Preschool News
September 3, 2023
First Week of School
Introductions
Hello Rodman Families,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you into the first week of the 2023-2024 school year! My name is Shelley Needle (Evans) and I am the new Interim Early Childhood Coordinator for the Rodman Preschool Program. I am looking forward to meeting and learning more about each of your families!
Preschool staff have been gearing up for your child’s arrival and can’t wait to have students back in the classroom. Some of last week’s agenda items included professional developments, CPR/First-Aid training, classroom set ups, and more!
Below are some highlights from Rodman staff. Let us know if you have any questions.
We are here to help!
Best Regards,
Shelley Needle, MS, BCBA, LABA
Interim Early Childhood Coordinator
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Canton Public Schools
781-821-5060 X 1505
Donna Kilday - Note of Thanks
As Donna’s retirement and last day approaches, we would like to say a huge thank you to her for all she has done for the Early Childhood Program during her tenure in Canton. She has led our program with compassion, respect, energy and high expectations. She is a great listener and always willing to support her students, families and staff and with that, has inspired and encouraged us every step of the way. She is a tireless advocate for the young children of Canton and we are so lucky to have been able to experience that. We will miss her tremendously but know that she is going to enjoy her very well deserved retirement. Thank you, Donna!
The Rodman Early Childhood Staff
Rodman CAPT - Thank you
Thank you Rodman CAPT for hosting the Popsicles in the Playground event on 8/28/23. It was a huge success!! We are looking forward to more events and fundraisers throughout the year. If you are new or want more information, the contact for Rodman CAPT is rodman.prek.capt@gmail.com.
Open House - Sept 5th
Come and visit with your child! Meet their teachers and check out their classrooms.
Open house is a drop in event on Tuesday, September 5th between the hours of 10:00-10:45 and 1:00-1:45. We can't wait to see you!
First Day Reminders - Arrival and Dismissal - Sept 6th
Starting Sept 6th, our doors at the preschool will open at 9:00am. Please wait with your child in our parking lot and walk them directly to their classroom. We have a similar process for the 1pm dismissal, which includes caregivers waiting in the parking lot prior to staff opening doors. Caregivers can go into child's classroom to pick them up during that time. If your child is on an IEP and requires van transportation, our staff will bring them out to the van in the afternoon and get them off the van in the morning.
First Day Reminders - Parking Lot Rules
Our parking lot for families is a busy place and we need your help to make sure it is safe for our preschool friends. Following these rules will help make that happen.
1. Hold your child's hand at ALL times. If your child cannot tolerate hand holding, hold the back pack attached to them, their shirt-anything.
2. Please walk on sidewalks only. Do not walk in the middle of the parking lot.
3. Cross at crosswalks only. You will see our staff out there assisting you in these areas.
4. Please park in designated parking spots. We know the lots are very full, but parking in spots that are not designated can become a safety issue.
Please feel free to park along the sidewalk adjacent to the high school. This is a good, safer space to use.
I will be out there as much as possible to help so please flag me down if you need me.
Our school resource officer will also be helping with the parking lot occasionally.
Message from Nursing
Hello Rodman families!
I’m so excited to see our returning students and to meet our new friends very soon. Everyone knows me as Nurse Bailey and I am here to support you and your child in any way I can so that they are healthy and ready to learn and play in preschool.
It is so important that you communicate any updates to your child’s health to me. I can be reached by phone: 781-821-5060 ext 1508 or by email: hewitb@cantonma.org and will respond as quickly as possible.
Most of our classrooms are “Allergen Aware” which means that at least one student or staff member has a severe food allergy. Each class will receive an individualized letter noting the allergen(s) and we ask you not to send in foods that contain the allergen.
WHEN SHOULD YOUR CHILD STAY HOME FROM SCHOOL?
Keep your child home if he/she/they:
Has evidence of a newly developed cold (runny, stuffy nose, coughing, sneezing). The greatest period of contagion is the first 2-3 days after onset of symptoms
Has Covid-19 or Covid-19 symptoms
Has the flu or flu symptoms
Has an elevated temperature, 100° (degrees) or above within the past 24 hours. Please remember that prior to returning to school, your student’s temperature should remain within a normal range (97.0-99.9) for 24 hours - without the use of fever-reducing medication.
Has a suspicious rash
Has pain or discharge from eye(s) or ear(s)
Has had an upset stomach, vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
Has a contagious disease (i.e. strep throat, tonsillitis, bronchitis, conjunctivitis, etc.) until they has been seen and treated by a doctor with at least 24 - 48 hours of treatment, is fever free for 24 hours, and feels well enough to be able to participate in school activities
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!
Bailey Hewit, M.Ed, BS, RN
School Nurse
Rodman Early Childhood Program
Canton Public Schools
960 Washington Street
Canton, MA 02021
ph: (781) 821-5060 ext 1508
fax: (339) 502-7910
Message from School Psychologist
Separation anxiety is very common and experienced by many children as they start preschool. Below is an article with some helpful tips to prepare for and ease the transition.
https://www.naeyc.org/resources/blog/few-thoughts-separation-anxiety
We expect big reactions from our students during the first few weeks of school. It can be painful leaving your child if they are distressed, but a quick loving goodbye is ideal. Lengthy goodbyes can often increase anxiety and make it harder for the child to calm and start their day. Please know that we will be ready to comfort your child during these transitions.
In addition, please reach out if your child is demonstrating excessive anxiety about the transition to preschool. That could include getting upset when school is mentioned, frequently voicing worries, or somatic symptoms like complaining of stomach aches. It helps to make a proactive plan when there are signs of excessive worry and we are here to help!
Anna Russo, Ed.S.
She/Her/Hers
School Psychologist-Rodman Early Childhood Program
Canton Public Schools
781-821-5060 x1513
Message from BCBA
Hello Rodman Families,
I am the new BCBA at the Rodman Preschool. I am so excited to meet you and your families! I am here to help your children access as many educational and social opportunities as possible. My goal for this year is to ensure a safe and fun learning environment! I'm happy to meet with anyone that has questions or concerns. I can be reached by email at corcoranl@cantonma.org.
Looking forward to the school year,
Lauren Corcoran, MS, BCBA, LABA
BCBA Supervisor
Pronouns: She/Her
Canton Public Schools
Around Town Events!
Canton Public Schools has a Community Resources and Information Page on its website titled Around Town. This page lists resources and events taking place in our community. To access the information on this webpage, use this link: About/Around Town.
At a Glance - New Event(s)
Join Canton Scouting - September 9, 1-3 @ CHS
This webpage will be updated periodically.