Frequently Asked Questions
ABSENCES
What do I do when my child is absent from school?
You call the school 742-2585 and leave a message for the office staff that your child will be home from school due to illness, funeral, doctor’s appointment, etc.
Can we take our children out of school for vacations?
We cannot tell you no, yet we do try to discourage people taking children out of classes for more than one or two days. I would like you to let me know ahead of time if you know when you child is going to miss school. It makes my planning easier.
ALLERGIES
What if my child has allergies?
You need to let me and the school nurse know what type of allergies your child has and what needs to be done in case of a reaction. If needed, medication can be kept in our office. We will make accommodations for food allergies. At times, we may need to keep some children inside if the bee population is heavy at recess.
BACKPACKS
Why can’t we have wheels on our children’s backpacks?
It’s a safety issue. A backpack that is being dragged can get caught on any number of things especially the steps and/or doors of the bus. It also does not fit well in our lockers and can easily be tripped over.
BATHROOM
When will my child be allowed to use the bathroom?
Just about anytime actually. There will be times that I will encourage bathroom use such as before a special class, lunch or an assembly. A child may ask at any time to use the restroom. My expectation is that the children will be able to take care of their own personal bathroom needs. If there are any medical conditions that may prevent this be sure to let me know.
BEHAVIOR
How will you discipline my child?
I believe in the Love and Logic philosophy. I want children to know that they can trust me and that I truly care about them. I also want them to learn to be great students and responsible people. I try to help them make good choices. The children are responsible for their own actions. There are consequences for those actions. Positive behaviors bring positive results. I try to have the consequences have a logical connection to the action. I do not believe in punishment, humiliation, or power struggles. I do believe in cooling off times, thinking through problems, and making amends and trying not to sweat the small stuff. Typical consequences may be: sitting in the hall, missing some recess, writing a note of apology, getting an item taken away, calling a parent, losing a privilege etc.
BIRTHDAYS
What do you do for a child’s birthday?
I put the child’s birthday on our school calendar. Each month we have a birthday table in the lunch room for students with birthdays in that month. The day of their birthday, or close to it, their name is announced on the all-school intercom. We sing—although no guarantees on how good we may sound! I provide a coloring sheet, a sticker, a bracelet, and a crown. Mr. Perkins, our school councilor, invites the child to his office for a treat. Mr. Wells personally delvers a birthday card. Parents often send a special treat for the class to share---which we do at milk time.
BOOKCLUB
Are we expected to order from the book club flyers that come home?
No, not at all. I send this home because they often have quality books and items at affordable prices. I also send this home because for every dollar that you spend, I earn points to purchase items for the classroom.
BUS
What happens if there is a problem on my child’s bus?
The drivers are trained to respond to most emergency situations. They have radios to communicate with the bus company. If there is a behavior issue parents will be notified by the building principal. Any further questions may be answered by calling 723-7667.
CANDY
May I send candy to school?
We encourage healthy snacks at school. We occasionally use candy as part of a math or reading activity. We often have candy as a part of the treats on party days. I don’t encourage parents to send candy bars to school at any time; they usually end up half eaten in the garbage or the bottom of the back pack.
CLOTHES
My daughter keeps talking about “the sit down” test. What is this?
If you child can sit down and his or her underwear does not show in the back—you have passed the “sit down test”. With some of the low rider jeans or pants that may be a little too small, this could create a problem. No child wants someone giggling behind their back or yelling out that we can see underwear.
On the subject of clothing- please allow your child to dress comfortably. Some of our projects get a little messy and we do try to protect clothing, but we are not always successful. In extreme cases we may need to give your child a change of clothes. We keep several items of clothing in our nurse’s room.
Hot weather means shorts, tank tops, and sandals. Flip flops are fun, but often dangerous at recess and are not allowed in gym class. Boys MUST wear a shirt. No matter how cute and cool the “crop tops” are, they are not appropriate for school. If your child wears sandals on a gym day, please send socks for the gym shoes.
Cold weather calls for warm and protective items for recess. It is important that your child be able to get ready before and after recess with a minimal amount of help.
CONFERENCES
When will we get to meet with you?
I have “Bright Beginning” meetings at the start of the year. We hold parent/teacher conferences twice during the year. The first conference is for everyone to meet with their child’s teacher. The second conference is for those who feel an additional discussion is needed. You are welcome to meet with me at almost anytime. We will keep in contact through notes, phone calls, and e-mails.
DONATIONS
What kind of donations do you need?
At some time or another I will need everything from Apples to Zippers! I have a donations link on this web-site that will help you note the ongoing and time-specific things we may need in the classroom. Cash donations also help me purchase items that are needed.
We already pay taxes for schools, so why do you need this other stuff from us?
Quite simply because funding has been cut so drastically, I can’t afford to purchase all the items myself, and I want the children to continue to have the best level of educational experience that we can provide.
Is it alright if I e-mail you?
Definitely! I want you to. E-mail is a great way for us to communicate. Feel free to send a message at anytime.
FIELD TRIPS
Will you take the children on any field trips?
Yes! We are so lucky to have a PTA that will pay for transportation and fees to a petting farm. They pay for the bus and for all the fees. Parents are invited to join us as space allows.
