Lead Teacher: Ms. Melissa

I want to extend to you and your child my warmest welcome into our classroom. Thank you for choosing the YMCA Preschool Program! I am currently starting my twelfth year with the YMCA, this being my forth year in the YMCA Preschool Program. Along with my position as lead teacher for the Monday, Wednesday, Friday program I am also the teacher assistant during the Tuesday and Thursday program and assist with other Preschool programs.

A little about myself: I have lived in Westfield for the past 21 years. My husband of 27 years and I have raised three children, two daughters and a son, all of whom have participated in various Y programs throughout the years.

My philosophy for learning is that each child is unique, and each child learns in a different way. One of my jobs as a teacher is to help your child discover his or her individuality and work alongside with them to maximize it. I believe in hands-on experiences, learning creatively and learning through play. I am really looking forward to fun–filled and educational year!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Teacher Assistant: Mr. Nick

Beginning School
Beginning school is a very exciting and emotional experience for both you and your child. Because children need to get used to the school environment and bond with their teachers and classmates, I am asking parents to encourage your child to sign in (trace/write name) independently. Mr. Nick and I will be there welcoming them and helping them to get involved with our morning activities. Although your child may get upset the first few days, we will be here to comfort them and they usually calm within a few minutes of your departure.

And remember, your child will mirror your behavior, so try your best to smile and show them how excited and confident you are that they are going to love coming to school!! It’s going to be a great year!

Morning Sign In
School begins at 9:00.

Every morning when you arrive at school, please do the following:
– Have your child use the restroom and wash their hands prior to entering the classroom.
– Walk your child to our classroom and sign them in.
– Take backpacks, jackets, etc. and hang them on your child’s hook in their cubby.
If they are staying for Lunch Bunch, please take their lunch out of their backpack and place it on the shelf above the coat hooks.

Parent Pick Up
At the end of each day, my number one priority is the safety of your child, and pick up time tends to be very busy. If for some reason, someone other than yourself is picking up your child, please notify the teacher. If it is somebody that is not on your release form, please write a note giving us permission to release your child to that person. Otherwise we cannot legally release your child to that person without written parental/guardian consent.

Classroom Pick Up
If the classroom door is closed, please wait outside in the hallway until we have opened the door. Once again pick up time tends to be very busy so the children will remain in the classroom while you sign them out.

Daily Schedule
Our schedule each day will vary slightly due to our specials. I will post the schedule for you to see inside of our classroom. Each day will consist of morning meetings, physical activity, snack, circle time, small group activities, free choice play centers and end of day routines.

Specials
We will be attending specials this year as part of our regular program. Starting on Monday, September 12, 2016 and continuing through out the year, we will have Swim at 9:30. During swim time only 2 parents are allowed in the pool area. I will have a sign-up sheet available in the classroom. On Wednesdays, we will have Physical Education at 10:00. On Fridays, we will have Music at 10:15.

Student Assessments
In addition to daily observations, I will be conducting formal student assessments three times this year. During that time, I will gather information a variety of academic, physical and social skills. These assessments will be shared with you during conferences.

Health
It is our goal to keep everyone in our class (and our school) as healthy as possible. Please do not bring your child into school if they are not feeling well. It is also school policy that you keep your child home until they have been fever free with no medications for 24 hours. We will also be doing our part cleaning the classroom and toys to limit any spreading of germs.

Birthdays

We love celebrating each of the children’s birthdays and making a big deal of them!

Our school has adopted a new policy that we may not give the children sugary snacks (each of our school-provided snacks will contain at least one fruit or vegetable as well as whole grains and water to drink). This means no cakes, cookies or other sugary, trans fat foods or fruit juices, even as “treats”. If you would like to provide a special snack to celebrate your child’s birthday, please keep these policies in mind, as we will have to send home any foods that do not follow those guidelines. Think of bringing in your child’s favorite fruit or vegetable or whole-grain snack instead!

Please let me know in advance if you plan to bring a snack so that we can plan accordingly.

Shoes
We will have at least 20 minutes of physical activity each day. On Wednesdays we will have gym, Fridays we will be playing on the playground (weather permitting) or indoor activities. All of this is in addition to regular fun learning, moving and grooving in our classroom. For this reason, please have your child wear appropriate footwear, NO open toed or sling back shoes. They are NOT safe for running.

Clothes
We WILL get messy!! There will be messy art projects, outdoor play and the occasional “accident”. Please send your child into school in clothes that they can get dirty as well as a second set of clothes in a labeled Ziploc baggie to be kept in their backpacks.

We look forward to getting to know you and your child this school year, if you have any questions as the year goes by please feel free to contact me.