Miss D'Aurizio and Mrs. Shawgo 

Kindergarten is an exciting time for all of us: children, parents, and teachers.  The classroom, along with our daily activities, has been organized in a manner which will provide a smooth, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for everyone!  Here are answers to a few frequently asked questions which should help ease the transition:

1.Kindergarten session time -8:55 a.m. - 3:25p.m.
The kindergarten children will enter and exit the building through the glass doors at the far right end of the building.  Children may be dropped off at 8:55 a.m.  If you arrive before 8:55 please wait outside or in the car with your child until the bell rings and students are welcomed into the building. If your child arrives after 8:55 a.m., they must enter the school through the front doors of the school and sign in at the nurse’s office before coming to the classroom. 

Dismissal will take place promptly at 3:25 p.m.  I suggest arriving early as traffic tends to get congested in the parking lot and kindergarten begins to dismiss at 3:20.

2. Supplies The following is a list of suggested kindergarten supplies:

      * 1 backpack
* 2 plastic coated folders with 2 pockets
* 1 bottle of glue (4 oz.)
* 2 glue sticks (buy many extras to keep at home)
* 1 box Crayola crayons (standard colors, 8 or 16 count)

Be sure to label everything, including lunch boxes, backpacks, and coats!!!  Additional supplies such as crayons, glue, scissors, and pencils are recommended tools to have on hand at home when your child begins to have homework.

3. Folders Please be sure your child brings his or her backpack and folder to school everyday.  We check the folders each morning for any notes, returned forms, or information you would like us to receive.  At the end of the day, any notices or work to be sent home will be placed in the folder.  Please check them each evening and respond to any notices in a timely manner.

4. School Attire         Please send your child to school in cool, comfortable clothes.  Be sure your child is able to easily remove any clothes needed to use the restroom.  Sneakers must be worn on our Physical Education days and are recommended everyday as we often visit the playground.  Once the cold weather sets in, please also send your child in with a coat or jacket.  We will go outside as often as possible.

5. Absences If your child is ill and will not be attending school, it is necessary for you to report your child absent on Genesis before 8:55am.  When you know ahead of time that your child will not be attending school, you may write a note and put it in your child’s folder, which we will forward on to the nurse. 

6. Birthdays

Our district has a new policy in place and at this time distribution of birthday treats (food or goodie bags) is not allowed. We would still love to celebrate your child’s birthday in school. We will sing the Happy Birthday song. Your child will receive a crown, pencil, sticker, card, etc. 

Please understand that I cannot allow the distribution of birthday invitations in school. This way we avoid hurt feelings over not being invited to a party or sad feelings over a misplaced invitation. Each year the P.T.A. puts together a directory, which can be used to get addresses and phone numbers.

7. Baby-sitters, play-dates, and special situationsAt the beginning of the year, please send in a list of all people who will regularly be picking up your child from school.  In addition, please send in a note on any day your child will be going home with ANYONE that does not usually pick him or her up.  We will NOT let children leave with anyone we do not have a note for (including classmates and their parents).  Any notes regarding this information should be placed in their folders as we check them everyday.

8. Snacks

Please send your child in everyday with a healthy snack and drink.  Due to allergies, snacks may NOT include peanuts, peanut butter, or nuts/nut products.  It is helpful to have this packed separately from your child’s lunch and labeled with an “S” for snack to help avoid confusion.

9. Lunch

Your child needs to bring in or receive a free lunch from the school each day.  Please be sure their lunch is packed in some type of lunch bag or box, as the kindergartners carry their lunch to the all-purpose room.  Be sure the lunch bag/box is labeled with your child’s name.   

10. Money  On occasion, it will be necessary for your child to bring money to school.  Always send money in a sealed envelope, placed in their folder, with the following information written on the outside:

a.  Your child’s first and last name

b.  The amount of money enclosed

c.  The purpose (i.e. lunch, book order, PTA sale, etc.).

d.  Teacher’s name

With over 20 students each to keep track of, this helps us out tremendously and reduces the likelihood of errors.  In addition, if the envelope is dropped or lost, this information will help ensure that this money is returned to the classroom.        

We are always available to discuss any matters concerning your child.  You can leave a note in your child’s folder or send an e-mail to [email protected] or [email protected].  Please be aware that e-mail will be checked as often as possible, but we may not be able to respond until the following day.  For urgent messages, you may leave a phone message with the school secretary at (973) 428-7572, ext. 6. 

Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions, comments and/or concerns you may have.  We would like to have an open line of communication.  Let’s have a wonderful year!!!