Introductions
Hello Rodman Families,
It is with great pleasure that I welcome you into the 2024-2025 school year! My name is Shelley Needle and I am the Early Childhood Director for the Rodman Early Childhood Program. I am looking forward to meeting and learning more about each and every one of your families!
Class placement letters/emails will be going out on MONDAY. We deeply apologize for the delay and greatly appreciate your patience as we navigate a new online system (PowerSchool). After you receive your placement letter/email, teachers will begin reaching out on all things needed for your day 1 start!
The first day of school for Preschool students that attend 5 day (Mon-Fri), 4 day (Mon-Thur), & 3 day (Mon/Wed/Fri) schedules will start on Wednesday Sept 4th. All 2 day (Tues/Thur) students will begin on Thursday Sept 5th. Our doors open at 9am and dismissal is at 1pm. Breakfast and lunch are provided here at the Rodman, but families are welcome to send in food as well. Please see our handbook for any questions related to protocols for managing food allergens and other recommendations. More information to come on classroom requests and routines soon!
We are here to help!
Warm regards,
Shelley Needle, MS, BCBA, LABA
Early Childhood Director
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Canton Public Schools
781-821-5060 X 1505
What's NEW at Rodman?
We've EXPANDED within Rodman building!
Recent updates:
1) We have moved THREE classrooms up into Rodman's second floor wing! Our new classroom spaces include Room 23, 25 & 30.
2) We have relocated our OT/PT motor space back down to the 1st floor for easy accessibility.
3) We have created a front office space for families and visitors located in Room 4, across from our main door entrance. Ms. Susan Crespi (Administrative Assistant) and Ms. Bailey Hewit (School Nurse) will be located within this space.
We can't wait for you to come see these and other great changes at OPEN HOUSE!
Open House - Sept 3rd - 10-10:45 & 1-1:45
Come meet TEACHERS and check out student CLASSROOMS!
OPEN HOUSE is a drop in event that will be held on Tuesday, September 3th between the hours of 10:00-10:45 and 1:00-1:45. We can't wait to see you!
Popsicle event following the second session of open house (see below).
Rodman CAPT - Popsicles on the Playground Event
Rodman CAPT will be hosting it's Popsicles on the Playground event again this year! At 2pm, Sept 3rd, families will meet at the Rodman playground located behind the Rodman building and next to the tennis court. We encourage all families to come for this great event! If you want more information, please contact the Rodman CAPT at rodman.prek.capt@gmail.com.
NEW ARRIVAL / DISMISSAL PROTOCOL - PLEASE READ
Focus: At the Rodman Early Childhood Program, the paramount concern is that of the safety and well-being of our students, families, and staff. To that end, a refined protocol has been devised for the arrival and departure processes. This strategic measure seeks not only to bolster safety measures, but also to mitigate traffic and parking challenges. The following plan will be initiated on the first day of school (9/4/24) and closely monitored for safety and support of the community.
The MAIN ENTRANCE for the Rodman Early Childhood Program will continue to be the doors located on the backside of the Rodman building near tennis courts. All tardies, early pickups and communication with the Rodman Preschool office will occur at these doors.
ARRIVAL - First Floor Students - Rooms 1, 2, 7, 9, 10
Parents with students on the first floor will park in the lower parking lot, closest to the tennis courts. If available, parents can use the 15 minute parking spots. Please do not park in the admin parking spots. At 9:00am, first floor students will enter the back door of Rodman School designated by the Rodman Early Childhood Program sign. Parents will walk their child(ren) to the student’s classroom.
ARRIVAL - Second Floor Students - Rooms 23, 25, 28, 30
Parents with students on the 2nd floor will park in the upper parking lot, closest to Washington Street. If available, parents can use the 15 minute parking spots that surround the front of the building. Second floor students will enter the front doors of Rodman School on the far left side of the building, by the gym. You will see stairs and a wheelchair accessible ramp to these doors. Doors to this entrance will be closed/locked at 9:10 and will not be opened again until dismissal (1:00pm). If your child is tardy, please use the main entrance door located on the backside of the Rodman building.
DISMISSAL - First Floor Students - Rooms 1, 2, 7, 9, 10
At approximately 12:55pm, parents with students on the first floor will gather by the main entrance doors on the backside of the Rodman building. Doors will open at 1:00pm and parents will walk to classrooms to gather their child(ren).
DISMISSAL - Second Floor Students - Rooms 23, 25, 28, 30
At approximately 12:55pm, parents with students on the second floor will gather by the front door entrance of Rodman, near the gym. Doors will open at 1:00pm and parents will walk to classrooms to gather their child(ren).
Parking Lot Reminders
-Please hold your child’s hand while in the parking lot. If they will not hold a hand, please hold on to their backpack, anything to keep them within arm’s reach.
-Please do not walk in the middle of the street. Use the sidewalks and crosswalks for safety.
-Please park in designated parking spots only. Do not stop in the middle of the street or parking lot to drop off.
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
Team Chair / School Psychologist-Rodman Early Childhood Program
Canton Public Schools
781-821-5060 x1513
Message from BCBA
I am excited to start the year as the BCBA at the Rodman Early Childhood program! This will be my 4th year working in Canton so I'm very familiar with the values of the community. My goal this year is to uphold those values for our youngest Bulldogs while ensuring equal opportunities to access all of the social and educational resources this program has to offer. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone and the great year ahead!
Olivia McDonald, MS, BCBA, LABA
Canton Public Schools
