CLASS TIMES: 
Morning Session: 8:15 AM - 10:45 PM  
Extended Day Session: 8:15 AM – 12:15 PM 
Full Day Session: 8:15 AM – 2:15 PM

My name is Christina Giurlanda. The students can call me Mrs. G. since my last name is hard to pronounce for some. I would like to give you some quick background on myself. I have been teaching Pre-K for the past 12 years in the Diocese of Brooklyn. I am a mom of three. I have a 7-year-old daughter, a 6-year-old son, and a 2-year-old daughter. I have been married to my husband, for the past nine years.

We are going to have so much fun this year in Pre-K! This school year will be filled with many exciting activities that will help your child grow in all areas of development. It has always been my belief that the most important lesson to teach a child is that there are no boundaries to what they can achieve. As your child’s teacher this year, my goal is to facilitate this priceless lesson with the use of optimism, patience, and enthusiasm. I intend to tap into the true potential of my students by acknowledging their diversities and different learning styles.

For the month of September, the students will be learning about the classroom routine and getting adjusted to being in school. They will be exploring the topic “All About Me” and a way to make the transition into Pre-K an easy one. I will like to give you a quick rundown of procedures throughout our day.

I know that in the month of September it might be hard for your child to separate from you. The best and easiest thing for you to do is give them a quick goodbye, a hug, and kiss, and reassure them that you will be here when its time to go home from school. It is very important that you are here on time when we dismiss. Your child needs to feel secure in the fact that you are there when those doors open. If you are running late, please give the office a call.

If someone other than Mom or Dad is picking up your child, please send us a note. The person who is picking up your child that day will be asked to show photo ID.

Snack and Lunch:  Please send in a small healthy snack and drink in a lunch bag/box. Please do not send in any NUT products in case of allergies.  We will be saying the Thank You Prayer before snack. If you will like to practice it with your child it goes like this

“Thank you for the food we eat. Thank you for the world so sweet. Thank you for the birds that sing. Thank you God for everything.”

Full day session children will be eating lunch at 11:30 AM with the Nursery and Kindergarten children in the classroom. There will be three adults with the children during their lunch.

Bathroom/Dress:  Please encourage your child to use the bathroom before they come to school. We also ask that you dress your child in simple clothes (sweatpants, elastic band pants, leggings, t-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts, Velcro sneakers) for playing and for using the bathroom. (Bodysuits, overalls, tights, stockings, button downs, belts and usually difficult for children at this age.) Please send your child in sneakers or rubber soled shoes to school. Flip flops, dress shoes, heels, or sandals are not safe on the playground when we go outside to play.

School Supplies: We ask that you provide your child with a backpack that can carry a folder and projects to and from school. We also ask for a change of clothes for emergencies because accidents do happen. Please put the change of clothes in a Ziploc bag with your child’s name on it. Full day session children are asked to please bring a small blanket for rest time. The list of remaining supplies for the classroom is on the school’s website.

PLEASE LABEL ALL OF YOUR CHILD'S BELONGINGS! Please leave all toys at home.

Birthdays:  You are more than welcome to come in and celebrate your child’s birthday in the class. We ask that if your child is the morning session to come in at 10:15 a.m. If your child is extended day, we ask if can come in at 11:15 a.m. If your child is in the Full day session, if you can come in at 1:45 p.m.  Goodie bags are allowed, but please NUT FREE! I will put the goodie bags in the children’s backpacks so you can see what they got when they get home. You can bring in cupcakes, chips, doughnuts, something that is small and easy for the children to eat.

If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to email me at cgiurlanda5606@smtschool.org or call the school at 631-264-7166. I can’t wait to have a great year with your child!