Welcome to Pre-K
at Powell Elementary!
If this is your first experience with Powell Elementary, we welcome you into a partnership between home and school that facilitates success for children. Our program addresses the intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth of your child. Pre-K is the foundation for establishing positive habits that will follow children throughout their school career.
The school day is from 8:00 am to 3:10 pm. However, Pre-K in Conroe ISD is a half day program. Morning students school day is from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. Afternoon students school day is from 12:10 pm to 3:10 pm.
The most important thing you can do to assure your child's success in school is to help them understand that school is a happy place and learning is fun! It is important to establish a daily routine that your child can count on. A predictable bedtime, mealtime, time for homework, and a time to be read to, are all factors that create stability in a child's life. Schedules that are constantly changing and lack routines are difficult for young children. Try to keep transportation methods to and from school the same. Schedule after school sports, lessons, and other activities well after dismissal so that transportation home is not affected.
It is common for young children to have difficulty separating from parents during the first few weeks of school. The best way to separate from your child is to give them a big hug and a smile, say goodbye, then leave as quickly as possible. We find that with the teacher's comfort and assurance, children quickly transition to whatever is happening in the classroom at the time.
We hope that you and your child will join us in August for “Meet the Teacher”. While your child is getting to know the teacher, there will be information available to parents regarding school transportation, arrival and dismissal policies, breakfast/lunch, and other school routines.
All About Pre-K
Hours
AM Class Hours are from 8:00-11:00 AM.
PM class hours are from 12:10-3:10 PM.
AM CLASS INFORMATION - At 7:30 AM, students may enter the building and proceed to the gym. At approximately 8:00 each day the tardy bell will ring and any students arriving after that time will be considered tardy. We take attendance at 9 AM and any student arriving after that time will be considered absent for the day. Dismissal begins at 11:00. Any car rider not picked up by 11:10 will need to be signed out from the front office.
PM CLASS INFORMATION – Pre-K staff will open the back doors to the cafeteria at approximately 12:10 PM and retrieve students for lunch time. If a student arrives after 12:15, they must be walked into the front office and will be considered tardy. We take attendance at 1:00 PM and any student arriving after that time will be considered absent for the day. Dismissal begins at 3:10 and any car rider not picked up by the time the car rider line has finished will need to be signed out from the front office.
On early release days, our AM class time is from 8:00 am to 9:55 am and PM class time is from 10:15 am to 12:10 pm.
Transportation/Pick Up
AM car riders will need to be dropped off in the front of the school. Someone will come to your car to let your child out. If a child is dropped off any later than 8:00, you will need to sign them in through the front office. Dismissal is at 11:00. Please pull up to the front of the school, exit your vehicle and meet your child at the front door. A teacher will bring them to you.
PM car riders will need to be dropped off in the back of the school on the bus ramp. A Pre-K staff member will come to your car to let your child out. If a child if dropped off any later than 12:15, you will need to sign them in through the front office. Dismissal is at 3:10 in the front of the school. Please drive in the Powell parking lot and get in line next to the curb. Make sure your Pre-K sign is in the front, passenger’s side of the car dashboard for your child to be called. A teacher will bring them to you.
During the first few days of school, we completely understand parents/guardians wanting to transport their children to and from school. By the second week of school, all students will need to have a permanent mode of transportation. For Pre-K students, the two options available are car rider or bus rider. If someone not listed on your “approved pick up” list in the front office needs to pick up your child, please see the front office prior to the day of pickup.
Any changes in transportation will need to be made in writing.
*Any questions relating to bus services can be answered by calling Conroe ISD Transportation at (936)-709-7940*
Snacks/Meals
AM students will ALL eat a free breakfast at school upon arrival. To ensure that your child has plenty of time to eat breakfast, please make sure they arrive to school before 7:55. Class time begins promptly at 8:00 AM. AM students will also enjoy a snack in class. Please pack one snack each day for your child to enjoy in a 10-15 minute time frame. Goldfish, pretzels, fruits, vegetables are recommended. Candy of any kind is not allowed. Please pack a full, easily opened (by your child) water bottle each day! There is lots of movement in our classroom and we take frequent water breaks.
PM students will ALL eat a free lunch at school upon arrival. To ensure that your child has plenty of time to eat lunch, please make sure they arrive to school by 12:10. We return to class at 12:30 to begin our instructional time. The afternoon class will not have a snack time due to a scheduled lunch time. Please pack a full, easily opened (by your child) water bottle each day! There is lots of movement in our classroom and we take frequent water breaks.
Clothing
Please dress your child in comfortable play clothes and shoes. Girls are encouraged to have shorts or leggings under dresses and skirts. Please make sure your child has an extra change of clothing in their backpack at all times. This includes: shirt, shorts/pants, underwear and socks. If you send a jacket/sweater with your child, please make label it with his/her name or initials.
Communication
MOOSE folder (Management of Organizational Skills Everyday) – This is a folder that will be sent home with your child each Friday and needs to be returned to class (with its contents emptied out) on Monday morning. In this folder, you will receive very important school information, completed work, PTO communication and a newsletter about our classroom happenings.
Remind – This is an app that you can install on your phone that Pre-K staff uses to communicate quick notes home, announcements and reminders. Remind is not meant for two way communication. If you have questions or concerns, please email Lupson@conroeisd.net instead of using the Remind app.
Absences/Tardies
The school day is from 8:00-3:10. Attendance does count, even in Pre-K. Please do not schedule a vacation when school is in session. Every day is packed with learning which cannot be reproduced at home.
If your child is sick, please let the school know by email our school registrar Michelle Lutes (mlutes@conroeisd.net) or by calling the front office.
Birthday Celebrations
Birthdays are an exciting time for children. We would love to help them celebrate! You may send store bought cookies for the class to have as a snack at the end of the day (Cupcakes are very messy and often not eaten by the children) Please note that the front office will not accept flowers or balloon bouquets, etc. to be delivered to students. You may also distribute invitations at school ONLY IF the entire class is invited, in order to protect from hurt feelings of those not invited.