In K-1...    "We are 'WRITE' on POINT!"

Remind 101 is a one-way messaging system that allows the teacher of your child's class to send reminders about K-1 in the form of text messages! It is imperative that you sign up as soon as possible! It's easy...
Just text @e76b33d to 81010.
*Please note that you will not be able to reply through this messaging system.
Kindly message the teacher through a written note in your child's folder, email, or you may call the main office. 

*It is highly suggested that you share this information with any adults that you are planning to have pick up/drop off your child. This messaging system is in place to gently remind grown-ups of the school calendar events/holidays/etc, along with specific Kindergarten class events. Please be sure to keep yourself up-to-date by checking the school website, your child's homework folder, and our weekly homework sheet that will be sent home each Monday. 

My name is Mrs. Dyane Dowd. I am so happy you are here!

I am eager to continue my 15th year of teaching at Notre Dame School, and my 17th year of teaching experience. I graduated from Dowling College with a degree in Elementary Education (Grades Birth-6) and received a master's degree in the area of Literacy. I also have certifications in the areas of Student's with Disabilities and Early Childhood.  By working together as a team, we will ensure your child’s success inside and outside of the classroom! 

Be sure to view the K-1 Google Classroom to view current assignments/resources and a slide presentation all about Kindergarten and what to expect throughout this school year! More information about how to access the Google Classroom has been provided at our Meet the Teacher Orientation. 
Please contact me at [email protected] if you ever need.

Your child has completed a VERY BIG milestone in their life... their first day of school! Whether or not your child has completed a Pre-Kindergarten readiness program before this school year, they will be on their way to having a great experience with me in K-1.  It is important to help your child's transition into school by preparing them emotionally. 

If you are visiting this site just before the start of school, you may want to do the following...

ALL ABOUT K-1:
 My classroom has a very structured daily routine, which all children benefit from. Our morning routine consists of un-packing independently, attendance, prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, singing God Bless America and other patriotic songs, Calendar activities, morning message/problem solving activity, and counting/skip-counting to 100. The children will drill the Fundations “ABC Chant Chart” and complete letter work to build their awareness of the alphabet. Through fun and engaging activities, the children will learn Phonics, Reading, Poetry, Handwriting, Mathematics, Religion, Science, and Social Studies. The children will enjoy leaving the classroom for their special subjects which include library, technology, physical education, music, and art. The children will go to the cafe for lunch from 11:20-12:20pm. Each day they will enjoy Center Time and Stations, where they will learn through play and work in small groups. I align my teaching practices with the theory of the Multiple Intelligences so I provide a variety of opportunities for students to showcase their strengths through whole group, small group, partner work, and independent work activities. The children will learn to pack-up independently this school year, and all will dismiss promptly at 2:30pm. 

The location for Kindergarten dismissal (parent/guardian pick-up) is the North Gate.  During dismissal YOU ARE allowed to step inside the gate. We ask that you congregate with the other K-1 parents, near K-1’s line, in order to make dismissal run smoothly. Please have your ID handy for the first week as we teachers will quickly learn to match children with their grown-up. Kindly be patient with all teachers during this time as the children's safety and well-being is our main concern.

If you will be having someone that is not a parent pick up your child, they will need to show ID as well. You must submit a copy of their license before they pick up your child. If there is no ID on file, they will not be dismissed with the rest of the children. Please be sure to provide the copy of the license AND permission for dismissal in advance in order to avoid confusion. An email from the parent with the alternative grown-up's first and last name would suffice. 

Kindly send any emails regarding dismissal changes to your child's teacher AND the following faculty:

[email protected]

[email protected]

If it is a BUS dismissal change kindly ALSO include:

[email protected] and  [email protected]  

If your child is leaving on a bus, they will dismiss accordingly. 
If you plan on having your child attend after-care you must provide the necessary paperwork, registration fee, and a printed/written copy of your dismissal plan in advance. If you are running late for picking up due to an unexpected delay or emergency, please do not worry or rush! Your child will be sent to aftercare to wait for you and the secretary in the Main office will call you/leave a message. We all want you to remain safe when traveling. *If your child is sent to aftercare and you are not signed up, you will be charged an additional fee for the service depending on the amount of time. If you have any questions/concerns regarding this you may find more detailed information in the Parent Handbook.

