What time does school begin?

• School begins at 7:50 am
• Doors open at 7:35 am
• Students are allowed in their classrooms at 7:45 am

What does the typical kindergarten day look like?

There is a lot of movement throughout the day. The day begins with a whole group interactive meeting. We then transition to academic time (reader's workshop, writing, and math) with a snack break. Lunch and recess are followed by a quiet read-aloud time and phonics instruction. The day concludes with choice time and a quick whole class closing meeting. 

What if my child forgets a snack or lunch?

• If your child forgets their lunch, the cafeteria will provide lunch for your child, but you will be billed for these items.
• Teachers collect snack donations in their classroom if a child forgets snack.

Does my child need to pack a snack?

Yes. Every morning your child will have a designated snack time in their classroom. You will need to pack a healthy morning snack and drink.

Does my child need to pack a lunch?

Your child may bring a packed lunch from home or they may purchase a lunch from the cafeteria. Lunch menus are available online.

What if my child is sick at school?

• They will be sent to the school nurse. The nurse will check your child's temperature and symptoms. 
• The nurse makes a decision as to whether your child will be dismissed from school due to illness.
• The school nurse will notify the classroom teacher that the student is being dismissed.
• The school nurse will notify the parents to pick up the child.
• The school nurse will notify the front office that the student is being dismissed. 
• The parent will pick up their child at the nurse's office.
• A child should be fever free and vomit free for approximately 24 hours before returning to school. 

Who do I call if my child is sick?

Please call the NES attendance line at 508-228-7290 x2196 to report your child's absence. Leave their first and last name, the date, and the reason they are absent.

How do I help my child transition to school in the morning? 

Be on time for school. Walk your child to the classroom line. Give your child a hug, reassure them that they will see you at dismissal, and say goodbye. 

What if my child takes the bus?

Please refer to the bus route schedule that you will receive in the mail. At your Kindergarten Meet and Greet appointment in September, transportation choices will be discussed. 

What if my child requires medication?

Please give all medication, whether it is cough syrub, cough drops, or prescriptions to the school nurse. She is the only individual allowed to disperse medication to your child. 

What supplies will my child need? 

• An extra set of clothes in a labeled ziplock bag for their cubby
• A full-sized backpack
• A paint shirt or smock (an adult size t-shirt works great)
• Families may order an EduKit to be sent to the classroom, or a list of kindergarten supplies is available online and will be sent home in August. 

Will my child go outside daily?

Yes. In Kindergarten, your child will be going out to the playground once daily (weather permitting). Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. 

How are holidays and special events handled?

• Parents are sometimes asked to donate food, juice, paper goods, etc. 
• If you would like to send in a snack for your child's birthday, consult the teacher ahead of time. 
• To avoid hurt feelings, birthday invitations need to be sent through the mail.
• Please let the teacher know of any special circumstances regarding observances of holidays. 

How do I volunteer?

Kindergarten volunteers begin in the classroom after the first six weeks of school. Fill out the volunteer application and CORI form, both are available in the NES front office.

What if my child has a change in their dismissal routine?

PLEASE write a note or send a Remind message to your child's teacher if your child has a change in their dismissal routine. Changes may include: a different adult picking your child up, your child going home with a friend, or your child attending an after-school program. 

Where do I meet my child for dismissal? 

• You will meet your child on the brick walkway in the back drop-off/dismissal area.
• NES Kindergarten students will be the first to be dismissed. They will walk out with their teacher to the brick area outside of the cafeteria.
• Adults need to make sure they connect with the classroom teacher before taking the child. Safety is important. Your child's teacher needs to make sure they see the child leave with the proper adult. 

What if I need to pick my child up early from school?

• Please write a note or send a REMIND message to your child's teacher letting them know about the early dismissal. Please include the time and date. 
• Your child's teacher will make sure your child is ready and sent to the front office to meet you for pick up. 

Do you have bathrooms in the classrooms?

All but one! The classroom that does not have its own bathroom has access to larger bathrooms in the hallway. It is expected that students are able to access the bathroom independently unless there is a need otherwise identified. We know that sometimes accidents happen, so we ask all students to bring an extra change of clothes to school. It is important to note that most bathrooms in the school have an automatic sensor flush, which can be alarming to some students at first. 

How big is the typical kindergarten classroom?

There are typically 17-20 students in each classroom and we currently have 7 kindergarten classrooms.

How many teachers are in a kindergarten classroom?

Each kindergarten classroom has one general education teacher. Some classrooms may be supported by additional staff including a special education liaison, teaching assistant, English teacher, or other therapists throughout the school day. 

How are classroom groupings decided? 

Classroom groupings are based on a variety of information. Screening information and scores, parent requests, and preschool suggestions all contribute to the final groupings. Parents may suggest peers that work well, peers that don't work well with their child, or describe their child's learning style to help with decisions. However, parents may not request for their child to have a specific teacher. 

Will my child see students from other classrooms?

Yes, in a typical kindergarten year, students will spend time with students from other classrooms during lunch and recess. 

What specials will they have? 

Art, music, physical education, library, and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL). 

What types of curriculum do you use? 

We use the Lucy Calkins Units of Study in Reading and Writing. We use Fundations for handwriting and phonics. We use Eureka for math. Social Studies and science are taught with teacher resources and supplemental materials. 

What if my child is advanced and already knows their letters or how to read? 

Your child will still learn a lot in kindergarten! We use a workshop model which allows for students to learn at their own levels. There is a 5-10 minute mini-lesson and then children work independently or in small groups at their levels. Teachers differentiate based on the needs of the students. 

What should my child know before the first day of Kindergarten? 

Coming to Kindergarten is a transition in a young child's life. Setting up healthy habits is an important part of getting children ready for school. 

• Have a bedtime routine
• Let children know what their day will look like
• Practice self help skills, like buttoning or zipping a coat - these are valuable lessons for your child
• Give your child experiences where they engage in play with other children, which allows them to learn to take turns and share their personal things
• Reading to your child every night is a great way to get them ready for school and instill a love of learning
• Help your child learn the alphabet by learning the letters in their name