To nut or not to nut!

Greetings parents.

I've received some great questions on the snack and lunch allergies issue/question.

Here are a few answers and guidelines in general.

snacks? What are the guidelines for snacks? On the sign-up it said no nuts, but beyond that... how do I know how much or how many?

This answer varies by teacher and classroom. The general rule is no nuts for every classroom, and then they will send out info on specific allergies on a class by class basis, usually also detailed at curriculum night. 

Good snacks are a protein (string cheese cut in half is a big hit) a fruit/veggie, and/or a carb (low salt/sugar crackers). The classrooms vary in numbers but enough for 26ish is about right.

lunches - can I pack a PBJ in lunch or is the whole building on a no nuts protocol?

PBJ is fine! There is a nut-free table for kids with allergies. Some parents avoid packing nut or nut butters just as a courtesy since handwashing is kind of sporadic as the kids learn the routine, but getting your kid fed is important -- do what you need to do!

Am I missing something? Let me know! 

Head Start on School Supplies

Sure, Summer has just started, but it is never too early to start watching for sales for the back-to-school must-haves.

Official lists of school supplies can be found here:
http://bagleyes.seattleschools.org/

The supply letter for all K/1 classes (Contemporary and Montessori) is detailed below:

Each teacher on the K-1 team will take care of purchasing the bulk of the student / classroom supplies necessary to begin the school year. Over the years we have found this to be the most cost effective way to buy our materials. It is also nice for the students to begin the year with the exact same supplies, in order to avoid unnecessary conflicts and hurt feelings. These items will vary slightly for each teacher, but they consist of things such as: pencils, pencil grips, glue sticks, markers, name tags, binders, folders, tissue boxes, etc.

The cost will be $25 for class room supplies per child. There will also be an
Art Class supply charge of $5 per child for the year. So we will collect the total in a $30 payment of cash or a check: payable to Daniel Bagley Elementary, during the first 2 weeks of school. (If you can give extra for our scholarship fund, terrific! If you will need a scholarship, no problem…just ask!)
 
Some personal items your child will need are:
1. a full size back pack,
2. a reusable lunch box or lunch bag, and
3. a full change of clothing in a Ziploc bag
* Please bring these labeled items on the fist day of school.

To share with the class please send:
1. 1 box of tissues
2. 1 package of Post-its (we use all sizes, so any will do)
3. 1 pack of black permanent Sharpie markers
4. 1 container of Baby or Clorox bleach wipes


Other items you may wish to think about stocking up on:

• Fall clothing backup items (lightweight rain gear etc.)
• Ziplocs/baggies or reusable containers such as Re-pac bags
• Juice/milk boxes, cracker packs, and other lunch box goodies for those rushed days
• Lunch boxes and water bottles and backpacks - search for discount codes such as Lands End Friends and Family, usually have up to 30% off plus free shipping!
• All the items on the classroom supplies lists (posted at http://bagleyes.seattleschools.org)
• Bulk sized snacks for when it's your week to supply snack for the whole class - you will be asked by your teacher to sign up for one or two snack weeks, at welcome night or curriculum night. 
• Water bottles - for lunch box and for classroom/in-class snack time

Questions and suggestions? Contact me!

Where to buy school supplies

Well, you can buy them anywhere, but I can personally vouch for Costco and Target!  Avoid the before-school insanity and go this week, if you can.

Stuff you'll be seeking that is currently available:

• Fall clothing
• Juice boxes, cracker packs, and other lunch box goodies (these are life savers, folks)
• Lunch boxes and water bottles and backpacks
• All the items on the classroom supplies lists (posted at http://bagleyes.seattleschools.org)
• Bulk sized snacks for when it's your week to supply snack for the whole class - you will be asked by your teacher to sign up for one or two snack weeks, at welcome night or curriculum night.  

Your questions, answered!

One of the kindergarten parents emailed me with SIX questions (thank you!), so I thought I'd post for all to see.  Please excuse any weird formatting.  I'm not even going to bother to try to fix it.


Scrip:  Can we pay for scrip with a credit card? 


The PTA isn't totally set up for electronic payments yet (looking into smartphone payments such as Square, but no action at this time), and the old-school credit card swiper is pretty cumbersome, so in-person scrip must be purchased cash or check only.

Drop-off, Pick-up, Lunch, Snacks, Boys & Girls Club

You received a 'what to expect your first week of school' letter in your June mailing from Bagley. Here's a summary of how key parts of the school days work:

Drop-off

* School starts at 9:30; students line up in their class line up (in the playground behind Bagley) by the 9:25 bell.

* Typically, your child will find their line, drop their backpack, and play until the 9:25 bell.

* On the first day, you may come into the school with your child to see them off (ask your teacher where their line will be - it is the same place all year), and then stay for coffee with other parents and the all-school first day flag raising ceremony.

* Car drop-offs can be done in the parking lot, or you can walk or bike to school. There are bike racks in the playground near the garden.

Pick-up

* School ends at 3:35.