Dear Parents of Kindergarten Students,
Welcome to Bullard Elementary School! We are looking forward to a wonderful year together. There are several things that we would like for you to know to help get our kindergarten year off to a great start.
1. FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL – Bullard staff members will meet your child at the bus or the front door of the school. We encourage you to promptly leave your child with one of these caring adults even if they are a little sad or unsure. It will be less upsetting to them and to their classmates if you let us handle any anxiety that might arise. Your child will be escorted by the teacher to the correct bus, car, or to the After School Program at the end of the school day.
2. ATTENDANCE – The school day begins promptly at 7:50 A.M. and ends at 2:20 P.M. Children may enter the classroom at 7:15 A.M. If you bring your child you must drop them off at the carpool line. IF YOUR CHILD ARRIVES AFTER 7:50 A.M. PLEASE GO TO THE OFFICE TO SIGN YOUR CHILD IN AND GET A TARDY SLIP. We encourage regular and prompt attendance. If your child is absent, please send a written excuse explaining the absence the day he/she returns to school.
3. COMMUNICATION -- A large book bag is needed for each student in order for him/her to transport folders, library books, jackets, projects, etc. We will provide a folder to send all work, correspondence, newsletters, and school information home daily. Please check the folder each night for important information and to see what your child has done in school. You will also use this folder to return notes, signed papers, and lunch or field trip payments throughout the year.
4. HELP US – Please label all book bags, jackets, and lunch boxes with your child’s name. Also, please pack an emergency change of clothes in a large baggie or plastic grocery bag. It will be kept in the book bag unless needed.
5. LUNCH -- Student lunches are $1.65 and include a drink (milk or juice). We strongly encourage weekly ($8.25) or monthly ($33.00) payments toward your child’s lunch account. Kindergarten children have difficulty keeping up with money, and prepaid lunches remedy this situation. At the end of the year, any money remaining in an account will be kept in your child’s account for the next year. Please make checks payable to Bullard Elementary. Write your child’s name on the check and what the check is for (i.e. John Doe/lunch). Your child may bring his/her lunch and a non-carbonated beverage. Soft drinks are not permitted. If your child brings a lunch from home and wants to purchase a drink, the cost 50¢. Adult and guest lunches are $2.75.
We welcome you to join us for lunch AFTER THE SECOND WEEK OF SCHOOL.
Just drop us a note the day you plan to eat with your child. When you arrive, check in at the office, get a nametag, and meet us outside of the lunchroom. You, your child, and one friend may eat on the stage. Please remember that our instructional day continues at the end of lunch, so we will say our “good-byes” at the end of the lunch period.
6. EMERGENCY NUMBERS – Please be sure that we always have current emergency numbers where you can be reached if necessary. Also, if there is any change in student information, such as phone number, address, custody, etc. please notify the teacher, office, and After School Program (if applicable).
7. DISMISSAL – If there is a change in the way your child normally goes home, we need a written note of this change. You can find a change of transportation form on the Bullard website. In the case of an emergency, contact the office before 1:30 and they will notify your child and teacher of the change. In the event that your child needs to be checked out early, please check in at the office and they will call for your child. Teachers cannot release children from the classroom without office notification. Also, if checkout is at the end of the day, please come before 1:40 to avoid disruption of dismissal procedures. These regulations serve to maintain the safest environment for your child.
8. AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM --Registering your child for the After School Program (ASP) is a good idea in the event of an emergency, even if you do not plan to use it regularly. They can only supervise children who are registered with the program. If your child will be attending ASP daily, we do not need a note each day. However, if your child does not regularly attend ASP, please send a note indicating which days your child will be staying. The price of the After School Program is $7.00 per day.
9. PAYMENT ENVELOPES – The school will provide envelopes for any money collected for things such as field trips, Performing Arts, etc. Separate checks should be written for separate purchases or donations, as the money goes into separate accounts. Please do not include the field trip permission slips inside the payment envelopes. The payment envelopes are for money only.
10. MEDICATION – All medication will be kept in the school clinic to be administered by our school nurse. Medication must be brought in by the parent in its original container. Parents will fill out a medical form indicating dosage and time to be taken.
We appreciate you taking the time to read this important information. Please keep this copy handy as it contains helpful reminders for the whole year. Hopefully we have included many of the answers to questions you might have. Thanks in advance for your support. We look forward to working with you and your child to make his/her kindergarten year a fun, educational, and safe one.
Sincerely,
The Bullard Kindergarten Team
