Counting Down to
Kindergarten
Parent Information
May 2013
Welcome to Badger Clark!
I look forward to meeting you and
your child and working together
with you in the upcoming years.
Children and their growth are my
passion, and I continue to learn
as I start my 20th year with the
Douglas School District. If I can
be of any assistance at any time,
please do not hesitate to contact
me.
A little bit about myself
• I believe children learn when actively engaged and involved
in real-world relevant problem solving. A child-centered
environment is key to the essential relationships that
support learning.
The First Steps---Paperwork
• SDCL: Kindergarten eligible if 5 before September 1
• Guardianship
• Completing Registration
– Assure correct address and contact information—ie. working phone
numbers if information changes
– Emergency Contact number/s
– Authorized pickups
– Directions for an unplanned early dismissal included
• MUST have current shot records to start the first day of
school
• MUST show proof of residency via First Stop form
verification
The First Steps---Paperwork
• Copy of certified original (not hospital) birth certificate
• Open Enrollment: If you do not live in district, you must
complete an Open Enrollment request and submit by August
1, 2012. The Board of Education acts on Open Enrollments
at the first board meeting in August. If you are accepted,
you will be contacted by the Superintendent’s office after
this meeting. It is a wise idea to have a back-up plan. After
being accepted, registration and all necessary paperwork
will need to be completed to start school.
dsdk12.net
• District website with information to help you stay abreast of
what’s going on and when
• dsdk12.net
• Teacher websites for more information
Health-related concerns
• The District has four nurses that serve six buildings.
• Allergies—If a food allergy is life-threatening that requires a
lunch substitution, a signed SD Dr.s note must be received
each year. The appropriate form must also be completed.
We do have a peanut free table, and have also had other
exceptions depending on student need.
• Diagnosed medical condition: If your child has a medical
condition we need to plan for on a regular basis, the school
nurse would like to visit with you. Note any pertinent
information on your registration information
Health-related concerns
• Medication at school: If your child will need to take
medication at school, the consent form is located on our
website and must be received for us to administer meds.
• Other issues: We work with families and students to assure
their health and well-being, please make an appointment in
the fall to speak with Nurse Megan if you need to discuss
your child’s specific needs.
When will I know more information
about school?
• About a week before school begins you will receive a letter
telling you the name of your child’s teacher and specific
information about the Classroom Walkthrough. It will also
tell which small group days your child attends.
• Supply lists for Badger Clark will be on the district web
page, and are distributed to local businesses—Walmart, BX,
ShopKo, Kmart, etc.
Classroom Walkthrough
• Friday, August 23rd from 2:00-3:00.
• This is an opportunity to students and parents to find the
classroom and meet the teacher.
• This is an opportunity for Teachers to provide information
about their classroom rules, policies, etc.
• If you have specific issues to visit with the teacher about,
please make an appointment as all parents and students
would like to say hello and get to see their room at this time.
• Teachers are in meetings prior to and after open house, so
are not available before the scheduled times.
AM Drop off Procedures
• Students enter the building in the morning through the
Carrousel entrance or the West side of Badger Clark via the
drop off lane. They are greeted by a staff member and
asked if they are having breakfast or going outside. We
abide by their response and channel them to the appropriate
location.
• Breakfast begins serving at 7:30. Playground supervision
begins at 7:40. There is no supervision before this time for
students. Students are out on the playground from the time
they are dropped off until the bell rings. When a student
finishes eating breakfast, they also go outside for morning
recess.
AM Drop off Procedures
• If you bring your child to school in the morning, we ask that
you say your goodbyes at the door so that we can help each
child develop the independence to be successful in their
morning routine. Please make an appointment to meet with
the teacher if needed.
PM Pick up Procedures
• If you will be picking up your child as a regular routine, your
child will meet you in the cafeteria at the end of the day.
• If this is not a routine habit, you will need to contact the
office with a note that morning, or by calling BEFORE 2:00
to let us know of the arrangements and person picking up
your child. We do not take your child’s word, so will need
this specific information from you directly.
How will I know what’s going on?
• We communicate classroom specific information to families
largely through Friday folders and individual contact with
families as necessary and/or warranted.
• Teacher websites
• Monthly Building Newsletter—Badger Clark Refrigerator
News
• School Reach parent contact
The First Week of School
• Your child will attend EITHER August 26& 28 OR August 27
& 29. All students attend on Friday, August 30.
• During this time we allow you to walk your child to the
classroom and drop them off. Beginning, Tuesday,
September 3, we work to teach morning routines and
independence for self-regulation and confidence.
Attendance
• Students of at least six years of age, once attending school
are held to compulsory attendance laws. Parents or
guardians are responsible to assure the child/ren attends
school on a regular basis for the entire term school is
session until 18 years of age. Parents will receive
notification of their child’s attendance record updating them
of the status of their attendance as necessary. If attendance
is not consistent, parent/guardians may be subject to
truancy complaints filed with the court.
Attendance
• Attendance is important beginning in Kindergarten.
• Research has shown that one day of absence can take as
much as three days to make up in gaining the missed
information and skills.
• Information handouts
• Parents deployed/returning/vacations
• I will be contacting you regarding your child’s attendance to
assure their regular participation and benefit from the school
curriculum.
• Absence Homework is not sent home with student absence,
so much of the day is spent experiencing and manipulating
to learn.
When is my child too ill to come to
school?
• Fever:
• Your child should stay home if their temp rises above 100.4°F. A
feverish child is not only considered contagious, but also probably not
feeling well enough to learn or participate. Keep him/her home until
he/she has been fever-free for 24 hours and is feeling like his/her usual
self.
• Vomiting:
• If your child has vomited two or more times in 24 hours, staying home is
the best call. Watch for signs of dehydration as well.
• Diarrhea:
• Kids who have the runs more than three times a day will need to take
the day off from school.
When is my child too ill to come to
school?
• Sore Throat:
• If the achy throat is accompanied by swollen glands, a fever, headache,
or stomachache, you may need to bring him/her to the doctor for a strep
test. Children with strep should be on antibiotics for at least a full day
before mixing in with the class.
• Stomach Ache:
• Any stomachache associated with vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or no
interest in play is a good reason to keep them home.
• Cough:
• Your little one will need to stay home if he/she has a persistent, phlegmy
cough and seems cranky or lethargic accompanied by a fever and/or
wheezing.
Other information
• We play outside each day unless the windchill is below zero
or unreasonable wind gusts prevailing. Please make sure
your child has appropriate clothing for the weather. A
doctor’s note is required to keep a child in from recess and
the benefits of the social skills and exercise this provides.
• It is extremely helpful and provides your child confidence if
they can zip their own coat, put on their own mittens, boots,
snowpants, snap their pants after using the bathroom and
work to tie their shoes.
• You may want to send an extra change of clothes with your
child.
Other information
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Breakfast $1.20 Prices subject to change
Lunch
$1.70
Adult breakfast $1.45
Adult Lunch
$2.45
My School Bucks
If you feel your family qualifies for free/reduced lunch you
must complete a form, available at any building or online,
and submit it. You will be notified of your status.
Questions
• Please feel free to contact the office or myself if you need
additional information.
• Office hours:
• 7:00am-4:00pm
• Teacher hours: 7:30-3:30