Clothing
Since
the children have achieved more consistent control of their physical
abilities, no extra clothes are kept on hand. Children in the
elementary environment wear school logo shirts daily, and dress
according to the code outlined in the Parent Handbook.
Daily
Schedule
Children
in the elementary class should arrive at school promptly at 8:30am on
a regular basis. This allows them to put away their things, say hello
to friends, and get their belongings in order for lessons and
meetings which start promptly at 8:45am.
The
elementary class does not serve a morning snack on a regular basis.
Please make sure that your child has a good breakfast every day. We
have lunch at about 11:30am during the beginning of the school year,
and by 12:00pm as the year progresses.
Lunch
often takes place outdoors during nice weather. Additionally, we will
have group sport games on an impromptu basis. Students may bring a
hat/visor and an extra water bottle for extra hydration when they
suspect nice weather. Sunscreen should be applied at home. Children
who need extra sunscreen may apply it themselves in the bathroom
before going out to recess.
Milk
is not served to elementary students during lunch time. They should
always bring a drink, and be able to drink from the container they bring. (Lunch
is not transferred to plates or poured into cups as it was in the
primary class.) Be careful of juice during nice weather as it
attracts bees when lunch is eaten outside. Please remember to send
any utensils needed as well as two cloth napkins daily. One napkins
is used as a the child’s placemat.
Children
are welcome to bring birthday treats or any other celebration treats
to school to share with the class. All treats are served during
lunch.
Dismissal
takes place right at 3:00pm. Parents with children in both the
primary and elementary should plan to arrive at 2:55pm for both
children, rather than having to circle the driveway more than once
waiting for the elementary students to exit.
Personal
Belongings
The
students are responsible for their own belongings. They have certain
tools for their work that were listed our supply sheet, including
pencils, pencil box, journals, binders, for example. When additional
items from home become a distraction in the classroom, they are
placed in the dismissal basket to be sent home at the end of the day.
Body and hair jewelry can be a distraction. Lip gloss and lotions are
only to be applied in the bathroom, and not shared.
Work
Routines
Much
of the work the children record onto paper will be entered into
journals. Any loose papers are placed in a work binder. The children
develop a portfolio of their work throughout the year is used as a
reference tool for them to keep track of work completed as part of a
series, or to refer back to notes from lessons. Parents are welcome
to review the child’s journals and binders during conferences or
after school by appointment. Because the students keep all work in
the classroom, Thursday Folders are used for administrative papers
only in the Elementary Classroom.
Homework
Formal
homework typically begins around age nine (though it is determined on
an individual basis), however, all students are expected to read for
one-half hour each night. A book list is provided each year to help
the students focus on great authors and classic titles. Please review
our “Homework Information” sheet for more guidelines.
Additionally,
each year the children in the elementary class prepare a Cultural
Fair Project including a written report, backdrop, and optional
experiment or model which they then present to the class and parents
in May on Parents’ Night. Details are distributed at the end of
March following the spring performance. All work for this project is
completed at home. (Children who transition into the class mid-year
are not expected to participate, though some choose to do so.)
Going
Out
“Going
out” is an important part of the elementary environment. Children
are given opportunities to interact with the community, plan events,
learn how to get around safely, responsibly and respectfully. Parents
of elementary students sign a blanket permission slip allowing travel
within the immediate area (under supervision), to the library and
local places in between here and there. In addition, we often
attend Kennedy Center functions during the school year.
Often both local and travel field trips are made in small groups and
do not involve all children in the class. An older group may plan an
event related to their studies, for example. Kennedy Center functions
are often age-based. Privileges involving “going out” come with
time in the class and independence. All events outside of the area
require drivers, so we look for parent volunteers to help with those
trips. The children wear their navy blue polo shirts, sweaters or
vests on field trips.
Special
Events
Throughout
the year, the upper students in the elementary class are responsible
for maintaining weekly pizza orders. We will also plan a few class
luncheons for special occasions and holidays. The graduates in the
class will plan and organize a fund-raising drive for a charity of
their choice each year. In October we have a special day called
“Halloween Heroes” where each student researches a historical or
literary figure and then dresses up as that individual for a guessing
game. In November and December the class serves food at the
Thanksgiving Feast and Holiday Tasting Party. Our class
focuses on preparation for the Spring Performance from January
through March. Each child makes homemade Valentine’s at home in
February to bring to school for their classmates. We have a special
Egg Hunt and Egg Games Day just before spring break. Our class holds
a Cultural Fair evening on the night of Parents’ Night. We bring the year to an end with a class luncheon at a restaurant and an exciting Field and Splash Day on the lawn. We
appreciate parent volunteer help for many of these special events.
