Beginning of School Information
· Keep all stuffed animals and toys at home. They can get lost/broken and cause a disruption to our learning. Toys that are brought to school will be put in the May Box. May Box toys collected throughout the year will be given back to their owners in the month of May.
· Email me at Julie_a_Everett@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us from the email address you would like to receive updates & notes from me. I will add you to my address book. Please wait 24 hours for a confirmation email from me. If I do not confirm, please try again as our email system blocks some emails.
· Go to www.mylunchmoney.com to pay for your child’s meals. Your child will have a lunch number. I will have it for your child to use when they “pay” for his/her lunch.
· Practice restroom routines at home. Teachers and nurses are not allowed to clean children after using the restroom.
· Remember not to speak negatively about your child in front ANYONE - especially your child. When first meeting and speaking with me, comments like “She is a handful!” or “He is so shy.” can impact your child in a negative way. Our classroom is a safe haven for your child to grow in the most positive light. Please respect our space of love and acceptance. There is no room for judgment, only growth. Thank you for being a partner with me in your child’s education!
· MOST IMPORTANTLY! Fill out the form inside your child’s communication folder each day. Send the folder to school each day!
do not write your name on supplies, only on the bag
2 half inch white binders (Please do not get the one inch because it is too big.)
emergency snack in backpack
sharpen pencils
no more hand sanitizer - only foaming soap, not the antibacterial kind
napkins instead of a roll of paper towels
Tips for a Successful Start to School
From Elizabeth Crofton, Former Oak Grove School Counselor
Congratulations! You and your child are about to embark on an exciting journey. For some families, hitting this milestone signals the start of many long-term changes; full school days away from home; new routines and rules; a larger class; different friends; a bigger building. So, how do you both come through this period of adjustment with flying colors, setting a positive tone for a rewarding schooling experience?
Your Attitude is Key!
At this point in his or her development, you are your child's emotional compass. If your child senses that you are anxious or apprehensive the school experience, your worries may be played out in your child's responses and behavior. Try these ideas for modeling an enthusiastic attitude about school:
Relate to your child some of your fond memories of your Kindergarten year.
Resist the urge to say things like, "I hated school!" Believe it or not, some parents actually make such statements, not realizing that they may be setting their children up for 13 or more long, painful years of dreading school and everything associated with it. If you have negative things to say, refrain from saying them around young ears.
Reassure your child that starting school is a joyful event and an expected part of growing up.
Preparation is EVERYTHING!
Talk about what the school day will be like. Encourage questions and focus on the positive.
Pick out new clothes and school supplies to heighten the anticipation.
Be careful not to overemphasize the fun-and-games aspect of school. Explain that learning also involves listening and following rules.
Connect with other families in your neighborhood whose children will also attend Oak Grove. Arrange for your child to get to know some other kids in advance, so he or she will already know someone on the first day of school.
Separation Anxiety: What is it?
Separation anxiety is an excessive or prolonged fear of being separated from one's home and/or caregivers. It is the most common form of anxiety in children, and may occur during significant transitions such as starting or changing schools.
What are the symptoms?
Clinging, crying, screaming, or a refusal to leave the parent are the most obvious signs of separation anxiety. Other signs may include frequent complaints of headaches or stomach aches; persistent worry about harm befalling a caregiver during the separation; loss of sleep; withdrawal from peers; exaggerated or unrealistic fears of monsters, burglars, or animals; and severe tantrums.
What can I do to ease this transition time?
During the summer...
1. Plan longer periods of separation. Tell your child exactly how long you will be gone and return exactly when you say you will. When you are home together, encourage some independent play, such as putting a puzzle together or building with Lego's.
Practice the route to school in advance. If your child will be a car rider, make the drive during the summer and stop in front of the school to point out where you will drop off and pick up. Walk the route in advance if your child will be a walker. For bus riders, find out from another parent on your street where the bus picks up and walk to the bus stop with your child in advance.
Begin getting your child on a regular schedule this summer, with predictable and routine mealtimes, bedtime, and rising time. Try shifting to school year bedtime several weeks before the actual start of school.
Encourage independence and responsibility by giving your child simple jobs. Children derive a sense of accomplishment and confidence from contributing around the house. Teach your child to make the bed, put away toys, feed pets, and set the table. This independence and self-confidence will serve your child well at school.
On the first day of school...
Do not linger in the classroom on the first day of school! Tell your child well in advance exactly when and where you will be saying goodbye. If you are in the classroom when the bell rings, say goodbye and leave the building or join other new parents in the library for the first-day coffee. Prolonging your goodbyes or lingering will only make the transition more difficult for your child.
Do not deny your child's anxiety or worries. Acknowledge them and provide reassurance. Say, for example, "I know you're worried I won't be here to pick you up, but there's no reason to worry. I will be here."
During the first few weeks...
Do not come for lunch until AFTER LABOR DAY, at the earliest. Your child must adjust to going about 7 hours without seeing you.
Maintain a consistent, predictable schedule. Be sure your child is getting enough rest.
Keep on your best "game face." Do not bargain with your child or give in to pleas to stay home. He or she should not have the option of attending for part of the day, seeing you at lunch, etc. Remember, modeling a positive attitude is the best thing you can do for your child.
Enlist school personnel to help you get your child into the building. The counselor and other personnel will be available to help children successfully arrive in classrooms.
Expect occasional setbacks. The Tuesday after the Labor Day weekend may bring some renewed separation anxiety.
Follow the tips above, and your child will re-adjust to the school schedule quickly.
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