General Information & Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

 

The first year of school is always an exciting adventure for the entire family. We would really like to encourage you to become involved in whatever way is possible for your family. Maybe you can come in and help with classroom projects on a regular basis, or perhaps you can help by making materials at home ready for classroom use. Each family has special talents and exciting interests to share which helps to make the class more varied and exciting than any teacher can do alone. Welcome to Kindergarten!

 

Questions Parents Usually Ask

What are the school hours and which days will my child be attending?
*The beginning of the school year for Kindergartners allows some flexibility and a time for each person to become acquainted with their new surroundings (the school campus, classmates, teachers, etc.). The first four days of school is based on a staggered enrollment. Your child will be assigned to either Group A or Group B. This information has been posted and is on the Holston View webpage and you will also be given a calendar at registration with this information and dates clearly marked. After the staggered enrollment period, all students will attend school from 8:00 to 3:10 according to the Bristol Tennessee School System calendar (also on the web). Students are expected to arrive between 8:00 and 8:10 at which time a tardy bell will ring. Kindergarten students begin dismissing at 3:05. If you bring your child to school late or need to pick your child up earlier than the regular dismissal time, you will need to contact the school office.

What meals are provided at school and what are options?
Students may eat breakfast when they arrive at school starting at 8:00. The cost of breakfast is $.75. Students can also buy or pack a lunch each day. Students who are buying lunch can either bring their money daily or put money into a lunch account in the cafeteria. For young children, it is easier to have money in an account. Students have choices for their main menu at lunch. A lunch menu will be sent home periodically. The cost of lunch is $1.50 (except for students who apply and qualify for free or reduced lunch). Additional items such as ice cream can also be purchased at lunch time (on Fridays). If you want your child to have this option, please let your child's teacher know. Kindergarten students are also given a mid morning snack break (we have a late lunch time). Children can either bring a snack from home or purchase one at school. In the handbook, you will find a recommended list of snack items which are nutritional. The snack items in the cafeteria cost $.50 for a snack or $.50 for a snack drink. Snack items can not be purchased out of lunch account money. Snack money will need to be sent daily in a ziploc bag if your child is buying a snack that day.

How will my child get to and from school?
Children may either ride the school bus or be a car rider. If your child is a bus rider, he or she will have on a name tag with important information (name, address, teacher's name, etc.) for the first few weeks of school. One of the Kindergarten teachers will escort your child to the bus at dismissal each day. If your child is a car rider, he or she can be picked up at the side of Pod A. Whoever is picking up your child will have to come up to the classroom exit and identify him or herself to the Kindergarten teacher on duty. Students will not be allowed to leave this area without adult supervision. Dismissal time is 3:05 - 3:10 each day.

What will my child need for school?
A classroom supply list is available on the web or from your child's teacher. There will be additional materials needed throughout the year as students have class projects. Any additional materials needed will be in written form with plenty of notice. Your help is always appreciated and it allows us to do many wonderful things for your children.

How can I help to make the transition into school a smooth one for my child?
Please provide your child and your child's teacher with all the necessary information including what your child is doing for lunch, snack, and how are they getting home. It is most helpful if you will send your child with an index card like the following each day (at least for the beginning of the school year):

Name: ____________________ Circle the ones that apply: Breakfast $.75 Snack $.50 Snack drink $.50 Lunch $1.50 Transportation Home: Bus, Car, YMCA

After the first few days of school, it is most helpful for children to enter their classroom on their own. This helps your child to develop a sense of responsibility, independence, and ownership of their classroom. It also demonstrates a sense of trust between you and your child's teacher. If you would need to speak with your child's teacher, please place a note in the appropriate teacher's mailbox located just outside of the classroom and your child's teacher will contact you as soon as possible. This means of communication allows your child's teacher to focus on the children as they enter the classroom and begin their school day.