Kindergarten Orientation August 29, 2013 Springwoods Elementary School

Welcome to Springwoods Home of the Patriots Lyn Marsilio, Principal Scott Fowler, Assistant Principal Sue Cerrone, Professional School Counselor Sommer Mostafavi, Professional School Counselor

Kindergarten Teachers Sharon Collins, Kindergarten Teacher Donna Gwin, Instructional Assistant Rebecca DeMaria, Kindergarten Teacher Margaret Rice, Instructional Assistant Kathy Leggett, Kindergarten Teacher Bernie Bannister, Instructional Assistant Deborah Lewis, Kindergarten Teacher Helen Jordan, Instructional Assistant Angie Kitta, Kindergarten Teacher Mary Ryan, Instructional Assistant

School Hours 8:45 a.m. - 3:15 p.m. 8:25 a.m. - Breakfast in the Cafeteria 8:35 a.m. - Students are allowed into the building.

Attendance, Tardies, Early Dismissal We encourage all students to attend school on-time every day. Being here consistently helps students develop routines and participate in their learning community. PWCS Policy: Student who misses 10 or more days without making up school work may be considered for retention.

Attendance and Excuses Parent must notify school by 9:00 a.m. on the day of your child’s absence. Please call the absentee line and leave a message (703) A written note, in addition to a phone call, is required when your child returns to school, providing the reason for the absence. In order for prearranged absences to be classified as excused, a letter must be sent to Ms. Marsilio one week prior to the expected absence. Parents are encouraged to schedule family trips during school holidays.

The first day of school, all students will hear the following message: Our class is a safe place: –we will take care of each other, –learn together, and –build a learning community together. I will help you become the best student you can be.

First Day of School  Students should come to school the first day the same way they will for the rest of the year. (Example: If they will be riding the bus to school daily, please make sure they ride the bus the first day of school).  Students are lined up by grade level outside the front door.  Kindergarten teachers will meet students outside to take them into the school.  Parents will not be allowed to walk their children to class.

Volunteer Training New Volunteer Training – Thursday, September 19 th at 9:30 a.m.

Snacks  Students should bring a small, healthy snack to school each day. Please remember to send a snack the first day of school.  The snack should be separate from their lunch, and not require eating utensils, i.e. the snack should not be packed in the lunchbox.  Please make sure you write your child’s first and last name on his/her snack.

Class Parties In PWCS, class parties are limited to 2 per year. Parties are for students only. Your child’s teacher will inform you of the class parties. For birthdays a small treat (mini cupcakes or muffins, pretzels, fruit, veggies, popsicles, etc) may be brought in during lunch or for snack.

Lunch Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria. Teacher and instructional assistant will eat with the children for a period of time. Children may either bring a home lunch or buy lunch. Please review the lunch menu with your child at home as each child will have to make his/her lunch choice every morning. For students purchasing lunch, it is best to send a check with your child’s first and last name written in the memo section. This can be done today. You can also prepay online at MyLunchMoney.com. It is best not to send in cash.

Springwoods Reading Pledge All our students are required to read for 20 minutes per night. Reading to your child is the very best thing you can do to foster academic success.

Summer Reading All summer reading forms, both Summer Quest and Springwoods, are due to your child’s teacher by Friday, September 6th.

Please, No Toys! Please do not allow your child to bring toys to school. Absolutely no play guns, knives, or weapons. Please check backpacks before coming to school.

Emergency Cards A pre-printed emergency card will go home with your child on the first day of school. You will need to verify or correct the pre-printed information. Please sign the front and back of the emergency card and return to school on September 6th. It is imperative that we get this completed card back the second day of school. If emergency contacts or phone numbers change during the year, please notify the office immediately.

100 % ID Check In all Prince William County Schools, visitors must present a picture ID upon entering the building.

Book Bags Please check your child’s book bag each day when he/she arrives home from school for important papers and information. Friday Folders Please make sure the book bag is large enough to hold a standard folder and large library book.

Buses Please inform your child’s teachers of his/her bus number today. An adult needs to be at the bus stop when kindergarten children are let off the bus. If an adult is not there, the child will be returned to school. Older siblings cannot pick up your kindergartener at dismissal. Students will have the opportunity to get on a bus today.

Kiss and Ride If your child is a car rider, the drop off and pick up point is our parking lot, not the bus loop. In the morning and afternoon, several teachers will be on duty at “Kiss and Ride”. In the afternoon, a kindergarten teacher and/or assistant will walk the children to the parking lot.

Back to School Night Monday, September 30 th 7:00 p.m. This evening is for parents only.

Off to a Great Start! We look forward to working with you and your child this year. We know it is going to be a great year. Welcome to the Springwoods Family!