Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the kindergarten hours?
Kindergarten is a full day program. Buses/students arrive beginning at 8:00 a.m. Classes begin promptly at 8:15 AM. Dismissal is at 2:15 PM.
What are the required forms that I need to submit for my child?
Phone registration starts in January. You may call the main office at (518)-283-4600 ext 10 to start the basic registration. A packet of information will be sent home with forms to complete for your child. Forms in this packet will include: an emergency card, medical forms, custody forms and other information that pertain to your child. The information can be sent back to school or brought in at Kindergarten Orientation. During the summer you will receive a "Welcome Back" packet that will include emergency information that may need to be updated, forms for free and reduced lunch,bus information, parental responsibility statement, Internet usage policy, etc. It is important that these forms be completed accurately and returned in a timely fashion.
How many students are usually in a kindergarten class?
In recent years, the number of students in each of our kindergarten classes has varied from 17 to 22. This number depends on the total number of students enrolled.
Will my child use computers at school?
The kindergarten classroom has computers. The school also has a computer lab that students will have a chance to use for instruction with their teachers. All students are required to have a parent or guardian sign a computer use policy.
How much Physical Education will my kindergartner have?
A kindergarten student will meet with a Physical Education teacher every other day for a 42 minute class and every other day for a brief recess period. Students are required to participate in PE unless they have a note from a parent. Any student who cannot participate in PE for an extended period of time will require a note from the doctor.
May my child use the library?
Kindergarten students will visit the library with their class to receive instruction, check out books, and enjoy some great books that are read out loud. Students can check out new books at anytime once their previous books have been returned. In addition, your child's teacher will send home book order flyer's from different book companies (Scholastic, etc.) throughout the school year that parents may purchase from. This is an optional activity. If students wish to place orders, they may return the order form with payment to the teacher. Books usually arrive within 2-3 weeks. Teachers will send them home with your child.
Are there art and music programs for kindergartners?
Students will have a block of art, library, music or PE class each day.
My child will be late to school today. What do I need to do?
If your child is going to be late to school, please call the nurse's office by 8:15 AM and let them know. When you bring your child to school, you must check into the main office and sign your child in.
May I pick my child up from school myself?
Yes. Elementary students who do not ride the bus and do not attend an Y-Time or other after care programs should be picked up by 2:15 PM Students needing to be excused early from school for illness or medical appointment must provide a written parental request for such early dismissal. Written request must be submitted to the Main Office before the start of the school. Parents are required to pick students up at the Main Office and to sign them out for early dismissal. The school will only release children to the people you have listed on your emergency card. It is critical that this information is updated annually.
Additionally, students should not be dropped off or picked up in the circle area between the hours of 7:30-9:00 AM and between 1:30-3:30 PM as these are times that our buses are parked or dropping off or picking up our students and no other vehicles should be in this area, during these times.
Kindergarten students will participate in field trips. Field trips are scheduled during the normal school day using school buses. Parents will be notified in advance of field trip dates and destinations. We can always use volunteers to go along! Permissions slips will also be required to be on file prior to the field trip.
Events across the country have raised our awareness of the need for increased security and increased awareness on the part of staff to handle crisis or emergency situations. During the course of the school year, students will be informed of the emergency procedures when a fire or lock down drill is announced. We will then periodically practice drills as well. Teachers will prepare students in advance for these drills and will do so in a calm, instructional manner to reduce concern.
Schools are also required to practice 12 fire drills throughout the school year. Your child's teacher will review the fire exit plan with your child prior to the first drill. Bus evacuation drills are also required by law. This is like a fire drill on the school bus. Students practice using the front door as well as the emergency door located on the side of the bus or the rear of the bus. These are usually held at random, at the discretion of the each bus driver.
Is the school involved in development of good character in students?The objective of character education in the Wynantskill UFSD is to shape, nurture and develop the total child. Character development improves school and classroom climate by focusing on basic principles of character. More information can be found on the school website under curriculum overview.
