Important Classroom Information
Arrival: School begins promptly at 8:00am and the classroom will be open at 7:55am. Students can be dropped off in the cafeteria beginning at 7:30, but cannot be in the hallways until the bell at 7:50. We welcome you to walk your child to the classroom and help them unpack their belongings into their cubby, but ask that you say your goodbyes at the door. This allows students to independently begin important morning routines. Please encourage your child to increase his/her independence when unpacking, and signing in.
Attendance: Attendance is taken daily at 8:05 a.m. Your child will be marked absent if they are not in the classroom at this time. If you arrive late, please check in at the office before coming to the classroom.
Absences: If your child is going to be absent, please call the main office at (617) 879-4500. It is also helpful if you email me as well!
Allergies: Our classroom is a nut-free environment. Please do not send any nut products in your child’s snack. If your child has a food allergy, please be sure to speak to the school nurses and communicate with me about his/her allergy action plan.
Birthdays: We love celebrating birthdays in kindergarten! The birthday boy/girl will be invited to bring in his/her favorite picture book, which will be read aloud in his/her honor. Birthday celebrations are FOOD FREE due to food allergies. If your child has a summer birthday, we will choose a day towards the end of the school year on which to celebrate.
Communication: Communication is vital to a successful school year. There are several opportunities for communication:
Conferences: Conferences are held twice a year: November/December and April/May. Information about conferences will be sent home as they approach. If you wish you make use of Brookline's translation service, please let me know as soon as you select a conference slot so I can make arrangements.
CORI forms: To volunteer in any school activities or field trip, you must have a CORI form on file. CORI forms are valid for 3 calendar years. Please stop in the office to complete this form. You will need a picture ID.
Dismissal: School ends at 2:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday, and at 1:40 p.m. on Fridays. Students will be dismissed one by one, directly into the hands of their parent(s) or caretaker. Students who attend BSED will be picked up by BSED staff. Students who ride the bus will be escorted to the buses by Ms. Haywood. Please notify me in writing, prior to pick-up, if your child has a change in dismissal plans. If your plans change during the school day, you must call the main office to let us know, as I don't often check email during the school day. Dismissal permission slips are also available on the parent information board outside the classroom door.
Extended Day (BSED): Students who attend BSED will be picked up at the classroom door by BSED staff. If your child is absent or will not be attending the extended day program, please let them know at 617-323-6661.
Field Trips: Information about any field trips will be provided as the dates draw near. We always welcome parent chaperones, but you MUST have a CORI form on file.
KG: Within the Baker community, our class will be referred to as KG (Kindergarten – Galop)
Lunch: Kindergarten students eat lunch in the cafeteria. You can either pack a lunch for your child or have them buy it in the cafeteria. You can deposit money into your child's lunch account via www.myschoolbucks.com. Please contact Mary Foote in the cafeteria with any questions about this. Please separate your child’s lunch and snack by putting them in separate lunch boxes/bags. This helps with transitions and the organization of students’ food.
Morning Routine: Children should be encouraged to do these things independently. Please also encourage your child to use the restroom if needed before entering the classroom.
1. Hang up coat and backpack in cubby
2. Put lunch and snack on top shelf
3. Put red home/school folder in the folder bucket
4. Sign in
5. Wait away from the doorway for Mrs. Galop and Ms. Haywood to open the door at 7:55.
Nurse: Our school nurses are Ms. Ellyn Mullock and Ms. Diane Purcell. Please see them if you have any medial concerns about your child or need to discuss any medications they must take during the school day.
Paraprofessional: We are very lucky to have Ms. Gabrielle Haywood as our classroom assistant teacher. She is a graduate of Wheelock College and is a certified Early Childhood educator.
Playdates: If your child is going home with a friend from either our class or another class, you need to send me a note indicating your knowledge of the play date. I am not permitted to send any child home with another person without your written permission with whom your child will be going with.
PTO: Baker has a very strong Parent-Teacher Organization. The Baker School PTO provides an essential service to the Baker community by promoting many community events and by supporting Baker teachers and students. More information can be obtained at www.bakerschoolpto.org.
Recess: Students will go outside for recess every day, unless there is severe weather. It is encouraged that students wear sneakers or a shoe that is attached to the foot for climbing, running, and jumping at recess. Please be sure your child has appropriate clothing for the weather including jackets, hats, gloves, boots, and snow pants. Also, on those bright sunny days, consider applying sunscreen before school, as we cannot do this during the school day.
Specials: Students will attend a special every day. These specials include P.E., Music, Art, Library and Spanish. I will provide you with a weekly specials schedule. Students are required to wear sneakers on P.E. days.
Snack: We will have a morning snack in our classroom each day. Please send a nut-free snack every day, including a drink, in a labeled snack bag. If your child needs utensils for their snack, please send those as well.
Water Bottles: Children are welcome (and encouraged) to bring a water bottle to school with them daily. They may use it during snack and lunch and store it in their cubby to get a drink as needed throughout the day. We also have a water fountain near our classroom for the children to use.
Wishlist: A wishlist of items we would like to have in our classroom, or are frequently needed, has been set up on Amazon. Any donations are greatly appreciated!
Attendance: Attendance is taken daily at 8:05 a.m. Your child will be marked absent if they are not in the classroom at this time. If you arrive late, please check in at the office before coming to the classroom.
Absences: If your child is going to be absent, please call the main office at (617) 879-4500. It is also helpful if you email me as well!