FEES
What fees will I have to pay?
There is a school registration fee. Milk and lunches also need to be paid for if your child wishes these. We will not ask you to pay for your child’s “Chair Bag” unless it needs to be replaced. We have no additional fee for our computer lab. We have no fees for the consumables used at school. Our PTA picks up the bill for field trip buses and entrance fees. Our librarian does not charge for overdue books, only for those books that are lost or damaged. The children will get their picture taken by a professional photographer twice a year. You will have the option to purchase these or not.
GIFTS
Will my son be expected to bring a gift to school for Christmas, birthdays or Valentines?
No, we do not do gift exchanges at Tibbets.
GRADES
What kind of grades will my son get?
Hopefully good ones! Our grading system is:
I= improvement needed
W= working on it
M= meets current expectations
I will also write a letter indicating his progress that I will send with his report card. You can preview the items on the report card any time you would like-just let me know.
Several of the papers that he will be bringing home will have progress and achievement notes for you.
HELP
Do you need any help?
Yes! Oh, my yes! I can use all the help I can get! I need help with individual children and small groups. I need help with preparing materials and setting up the classroom. I need help with collecting and purchasing materials. I accept help from moms, dads, grandparents, neighbors, family and friends.
KINDERTIME
What is “Kindertime”?
This is what I refer to as the time you spend alone with your kindergarten child at home. This is the time that you spend reading, talking, writing, and figuring out math together.
I will often have suggestions for kindertime in my newsletters, e-mails or folder notes.
LUNCH
When will my child eat lunch?
We have lunch recess at 11:55 to 12:10. The children come in and wash up for lunch. The lunch time is 12:20-12:40.
Will my child have to eat everything?
No, but he or she will be encouraged to eat an appropriate amount.
What if my child doesn’t like what is being served?
You will receive a menu each month. This will make it easier to help your child know what to expect or you may decide to send a cold lunch with your child.
Will my daughter be able to handle the lunch line all by herself?
Even if she can, she will not have to. At the beginning of the year there will be extra helpers working at all points of the lunch line. As the children become more expert, they will still be assisted each day by adults that are assigned to lunch duty.
Will I be able to join my daughter for lunch?
Absolutely! We have a special table set aside for parents and their children to use. You may sign up for hot lunch. Please do this before 9:00 of the day you plan to join your daughter.
May I bring McDonalds to school for my child’s lunch?
You may bring whatever you like to share with your child for lunch.
MILK
When will my child get milk?
We have a milk break everyday around 10:15. Your child may choose from whole milk, 2% milk, skim milk, or chocolate (which is 1% fat).
Milk is also served with the hot lunch program. Children who bring their lunch may bring their own or purchase milk for $.35. Milk purchases will be deducted from your family account.
What if my child cannot drink milk?
We will serve your child water or you may provide juice boxes that we can keep in our small room refrigerator.
What about the afternoon break ?
We have a snack break, but do not serve milk. We usually drink water at this time.
PARTIES
Do you have special parties during the school year?
Yes, we do. I ask parent that would like to help to sign up at our “Meet The Teacher Night” right before school starts. Each party is a little different, but basically, we have the party at the end of the day, we eat way too much, and do some type of fun activity.
PETS
My son wants to bring our dog for show and tell.
Because we have teachers and students with pet allergies, I encourage pets to visit school in the spring when we can be outside. Just give me a call and we will work out a time.
POPCORN
Could you explain this popcorn thing again?
We have popcorn every other Thursday. It costs $.35. Your child does not have to have popcorn. I purchase several bags each popcorn day and make sure that each child that wants some popcorn gets it. Feel free to donate to our Class Popcorn Fund. Each week a teacher, a grade level, or a school group will sponsor the sale. They will use the profit for school purchases. Parents are needed each week to help with the sale.
NAPS
Will the children have to take a nap everyday?
At the beginning of the year, we will have a rest and listen time. Children do not have to sleep or even close their eyes. They will, however, be required to be silent. Relaxing music will be played; we may sometimes do some visualization activities; we may sometimes do some simple yoga stretches. We will listen to stories that I will read to the class or play prerecorded tapes.
VISITORS
My niece is here from out of state. Can I send her to school with my son?
This is a tricky issue. We love visitors, yet I’m not sure a whole day would be best idea. A teacher may have purchased or prepared materials for a project –just for our class. Seating, locker space, and supplies may also become an issue. Sometimes children who are not members of our class become a distraction. I suggest that we discuss each situation as it arises. Let’s decide together based on the activities planned and the maturity level of the visitor.
VOLUNTEER
How can I help in the class room?
You can help in many ways. You might want to donate materials, work with children, help prepare materials, give a presentation to the class or help me with technology, or bake special treats. Let’s talk about what would make you the most comfortable.
I don’t have any teaching degree, are you sure I can help?
Certainly! I will write out directions and procedures as clearly as I can and you are always welcome to ask for more direction. We can also talk about where your strengths are and what you can best contribute to the children.
I am concerned about untrained strangers working with my child.
We also care about who works with the children. Volunteers fill out an information form and then must be approved before spending any time with children. Volunteers are not left alone with our students. Volunteers always work in public places such as hallways, the library, and the classroom along with the classroom teacher.
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