Information regarding holiday/birthday celebrations...
 Due to certain allerigies/dietary restrictions/preferences, we opt not to celebrate with food during any holiday/birthday celebrations. Instead, we are allowed to give small goodie-bags or wrapped treats to be sent home. Children are not to eat candy in school, and if we do celebrate with food (for example Thanksgiving-cornbread) we have to ask for parental consent through a "permission slip" or stating "if you prefer that your child not participate, kindly write a note ASAP". All special treats/holiday treats/goodie bags will be sent home unopened. 

**It is important to start and end the day on time. Kindergarten starts at 8:07am, and ends at 2:30pm. Kindly do your best to be prompt for drop-off as well as pick-up. 
 *Please note that this year it is posted on street signs for the roads surrounding Notre Dame's "school zone". Be kind, courteous, and safe when you are driving slowly on the roads near our school. Although we prefer you arrive in a timely manner, there is never need to rush. If you are running late, kindly park and walk your child to the front doors. Do not block driveways of any nearby homes, or enter any driveways leading to the school yards. *Please do not bring any pets with you when dropping off/picking up your child as there are teachers/students with allergies to consider. If you are unable to safely comply with the above expectations, the administrators will be notified. Kindly share this information with all adults that may pick up your child.

Additional Important Information:

1. You must return your child's Homework Folder every single day, even if it is empty. It is our main line of communication, in addition to our Remind 101, school websites, and of course phone calls when needed. Your child's folder must be emptied of all papers every day. Homework will begin in October, please only return homework to be graded, sealed envelopes with labeled money for lunch (or any other reason for money), and any parent communication notes.
2. If you are a parent of a child with allergies (mild-severe) please let me know as soon as possible. If your child develops an allergy at any point in the school year, kindly let us know immediately and how it is treated. If your child requires an epi-pen as treatment for a potential allergic reaction, you MUST supply one for our school nurse. Kindly be sure to check that it has not expired before handing it in. Any epi-pens must be labeled with the child's name and stored safely in the nurse's office.
3. Kindly remember to label EVERYTHING with your child’s name, especially ALL pieces of the school uniforms, jackets, mittens/scarves/hats, lunches, snacks/drinks, backpacks, etc. If your child misplaces a piece of their uniform, and it is not labeled with their name, it will be much harder to return to its rightful owner. Any unclaimed articles will be placed in the lost and found after a significant attempt of finding the owner. 
4. Should you ever need to send in money to the school, please have it in a sealed envelope/baggie labeled with your child’s name, K-1, and the reason for the money. Please be sure to give EXACT change.
5. If you send in Milk Money (or any other money) please put it inside your child’s FOLDER. Please do not put any loose money inside their backpack or lunchbox as it will not be seen.
6. Should you plan to pick your child up from school early, kindly write a note and place inside the folder and call the main office. If a written note is received, there will be no confusion for any party involved. If your child is picked up by a person other than a parent, documented photo-ID is mandatory for the teacher and the office. Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
7. If you have a change in schedule for any reason, and you need to change the dismissal procedure for your child mid-day, kindly call the office first as well as writing an email. Although every teacher tries to check emails often, there may be unforseen circumstances that disable the teacher from checking the email mid-day. Your child's safety and well-being is always our main priority.
8. Lastly, I plan to check my email as often as I am able to. Additionally I always plan to reply as quickly as I can, or at the very least within a 24 hour period. If for some reason I do not reply right away, it is because I want to give myself the proper amount of time needed for an appropriate well-thought response. Please try to be understanding. If your email requires an immediate response, kindly state that in your email and I will be able to notify the office.
9. Parents and teachers are in a partnership, to ensure that the children have the best possible academic experience. If any questions/concerns ever arise, please do not hesitate to contact me. There is never an issue too big/small that cannot be resolved peacefully. It is our top priority to ensure a peaceful, happy, and safe classroom environment where all children can thrive and be successful.

If you are curious about the NY State Standards, you may peruse them at:
http://www.engageny.org/resource/new-york-state-p-12-learning-standards.