Extra Clothes
Please send an extra set of clothes (shirt, pants, underwear and socks) for your child to keep at school in case of accidents or messy spills.
If your child wears diapers or pull ups, please be sure he/she has a supply at school. Feel free to send in diapers or pull-ups on a daily or weekly basis or a whole bag at one time. We also ask that you send in wipes. We will let you know when your supply is running low.
Supplies
Periodically throughout the year, your child will need to bring various supplies for the classroom. These supplies are required in keeping a clean and safe learning environment for all of our children.
Tissues*
Paper plates*
1 gallon zip-lock bags*
Disinfecting wipes, such as Clorox or Lysol wipes
Hand wipes, such as Wet Ones
Plastic spoons and forks*
Napkins
Cups
A notice will be sent home periodically when supplies are low. Please send in the item or items that are indicated on the notice.
Please supply the asterisked (*) items to start the year off!
Food
**Please notify our school nurse if your child has any specific food allergies or sensitivities or if there are any foods you prefer your child not eat.
SNACK
Snack will be in the morning.
We ask that you send one snack per day for your child. You may also include an extra drink, otherwise water will be served. An afternoon snack is optional but, is also provided by you. We ask that you label it so we know that it is to be eaten at afternoon snack.
– Some great snack ideas include:
– Veggies and dip
– Graham crackers
– Cheese or peanut butter and crackers
– Fruit
– Popcorn
– Mini muffins
Please fill out the form attached if you would like your child to participate in afternoon snack as it is a long day and some children may have long bus rides.
LUNCH
Lunch will be between 12pm and 1pm.
Lunchtime can be a great social opportunity for your child. Lunch can be a lot of fun or a real challenge! Coming up with interesting and healthy lunches can be tough. Some great lunch ideas:
Sandwiches cut in fours or with cookie cutter shapes
Rolled lunch meats
Sandwiches on different breads (rolls, bagels, English muffins, etc.)
Tuna or Egg Salad
Yogurt
Cereal
Peanut Butter and Jelly on crackers
We are not able to heat up lunches but food can be kept warm in thermoses. An ice pack can be added if there are items that need to be cold. Please do not send in any glass containers. “Growing Food” will be encouraged before eating any treats. Any food your child does not eat will be sent home.
Special Occasions
BIRTHDAYS
Please notify us via e-mail, phone call or written note a week prior to your child’s birthday if you are interested in celebrating his/her birthday in the classroom. We will let you know of any allergies if applicable.
OCCASIONS OR HOLIDAYS
We will be having parties throughout the year for special occasions and holidays. You will be informed of these special events through a note that will be sent home as well as on the weekly newsletter.
Communication
NEWSLETTER
Each week you will receive a newsletter explaining themes and activities for that week. Other important information about the week or events that are happening will also be included in this newsletter, so please check it regularly!
COMMUNICATION
If you have questions or concerns regarding your child’s school day, please feel free to an email or call your child’s teacher at any time. Calls will be returned and emails answered following dismissal at 2:00PM . Please understand that handwritten daily communication is difficult to do while the students are at school, but email is checked every day after the students leave. Phone calls or email are the best way to communicate.
ATTENDANCE
Please call the school by 8:00AM and leave a message at the front desk if your child is not going to be in school. If your child should be absent, please complete one of the attached excuses (included in this packet).
Miscellaneous Information
CORE KNOWLEDGE LANGUAGE ARTS and MATH CURRICULUM
(Clifton Park Rooms 1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10 and Fort Edward Rooms 1 and 2)
Core Knowledge Language Arts (CKLA) is a preschool curriculum that is fully aligned with the NYS Common Core Standards. This program provides excellent preparation for young children who will be entering a kindergarten classroom. It features domain-based learning, content-rich instruction, emergent literacy skills instruction, and a language-focused curriculum. The math curriculum is the math curriculum that is recognized by NYS and will meet the NYS Common Core Standards. More information about both curriculums can be found at www.engageny.org
UNIT/THEME APPROACH (Clifton Park Rooms 4, 5, 6 and Fort Edward Room 3)
The unit/theme is incorporated into as much of the day as possible. This approach helps the child to experience learning in a variety of ways. The use of a multi-sensory approach helps young children learn, reinforce and generalize new information.
At the end of each week, a Newsletter will go home in your child’s bag indicating the unit/theme for the coming week. Use this information to help facilitate conversations with your child about what he/she did during the school day.
BATHROOMING
We take two scheduled trips to the bathroom during the day. We also take children anytime they need to go throughout the day. If your child is not potty trained, we will work on this with you throughout the school year to devise a plan that is appropriate for your child. You should provide diapers and wipes for your child if appropriate.
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB
During the school year we may send home Scholastic Book Club Orders. If you choose to purchase books, please make checks payable to: Scholastic Book Clubs, complete the order form, and send it in by the due date.
FIELD TRIPS
Community outings and field trips are scheduled throughout the year. When trips are planned, a notice will be sent home. At times, we may ask parents to volunteer to attend field trips. We look forward to having you join us!
Typical Daily Activities
Arrival: The children are helped off the bus and accompanied to the classroom. The children practice independence while taking off backpack, getting out lunch, taking off coat, selecting their snack and putting their belongings away in their cubbies.
Structured Interest Areas: Children can select one of four different areas set up each morning with play activities. These areas may include sensory and library areas, along with a rotation of building and toys/games, dramatic play and discovery. These activities are meant to be an opportunity for children to ease in to the day and make choices. This time is spent encouraging the children to play, engage in social experiences of sharing and conversing with peers. Modeling of appropriate play with toys and working to facilitate play skills is addressed during this time as well as throughout the day as needed. These activities are a wonderful time for the children to engage in stimulating play activities and gain experiences in social relations. The children are free to experience all areas of interest. Opportunity to use the bathroom will also be done at this time.
Snack time: We ask that you provide a snack and drink for your child.
Morning Circle: All the children gather on the rug. We sing wake up and greeting songs. Students are engaged in activities including the weather and calendar. A story pertaining to our theme will be read and the introduction of the theme and corresponding activities will occur.
Literacy Centers: Students rotate through three literacy activities that are aligned with the Common Core.
Music/Movement: A time for your child to get up and move whether they’re dancing, playing musical chairs, exercising or simple finger plays, the goal is to move, move, move!
Lunch: Lunch is a busy time of day. Students are encouraged to eat their “growing food” before they have treats or drink from their lunch.
Outside: Weather permitting, students will go for a walk, ride bikes or play on the playground. In the event of bad weather, students will be engaged in other activities inside, including parachute activities and/or music with motor movement activities. As long as the “Feels Like” temperature is above 22°F will play outside!
Math: Students will work on math activities that are aligned with the Common Core.
Second Snack/Quiet Reading Time: Students will pick a book of choice and read quietly or enjoy a second snack.
Art, Social Studies/Science and Gross Motor Centers: Students will rotate through 3 out of 4 of these centers on an alternating schedule.
Goodbye Circle: Goodbye circle provides an opportunity for students to sing goodbye to one another and engage in a variety of activities that promote social interaction and personal reflection. We will have Show-n –Tell on Fridays.
It should be noted that both technology and fine motor skills will be intertwined throughout center activities on a daily basis
School Closings
Newmeadow will utilize the SchoolMessenger System to notify families of school closings and delays.
You may also click on a channel link below to view school closings.
**Closings due to COVID can be found here.