Universal Pre-Kindergarten (UPK)

For both arrival and dismissal, parents will use the parking lot on the front right side as you are looking at the VECS building.

AM/PM
HALF DAY CLASS

• Arrival and Table Top Activities
• Circle Time
• Free Choice Activities and a Teacher-Directed Activity
• Clean-Up
• Snack Time
• Book Look
• Outdoor or Large Motor Activity
• Music & Movement
• Prepare for Dismissal
• Dismissal  

FULL DAY CLASS       

• Arrival and Table Top Activities
• Specials (Art or Music)
• Circle Time
• Free Choice Activities and a Teacher-Directed Activity
• Clean up
• Lunch
• Specials (P.E.)
• Quiet Time/Book Look
• Second Circle Time
• Free Choice Activities and a Teacher-Directed Activity
• Outdoor or Large Motor Activity
• Snack
• Music & Movement
• Prepare for Dismissal
• Dismissal

ARRIVAL

The doors will remain open for a 10 minute window.  Specifically, 8:35-8:45 a.m. for the morning session and 12:05-12:15 p.m. for the afternoon session.  Once the doors have been closed and locked, parents will need to follow the sign-in procedures in the main office and escort their child to his/her classroom.

DISMISSAL

The doors will remain open for a 10 minute window.  Specifically, 11:05-11:15 a.m. for the morning session, 1:35-1:45 for the full day session, and 2:35-2:45 p.m. for the afternoon session.

Volunteering in the classroom is one of the greatest gifts that you can give to your child.  Volunteers may be asked to be in charge of an activity, prepare materials, or actively play and interact with the students in order to poster problem solving and social skills.  We ask that volunteers respect the routine and expectations established by the teacher.  In order to ensure that volunteers can focus their time and attention on students, we ask that all volunteers refrain from bringing siblings or other children with them when they come to assist in the classroom.  Volunteer sign-ups, located in your teacher's Parent Center will begin in October.  Your child's classroom teacher will establish specific dates and times.  The need for volunteers will vary throughout the year, depending on activities and special events.  Unless otherwise indicated, we request that there be one volunteer per class.  If you sign up and then are unable to volunteer, please let the teacher know in advance if possible. 

Please remember to sign in at the main office.  All visitors will sign in at the main office window.  On VCS campus we use a system called "Raptor" (www.raptortech.com).  With this system, all visitors, including parents, are required to provide a government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, when they visit a building.  Raptor's scanning software screens out unwanted visitors, alerts school personnel to potential problems, and tracks those allowed into a school.  Once screened, you will obtain a visitor sticker that must be worn and displayed during your visit.

Students will need to bring a large backpack and a change of clothing to school.  Please label these items.  In order to facilitate self-help skills, it would be helpful if the backpack closes with a zipper and resembles the "typical" backpack size.  Please avoid small backpacks.

*PLEASE INFORM YOUR CHILD'S TEACHER OF ANY FOOD ALLERGIES*

SNACKS/BIRTHDAYS 

We are asking each child to bring in a drink and healthy snack daily.  Don't worry, if the need arises, extra snacks are always available.  In order to help us teach the children about nutrition and healthy eating habits, please save sweet treats for birthday celebrations and special party days.

Birthdays can be celebrated in the Universal Pre-K classes with a special snack provided by the birthday child.  All snacks must be store bought.  Please be sure that the ingredient labels are intact on the packages.  For those children who have a summer birthday, an "unbirthday" celebration can be arranged. If interested the District offers celebration snacks that may be purchased for a nominal fee.   

FULL DAY LUNCH

Breakfast and lunch are available daily free of charge.  Menus will be sent home each month.  If students wish to purchase extra food, parents will need to set up a MySchoolBucks account or pay by check (made payable to Victor Cafeteria Fund).  Children also have the option to bring lunch from home.  If your child will be having breakfast at school, please arrive at the doors by the cafeteria and gym at 8:30.  (These doors are located in between the District Offices and the Early Childhood School.)  An aide will be there to escort the children to the cafeteria.  They will then be escorted to the classroom at 8:45.  If your child is coming directly from breakfast, please send a note indicating if he/she will be buying a school lunch that day so that the cafeteria staff can accommodate all orders.  

It is important that the children come to school wearing appropriate clothing and shoes.  While in school, your child will be engaged in a variety of "potentially" messy art activities.  Although we will provide smocks, accidents do happen.  Therefore, you might not want to dress your child in his/her best clothes.  While the children at this age are fond of flip flops and similar footwear, wearing them poses a safety issue on the playground where children do all kinds of climbing and running.  An extra set of clothing stored in the backpack would also be appreciated.  Also, please remember to change the extra set of clothing as the weather and seasons change.  Thank you!

FULL DAY UPK
SPECIAL CLASSES

The children will be attending special classes (art, music, and physical education).  On the days that they have physical education, it is important to dress in clothing conducive for active play.  Sneakers are a must!  A calendar will be sent home monthly indicating the schedule for our special classes.

Handwriting Without Tears is a program that the Early Childhood School embraces.  It is designed to meet the developmental needs of students learning how to write.  The curriculum utilizes developmentally appropriate multi-sensory tools and strategies for the classroom.

Below are some related links/files that are useful to families who would like to explore the program more.

HANDWRITING WITHOUT TEARS LINKS BELOW
Correct Grip 
Developmental Letter Teaching Order 

Below is a compiled list of suggested educational games and apps/websites that may be beneficial for your child.  They are simply recommendations and by no means requirements.  A few require subscriptions.

Feel free to explore and happy learning with your child!

GAMES
Spot It (Numbers & Shapes, Alphabet)
Sequence for Kids
Monopoly Junior
The Sneaky, Snacky Squirrel Game

WEBSITES

PBS Kids
Highlights Kids
GoNoodle