https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 11 Apr 2026 19:42:09 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2539041 Mon, 02 May 2016 14:21:48 +0000 regberadaisy 2539041@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What needs to be labeled?<br /> How do they handle birthday celebrations?<br /> Pick up/drop off procedures?<br /> Related ^ bus schedule and pick up locations times etc.<br /> How does lunch work? Do K kids eat in their room or cafeteria? Food rules?<br /> After school care? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538961 Mon, 02 May 2016 13:18:15 +0000 PinkElephant 2538961@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: On the note of #2, I'd probably also ask if teachers/class helpers are allowed to provide any toilet assistance (including wiping, handwashing, or changing in event of an accident)...again, just to set expectations and know what you might need to work on with your child this summer. I feel like no one wants to be the one to ask, but we all need/want to know :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538949 Mon, 02 May 2016 13:10:56 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2538949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@PinkElephant: This is a really good question! DD still has issues with #2 and holding it too long! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538947 Mon, 02 May 2016 13:09:33 +0000 PinkElephant 2538947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: I thought I posted this (maybe I put it in the main kindergarten thread by accident...) - but I'd definitely ask about bathroom policies. I'd want to know:</p> <p>- Where is the bathroom (hall or in classroom)?<br /> - What does it look like (is it a single bathroom, or stalls, or a row of potties?)<br /> - Does the class go to the bathroom together? When?<br /> - Who/how should the child ask if they need to use the bathroom outside of designated bathroom time?</p> <p>Seems like overkill, but I think at this age kids get shy about toileting, and I'd hate for my daughter to have an accident because she's scared to ask to use the bathroom. Knowing this info will help me prep her for what to expect/what to do. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538945 Mon, 02 May 2016 13:08:54 +0000 chopsuey 2538945@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: private school!<br /> @T.H.O.U.: &lt;3 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538929 Mon, 02 May 2016 12:59:43 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2538929@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: Those are great things to ask about thank you! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538915 Mon, 02 May 2016 12:47:28 +0000 Mamaof2 2538915@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@chopsuey: is this private or public? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538905 Mon, 02 May 2016 12:41:52 +0000 chopsuey 2538905@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>we had a "looking forward" parents' night last week and the only questions I had were about carpool, nap/rest time, supplies (we pay a fee and they buy everything for us), backpacks (they supply bags for the kids), lunch time (11:30am), class size (12 kids, 1 teacher, 1 assistant). </p> <p>they gave us a packet of things she should know how to do before school starts and we got a book list for the summer (a big list for parents to read to our rising Kindergarteners). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538821 Mon, 02 May 2016 11:27:29 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2538821@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mamaof2: Im due the week school starts, which also means there is a chance I could miss the "meet your teacher" day. I need to have as much done before August as I can! </p> <p>@Happygal: Communication is a good question! I wonder if they have a parent portal. </p> <p>@MamaG: Good luck! Let me know how it goes! Good suggestion about shoe tying. I think I have two pairs of velcro shoes that should fit (unless she has a crazy growth spurt). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538802 Mon, 02 May 2016 11:10:52 +0000 808love 2538802@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The school website sometimes has the supply list. I did my shopping way back when-I'm crazy-last September with the clearance sales.<br /> We didn't get word about orientation yet. :(<br /> LO just mastered the first part of tying yesterday. Now we have to work on part two- loops. No rush though- I have only Velcro shoes for her!</p> <p>ETA: sorry tmi. Thought this was the other thread for soon to be starting K. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538766 Mon, 02 May 2016 10:46:01 +0000 MamaG 2538766@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We have our kindergarten kick off tonight. I will be asking how/when to join PTA? How/when to sign up for our extended care program? If there are any recommended activities to work on over the summer? (Shoe tie'ing is our big hurdle I want to overcome this summer).</p> <p>We were in the public pre-K (all day program) so we have a leg up on most of the questions already (like schedule, lunchbox, backpack, etc).</p> <p>Our district uses binders for every child. So our backpack has to be big enough to hold a 1.5" 3 ring binder. And for her lunch box, it has to be something she can keep track of. All of her belongings have to fit into a locker.</p> <p>Her things are from lands end and we used the Classmate Medium backpack and the Classmate EZ Wipe lunch box. Most of her classmates had things in similar sizes. I'm planning on the same size for Kindergarten. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538729 Mon, 02 May 2016 10:17:39 +0000 Happygal 2538729@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Big milestone! I would be interested in how the teacher prefers to communicate with parents. Does she like email or a phone call? Best time to try to reach her? Some teachers keep a class website that has little updates. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538694 Mon, 02 May 2016 09:54:23 +0000 Mamaof2 2538694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: a summer meet up would be a great idea! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538692 Mon, 02 May 2016 09:53:04 +0000 looch 2538692@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I want to know specifically if the school is going to be nut free. I hope this will be covered under the "lunch" portion of the agenda, but if not I will ask.</p> <p>I am also going to ask about "summer playground" meetups, where the kids and parents can come for an hour or so and informally meet each other. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538685 Mon, 02 May 2016 09:48:07 +0000 Mamaof2 2538685@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@T.H.O.U.: Our orientation was in March.</p> <p>The kids went off with a few teachers for an hour and each parent got a few minutes with the principal.</p> <p>Questions they asked:</p> <p>Preference for AM/PM<br /> How does your child learn the best?<br /> Were they born prematurely?<br /> How do you discipline at home?<br /> Any behavioral concerns?<br /> Give 3 words that best describe your child.<br /> Previous schooling? (DCP? )</p> <p>Then you can add anything else.</p> <p>The questions you have above will be covered at the Meet your teacher event in August. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/questions-to-ask-at-kindergarten-orientation#post-2538676 Mon, 02 May 2016 09:40:02 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2538676@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Tomorrow is kindergarten orientation at our public school. DD is REALLY excited. We have taken her up to a family fun day there before so she kind of has seen the school/cafeteria. We will be picking up the registration packet and we can request a teacher. Later in summer before school starts there will be an actual open house/meet your teacher day. </p> <p>A few things on my list:<br /> - Schedule for the day<br /> - Size of backpack/lunchbox (I'll want to get those sooner rather than later). </p> <p>Suggestions? </p>