Site Links

About Our Preschool Philosophy Curriculum Classroom Handbook Monthly Newsletter Field Trips Upcoming Events About Mrs. Alexander 2011/2012 Daily Schedule 2011/2012 Themes Links Pictures

St. Charles Preschool-Mrs. Alexander

Classroom Handbook

PRESCHOOL NEWSLETTER

Dear Parents,
Welcome to St. Charles Preschool! I look forward to getting to know each of you and your children. This year will be filled with new experiences, new friends, new things to learn, and fun, fun, fun! The following is some important information that will answer some of your questions.

DROP OFF √ PICK UP
Parking is available in the lot in front of St. Charles School. You may enter the building at the east end through the main entrance of school. Preschoolers must be escorted to and from the classroom by a parent, caretaker or a sibling. Children will not be released to the front of school with the rest of the school children, nor are they to be dropped off at the front of school. Please walk your child to and from the classroom. We ask that you be respectful of the other elementary classes and keep voices quiet as you drop off and pick up at the preschool classrooms. Our classroom is 105.

CLOTHING
The Preschool is not bound by the St. Charles dress code, but it is very important to dress your child appropriately for the weather. We go outside year round unless it is raining or dangerously cold. Hats, coats, and mittens are a necessity. Play clothes are the best for school. We use washable paints and markers, but I can▓t guarantee that a stain will never occur. Please select a backpack that can easily hold 8 x 10 papers. Non zipper bags with handles work best for preschool. Make sure backpacks and lunch boxes are clearly marked with your child▓s name.
All shoes should have closed backs or have straps across the back. No clogs, flip flops or slip ons, please. Tennis shoes are to be worn on gym class days (4/5 classes).

SNACKS
Due to storage constraints, we stagger the classes when asking for snacks. We will start the year with the M-F PM class, so please send in your snacks on the first day of school. I will send a note when it is the next class's turn. Appropriate snacks are: popcorn, crackers, gold fish, pretzels, raisins, fruit, cheese, teddy grahams, dry cereal etc. Please try to choose snacks that are not made with peanuts or peanut oil. It is clearly stated on food labels. Food allergies have increased so much that we have to be very careful about nut products. Occasionally if you make something homemade or want to bring a special snack, that is fine. We serve cold water at snack time. On party days, we allow cookies and treats, but also serve fruit and cheese.

BIRTHDAYS
You may send cookies, yogurt, fruit and cheese, Popsicles, ice cream, treat bags or fruit roll-ups. Please, no cupcakes or cakes. Our carpet really suffers. Summer birthday children may celebrate their half birthday on or near the appropriate date or near the end of the school year. Let me know a few days in advance so that I can plan for a party. Birthday invitations for home parties may be passed out at school only if the entire class is invited.

LUNCH BUNCH

Lunch Bunch is an option you may use to extend your child▓s day by one hour. Please sign your child's name on the clip board on top of the cubbies. At 11:30 I will walk the children from our room to the cafeteria where they will eat lunch with the kindergarten, first and second graders. At 11:55 they will go out on the big playground where three teachers are on duty. At 12:30 they will be brought back to our room by the assistant teachers where they will either be picked up or start their afternoon classes. Lunch may be ordered at a cost of $3.10 or be brought from home. You must use the prepaid gold order form that will come home every month with a menu attached. Milk is included in the lunch or may be ordered for .45. The fee for Lunch Bunch is $2.00 per day paid to the Preschool. Do not add this fee to your tuition payment. You may keep your own record of your child's attendence and make one payment at the end of the month. Account statements will not be sent out. Please help us avoid discrepancies by paying in a timely manner and clearly marking what services and dates the payment is for. You may put your monthly fee in the classroom inbox or turn into the office directly. The Lunch Bunch fee is included for children attending both an AM and a PM class. Lunch Bunch is not available for the TTH morning class or three year olds in the MWF PM class. The playground is too overwhelming for the three year olds.

FIELD TRIPS
A variety of field trips are planned throughout the year. We traditionally go to the apple orchard in the fall, the Christmas tree farm or Christmas caroling in the winter and the fire station and Peden Farm in the spring. Other trips will be added as opportunities present themselves. Please take your turn at driving. Even if you work, hopefully you can plan ahead and take the morning or afternoon off. Children love for their parents to come along. Permission slips will always be posted on the bulletin board. If you are rarely in school, please send a blanket permission slip that can be used all year. All children will be required to bring a booster seat on field trip days and parent drivers will be asked to arrange the seats for their car.


PARENT PARTICIPATION
Parents are not required to participate in class, but you are always welcome to come for a visit. If you have a talent you would like to share, a craft to teach or a place of business that would make a good field trip please let me know.

COMMUNICATION
A weekly email newsletter recapping what we have been doing and a list of upcoming events will be sent every Friday. A schedule of daily activities is posted above the cubbies every day before class. I update this webpage once a month with upcoming events and a monthly newsletter. I will send notes about field trips 7 √ 10 days ahead of the trip and the information and permission slip will be posted on the bulletin board in the hall. Important information from the school office will be sent home with the children so check backpacks daily. If you see a note printed on gold paper that denotes importance and usually requires a response from you so watch carefully for these. We will have formal parent-teacher conferences in Oct. but I am always happy to discuss your child with you. I can be reached at school at 336-5853 ext. 105 or home at 812-334-8135 or you can make an appointment and we can get together.

SUPPLIES
You do not have to send any supplies other than a school bag. Please make sure the school bag is big enough to handle your child's projects as well as communication from the office. An open bag with two handles on top is preferable to the traditional zippered backpack. We use a lot of craft items. If you have any leftovers that need a home, we will gladly take them.

SHOW AND TELL
Show and tell will be held on each Thursday(3/4's) or Friday(4/5's). Please do not send any weapons or war toys. Toys that are brought from home are to be kept in cubbies unless your child is willing to share with everyone. Since this is hard to do, I strongly suggest leaving toys at home except on show and tell days.