New Parent FAQ

Where do we park?
Parking is tricky due to the size of our parking lot, so please allow time to find parking and walk. You may park in the school parking lot, along the street, and in the neighboring parking lot at Nordahl Hall. Parking along Theresa Ave or Vale Ave are also popular options. Of course, please be thoughtful of our neighbors and do not park on grass, in or in front of driveways. Obey the parking signs and be courteous of pedestrian and automobile traffic.

Do I have to park to drop-off / pick-up?
No. You may drop off or pick up your child off using the “loading” lane on the right. When using this lane, please make sure your child enters and exits to the right onto the curb, not into the lot. If your child is not out front when you arrive for pick-up, please use the passing lane to circle the parking lot until you see your child. You may then enter the “loading” lane. Please do not block the passing lane, as it stops traffic for everyone.

What is Book Browse?
Kindergarten Book Browse is the parent-child cuddle & transition time each morning. Kinders and their parents arrive in their classroom and spend 10 minutes reading a book together from the classroom library. Attending kindergarten is often a big step at age 5 and 6, and Book Browse is a gentle way for parents and children to begin the school day. Younger siblings are welcome at Book Browse — it is a great time for them to learn a love of reading too! Please note that 8:25 is the start of school and children are expected to be in the classroom at 8:25 for attendance, lunch count, and Book Browse. Parents are also asked to focus on the children during these 10 minutes.

How does recess work for K-5?
All classes have morning recess together from 10:40am to 11:00am. They eat and have recess together again from 12:40 – 1:20pm each day. This multi-age model works very well. It’s delightful to see children of different ages seek each other out for play and advice. As the weeks go by and the children settle into school and multi-class activities begin, the age boundaries become less evident and the children simply play together because they enjoy each other’s company.

Do the kindergarteners have a naptime?
Kinders have down time after lunch where teacher has a quiet activity such as story time; however there is no sleeping time.

Do I need any school supplies?
No. Annual Giving donations to the General Fund cover school supplies for each classroom. During the year however, teachers may need miscellaneous supplies and request volunteers to donate them.

Should my child bring a backpack?
That is at your discretion. In general, there are not a lot of books to carry each day. You might talk to you teacher if you have questions. And talk to your child about the best method for him/her to take responsibility for his/her papers, jacket, lunch box, and belongings.

What is a Class Coordinator?
Your “CC” is responsible for parent support and guidance, communicating teacher needs to the classroom parents, setting up parent work schedules and creating snack calendars among many other responsibilities!. They are a great source of information on just about any topic!

What is a class name?
Each year, during the first few weeks of school, the teachers work with their kids to “name” their classroom. From that point onward, the class is referred to by their name. This contributes to the group bonding experience all year long. You will see tiles above the doors of each classroom celebrating these names.

When do we find out our classroom work schedule?
Class Coordinators will contact you to find out the days you are available to work in the classroom, and from there they will develop the schedule for the parents in the class. They will distribute work schedules usually by the Friday of the second week of school.

When do we start working in the classroom?
New Parents will attend “Positive Discipline at School” (PD@School) training during the first two weeks of school. In the third week, returning parents will meet with new parents for a PD@School refresher during their regular work schedule. Parents will begin working in the classroom starting the week of September 16th on their assigned work day and time.

May I bring my other child to my work shift?
No. Children not enrolled at Village School are not allowed to be in the classroom except during Book Browse.

May I come observe in the classroom when it is not my work day?
You may come during recess times or have lunch with your child any day you are not scheduled to work. Or, you may substitute for another parent during their work shift.

Why are we not working in the classroom immediately?
Children need the first few weeks without their parents in school so that their teacher may establish expectations, routine, and get to know the children as themselves, without their parents. This time is critical to help set the tone of the class and help them bond as a group.

