Everything You Need to Know About Starting Kindergarten!

Welcome to MacDougal Elementary School! I look forward to meeting you and working with you and your child's teacher to help make this year a positive, fun, and successful learning experience. I know that you may have many questions about MacDougal School. Let me try to answer some at this time.

School Supplies: All the Kindergarten teachers ask that your child have a backpack. It needs to be large enough for your child to bring home school papers and projects. It should not be too heavy or too small.  In the winter, your child may need to bring his/her sneakers in it to school. You may also wish to purchase a lunch bag for your child. Children do have a snack time at school. That's it!  You may wish to have supplies at home to use, but teachers have all other supplies needed already here at school. Snacks: We encourage students to bring healthy snacks to school. Great ideas are: fruit, veggies, cheese and crackers, pretzels, juice, and yogurt. Prices for: Meal Full Paid Reduced Breakfast $.75 $.30 Lunch $1.75 $.40 White Milk Chocolate Milk $.25 $.35 $.25 $.35 School Day: Breakfast occurs from 8-8:25. Instruction begins at 8:30. On Mondays, school begins at 9:30 with breakfast starting at 9:00. Walkers and students being picked up are dismissed at 2:45. Buses arrive for dismissal between 2:50-3:20. If your child will have a change in dismissal on a particular day, please send a note to school. School Numbers: Office: 596-2005 and 596-2006 We strongly encourage you to have your child ride the bus on the first day of school. This way the driver gets to meet your child and helps get the routine started right away. Parking at school is also a concern. We need to keep the front entrance completely clear of cars so that the busses can flow through from 7:45-8:30. If you have any questions or concerns at any time this year, please call me or come visit me at school. Working together, we will have a great year! Yours in the service of children, Your MacDougal School Principal

Tips for an Easier Kindergarten Day!

Children should wear clothes that they know how to get in and out of, so that they don't have trouble when using the bathroom. Double knot shoelaces if your child does not know how to tie shoes. Make sure that your child arrives on time. Put your child's name on everything-this will save lots of time and money! Return home-school folders every day. We will do lots of cutting in Kindergarten, if your child has difficulty, please practice at home. Children should have a backpack that they are able to open and close easily, and can hold a folder, projects and a spare pair of shoes in the winter.   (Please NO wheeled backpacks.)

A Kindergarten Parent's Homework:

Read with your child every night. Give your child a good start on the day with a full nights sleep (10-12 hours for most 5-6 year olds), and a good breakfast. Pack or supply a healthful lunch (if sending lunch from home). Please go easy on the sweets. Keep toys at home. Things brought to school may get broken or lost. The best place for a special toy is at home. Let your child's teacher know if there are changes occurring at home that may affect your child's behavior or attitude at school. Enjoy your child's kindergarten year. It is a very special time.