Absences

The Harford County Public School calendar consists of 180 school days. Consistent school attendance supports effective learning opportunities and develops positive routines and work habits. Road Trip

Vacations

Although we recommend refraining from taking family vacations during scheduled school days, we understand that it is sometimes unavoidable. Please notify me and school principal, Mr. Russell, of your vacation plans two weeks in advance. Mr. Russell will review the request and decide whether or not to grant permission for make-up work. If the class work is available prior to your departure, I will send it home with your child. If it is not available at that time, your child can complete the missed assignments upon returning to school. Vacation journals or scrapbooks are excellent activities for kindergarteners during family vacations. They are fun to share with the class, and they become treasured keepsakes in the years to come.

Illness and Wellness

Naturally, sick children do not belong in school. The kindergarten classroom is a hands-on environment, and germs spread quickly. Please keep your child home from school if he or she has a fever or exhibits signs of an illness. Feel free Get Well Soon!

to call our school nurse, Karen Richardson, to discuss your child’s symptoms if you are questioning school attendance. As always, your pediatrician is the best resource in making this decision.

You do not have to notify the school if your child will be absent due to a brief illness. Upon returning to school, have your child bring a note of explanation so that I can correctly code the absence. Make-up work can be completed upon returning to school. If your child is absent due to a serious or lengthy illness or injury, or a contagious illness, please contact the school nurse. If you so request, I will be happy to assemble the make-up work and send it home with a sibling or neighbor.

I wish your child a healthy and successful kindergarten experience. Listed below are some practical tips for promoting good health. We will be implementing these ideas in class, and highlighting them during our Wellness unit.

Proper hand washing is the best way to prevent the spread of germs. To wash hands properly, rub hands together vigorously for about 20 seconds, washing wrists, front and back of hands, between fingers, and under nails. Twenty seconds is the equivalent to one verse of “Happy Birthday” or “Twinkle Twinkle Little Star.” Be sure to use a clean disposable towel to dry hands thoroughly.

Other important tips to stay healthy are:

Eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and get adequate sleep.
If you sneeze or cough, use a tissue and throw it away.
Cleanse high traffic areas such as door knobs, switches, telephones, and computer keyboards with germ-killing disinfectant.
Make sure there is good ventilation in your home or workplace.

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