parent packet - Immunizations

Oh blue cards, you are one more piece of paper that I wish I could burn.  I do not love to fill out the blue cards.

This is not where we debate immunizations.

If your preschool requires you to fill out the blue cards or the immunization report online, then I suggest to have an immunization print out in your parent packet.  I include a list of what immunizations are needed, let parents know that a print out from their doctor, an online print out, or the yellow card is what I need.  I also let the parents know that they have 30 days from orientation (because I talk about it at orientation) to turn in all items to me, or children will not be allowed to attend school until I have it.  For San Diego, I let parents know they can also put their own immunizations online at www.sdiz.org.

Also remember to keep forms handy for families who choose not to immunize their children.  Families need to have a doctor sign off that they have received the information.  This form you attach to their blue card, or place in the child's file.  FYI, ask your school nurse if they are willing to sign off on the form.  Depending on where they stand on immunizations, they may.

Also should be noted, that the online information to submit is best to turn in early.  It could easily get lost in your emails and parent paperwork.  Otherwise, set a reminder on your computer to do it.

Parent Packet - Parent letter

Today's objective is putting together my parent packet.  It's needs a bit of a touch up.

Today, I am rewriting my parent letter.  Two years ago the letter was just over half page long and had a few details about preschool.  Now, I find I write a full page and place key words in bold so parents may at least read the bold letters.  It will also be what  I go over at the parent orientation.  Think of the parent letter as a syllabus.

In my letter I lay out what I find to be the most important items about preschool, and the items that I have weekly conversations with parents about.  This way I can also reference this sheet of paper later in the year to remind parents as to how we make preschool run "smoothly."
Items I have included in my parent letter:

• Label everything. - I can't tell you how many times I've picked up a jacket on the playground and wondered if it belongs to us or the classroom next door or find a random water bottle in the classroom.  Parents think "oh yes, my child will remember this is theirs."  They may, but so will about 3 other children.
• Nap time supplies - I remind parents what size pillow case to bring in (somehow parents read that as "crib sheet"?) and how often to take items home to be laundered.  The answer is weekly.  Weekly does not mean when your child has attended for 5 days.  
• Extra clothes in cubbies - I always remind parents to put socks and underwear in the extra clothes section of their cubbies.  When a kiddo has an accident, don't just check the shorts, check the socks too.  This is also where I make the request of closed toed shoes/ sandals.  Flip flops guarantee a boo boo note home most days.  
• Healthy lunches - I remind parents that candy will be taken away and placed in the child's mailbox and usually attached to their daily note with a reminder about our candy-free zone.  We eat lunch just before nap time.  Sugar is the enemy.  I also provide a few examples of lunches to give parents who don't have pinterest a bit of creativity.  I also ask parents to pack items in easy open containers to give kiddos some independance.  The most street cred goes to the child who can open their own capri sun.  
• Birthdays - Cupcakes were the best part of being a kid stuck in school on your birthday.  I let parents know at this point we celebrate birthdays after nap time and that cupcakes or rice crispy treats are perfectly fine.  Also, the more similar each cupcake or treat is, the better. Of course, there will be a parent who will ask if they can bring in a big sheet cake.  No. 3 year olds have eagle eyes for who's piece has more frosting or millimeters larger than theirs.  

You may have more items to add to your parent letter that is more specific to your classroom.  Just remember, the parent letter is not a podium or a place to rant.  It's the place to set up the boundaries and welcome in the little cuties and parents that will be filling your classroom.  

Planning Phase - Weekly Themes

I've set out to plan out the themes for my preschool this year.  My classroom is on a traditional school schedule, which means we are in operation from September until June.

I operate best on themes.  I choose to do themes weekly and have set out the last two years to make my themes alphabetical to coordinate with the letter of the week.  If you stretch your themes it will be successful.  For example, letter X is "X marks the spot" for a pirate theme week.  We also live in an ocean town, so of course we add beach safety as a theme.

Easy themes are authors, seasonal items, safety, and animals.

As always, when planning out themes, be cautious of religion, economics and cultural differences.  Some parents and families may not celebrate Halloween or even Valentine's Day.

Keep up with the blog to see themes in action as we go through the year.