Important Procedural Information for Pre-K
Absences: Please call (201) 332-0900 #7 by 8:30am to report your child’s absence. If your child is absent 3 or more days a note is required.
Arrival: Parents should bring their child to the Kensington door between 7:50-8:10 a.m. The Aides will accompany your child into the school. If you arrive after 8:10 you must use the front entrance, obtain a late pass and bring your child to their assigned classroom where the Aide will assist you. If you have difficulty and need before or aftercare, please utilize the LCCS website link for further information.
Tardiness: Tardiness disrupts the daily routine of the classroom and makes it more difficult for your child to transition into the school day. Please be on time.
Dismissal: Dismissal is promptly at 3:00 p.m. from the Kensington parking lot. Parents who are late will retrieve their child from the “aftercare program” in the auditorium. If there is a change in plans regarding pick up, please notify the teacher through a note, or call the front office. If a note or a phone call is not received by noon your child will be sent home by their usual methods of transportation. If someone other than those designated retrieves your child, you must send a note, call, or email prior dismissal. The designee must produce a legal form of identification at the front office.
Lunch: Upon arrival please notify the Aides if your child will have home lunch, school lunch or a “swap out” lunch.
Communication: The best way to reach the staff is by email, [email protected] , [email protected], [email protected] . Staff will attempt to respond within 24 hours to non-urgent messages. They are also available at 3:00 to briefly touch base with parents. In case of emergency it is best to call the school office.
Communication: All communication, information, child’s work, medical notices, home/school projects, book sharing will be placed in your child’s backpack daily. Please check it regularly.
Birthday Policy: A birthday is a very special day in your child’s life, and we want to celebrate it but do so in an equitable and manageable way. The Pre-k classes are following the directives set by LCCS, there will be no birthday parties due to allergies, cultures and religious preferences. We recommend some inventive ways to celebrate including: donating a book, reading to the class, organizing an arts/crafts activity, playing games, performing dances; use your imagination! “Goodie bags” maybe sent home, some suggestions: stickers, crayons, small toys, coloring books, etc. but no foods. If you are planning an outside the school party and the whole class is invited, you may bring in the invitations to be distributed. If you are inviting only a few children, please send the invitations by mail.
Rest Time: The children will have a quiet rest time every day. For those children who do not fall asleep, quiet music and stories and quiet activities are available to help them relax after a busy morning. Please send in a rectangular crib sheet and blanket on Monday (labeled with name) in a laundry bag. It will be returned on Friday for washing.
Snacks and Weekly Supplies: The “snack family” of the week will be responsible for sending in healthy snacks for that week (see approved snack list). Please make sure that the snacks are easy to pass out and share. Cut up fruit, large bags of healthy snacks and individualized portions are encouraged; the least amount of preparation by the staff is appreciated (no whole watermelons!). The “snack family” will also be asked to send in utensils that are needed for the week.
Family Photo: Please send in a photo of your family that we can keep in the classroom.
Change of Clothes: Please send in 2 full sets of clothes (including underwear and socks) in a labeled gallon zip lock bag. Please change the clothes seasonally.