April 8, 2021
Dear Incoming Kindergarten Parents,
I hope that you and your families are staying safe and healthy. In order to help us prepare for your children’s entrance to Dorchester, please see below and complete the requested actions by Friday, April 23:
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Please use this Kindergarten Screening Sign Up link by Friday, April 23, to select a time for your child’s in-person kindergarten screening session in May. When signing up for a time slot, be sure to enter your child’s name and your e-mail address. I am looking forward to these sessions because getting to meet your children in person is a valuable part of learning about them and ensuring that they are placed in classes that are the best fits for them. Each child is invited to meet with one of our kindergarten teachers outdoors for about thirty minutes while taking part in tasks such as counting and identifying letters. Our staff will meet you and your children at our lower level entrance on Learning Lane to escort your children to the teachers, and we will have signs directing you clearly to this meeting spot upon arrival. We anticipate that the screening sessions will be held on our upper level playground, but we may use the gymnasium depending on the weather. Your child must wear a mask during this meeting, and all parents are asked to remain in the parking lot while waiting for their children to complete the process. We will be following thorough COVID-19 safety procedures, such as utilizing plastic table shields and disinfecting between student visits. If you do not feel comfortable with an in-person screening for your child, please contact me directly so I can set up a virtual meeting with your family instead.
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In order for us to collect as much meaningful information about your children as possible, please complete this questionnaire by Friday, April 23: Dorchester Kindergarten Screening Parent Questionnaire 2021-2022. Your detailed responses will help us begin to get to know your children. Additionally, the form includes a question asking for your consent to have the Dorchester staff contact your child's preschool for insight about your child's experience there. Please consider allowing us to do so as speaking to your child's preschool will help us better understand how to best support your child at Dorchester.
If you have any questions as you and your family prepare for kindergarten, please do not hesitate to let me know. I look forward to seeing you in May for the screening process.
Sincerely,
Stefanie Marsich
Stefanie Marsich
Dorchester School Principal
201-930-5600 ext. 166