Allergies: Our classroom is a nut-free environment. Please do not send any nut products in your child’s snack. If your child has a food allergy, please be sure to speak to the school nurses and communicate with me about his/her allergy action plan.
Birthdays: We love celebrating birthdays in kindergarten! The birthday boy/girl will be invited to bring in his/her favorite picture book, which will be read aloud in his/her honor. Birthday celebrations are FOOD FREE due to food allergies. If your child has a summer birthday, we will choose a day towards the end of the school year on which to celebrate.
Communication: Communication is vital to a successful school year. There are several opportunities for communication:
- Home-School Folder: Children are provided with a red Home-School Folder that will travel to and from school with them every day. Please check the folder daily for work and important letters and information. Also, if you need to inform me of anything, please feel free to leave a note in the folder. I check them every morning and will get back to you as soon as possible.
- Blog: http://bakerkg.weebly.com/blog
- Twitter: Follow @KG_BakerSchool for updates and daily highlights!
- Email: [email protected]. I check my email regularly and it is generally the best way to get in touch with me. However, if there is an urgent matter (such as a change in pick up) please call the front office at (617) 879-4500.
- Phone: Please feel free to call me at (617) 879-4500 with any questions. I will be able to take calls before or after school.
- Office Hours: Wednesdays 7:30-7:55 a.m. Please let me know if you plan on stopping in during office hours.
Conferences: Conferences are held twice a year: November/December and April/May. Information about conferences will be sent home as they approach. If you wish you make use of Brookline's translation service, please let me know as soon as you select a conference slot so I can make arrangements.
CORI forms: To volunteer in any school activities or field trip, you must have a CORI form on file. CORI forms are valid for 3 calendar years. Please stop in the office to complete this form. You will need a picture ID.
Dismissal: School ends at 2:30 p.m., Monday - Thursday, and at 1:40 p.m. on Fridays. Students will be dismissed one by one, directly into the hands of their parent(s) or caretaker. Students who attend BSED will be picked up by BSED staff. Students who ride the bus will be escorted to the buses by Ms. Haywood. Please notify me in writing, prior to pick-up, if your child has a change in dismissal plans. If your plans change during the school day, you must call the main office to let us know, as I don't often check email during the school day. Dismissal permission slips are also available on the parent information board outside the classroom door.
Extended Day (BSED): Students who attend BSED will be picked up at the classroom door by BSED staff. If your child is absent or will not be attending the extended day program, please let them know at 617-323-6661.
Field Trips: Information about any field trips will be provided as the dates draw near. We always welcome parent chaperones, but you MUST have a CORI form on file.
KG: Within the Baker community, our class will be referred to as KG (Kindergarten – Galop)
- KC = Mrs. Curley’s kindergarten class
- KP = Ms. Perkin’s kindergarten class
- KCP = Ms. Pinto's kindergarten class
Lunch: Kindergarten students eat lunch in the cafeteria. You can either pack a lunch for your child or have them buy it in the cafeteria. You can deposit money into your child's lunch account via www.myschoolbucks.com. Please contact Mary Foote in the cafeteria with any questions about this. Please separate your child’s lunch and snack by putting them in separate lunch boxes/bags. This helps with transitions and the organization of students’ food.
Morning Routine: Children should be encouraged to do these things independently. Please also encourage your child to use the restroom if needed before entering the classroom.
1. Hang up coat and backpack in cubby
2. Put lunch and snack on top shelf
3. Put red home/school folder in the folder bucket
4. Sign in
5. Wait away from the doorway for Mrs. Galop and Ms. Haywood to open the door at 7:55.
Nurse: Our school nurses are Ms. Ellyn Mullock and Ms. Diane Purcell. Please see them if you have any medial concerns about your child or need to discuss any medications they must take during the school day.
Paraprofessional: We are very lucky to have Ms. Gabrielle Haywood as our classroom assistant teacher. She is a graduate of Wheelock College and is a certified Early Childhood educator.
Playdates: If your child is going home with a friend from either our class or another class, you need to send me a note indicating your knowledge of the play date. I am not permitted to send any child home with another person without your written permission with whom your child will be going with.
- You can send me a note in your child's folder or bring a note during drop off.
- If plans changes during the school day, you will need to call the front office at 617-879-4500.
PTO: Baker has a very strong Parent-Teacher Organization. The Baker School PTO provides an essential service to the Baker community by promoting many community events and by supporting Baker teachers and students. More information can be obtained at www.bakerschoolpto.org.
Recess: Students will go outside for recess every day, unless there is severe weather. It is encouraged that students wear sneakers or a shoe that is attached to the foot for climbing, running, and jumping at recess. Please be sure your child has appropriate clothing for the weather including jackets, hats, gloves, boots, and snow pants. Also, on those bright sunny days, consider applying sunscreen before school, as we cannot do this during the school day.
Specials: Students will attend a special every day. These specials include P.E., Music, Art, Library and Spanish. I will provide you with a weekly specials schedule. Students are required to wear sneakers on P.E. days.
Snack: We will have a morning snack in our classroom each day. Please send a nut-free snack every day, including a drink, in a labeled snack bag. If your child needs utensils for their snack, please send those as well.
Water Bottles: Children are welcome (and encouraged) to bring a water bottle to school with them daily. They may use it during snack and lunch and store it in their cubby to get a drink as needed throughout the day. We also have a water fountain near our classroom for the children to use.
Wishlist: A wishlist of items we would like to have in our classroom, or are frequently needed, has been set up on Amazon. Any donations are greatly appreciated!