Introducing the classroom teachers . . .

Joy Casey – I began teaching at Jowonio in 1983, after completing my undergraduate degree in special education at Syracuse University. Over the years, I’ve had lots of different roles here, including resource teacher, lead classroom teacher, home-based teacher, graduate student supervisor (while in the doctoral program at S.U.), and administrative support teacher. My heart is truly in the classroom, and I’ve been teaching the youngest children for about 12 years now. At home, my daughter (Ana) is a freshman at the College of St. Rose in Albany, so I can certainly empathize with our families transitioning children to new places and people! My husband, Peter, is retired from Syracuse University, as well as his private practice as a psychologist. Our three-year-old German Shepherd keeps me healthy with lots of walks and hiking, and she’s gotten really good at maintaining her balance in a kayak! I’m blessed to have a great team in the classroom . . .

Amy Kelly – I’ve been at Jowonio (in the Dragonfly and Kangaroo Rooms) for seven years now! I recently graduated from the Masters Degree program in Early Childhood Special Education at Syracuse University. I also work part-time with a private company as an Early Intervention and Preschool special education teacher. As the parent to four daughters, I’m usually always on the run somewhere. In my spare time (what’s that?!), I like to play soccer, refinish furniture, or go to the beach.

Lillian Ackerman – I’ve been a member of the Kangaroo team for the past six years. I’m also busy working on a degree in Human Services at Cazenovia College. I am mother to two sons who are in high school! One of my sons is identified as having special needs, so I feel I can understand the experience of families who share this path. In my spare time I like to hike, bike, read and play outside.

Andrea Casasa – This is my second year at Jowonio after staying home with my children. My son is now 12, and my daughter is nine. I am really excited to be joining the Kangaroo team. I have my undergraduate degree in Psychology, and hope to get my Master’s Degree when I grow up! I like to spend my free time reading, cooking, and playing with my children.

KANGAROO ROOM NEWS

September 10, 2009

Welcome to the Kangaroo Room! We’re excited to begin a new school year, and to get to know a new group of children and families. These next few weeks will be all about our getting to know each other, as we learn what each child likes to do and how s/he approaches new situations and people. We’ll be focused on helping our kids feel “at home” in their new school environment, and connecting them with both grown-ups and children in their new community.

Our initial task is typically to support each child in feeling safe and comfortable in separating from family in this new world. For some children it’s a fairly easy process, helped by simply knowing what the day’s schedule will look like, and when s/he will be reunited with their parent or caregiver (e.g., “I’ll see you when you ring the bells to sing goodbye!”). Other children may find it easier to separate after some simple arrival routine shared with their family (e.g., “We’ll read two books, then I’ll give you a kiss and you can wave to me from the window!”). Still other children may be unable to say goodbye without dissolving into tears, even with a time of shared activity in the class. We’ll make sure to be available to give any needed support (from comforting arms to “love/comfort” objects to ease the transition for your child. If your child has said a sad goodbye, please feel free to call the classroom after you depart, and we’ll be happy to give you an update on how s/he has adjusted after the separation.

One of the other things that seems to help in the early weeks for many children is to have some connection to home visible in the classroom. Therefore, we will spend time next week with each child to create a photo page, showing and naming their family members, as a “touchstone” to home. So if you are able to send along a photo or two that you can spare of your child and family members for this project, we’d appreciate it.

September 1, 2009

We’re so excited to welcome you all to the beginning of a new school experience. We’re eager to get to know your child and your family, and to help you comfortably explore the larger world of school that your child is now entering. All our prospective Kangaroo kids (and their families) are invited to attend our “visiting day” on Thursday, September 9 th, from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. We’ll have an open play time, where we can all begin the process of making connections, and we’ll provide a simple snack for children who would like to join in. Feel free to bring your child’s own snack if there are food allergies or preferences that you wish to accommodate. We’ll end our visiting time with a brief song and “circle time,” though at this point, it’s possible that only the adults will be participating! Our goal is simply to give the children a sneak preview of the routines of their new classroom.

Please be assured that you are always a welcome participant in your child’s classroom. We realize that children arrive at school with a range of previous experiences outside their home, and with varying levels of comfort (or lack thereof!) in separating from their families. Our goal is to make the transition to school a success for all involved. Beyond these initial weeks of school, we continue to welcome parent visits throughout the year – so join us in play, on a field trip, or simply to share some interest or activity you love!

To help you with some common questions that families often have at the start of school . . .

• Clothes – Since we learn by “doing” in an active, “hands-on” way, school clothes that can stand a bit of mess are greatly appreciated. Also, it helps if you can send in an extra set of clothes that we may keep in your child’s basket in the bathroom, just in case.
  
  
• Toileting – If your child wears diapers, please bring in some to leave at school as well as some diaper wipes. If s/he is beginning to use the potty/toilet, it will likely be necessary for us to have more than one set of extra clothing for any toileting accidents. Your input on the classroom information sheet (enclosed) will help us learn more about your child’s current toileting skills and needs. We’ll send home a note to let you know when supplies need to be replenished.
  
  
• Snack – We will have an opportunity for a daily snack time during our morning together. Especially in the early weeks, when children are just adjusting to the routines of school, we will try to respond to individual needs for food/drink throughout the morning. To accommodate individual food preferences, we ask that each child bring a daily snack from home. It helps us if you could label the snack bag until we get familiar with what belongs to whom. Please note any food allergies/preferences on the class information sheet to help us plan for future cooking activities!
  
  And please be aware that we currently have a Kangaroo student who does have a peanut allergy, so we’ll be sharing more about how this will impact on classroom snacks/cooking as more information is available.
  
  
• Each week you will receive a classroom schedule outlining the particular activities and learning goals for the coming week, as well as a classroom newsletter to keep you up-to-date on what the Kangaroo children are up to (“Oh, did you play on the playground today?”). Kangaroo teachers are always glad to hear news from home, answer a question, or share a cute anecdote about your child’s day as you arrive at school or at dismissal time. If you would like a more extended conversation at any point, please set up a time to talk to us after our day with children is over. While there are school-wide conference times during the school year, we’re happy to talk with you at any time – just as long as we’re able to make the children our priority during the short time that they’re here each day!
  
  
• And speaking of communication, schedules, notes home, and any fliers or other news, information to go home will be placed in the bucket with your child’s name on it just inside the classroom door. Please check it frequently, so that you don’t miss any important news! If your child rides the bus to school, teachers will check his/her bucket daily to insure that papers get sent home. It helps if your child has a backpack to insure that all his/her belongings remain together on the bus ride.
  
  
• There are two bulletin boards displaying information of interest to families – one in the hallway, and one directly inside the classroom door. Take a look to see what’s new, or to check on the schedule for the week if you’ve misplaced yours.
  
  
• Over the course of the next few months, there will be opportunities for more formal information sharing about your child’s new classroom (Family Open House in October) and community building with other Kangaroo families (Jowonio Potluck Supper in November).
  
  
• Your ideas and questions are always welcome, as is your participation. If you know of a wonderful local “happening” we should share with others, a field trip that should not be missed, or a particular play activity that your child just loves, please let us know. If you have a question, chances are you’re not alone! We love the opportunity to talk about what we do and why we do it. And while we appreciate any important news from home that you might share at arrival time, and will try to mention specific news from the day at the end of our morning, our primary attention during the school day will be focused on the children. If you have specific questions or concerns about your child (at school or at home), we ask that you talk with one of the teachers about setting up an after-school time to talk so that we may can give you our full attention.

Looking forward to getting to know you!

Joy, Amy, Lillian and Andrea