Parent Orientation - Ducks Class Teacher: Tamma Ruth Assistant: Lorena Lerner Ducks’ School Days and Hours 5 Days Monday-Friday, 3 Days Monday, Wednesday, Friday Please remember the first week of school we will dismiss at 12:00 this helps transition your child to the daily schedule and helps alleviate separation anxiety. Classroom Philosophy The focus of our 3 year old class is to expose the children to a caring preschool environment while promoting the joys of learning. Through regular classroom routine and instruction, our children will enhance their listening skills and ability to follow instructions. They will become more independent and self confident. During the year they will learn the letters of the alphabet, numbers, shapes, and name recognition. We will provide a safe and loving classroom for them to succeed and thrive. Circle Time During Circle Time we will check the weather, introduce the letter of the week and check the job chart. We will discuss weekly themes and read lots of books. We will sing, do finger plays and share exciting ideas. Learning Centers Each day we will have several learning centers. The children will get to rotate through these areas. Centers may have blocks, puzzles, art, play dough, math manipulatives and dramatic play. Teacher Directed Activities Activities will vary but will include group and individual projects, journaling, science, playing games, cooking, and reading. Recess We will go outside daily, weather permitting. Please dress your child appropriately. No open toed shoes. When we have inclement weather, we will play in the Big Room. We will have toys and games for them there. Specials Music with Mrs. Waddington Library for checkout and returns on Fridays

Chapel One morning a month we will have Chapel with Father Peter. He will share a story with the children about God and Mrs. Waddington will lead them in music. Weekly Calendar/Newsletter I will a Newsletter/Calendar for each week. I will also list the child responsible for the weekly snack. If you do not have I will send the Newsletter/Calendar home on Fridays for the following week. Snacks Each week, one family will be assigned to provide a snack for the class. Please send in healthy, nutritious foods such as cup up fruit, animal crackers, applesauce, oranges, apples, crackers, veggies and dip or muffins. We are a nut free school. Please do not send in any snack which contains nuts. We do have a berry allergy and a milk intolerance in our classroom. Birthdays You are welcome to bring in a special snack for your child’s birthday. Please let us know in advance if you would like to do something to celebrate at school. Change of Clothes Unexpected messes will occur so please bring a complete change of clothes for your child the first day of school. Place clothes in a one gallon zip lock bag labeled with your child’s name. Parent Teacher Conferences We will schedule conferences in January. If you have any questions or concerns at any time during the year, please let us know. You may me at or call me Room Parents We would love to have two parents volunteer to be the room parents. They would help with class parties, cutting projects and making play dough. Website This is our class website where I will post information and pictures.

Daily Schedule 9:30 – 9:50 Arrival, Greeting & Circle Time 9:50 – 10:10 Centers, Free Play, Art 10:15 – 10:40 Special: Chapel, Music or Library 10:40 – 11:30 Wash hands, Bathroom and Snack 11:30 – 11:55 Recess 11:55 – 12:20 Centers, Teacher Directed Activities 12: :30 Free play, Clean Up & Good-bye Song Library Day is Friday (*Please return your library book on Friday each week so that you can sign out another book.) Schedule is subject to change for special events or lessons Ducks’ 5 Day Class List Birthdays 1. Carlina Byrd 05/09/12 2. Katie Branch 04/09/12 3. Yona Chere 04/03/12 4. Jack Doherty 11/17/11 5. Jefferson Leon Landaverde07/23/12 6. Leaul Mekuria 04/08/12 7. Netanya Pradhan02/11/12 8. Sofia Santiago03/15/12 9. Yaja Sapkota12/12/11 Ducks’ 3 Day Class List Birthdays 1. Esteban Aquino-Isasi01/03/12 2. Nate Koles03/24/12 3. Obi Okpom11/01/11 4. Brandon Rhoades09/27/12 5. Jackie Rhoades09/27/12

Helpful Hints and Suggestions for a Great 1 st Day of School The first day of school is an exciting milestone in your child’s life. It can also be quite stressful. For many children this may be their first experience of separation from parents or caregivers at home. It is common for even the most outgoing child to be anxious the first day of school. Here are a few suggestions to assist you and your child during this time. 1. Prepare your child for what to expect. Convey a positive attitude. Your enthusiasm will assure your child that school is a fun place. 2. Establish a routine the night before and on the morning of school. Predictability is comforting and familiar. Allow your child to bring something from home such as a blanket or picture. 3. Clearly state to the child where you will be while they are in school. Explain to him/her how you will be reunited. 4. Maintain a clear good-bye routine. This may include telling your child that you are leaving and giving them a kiss and a hug. Once you tell your child you are leaving it is important to do so. Extending the good-bye tends to increase anxiety rather than relieve it. 5. Please avoid sneaking out. Sneaking out may cause the child to not trust the routine and feel more separation anxiety the next time. 6. Consistency helps. If everybody comes and goes at the same time it helps the children to settle into their routine. I hope these tips are helpful to you. We look forward to the school year with your child. Sincerely, Tamma Ruth Cell School