OPENING INFORMATION 2009-2010

Preschool (Nursery, Pre-Kindergarten) and Kindergarten

 General Information

• The 2009-2010 school year at St. Martin’s Day School will begin with a Class Visitation Day on Monday, August 24, for Kindergarten and all Preschool classes except 2-Day Nursery.  Visitation Day for 2-Day Nursery is Tuesday, August 25.  Children will come during the assigned time, according to the attached Visitation Schedule.  Please remain in the classroom for only the time allotted, and then visit the bathrooms, playground and chapel before leaving.

• Regular classes will begin Wednesday, August 26 for all 3-day and 5-day students.  Classes for 2-day students begin Thursday, August 27.  For morning classes, arrival is at 8:50 a.m. and classes begin at 9:00 a.m.  For afternoon classes, arrival is 12:20 p.m. and classes begin at 12:30 p.m.

• As required by the State of Maryland, no children are allowed to attend school unless their Immunization Certificate is updated and on file by August 15.  St. Martin’s Day School requires a Vital Information/Emergency form and Permission Form to be on file, as well.

• A tentative school directory of names, addresses, and phone numbers for parents’ use in arranging carpools is available on the website (www.stmartinsdayschool.org) beginning August 1.  Please use it to check your own entry for errors and to arrange carpools as soon as possible.  Please do not call the school office for phone numbers.  The Parent Handbook distributed in September will contain an updated directory.  Carpool forms must be returned by August 15.

• Just a reminder:  All students are dropped off and picked up at the REAR of the Parish Hall.  If you are late, please park and bring your child to the Parish Hall entrance via the outside ramp and sign in at the school office.

• It is very important that your children arrive on time.  The teachers will begin instruction promptly at 9:00 a.m. for the A.M. classes and 12:30 p.m. for the P.M. classes, and they need all students in the classroom prepared to begin their day at that time.  Your child feels more confident when he/she is well prepared, well rested, and on time.

• Drop-off and Pick-up Times - During drop-off and pick-up times, residents and emergency vehicles must be able to enter and exit the Colchester community behind the school.  As Tewkesbury Lane is their only entrance/exit, be mindful of them, stay to the right and do not block the intersections at any time.

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 Important Points

1. Carpool Procedure (Entering from Tewkesbury Lane – Doubling Lines)

Upon entering the campus from Tewkesbury Lane, form a SINGLE line up to the cones and then DOUBLE lines from the cones up to the flagpole (cones will guide you).  Once the line begins to move, please alternate cars from right to left, with the first car in line on the right side (flag-pole side) going first, then one on left, then right, then left, etc. (see attached diagram).  Please take turns.  Thank you for your cooperation.
 

2. Safety Seat Law for Nursery through Second Grade
For your child’s protection, the child safety seat law will be strictly enforced.  Maryland's new child safety seat law went into effect on June 30, 2008.  The new law requires that all children younger than 8 years of age be secured in a federally approved child safety seat, according to the safety seat and vehicle manufacturers' instructions, (unless the child is 4 feet 9 inches or taller or weighs more than 65 pounds).  The child restraint must be right for the child's size, age, and weight.  Child safety seats include infant seats, convertible seats, forward-facing seats, booster seats, or other safety devices federally approved for use by children in motor vehicles.  All other children must be buckled in SEAT BELTS in the back seat of the car only.  No child may be placed in the front seat.  For further information, please visit the website of the Maryland State Highway Administration at www.sha.state.md.us.

3. Front Security Doors – Parish Hall
The procedure for entry is simple:  1) push the intercom button; 2) after you are greeted, stand in front of the camera and identify yourself; 3) wait until you hear the click and then open the right-hand door; 4) continue to sign in at the small table inside the entrance and take a visitor sticker; 5) take the Preschool key from its NEW location hanging on the bulletin board above the sign-in table; 6) unlock the Preschool door, relock it, and put the door stopper down to hold it open; and 7) place the key back on the hook before going downstairs to the Preschool.  Until we know how effectively our security works, we will continue to lock the Preschool door and use this procedure.

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Visitation Activities
Preschool and Kindergarten Students and Parents

Three-Day/Five-Day Nursery, Pre-K and Kindergarten -  Monday, August 24

Two-Day Nursery- Tuesday, August 25

Parents may bring students to their classrooms during their allotted times to meet the teachers and look at the classroom.

No formal activities are planned, but the following is suggested to help you make the most of your visit:

1. Meet the Head of School, Mrs. Sharon Holsclaw, and make sure all your papers have been received.

2. Go to your child’s classroom and meet the teachers.

3. Tour the classroom with your child, taking a few minutes to engage him or her in a quiet activity that is appealing.  Show your child where coats and totes will be hung.

4. Check accuracy of address, phone number, child’s birthday, etc. on sheet provided and sign-up for classroom volunteer activities.

5. Say goodbye to the teachers, and take your child out the back door to the driveway where you will be dropping off and picking up each day.

6. Tour the school, showing your child the Church, Parish Hall, Music Room, and where the bathrooms and water fountain are found.  Visit the Elementary School and Middle School, if you wish.

7. Tour the playground and let your child play for a few minutes.

8. On your way home, talk about all the things your child saw that he/she liked best.  Remind your child when school will begin and enjoy the anticipation with him or her.

Visitation Schedules – Preschool and Kindergarten

MONDAY, AUGUST 24 – 9:30 A.M. TO 11:15 A.M.
Three-Day/Five-Day Preschool A.M. and Kindergarten

MONDAY, AUGUST 24 – 9:30 A.M. TO 11:15 A.M.
Full Day Preschool/Kindergarten

Pre-K Full Day  
Full Day Pre-K1 A – L Last Names    9:30 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.
Full Day Pre-K1 M – Z  Last Names  10:30 A.M. – 11:15 A.M.
   
Kindergarten  
Kindergarten A – K  Last Names    9:30 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.
Kindergarten L – Z  Last Names  10:30 A.M. – 11:15 A.M.
   

MONDAY, AUGUST 24 – 12:30 P.M. to 2:15 P.M.
Three-Day/Five-Day Preschool P.M.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25 – 9:30 A.M. to 11:15 A.M.
Two-Day Nursery A.M.

Two-Day Nursery A.M.
2-Day A.M. Nursery A –K  Last Names   9:30 A.M. – 10:15 A.M.
2-Day A.M. Nursery L – Z  Last Names 10:30 A.M. – 11:15 A.M.

* Arrival and Dismissal Times – First Week of School (8//26, 8/27 & 8/28)
Preschool and Kindergarten

Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten

A.M. Classes P.M. Classes
Arrival:        8:50 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. Arrival:       12:20 P.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Dismissal:  11:30 A.M. Dismissal:  3:00 P.M.

Full Day Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten

Arrival:  8:50 A.M. Dismissal:  11:30 A.M.

Arrival and Dismissal Times – Normal Schedule (beginning 8/31)
Preschool and Kindergarten

Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten

A.M. Classes P.M. Classes
Arrival:        8:50 A.M. to 9:00 A.M. Arrival:       12:20 P.M. to 12:30 P.M.
Dismissal:  11:30 A.M. Dismissal:  3:00 P.M.

Full Day Pre-Kindergarten/Kindergarten

Arrival:  8:50 A.M. Dismissal:  3:00 P.M.