General Info

Winchester Preschool
Winchester Public Schools
Information and Procedures

Sarah Casey, M.Ed.
Preschool Case Manager
781-721-7015

Program Hours
Full Day Programs: 8:45 AM to 2:15 PM (M – F)
Morning Programs: 8:45 AM to 11:30 AM (M-F)
Afternoon Program: 12:00 PM to 2:45 PM (M-F)

Program Calendar
The Preschool programs will follow the Winchester Public Schools academic calendar for purposes of vacations, release days, holidays, and professional days. Please note on half days all preschools release at 11:30 am and there is no afternoon program.

Delayed Opening
If there is a DELAY of school due to inclement weather, the ½ day AM classes will be CANCELLED. The other preschool programs will follow the time delay as indicated for the rest of the district. The afternoon program is not impacted by a delayed opening

Parking and Safety
For the safety of our students, the driveway at the Horn Pond Brook Rd. entrance to the school will be CLOSED to all vehicles (except school vehicles). Signs will be posted alerting you to this.
Parking
· Park on Horn Pond Brook Rd. and the adjacent side streets

Arrival Procedures
Please escort your child to the classroom door and wait with them until teachers open the classroom door. Please make an effort to bring your child to school on time so they can begin every day on a positive note along with classmates.

Sick Student/ Student Absence Procedures
Your child should remain home if her or she has any of the following:
1. A severe cold
2. Persistent cough
3. An undiagnosed rash or skin eruptions
4. Earache
5. Red eyes or drainage from the eyes
6. Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
7. A fever during the past 24 hours
8. Sore throat or swollen glands accompanied by a fever

Please call Joanna Opalinski, the Preschool Secretary at 781-721-7015 to report your child’s absence.

Visitors and Classroom Visits
Parents, visitors and volunteers during the school day should report to the school office, sign the visitor log and wear a visitor’s badge for the duration of the visit.
Because classroom visits during the school day are potentially disruptive of the educational process and environment, we do not encourage them as a way of getting to know the Lynch School. Parents who do wish to visit classrooms are allowed to do so under the following conditions:

1. Appointments must be scheduled at least 2 days in advance of the proposed visit. The class to be visited and the purpose of the visit must be stated at the time the appointment is made. A designated Lynch School staff member, unless otherwise agreed to by the principal or the teacher, will escort visitors to classrooms.
2. Visits will be limited to 30 minutes.
3. Young children may not accompany parents on classroom visits.
4. The frequency of classroom visits will be at the determination of the principal/preschool case manager.

Snack and Lunch Guidelines

PLEASE DO NOT SEND IN FOOD REQUIRING A MICROWAVE OR REFRIGERATION
Please send in lunch and snack that allow your child to be independent.

Suggestions for Healthy Snacks:
Pretzels
Yogurts
Applesauce
Fruit (please cut grapes, peel and section oranges, peel and cut apples)
Fruit cups
Granola bars
Nutri-grain bars Vegetables:
Fig Newtons carrots
Raisins/yogurt covered raisins cucumber
Non-sugared cereals celery
Animal crackers brocolli
Mini muffins pea pods
Graham crackers dip w/ dressing
Goldfish crackers
Cheese crackers (sandwich type)
Cheese sticks

Children participating in either the morning or the afternoon session will need one snack including a drink. Children enrolled in a full day program will need 1 snack, a lunch and 2 drinks (one for snack and one at lunch).

Clothing and Toileting Items
Please send your child with an extra full set of clothing- shirt (long and short sleeve), pants and shorts, socks, and underwear all labeled with child’s name in a large zip lock storage bag.

Footwear should be school appropriate providing support and protection- Sneakers and closed toe shoes are preferred.

If your child is in the process of toilet training or not at that stage yet, please send in the necessary supplies (wipes, diapers/pull ups in a labeled container)

Items we could use for “Opening School”
Although it is not required, we would like to request donations of the following items from our preschool families. Some of these items may also be requested during the course of the year as the supply is depleted. If you are able to donate items, we will happily accept donations especially during the first week of school.

  • Purel-hand sanitizer
  • Disinfecting wipes
  • Unscented baby wipes
  • Tissues
  • Paper Towels

Thank you very much.