Parent Orientation

On Tuesday August 25 and Thursday August 27, 2009, the school invited parents of Kindergartners and pre-Kindergartners to orientation sessions.  Melissa Blalock, Montessori Coordinator for George Watts, moderated.  Here’s what we covered:

1) PTA

Alice Bumgarner (August 25), Chair of the PTA Edible Garden Committee, and Jane Brown (August 27), PTA President talked about what the PTA is and encouraged all parents to become involved.  It’s a primary way that parents can stay connected and help improve the school for all children.

The PTA meets every other month – 5 times throughout the year:

• Monday, September 14, 6:00-7:00 pm in the gym
• Monday, November 9, 6:00-7:00 pm in the gym
• Monday, January 11, 6:00-7:00 pm in the gym
• Monday, March 8, 6:00-7:00 pm in the gym
• Monday, May 10, 6:00-7:00 pm in the gym

2) Transition into Pre-K and Separation Anxiety

Kathy Logan and Katie Tise led a discussion about separation anxiety that young children often experience when starting school.  They read the book “The Kissing Hand” by Audrey Penn to help illustrate some positive approaches to dealing with it.  They also passed out a separation anxiety tip sheet.

3) Media Center Information

Kay Ham, Media Coordinator, provided basic information about how students will be using the Media Center and its resources.  This year, classes will come to the Media Center on a flexible schedule – they will not have a time set aside each week to visit the Media Center; rather they will come whenever they need to for a special project or any other need.  Children may check out one book at a time – pre-K students are often very enthusiastic about checking out books!  Mrs. Ham tries to send home notices every Monday to remind students to return their books.  Still, students and parents should be aware that library books are due 1 week after check out.  No late fees are charged, though.

This year, Mondays @ the Media Center will operate with slightly reduced hours: 3:30pm until 5:30pm every Monday.  (In previous years, the Media Center stayed open til 7:00pm.)  Mondays @ the Media Center is a great time for children to explore the resources, read and check out books, and get homework help.  All students must be accompanied by their parent or caregiver.

Every year, Mrs. Ham plans a variety of fun activities to promote reading:

• Storybook character dress-up week
• Halloween story time
• Book fair
• RAD (Read Around Durham) reading promotion program
• Beach week

4) Carpool Information

Mrs. Ham is also the coordinator of the carpool process.  She explained how children are to be picked up after school and warned parents that the first few weeks each new year are often chaotic, crowded, and so can be nerve-wrecking.  She asked that parents please be patient, encouraging all parents to follow the rules, which are designed to ensure safety.

• Primary (pre-K and K) and Upper Elementary (grades 4-5) students will be lined up by class to the LEFT of the Urban Avenue door (the side nearer the playground).
• Lower Elementary students (grades 1-3) will be lined up by class to the RIGHT of the door (the side closer to Watts Street).
• The carpool lane is one-way.  Cars enter from the Watts Street side and exit from the playground side.  Cars may NOT make a left turn when exiting the carpool lane.
• Cars should NOT pick up students outside the carpool lane.
• Once in the carpool lane, parents should NOT get out of their cars to get their children.  Mrs. Ham carries a megaphone and will call for your child to be delivered to your car.  Teachers are there to open your car door and load your child into his or her seat.
• Parents should NOT walk across the carpool lane or allow their children to walk in the carpool lane.
• Parents should NOT park or turn around in the church parking lot across the street.
• If not picking your child up in a car, parents should line up at the edges of the carpool lane and wait patiently for your turn to pick up your child.  Do NOT go directly to the door and wait for the children to come out.  Do NOT pick up your children right at the door.

5) Wellness Center

Nurse Lisa Micol explained the services available to students through the Wellness Center.  She staffs the center til noon every day.  (She works at E.K. Powe in the afternoons).  She encouraged all parents to fill out the student form for the Wellness Center, to allow their students to be treated at the center if needed.  She reminded parents that handwashing is the primary way to prevent the spread of germs, and that kids should stay home if they have a fever and should not return to school until they have been without a fever for 24 hours.

6) General Information

Melissa Blalock wrapped up the session with some general information:

• School hours:  The school doors open at 8:45am and will be locked at 9:00am sharp.  (Last year, the doors were open until 9:05am.)  Afterschool pick up is at 3:30pm.
• Buses: Pre-K parents must go through bus training if their children will be riding a bus.  Note that pre-K students must wear seat belts, and the driver is not allowed to unbuckle children.  So an adult must be waiting at the bus stop to unbuckle the child.
• Cafeteria: All students are assigned a cafeteria account number.  If they will be purchasing food or milk, they should be taught their number and helped to memorize it.  Parents should send in money (cash or check made payable to the school) to put in their child’s account, so that the child does not have to handle money every day.  Parents may take the money directly to the cafeteria to Cafeteria Manager Virginia Tevepaugh, or they may send the money in an envelope through their child’s folder, with a note indicating what the money is for.
• Volunteering:  After the first few weeks when routines become more familiar to the students, parents are encouraged to come to school for regular or occasional volunteering in the classroom (arranged through your child’s teacher) or just to have lunch with your child.
• Snacks:  In Primary classes, parents are assigned days when they send in snacks for the whole class.  Please choose healthy foods for these snacks.  If your child has food allergies, you are encouraged to provide snack for your child individually.