New student playdate & ice cream social reminder

** Clarification - these events are for all new students, whether families are new or returning to Daniel Bagley **


Meet other new-to-the-school students and their families at two events this week:


* Sunday June 3, 3pm - Daniel Bagley playground meet-up 
* Thursday June 7, 6-7pm - ice cream social in the Daniel Bagley cafeteria.


Spread the word!

Full Day vs. Half Day Kindergarten

In 2012/2013, the tuition fee for full day kindergarten will be $272/month.  There is no fee for half-day kindergarten.   So, in theory, you have the option to have your child attend only half days.  

However, the curriculum is entirely based around full days, and in 2010/2011 & 2011/2012, as far as I know, there were ZERO families enrolled in half day at Daniel Bagley.  Half-day kindergarteners would miss out on lessons, activities, gym/art/library/assemblies, and socialization.  My five-year-old  (August birthday) was still taking afternoon naps when she started school last fall, so the new schedule was fairly exhausting, but we feel that her integration into the full school experience was far more important than a little bit of lost sleep.

But, if you feel that half day is a better choice for your family, talk to our principal, Ms. Ayer, about your options.  

All the pertinent information about full day kindergarten, including SPS' rationale for recommending full-day, how to apply for half-day, and tuition payment, is nicely summarized by SPS here.

The Pay for K link is here. Sign up now to save yourself administrative pain down the road!

Last year's blog post: http://bagleykindergarten.blogspot.com/2011/08/full-day-vs-half-day-kindergarten.html

New! Subscribe to Bagley K blog by email!

I've managed to add the emailing gadget in the right hand column.  Enter your email address if you want to receive updates (maximum one per day, if there is anything new).

You won't be on a list that I can see - the addresses go into some central system somewhere in google land.

Onsite before- and after-school childcare with Boys & Girls Club

If your family needs childcare, the Boys & Girls Club onsite at Bagley is terrific!  My kids LOVE it there.


The staff are fabulous.  They provide lots of activities for the kids, snacks, 'power hour' for homework, outdoor playtime, school break programs, early dismissal care, etc.  Pick-up right from the classroom at 3:35 and/or from afterschool programs (like Lego club) that end at 4:40.


But, if you are looking for fall childcare, get your application in NOW, even if you are undecided.  I saw a notice in the portable last week:  only 10 spaces left for the fall. 


Call Christine Taylor, the director: (206) 853-5297 or email ctaylor at positiveplace dot org

Still not registered for kindergarten? + some notes about next year

If you are in the attendance area, your child will be automatically be given a spot at Bagley, regardless of when you register.

However, if you aren't registered, you will miss communication from the PTA, Daniel Bagley and Seattle Public Schools.  By registering early, you can help Ms. Ayer and the staff plan classroom assignments, and provide some insight to the hopeful families on the waitlist.

All the registration details are on the SPS website.

p.s. This year, we have three K/1 Montessori & two K/1 Contemporary classes.  Possibly the same for next year. TBD.
p.p.s.  The new double-wide trailer that will be installed over the summer will NOT be a K-1 classroom next year.  Hopefully not a classroom at all...

Minimal changes to start times/transportation plans

There has been a lot of backlash over the last week against the SPS proposal to change school start times for potential cost savings due to school bus schedules.  Due to general parent outrage for various reasons, this proposal has been abandoned.

Bagley's school times in 2011/2012 were: 9:30 start (be there for first bell at 9:25), 3:35 end.  We'll probably be somewhere close to this again in 2012/2013.

More from SPS website here.