All About Center School 

Welcome to Center! We’re so glad you are here! We hope you had a great summer vacation. We know you are looking forward to starting kindergarten. It will be an exciting school year! The first few days will be very exciting! To help ease any first day fears, we have compiled a list of the most commonly asked questions and the answers.

Ms. Lindsay Reipsa - Principal

When is Kindergarten Open House?

• Kindergarten Open House will be on Monday, August 21st, 2023 at 5:30pm!

When is the first day of kindergarten?

• The first day of kindergarten will be Wednesday, August 23rd, 2023. On that day, kindergartners will attend the regular school day hours.

What are the regular school hours?

• The school day begins at 7:30 am, but students are asked to arrive by 7:25 to ensure they have enough time to get in their classroom and get settled before learning begins.  Students can arrive at school as early as 7:15 am; please do not drop off your students before this time, as adult supervision is not available. Students are dismissed from school at 2:00.

What happens if my child is sick and cannot attend school?

• If your child is sick, please call the ABSENTEE HOTLINE number at 708-364-3252.  The answering machine is on 24 hours a day. Please call as soon as you know your child will not be in attendance.  Please clearly state your child’s name, the teacher name, and the specific cause of absence. If your child is absent for three or more consecutive days, the school nurse may call you and ask for a doctor’s note. If you do not call us, we will call you.

What if my child gets sick or injured at school?

• There is a school nurse in the office.  If your child gets sick or injured, he/she can come down to the health office.  Depending on the illness or injury, you may or may not be called. All students are sent home when they have a temperature of 100 degrees or are not feeling well.  Parents are notified of all head injuries. Please be sure your phone numbers are up to date on the student information sheet. Be sure to list cell phone and pager numbers, as well as work and home numbers.  If you have a change in contact information, please notify the office.

What should I do if the bus is late or doesn’t pick up or drop off my child on time?

• During the first two weeks of school and during inclement weather, the school buses may run a few minutes late.  Once children become familiar with the bus stops, the routes will run more efficiently. Please be patient. Parents are not allowed to board the bus. A responsible adult must be available at the bus stop for your student after school or the bus company will return your child to school.  Anyone picking up a student at the bus stop must be on the emergency contact list and have a driver’s license or ID available.  In the event of any problems, please call our Transportation Office at 708-364-3338. If your child will be a bus rider, please understand that all of our teaching of routines takes place during the first few days of school. It is important that your child ride the bus to learn the routines. Driving the first day or two interferes with this important daily routine instruction.                                                                                      

If another student bothers my child on the bus, what can I do?

• If your child has any problems on the bus, please be sure to mention them to the bus driver. If this persists, please notify the school.  All of our buses have video cameras for the safety of the students. Be sure to have your kindergartener sit towards the front of the bus and be sure to review the bus rules often. The rules are: 1. Stay in your seat. 2. Keep your hands to yourself. 3. Use inside voices. Students who continually do not follow the rules on the bus may be suspended from the bus for a period of time.

What if I don’t want my child to ride the bus home or someone else will be picking my child up?

• Anytime there is a change in your child’s routine, please write a note to your child’s teacher.  Do not leave a voicemail or send an e-mail because if there is a substitute teacher they do not have access this these forms of communication at school.   If we do not have a note or a call, your child will be sent home according to their regular routine. Students may ride their assigned bus only.  Anyone picking up a student at school must be on the emergency contact list.  We cannot make changes to who is approved to pick-up a student based on a phone call, we must have it in writing.  

How do I drop off and/or pick up my child at school?

• AM student drop-off and PM student pick-up will be at the west end of the building.  Please remain in a single file line, no passing, and pull your car up along the curb. An adult will assist your child in/out of the car. Please do not let your child out of the car if you do not see an adult outside. Also, if you arrive late to school, you must park your car and walk your child into the building, enter at the front office door, and sign him/her in at the office.
• As a reminder, as of January 2, 2010 a new law took effect which prohibits cell phone usage while driving in a school zone and/or on school property, including using a hands free device. Do not use your cell phone in these areas. You can be issued a fine up to $300.

In the event of a snowstorm/severe weather, how will I know if school is in session?

• Every effort is made to make a quick decision to keep schools open or have them closed.  You are encouraged to sign up for the emergency voice messaging system, Alert Now, that the district has in place for broadcast emergency calls.  If school is closed, you will receive a call from the Alert Now system. You will receive a letter explaining how you can sign up for that free service.  You can also check the district web page or watch Channel 2, (CBS), Channel 9 (WGN) or Channel 32 (FOX) for school closing information. Email and text blasts will also be sent out. 

How safe is my child’s school?

• All of our school doors are locked once the students enter the building.  All visitors must be buzzed into the front door only to enter the building. All visitors must sign in at the office and wear a guest badge. All visitors must show a valid state driver’s license or state ID, which will be scanned into our Raptor system and you will be issued a visitor pass.    

What if my child is having a problem in class?

• Anytime you have a question, concern, and/or problem, you can contact the teacher. Open communication between home and school is an important key to your child’s success. Please do not hesitate to contact your child’s teacher at any time. Voicemail and e-mail are provided for all staff members.

How can I become involved in my child’s education?

• Parents are very important to the education process. The number one thing you can do for your child is to take an interest in what he/she is learning.  Be sure to go through your child’s backpack and folder each night. Talk about the papers and praise your child for working hard. Be sure to read the newsletters to stay current on upcoming events and projects.  Become involved as a volunteer in your child’s class or the school. Parents can be mystery readers, room parents for parties, chaperone field trips, etc. Parents may also join the Parents for Education (PFE) group. There are many school-wide activities where you can become involved.  Above all, be sure to read to your child each night. Twenty minutes of reading each day will benefit your child for years to come!

For more complete information, see the D135 Handbook at: www.orland135.org