Rest assured, we make take every effort to not let that happen. Bus schedules are mailed to parents in the middle of August and given a bus number, list of roads, and bus pick up times. Students should be at the bus stop at least 5 minutes prior to the pick up time. If the stop needs to be changed, the bus driver will let you know. There is additional transportation information available on line under our transportation link. In the mornings, for the first week of school, we will have teams of staff members helping the students to the cafeteria. The kindergarten teacher will walk her students to the classroom each day as well as to the buses each day throughout the school year. Parents are encouraged to read the bus guidelines with their child. Students should not to eat or drink while on the school bus.
If a change of transportation is necessary, a signed note must be sent in the morning with your child which contains the following information; your child’s name, grade level, date, address, they will be going to and/or name of individual picking up your child. Calls to the Main Office during the day to change transportation arrangements are for emergencies only , and must be made prior to 12 noon in order to insure proper receipt of and communication with your child’s teacher and the transportation department.
It is important all year to keep your child's teacher informed about your child's schedule at dismissal time - are they going to after school, riding the bus or being picked up? With everything being "so new" for the first few weeks, it is especially important that everyone is clear on afternoon schedules. A note giving a schedule for the week (sent in on Mondays) is helpful until everything falls into a routine.
Who may pick up my child from school?
The school will only release a student to persons authorized to pick him/her up listed on the student emergency card. If a situation arises where someone else needs to be pick your child up, the parent is responsible for sending a note to the school. It is also important that information on the emergency card be kept up-to-date throughout the school year as situations may change. Custody issues should be brought to the attention of the office staff prior to school starting (if custody has already been established) or as soon as a change is made. We will need to have the appropriate documents on file for custody situations.
Does Gardner-Dickinson offer special programs for gifted/high ability students?
A challenging core curriculum is the foundation of the services available for gifted students at the elementary level. Classroom teachers modify the core curriculum for gifted and other high ability students. Flexible grouping practices are utilized to maintain appropriate academic challenge in the classroom.
How should I send money/other items to school?
We strongly suggest that you label every item you send to school with your child's full name. We may have several children with the same first name so last names should be included. You will be surprised to see how full our Lost and Found Box (located outside of the office) will be by mid-October. Please send all money to school with your child in an envelope clearly marked on the outside, "Milk Money = $x.xx" or "Lunch Money = $x.xx" or you may enclose a note as to how the money should be applied. Also, please be sure your child's name is marked on the envelope, too.
How do breakfast and lunch programs operate?
Gardner Dickinson offers a hot breakfast and lunch program daily while school is in session. The price for lunch is $2.25. Breakfast is $1.00. Menus are sent home monthly. Prepaid lunch accounts can be set up for students. Just because a student has an account set up does not mean they have to purchase a lunch.
May I send medicine for my child to school?
No medication of any kind should be sent to school with the student, including prescription as well as over the counter medications. Please contact the school nurse in the event that a medication must be administered during school hours. More information can also be found on this website in the Health Office page.
Do I need to call the school if my child will be absent? Yes, an absence or anticipated lateness, must be reported to the Health Office by 8:30. The Health Office number is 283-4600 Ext 18. This number may be called at any time of day or night.
How does the after school programs operate?
There are many opitons for after school care. The three most commonly used are: Y-Time, Hope 7 and CASE. Please contact the program direclty for more information.
How can I find out about happenings in the classroom?
The Kindergarten teacher will send home monthly newsletters. The newsletters will help keep you up-to-date on academics in the classroom as well as upcoming events and news. The Classroom page is also updated. Keep a look out for a monthly Back Pack Express that is sent home also, providing information of current activities by grade level.
How can I find out about events and activities at school?
The Back Pack Express is sent home monthly. This newsletter gives a listing of upcoming events, PTO events, activities that each grade is involved in and other pertinent information that parents need to know. Please review these carefully when they are sent home each month. You may also review the Back Pack Express newsletter on this website.
Are class pictures and yearbooks available?
