The ABC’s of Ms. Hayward’s Class: Helpful Hints for a Successful School Year
Attendance – Daily attendance for the entire day is strongly encouraged to help your child succeed this year and will remain part of your child’s NNPS records. If your child must be absent, please communicate the reason so that the absence can be excused. There is a “Submit an Absence” link on the school website, or you can contact me through Seesaw, email, or a note when your child returns to school explaining the reason for the absence. Excessive absences will be addressed by administrators
Birthdays/Holidays – Although we recognize students’ birthdays, we do not have classroom birthday celebrations. In accordance with the NNPS Child Nutrition policy and student food allergies, parents are asked not to bring in any food treats to celebrate birthdays or other events. You may recognize your child’s birthday with non-food items, such as pencils, stickers, etc.
Communication – Communication between home and school is essential for a successful school year! We will keep you informed of classroom events and activities, as well as your child’s progress. In return, we ask that you keep us informed of things at home that may have an effect on your child’s performance in school. Examples include if someone moves in/out of the home, if a parent/family member gets deployed, or if there is a new sibling on the way. Please let us know of these or other situations so that we can support your child as needed.
Dress Code – WECC has no official dress code. However, students need to wear clothing that allows comfortable and safe participation in class activities. Sneakers are preferred to enable safe playing. Your child also needs to be able to handle his/her clothing independently to use the bathroom. Items such as belts, suspenders, overalls, etc. are often difficult for children to manage on their own.
Eating – All students are offered breakfast free of charge daily, but it is their choice whether or not they eat the meal. At lunch, students can either pack a lunch or get a school lunch free of charge. If your child brings a lunch to school he/she will not be sent through the line as we will assume that you want them to eat what was packed. Please go over the lunch menu with your child at home and have them decide if they want a school lunch or not.
Facebook – Student folders will periodically be sent home with completed artwork, writing activities, and other class activities. When it comes home, it should be emptied and returned to school the next day. Ask your child to tell you about the work in the folders so they know you are interested in what they do at school!
Germs – Germs are everywhere, especially when 4- and 5-year-olds are involved! We cover proper handwashing procedures early in the year and review constantly. We also ask students to cover coughing and sneezing with their elbow to minimize the spread of germs. Please help us keep our students healthy by reinforcing these healthy habits at home, help your child practice blowing their nose (instead of just wiping it), and keep them home when they are sick!
Holidays – As with birthdays, we will not have classroom holiday celebrations (Halloween, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, etc) and we generally do not discuss holidays at all with the students out of respect for students/families that may not celebrate. Parents are asked to support this policy by not sending in any treats or other items for holidays throughout the year.
Injuries/Illness – If your child gets hurt or sick at school, he/she will be taken to the nurse as quickly as possible. The nurse typically will either call or send home a note to let you know about the visit. Remember that if your child is sent home sick, he/she should not return to school until being symptom free for at least 24 hours without medicine.
Jobs – All children will have a classroom job each week. The jobs are changed each Monday morning. This helps to teach the students responsibility.
Kindness – We stress kindness and being a good friend in our classroom. While we realize that children will not always get along all of the time, we expect them to only use kind words and to show manners and respect to everyone in our class.
Library – Starting in mid-September, we will visit the WECC library each week. Your child can choose 2 books to borrow, which must be returned the following week to choose new books. We will provide a library bag to help students keep track of their books. If books become lost/damaged, parents may be asked to donate $10 (per book) to replace the book(s).
Mail – We refer to items sent home for parents as “mail”. Classroom information, items from the office, individual notes for students, etc. will be sent home in your child’s nametag as needed. We ask that you check this “mail” each evening to be sure that you do not miss any important information. Your child may remind you by saying “You’ve got mail!” when he/she arrives home, as this is our way of telling the children there is something being sent home.
Newsletters – Your child must wear his/her provided nametag every day, and the red lanyard may not be changed. The nametag helps children get to class safely and is used to match the yellow pick-up cards at dismissal from school or the bus. It is also a primary form of communication as we send items home in the tags frequently.
Outside – We go outside twice each day, weather permitting. On very hot or cold days, the nurse checks the temperatures and lets us know if we are able to go outside or not. If weather prevents us from going outside, we will do our PE activities in the classroom and/or the gym. Because we have PE each day, it is important for your child to always wear safe shoes (sneakers are preferred). Sandals, flip-flops, Crocs, and similar shoes should not be worn as they do not allow students to run/play and climb stairs safely.
Potty Training – We expect all students to be fully potty trained, which encompasses more than just knowing how to use the bathroom. It includes recognizing the need to go and communicating that need. To help prevent accidents, we suggest having your child practice asking to use the bathroom at home to get used to doing so. We need to have a complete change of clothes at school at all times in case of accidents. If your child has frequent accidents, you may be asked to attend a conference to discuss strategies to help your child.
Questions – If you ever have any questions, please feel free to ask! You can send a note, email me, or call the school. During the school day the office may not put the call through to the classroom and I may get a message to call you back after school.
Responsibility – One of the big skills that we work on is responsibility. We ask the children to be responsible by doing their class job, bringing their nametag and library books, etc. You can reinforce this concept at home by helping your child learn to be responsible for getting their things ready for school each morning.
Scholastic – Scholastic Reading Club book order forms will come home monthly, offering a variety of books at low prices to build your child’s home library. Ordering instructions will come home with the flyers. Participation is completely optional!
Transportation – Our primary concern at the end of the day is getting children home safely. To help with this, all changes to daily transportation must be made in writing. For example, if your child typically rides the bus but you will be picking him/her up on a given day, please send a note in the nametag or message me via Seesaw as early in the day as possible. Changes cannot be made over the phone for security reasons, and Seesaw messages sent close to dismissal time may not be seen in time.
Understanding – Please remember that your child is 4 years old and his/her understanding may not be the same as yours or ours. If your child says that something happened at school and you have questions, please reach out to Ms. Hayward and ask for additional information.
Visitors – Visitors to the building are limited. Parents are not typically allowed to visit classrooms during school hours. You are welcome to come have lunch with your child beginning in October, but please let us know ahead of time that you are coming. All visitors need to pass through the weapon detection system and show a photo ID to sign in.
Water Bottles – We provide a water bottle for all students to use in the classroom. The bottles will be labeled with each child’s name and students will be able to access them during center time and following PE activities. You do not need to send in an additional water bottle.
EXpectations – We maintain expectations for both students and parents. We expect students to give us their best efforts during class activities, make positive learning choices in the classroom, and be supportive of other classmates. We expect parents to work with their child at home, attend parent conferences/workshops, and encourage their child to be the best that they can be. We also expect parents to check the nametag daily for parent notices and return anything that needs to come back promptly. Thanks in advance for your cooperation!
You – As already stated, your support is important for your child’s success!! We look forward to working with you!
Zzzz – Please be sure that your child gets plenty of rest every night! We do not have naptime at WECC, and we keep the children busy learning all day. Having a set bedtime each night will help them adjust to our school routine and allow them to stay awake and alert at school every day.
We are looking forward to a GREAT year with you and your child!!
