Dear Parents,

I am so excited to be teaching your child this year! It is an honor to work with your child and get to know your whole family.

Please bring the following items with you to school on Friday:

1. Supply fee of $  15.18. (Make check payable to SHS, or send cash.) This covers your child’s markers, pocket folder, crayons, glue stick, and subscription to the Pre-K edition of “Weekly Reader”, an educational magazine which will be used in class lessons. I will also purchase our needed classroom supplies such as soap, tissues, etc.

2. Children will need the following items labeled with name and kept in their cubbies at school: seasonally appropriate change of clothing including socks and underwear, and a wash cloth. Please label each individual item, and place each item into a large zippered bag with child’s name written on it. Also, please send a labeled paint smock (parent's old short-sleeved shirt works fine!).

3. Please provide your child with a non-rolling bookbag that will fit into his cubby.

Our classroom rules are very basic but important. Please discuss these with your child throughout the year. The rules are as follows:

1. Be safe.

2. Be nice. 

3. Have fun!

Your child may still have some assistance at home with toileting. Please note that while at school, your child needs to wipe his own bottom. If you notice that your child is not getting himself clean enough, please let me know and I can provide him with a baby wipe. Also, some children do not “make it” in time because they are wearing pants with difficult snaps and buttons. Please consider this when dressing your child for school, especially in the first few weeks! Please discuss with your child that there is no need to ask me for permission while in our classroom to use the bathroom, he may simply get up and go as needed. We will also have scheduled bathroom breaks before leaving our classroom.

Please carefully read the enclosed information and ask questions if needed. I know I can count on you to help make this a great year!

Blessings,

Mrs. Sarah Maxey

The ABCs of Preschool!

About Mrs. Maxey: I taught preschool, first, and second grades in Amherst County and am excited to work at SHS again for the second year! My wonderful husband, Jason, works for Pepsi and is a graduate of SHS. We have two precious children--Our son Gavin will be 2 in September and our daughter Elizabeth was just born in May. We live on Ringgold Church Road and are members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church.

Book club forms from Scholastic Book Clubs will be coming home each month for you to purchase books for your child at a reduced rate (the deals are hard to beat!).  This is a great way for your child to acquire his/her own library of books and be exposed to different types of literature.  It is also a great way for our classroom to acquire new books, since we get points towards buying books for our classroom when you order!  When the book orders are due, please send the order form and a check (made out to Scholastic Book Club) to school in a sealed envelope.  Or, you may order online earning us a FREE book for every parent online order! It usually takes two weeks to receive the ordered books.  *You do not have to participate in ordering books. 

Birthdays are so special! We’d love for you to recognize your child’s birthday by sending a special snack for the class and I will distribute at snack time. If you are able to come in and enjoy your child’s birthday at school, let me know ahead of time and we will make time in the day to celebrate during our school day. Invitations to private parties may be passed out at school ONLY if everyone in the class is included.

Curriculum is guided by Diocesan School Curriculum Guidelines. Our focus this year is on the social development of your child as a person and as a contributing member of a classroom, on basic preschool readiness skills, and learning a little bit about the world around us. In efforts to save paper, please find the Curriculum information on the SHS website. Mrs. Ruocco will continue these guidelines with your child next year.

Dress your child appropriately for preschool! Preschoolers are NOT required to dress in uniform. Consider that we work and play hard in preschool, so clothing will get dirty or torn. Sneakers are most comfortable for children and are required on our gym day. We will go outside daily whenever possible, so be sure your child will be dressed appropriately for the temperature.

E-mail addresses are needed so that I can communicate with you easily. Please be sure I have your e-mail address on file.

Food allergies need to be reported to the teacher immediately.

Guests are always welcome. If you would like to plan some kind of activity (cooking, making a craft, reading a story, playing an instrument, etc) to do with the class, please let me know and I can schedule it. We love having our parents as teachers too.

Hours are 8:00-12:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.  Due to meetings, before school duty, and set-up time, the classroom will not be opened until 8:00. Children cannot be left unattended in the classroom. Parents should wait in the hall or on the benches outside the office until classroom doors are opened at 12:00 for pick up. Feel free to come in at that point to help make sure your child leaves with all their papers, backpacks, lunchboxes, etc.

Illnesses spread easily in preschool, so please keep your child at home if he or she is sick. Please do not send your child to school if they have had a fever during the night or morning even if it is controlled with medication. They should be fever free for at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Journey partnering will begin soon. We will be paired up with older SHS students for fun activities. More information will follow.

Keep up with preschool news and general school information by checking your child’s backpack/folder daily.

Loving books and reading is the first step in learning to read. We will read many books throughout the school year. The single best thing you can do for your child’s education is to read to him or her daily. Have fun with it!

Medical conditions need to be discussed with me and the office staff ASAP so that we can properly care for your child. If your child has allergies, needs to use an inhaler, have an epi-pen, requires daily medication while at school, etc, please be sure the office staff and I are made aware of these needs.

New things are not always easy, especially starting school. Please make it a point to check in with me often during the first two weeks so we can talk about how your child is adjusting to school.

Open lines of communication are important. Please email me at SarahMaxey@yahoo.com at any time. I can be available to meet with you at noon on most afternoons if we plan it ahead of time. Please be mindful that when calling the school, I am not able to leave the classroom to answer phone calls and will return your call when the children are dismissed.

Parties:  Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, and the End of the Year are all special celebrations recognized by parties. Parents are asked to sign up to "host" at least one party, and we’ll need at least 2 hosts per party. (See sign up chart.) Hosts will coordinate what parents will bring, supply all refreshments, party favors, games, etc. and serve. Parties may be anything from a simple snack at the end of the day, to an all-day bash with games, crafts, etc. Plan to be at school from at least 11:00-12:15 to set up/clean up. This is a fun opportunity for parents to join the class in celebration but if unable to attend you may bring supplies in with your child on party day.

Quick goodbyes leave dry eyes! Some children tend to have a lot of anxiety and tears when parents leave. Typically they will be calmed once engaging in school activities, and will have a great day. In a very rare case, I will call you if it seems your child is NOT able to continue at school and will ask you to pick him/her up. Please resist the temptation to call the office to “check” on your child, as I will be unable to come to the phone while teaching! If you are concerned about separating from your child please see me for ideas to make it easier, or check out this article: http://www.preschoolerstoday.com/resources/articles/dontgo.htm

Report cards for preschool follow different schedules than the rest of SHS, and will come home only twice this year. A copy of our report card is attached for your review.

Snack time will be around 10:00 a.m. each day. Please pack a light nutritious snack rather than sodas and chips/candy.

 

There is no preschool on Tuesdays or Thursdays! J Next year you will have the option of choosing the 3-day or 5-day program for your child.

Unit Study - Each month, students are exposed to a different science or social studies unit that teaches them about the world around us.  We make special projects and learn facts based on our unit. 

Volunteering is a great way to help in our classroom and to show your child how important his/her time at school is to you. I would appreciate all of your efforts! There are many ways to volunteer. Consider taking the VIRTUS class (August 29^th) so that you are prepared in the event you can volunteer during the school day or attend any field trips.

Weekly lessons include literacy and math development, science/social studies units, arts/crafts, music and movement activities. Our children will participate in music, library, and PE classes weekly. We will visit the computer lab as appropriate. We also will be developing social skills through games and choice time.

EXperiences for learning include science experiments, making class books, and playing many learning games.  We will have a fun and eXciting year!

Yearly calendars are available at the office. Please note the teacher work day/holiday schedule and arrange child care accordingly.

ZZZ’s at night are important for a great day at school. Get lots of rest at home, because there is no naptime in preschool!