunch from home. If your child is going to order lunch at school it is your responsibility to make sure there is money in their lunch account. Students do not need to send money into the classroom on a daily basis. You can pay their account on line or send money to the cafeteria to keep in their account. Please make sure money is in an envelope with your child’s name.
- Your child has a choice of hot lunch, bagel, sandwich, or salad. To be sure your child receives the correct lunch please put a small note in their folder with their choice. This will be helpful in the first few weeks of school.
6. ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL: All students will arrive through the front door of the building, through the doors closest to the library. I will be meeting the students out there for the first week of school. Students will be given a bus tag to wear home so the bus driver and teachers can identify them as a kindergarten student and help them as necessary. Students should wear their bus tags to school every day. Some children do cry when separated from a parent but usually stop within minutes of entering the room. Although it is heartbreaking, the best thing to do is just say goodbye and go. This strategy has been successful in the past.
- School begins at 8:45. The doors open at 8:30. Students can enter school between 8:30 and 8:45. Students who enter after 8:45 are considered tardy and need to report to the office for a pass before coming to the classroom.
- Dismissal is at 3:15. Walkers will be dismissed through the front of the building either through the Flood car loop or from the cafeteria. A teacher will walk them to the Flood parking lot loop. Please have your ID ready for teachers at dismissal. This is for the safety of your child.
- I will need to be notified of any changes in your child’s dismissal routine.
- Please remember that our arrival and dismissal procedures are in the best interest and SAFETY of your child.
7. CLASSROOM MANAGEMENT: Each student has a cup with their name on it. This cup is for earning sticks. When students follow the rules and work cooperatively, they get a stick in their cup. Sticks can also be taken out if students are misbehaving. When students earn 10 sticks they can pick a prize from the prize box. You can follow through at home with rewards and consequences too. A child receives the best education possible when we work as a team. Remember, you are the most important person in your child’s life.
- A list of classroom rules will be sent home soon.
- If you would like to donate small toys for our prize box it would be GREATLY appreciated.
8. BIRTHDAY’S AND CELEBRATIONS: Due to food allergies the Stratford Public Schools have adopted a NO FOOD, PEANUT FREE policy. I would be happy to acknowledge your child’s birthday at school. You can send in pencils or stickers for your child to pass out but we cannot share food items.
- Please note that we can not pass out invitations or thank you notes in school unless there is one for each child in the class. A class list will be sent home after the start of the school year.
- As far as holiday celebrations, I will ask you to send in a special snack for your child ONLY, in a bag we decorate at school. We will also do special centers, art projects or extra recess for special occasions.
9. COMMUNICATION: I will be sending out updated information to you, about our classroom, through email. The subject of the email will be: Kindernews.
- If you feel the need to discuss any issue with me I am available before and after school. Please put a note in your child’s folder to let me know of any matter you wish to discuss.
- The best way to reach me is through a note in your child’s folder. I also have email, which I check daily. You can reach me though email at o'neilld@stratk12.org .
10. SUPPLIES: See Supply List page
I hope this will answer some of the questions you might have. Please refer to this notice during the school year.