What if I cannot make my scheduled work day?
Children get sick, vacations come up, business trips happen. If you can’t make your work shift you are responsible to find another parent (a “substitute”) to work in your place. It is generally accepted to either trade with or pay another parent. The substitute rate is $20 per shift at school. The substitute rate for field trips is $25 for a ½ day or $50 for a full day. You may find a sub by calling the list of sub volunteers (available after school starts), talking to friends or classroom parents, or posting a note to Village Community.

How do I contact my child’s teacher?
It is best to contact teachers by email or voicemail. If you wish, you may make an appointment to meet with your child’s teacher before or after school. Please refrain from discussing issues about your child during teaching or prep time. A list of teacher’s email addresses is available here.

Snacks & Lunch

How does snack work?
Each day, one parent from each class is assigned to bring snack for all the children in the classroom. Your Class Coordinator will set up and communicate the snack schedule ahead of time. Parents should bring a healthy and nutritious snack in the morning when dropping off their child at school on their assigned day. A list of suggestions and allergies will be distributed by the Class Coordinator.

What about lunch?
VS offers lunch provided through CUSD. There are several menu options each day and a lunch menu is distributed monthly. It can also be viewed online at the CUSD website. How much is lunch and how do I pay? Lunch costs $3.00 day. Parents may buy as many lunches as they wish ahead of time. You may fill out a Lunch Envelope from credenza in the VS Office, place your payment inside, and place it back in the lunch money basket. You child’s lunch card will be credited with the amount of your payment. Each time you child uses the card; an appropriate amount will be deducted. You may also pay online.

Where do the children eat lunch?
Children eat at the picnic tables and on grassy areas in the courtyard. All children eat together in a multi-age setting. There is a “nut-free” table for children with nut contact allergies.

School Communication

What is the Parent Information Board?
The main Parent Information Board is located in the hallway outside the VS office. You will find things like VS Executive Board minutes, district fliers, and other relevant information. There are also Parent Boards in each classroom where pertinent classroom information is posted. Please check these information boards regularly.

What is a parent folder and where can I find mine?
Parent Folders are located in a filing cabinet outside the door to the VS office. Each family has a folder with their family name. These folders are used as a means of communication for everything from district flyers to one-on-one personal notes. Check your parent folder at least weekly, especially at the beginning of the year.

What are “Village Announce” and “Village Community”?
These are Yahoo Groups mailing lists specifically for parents at Village School.

VillageAnnounce is the online group site used for official announcements from Village School and messages are approved by a moderator before posting. A sample posting on this site would be an announcement about an upcoming school sponsored event or after school class.

VillageCommunity is an online group site used by parents for informal information and requests. Some sample postings for this site would be a request for a classroom substitute or information posted by a parent about a non-Village class, charitable activity or request to borrow, sell or donate items. Parents can sign up for these two yahoo groups sites from the VS website and are encouraged to do so right away!

Is there a school newsletter?
Yes. It comes out bi-monthly. You will receive an email announcement via VillageAnnounce when the newsletter becomes available, and it may be viewed on the website. Newsletters are also archived on the VS website if you’d like to view older editions. You may also submit an article for publication in the newsletter!

Miscellaneous

When will we get our school jobs?
School job assignments are in process and should be finished by the end of August.

How are children’s birthdays honored? May I bring treats?
Teachers generally establish some ritual to celebrate and honor every child’s birthday, even those that fall on weekends and in summer. Parents may bring a treat to share with the entire class in the last few minutes of the day; but please communicate with your child’s teacher in advance so everyone can plan accordingly.

What is a birthday book?
Children may choose to donate a book to the VS library in honor of their birthday. The Principal or child’s teacher reads the birthday book to the child’s class. Then, a photo is taken of your child and his or her teacher with the book. The donated book gets a book plate which has the child’s name, birthday, and photo in it. Other children enjoy checking out books from the library and seeing who donated it.

What is a Coffee Klatch?
This is a social gathering for Parents and siblings held about once a month. Coffee and breakfast treats are provided by a different host group each time. Each grade will also have a chance to host.