Green Lake Elementary School Common Kindergarten Questions
1)What time does school start and school end?
The first bell rings at 9:00 AM. Children must be seated and ready to learn at 9:05 AM. School ends at 3:10 PM.2) Can I drop my child off early to school?
3) Will my child be escorted to the bus?
4) Where do I pick up my child if they don't ride the bus?
Parents wait outside the classroom to pick up their children. Your child does not need to be signed out in the office unless an early pick-up has been arranged. All Kindergartners will be dismissed to an adult or will stay with the teacher until the adult arrives.5) Where do I park to pick up my child?
Parking is prohibited directly in front of school at the area painted for Bus Load only. Off street parking is usually available within a short walk of the front entrance.6) How do I pick up my child early for doctor or dentist appointment?
Notify your child's teacher with the time your child will be picked up. At that time, go to the office and sign out your child, get a pink slip from the secretary and give it to the teacher when you get your child from the classroom.7) Does Green Lake have a Nurse?
Yes, we have a full time nurse. One of the few in the district. Please contact Maureen Rigert at 252-5327 if you have special health issues you wish to discuss.8) What happens to my child if they become ill at school?
9) What happens if my child complains about being homesick or belly-aches at school?
10) Why is my Kindergartner so cranky when I pick them up after school?
It's a long day for most kids, even if they have been in a preschool setting. It may be that your child hasn't been eating his or her lunch to hurry outside to recess. Try to bring a snack with you when you pick them up. Don't expect them to want to tell you all about their day at 3:11 PM. Chances are they need some down time. Bedtime is often the place children seem to relax and tell you all the details.
11) How do the teachers and school communicate with the parents?
Kid’s Backpacks: Calendars, notes from the teachers and office, corrected homework, announcements and activities flyers are brought home in your child's backpack. Please be sure to check their backpacks daily.
Newsletter: Our weekly newsletter goes home on Thursday to keep you informed on what is happening in the school community. The principal writes an update twice a month that goes home with the newsletter.
Bulletin Board: In the main hall way, the PTA bulletin board is located just to the left of the stairs, with information currently or up coming events. Please stop by to see what is happening.
Email and Voice Mail: All teachers and staff have email and voicemail, but it is always good to check with your child's teacher for the best avenue of communication. Email should not be used to report an absence or request for early release - always call the office at 252- 5320. You will receive an all-school directory in the fall. The office can also reach teachers directly in the classrooms.
Classroom Web Pages: Most of our teachers have classroom pages via our website at www.greenlakedragons.org There is a list of all staff members as well.
Conferences: In November are conferences, but always feel free to talk to your child's teacher at anytime. Sign-ups for conference times are usually posted at the Open House in September.
12) How do parents communicate with each other?
The PTA sends out email messages to remind parents of upcoming volunteer needs and events for the school.
Most classrooms and teachers have a parent or group of parents that are the "Room Parent". This person/s helps organize parties in the class, phone and email communication to parents.
13) When does my child have recess?
Kindergarten recesses are at 9:55-10:10, 12:00-12:30 (lunch/recess)and PE three days a week for thirty minutes. K-2 have recess separate form grades 3-5.
14) Do children get any outside playtime on rainy days?
Outside recess is a priority. It must be very rainy for kids not to go outside. It will be announced by the office if it will be rainy day recess, in which the kids stay in for games and choice time in the classroom. You are encouraged to dress you children appropriately for chilly weather - we hate to see shivering children trying to hang out in the hallways or shoes inappropriate for outside play.
15) When does my child eat lunch?
16)Can my child buy milk if they want to?
Yes, you can buy a milk card for your child to use when they want to buy milk to drink with their lunch from home. The card is kept with the lunch lady. Also, at the beginning of the year, each child is given an account with a four digit number. Parents may deposit money for hot lunch for the day, week, month or year into your child's account on the computer with the lunch lady. If your child cannot drink milk, a note from your physician ensures they can have a juice substitute.
17) What happens when my child forgets his packback, lunch box or coat. What can I do to help keep track of his/her stuff?
Always label all items with your child's name and room #. We have a great lost and found rack near the lunch area pick up that all items go to.
18) Are there any standardized tests that are given to Kindergartners?
19) How will I find out how my child is performing?
20) Is testing for the gifted program offered at the Kindergarten level?
21) Does my child have homework in Kindergarten?
22) Can parents check out books from the library?
Yes. Parents can have a library card on file to check out anything.
23) Are there any limits to how many items your child can check out?
Yes, there are some limits initially for children, depending on their age-check with the librarian for this information. Kindergartners begin by checking out 1 book a week.
24) I wish to volunteer in my child’s classroom – how do I do that?
At the beginning of the year, watch for sign up sheets in your child’s room. You can be a room rep, help on field trips, volunteer in the classroom, etc. – just stay in touch with your child’s teacher regarding their volunteer needs.
25) Do Kindergartners have a supply list?
26) Can my child attend before or after school enrichment programs?
Yes! We offer many choices: Language class, Chess, Art, Drama and more. Look for details in the newsletter sent out each Thursday for how to sign up or check the PTA Bulletin Board in the Main Hallway near the steps to the Gym.
27) How do I get involved in the school community?
Join the PTA – and attend monthly meetings. The first one is in September in the Library. The PTA sponsors many family events and fundraising efforts. Site Council Meetings are made up of teachers, parents and the principal. This team helps advise the principal on school policy and parent concerns. Meetings are held monthly and anyone can attend.
Don’t wait, say hello early and introduce yourself. There are lot of great people out there that care about their child’s education just like you.
28) How can I help raise funds for the school?
There are many fundraisers throughout the year sponsored by the PTA. Early in the fall the kids (even Kindergartners) are given an opportunity to participate in the Sally Foster Gift Wrap sale. The main fall fundraiser is our walk-a-thon. All the students participate and get pledges for how many laps they will do or set amount from family and friends to turn in after the walk-a-thon. Holiday Tree Sale starts after Thanksgiving break and runs until winter break. In the spring, we have a spring fundraiser which has historically been an auction. In the first week of school, you will be given lots of information on PTA activities and fundraising, and you can also check out the school’s Web site www.greenlakedragons.org for more details.