Flyer's and instruction sheets will be sent home during the year with information and fees for school pictures. Usually, individual pictures are taken at school in October and arrive back prior to the winter holiday. Yearbook order forms are sent out in in late March. Yearbooks are distributed to students about 2 weeks prior to the end of the school year.
How may I find out how my child is doing at school?
Conferences and report cards are used to report student progress to parents throughout the school year. The school operates on 9 week cycles for conferences and report cards. Usually, the kindergarten teacher will have conferences with parents at the end of the first 9 week period. This occurs around November. Parents are always welcome to call and arrange conferences anytime during the school year.
How may I communicate with my child's teacher? May a special conference be arranged?
Parents can leave messages in the Main office for teachers to call them. Or leave a message directly to their voice mail extensions. Parents can also send teachers an email. A teacher's email address can be found on the class page It is difficult for teachers to talk with parents or return calls during the school day since they are with children from 8:15 am until 2:17 pm for elementary and 8:30 am until 3:17 pm for middle school. Teachers will return your call after school dismisses or during their planning time, if time permits. They will also be glad to set up conference times before or after school.
How can I learn more about the school's policies and procedures?
Check the Parent/Student Handbook. A copy of the handbook is available on this site.
How can I help in the school? The Wynantskill PTO is a very active parent volunteer group. Meetings are usually held on the second Tuesday of the month and new members are always welcomes. Information’s about meetings and the work conducted can be found on the district’s website.
How should my child be dressed for school?
Inappropriate dress can be a source of disruption or a threat to health and safety. School guidelines with regard to dress should be observed.
Will my child be exposed to secondhand smoking while at school?
No! The school is a tobacco-free school system for students, staff and members of the community. Wynantskill Union Free School District prohibits the use of tobacco products in school buildings and on school grounds including school parking lots, athletic fields, and in vehicles owned, rented or leased by the school. This prohibition includes the use of all tobacco products at outside activities such as sporting events, PTO events, etc. The policy applies at all times, day or night, and to all students, employees, and visitors on school grounds.
Can my child celebrate his/her birthday at school?
Your child's birthday can be celebrated at school in a SIMPLE fashion. You may bring a small treat for each class member such as cupcakes, cake, donuts, or cookies (when bring a cake, please remember to bring plates, forks, napkins and something to cut the cake with.) We discourage party favors of any kind being distributed. Please save those for home. Birthday treats can be shared in the classroom, not in the cafeteria. It presents a problem when having it in the cafeteria since all kindergarten classes eat lunch together and only one class receives a treat. Many times your child's teacher will assign your child's snack day on his birthday. This will allow for the afternoon snack be the birthday treat. Please check prior for allergies.
Is there counseling for students?
Yes. The elementary school counseling and guidance program is a planned, sequential set of interrelated services designed to help address the academic/educational, social/emotional, and career/vocational domains of child development. It supports the educational process by helping children master the development tasks of childhood and learn effectively and efficiently. Emphasis is also placed on the early identification of factors that interfere with learning and on planning interventions to address those factors. The goal of the program is to help students acquire the knowledge and skills essential for academic competence, responsible behavior, and successful living in society. The counseling and guidance program services are available to all students. Mrs. Murphy is the school counselor. You can access the Guidance section of this website to read about Mrs. Murphy’s programs and assistance.
May I call my child at school?
Students are not called to the phone for calls except in the case of an emergency.
How can I find out more about the kindergarten curriculum?
At the beginning of the school year, you will receive a copy of the kindergarten curriculum guide. This will give you an overview of the kindergarten program. The brochure will be discussed in more detail at Open House Night held for parents in September.
How will I know if the school is closed or delayed or closes early due to inclement weather?
If our school is to be closed because of an emergency or inclement weather, an announcement will be made on radio stations WFLY-FLY 92,WGY-810,WGY,WRVE-THE RIVER,WYGB-B95.5, and on television stations WRGB. Please check the closing announcements on line or tune into the radio and television stations listed.
East Avenue,