The New York State Common Core Learning Standards may be found here:
English Language Arts and Literacy
Mathematics

I am excited to be your child's teacher this year, which is my fifth at Notre Dame School.  I have undergraduate degrees in Early Childhood/Childhood Education and English as well as a graduate degree in Literacy Education, all from Hofstra University.  Working with students and families who are beginning their elementary school journey is a wonderful blessing to me. Please feel free to contact me by email at any time.

Thank you for visiting our class page!

---

Pre-K daily activities are posted here.
Please feel free to share your experiences with me; I would love to see them!

*You can see Ms. Stone's version of "Bear Hunt" here.  This is a favorite activity every Monday.  You can see her reading stories here and here.

*Mrs. Murphy has posted art projects for Pre-K students on her class page.  You can see them here.

*Ms. Flynn has sent us some videos that may be used for physical activity.  You can find them here, here, here, and here.

*You can access Scholastic's "Learn at Home" materials here.  There are excellent books that can be viewed as well as coordinating games and activities.  New items will be added weekly.  Scroll down to "Choose a Grade Level" and click on "Pre-K and Kindergarten."

*You can access our class subscription to Scholastic's "My Big World" magazine here.  I have sent you the class password in an email.  
  Please let me know if you need any help at all accessing the magazines or videos.

*Fine motor activities are very important and will help the children to strengthen the muscles in their hands.  We do many of these activities in school and some of them can be done at home as well.  Here is a wonderful list of fun and practical fine motor activities that can be done at home.

*The author Mo Willems is helping children to explore their creativity and follow along for a drawing each day through the Kennedy Center.  If your child enjoys books by this author (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus, Elephant & Piggie, Knuffle Bunny, etc.), you may like to try it with him or her.  You can access the site here.

*The Monterey Bay Aquarium in California has several animal webcams available here.  The San Diego Zoo also has webcams available as well as games and activities.  They can be found here.

Our weekly specials schedule will be:
Monday-Music
Tuesday-STREAM
Wednesday-Physical Education
Thursday-Art

Monday-Pizza for $3.00
Tuesday-Hot Dog with Potato Tots for $3.00
Wednesday-Chicken Tenders with Applesauce or Vegetable Cup for $3.50
Thursday-Macaroni and Cheese for $3.50
Friday-Plain Bagel for $1.25, Bagel with Cream Cheese or Butter for $2.00, Bagel with Tuna for $3.00

*Please note that Pre-K students do not buy snacks.  Pre-K hot lunch procedures may be found above in the "Reminders" section; please feel free to let me know at any time if you have questions.  Thank you!

Arrival Procedures 
Valet Service is an option that you may like to use in the morning. If you are opting to use the Valet Service, there are a few rules that you must follow in order to ensure the safety of the children as well as the adults on supervision.

Below are some guidelines for the use of Valet Service...
1. The teachers/teacher aides will stand at "checkpoints". The "checkpoints" include teachers at the door, at the gate, and along the sidewalk of Mayfair Road for the cars. The teachers at the sidewalk help children out of the cars and watch as they walk to the next "checkpoint". Be sure not to block checkpoints, instead stand to the side so that all teachers are able to see all children at all times.
2. The cars must pull up to the teachers who are standing on the sidewalk. The teacher greets the child and helps him or her out of the car. The cars then leave together in order (please do not pull around a car in front of you). Also, be aware of oncoming traffic and those who are not using the Valet Service.
3. The next set of cars may pull up to the teachers when the first set leaves.
4. Please  DO NOT let the children out of the car unattended. Please wait for the teacher to open the car door. It is dangerous to allow any Nursery/Pre-K child to open the door and allow themselves out of the car.  Please do not leave your car.  The teachers will help each child out of the car.
4. Please do not drive faster than 20 miles per hour.
5. If you are opting to not use the Valet Line, please park your car in a safe place  (please do not block driveways). Kindly walk your child to the South Gate.
6. When driving, be sure to follow the law.  Always follow the rules of the road.
7.  Valet Service runs from 8:35-8:45am. It is a 10-minute window. If you are running late, it is not a problem. If the Valet time is over, you may park your car and walk to the front of the building. The front door will be open to you.
8. If your child is reluctant to leave the car on the Valet Line and shows a struggle, kindly pull up to a safe area, park, and then walk your child to the South Gate.
9. Please remember that pets may  NOT be in your car if you are using the Valet arrival.  Thank you!

We thank you so much for your cooperation regarding these important regulations.  We all share the common goal of keeping everyone safe each and every day, and we truly appreciate your help in ensuring a safe and smooth arrival each morning.  
Thank you!

Dismissal Procedures
Students will be dismissed at the South Entrance at 11:15 AM or 3:00 PM.  At the Parent Orientation, I ask that you let me know who will be regularly picking up your child.  If another adult will pick up your child, please let me know that day via a signed note in the morning and provide a photocopy of that person's photo identification.  Please ask that person to bring photo identification to school on that day to ensure a smooth and safe dismissal.  Thank you!

*If you would like to make use of Morning Care or After Care, please be sure to return the necessary paperwork to the office.  Thank you!