Hello Rodman Families,
Our first week is finally here! Teachers and staff are buzzing with excitement as they eagerly prepare for the first day of school. The classrooms are filled with colorful decorations, engaging lesson plans, and warm welcomes, setting the stage for a fun and enriching start to the new academic year. We can't wait to see everyone!
Reminder, OPEN HOUSE is on Tuesday 9/3/24 from 10-10:45 and 1-1:45. 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. We're here to help if you have further questions or concerns.
See you all very soon!
Warm regards,
Shelley Needle, MS, BCBA, LABA
Early Childhood Director
Pronouns: she, her, hers
Canton Public Schools
781-821-5060 X 1505
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.
Nurse's Note
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 send in foods that contain the allergen.
The students will be outside when the weather cooperates. Please consider applying sunscreen and insect repellent to your child before school. We are not allowed to apply these to your child while at school.
The Canton Board of Health requested this message be sent to you:
Mosquito prevention (we just had our first +WNV mosquito, more than likely will not be our last). Guidance is focusing on wearing repellant, removing standing water from property and being mindful of peak mosquito hours (dusk-dawn). Parents can register for mosquito alerts through the town website to stay up to date: https://www.town.canton.ma.us/List.aspx (enter email, scroll down to Alert Center and select Board of Health)
The BOH has flu & covid vaccine available. We will have the health fair on Sat 10/19 from 10-1 in the CHS cafeteria for flu only, if they can’t make it then they can call the nurse office at 781-821-2942 to schedule.
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
Communicable Disease Guidelines
Any concern or diagnosis of a communicable disease, please notify me immediately. We will navigate a return to school for your child together.
Disease & Recommended Minimum Absence From School
Covid-19
From diagnosis or from the first day of symptom onset, students should isolate at home for 5 days returning on day 6 only if symptoms have mostly resolved and the child is fever free with no medications for 24 hours. School nurse clearance required for re-entry.
Flu
From diagnosis until 24 hours fever free with no medication and symptoms mostly resolved.
Chicken Pox
From first eruption until lesions are crusted over, the child is fever free for 24 hours, and until a doctor’s note is provided for re-entry.
Streptococcal Infections
(“Strep Throat”, “Scarlet Fever”)
From diagnosis until 24 - 48 hours after first dose of medicine, fever free for 24 hours, and until doctor’s note provided, clearing for re-entry.
Pneumonia
From diagnosis until doctor's note provided for re-entry, and fever free for 24 hours.
Impetigo
From diagnosis until 24 hours after medical treatment has begun, lesions must be covered in school, and until doctor’s note provided, clearing for re-entry.
Ringworm
From diagnosis until 24 - 48 hours after first treatment and until doctor's note provided, clearing for re-entry.
Scabies
From diagnosis until 24 - 48 hours after first treatment and doctor's note provided, clearing for re-entry.
Conjunctivitis
From diagnosis until 24 - 48 hours after the first dose of medicine, no eye drainage evident, and doctor's note provided, clearing for re-entry.
Pinworm
From diagnosis until 24 - 48 hours after treatment and doctor's note provided, clearing for re-entry.
Head Lice
From diagnosis, until first treatment - the student must be checked by the school nurse and cleared for re-entry.
Gastrointestinal Viruses
From the first episode of vomiting or diarrhea until 24 hours with no episodes and fever free for 24 hours before returning to school.
Hand, Foot, and Mouth (Coxsackievirus) Disease
From diagnosis until fever free for 24 hours without medication, no uncontrolled drooling from mouth sores, and student feels well enough to participate in activities before returning to school.
Please reach out to me with any questions or concerns any time. Thank you and I look forward to a year filled with good health!
All the best,
Nurse Bailey
To report your child absent, tardy, or leaving school early, please include the following three people in your email:
Susan Crespi, Administrative Assistant, at crespis@cantonma.org
Nurse Bailey at hewitb@cantonma.org and
Your child’s classroom teacher
Please email by 9:15am and also include a reason for your child’s absence.
To reach Susan Crespi, please call 781-821-5060 X1503
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
