Cedar Road Elementary
Grade: Kindergarten
Issue: Obtaining basic information for: orientation, supplies, and dress code, and website issues
It should not be so difficult to find this information. Calendars are blank, links are missing, etc. So here we go...
1. Your kid needs a medical check-up/physical prior to entering school and proof of vaccinations. Most doctor offices will have the forms you need on hand. You must show up to school with these forms, an original birth certificate, and a utility bill with proof of your address on it. Social Security numbers are not required.
2. Supplies:
Supplies are determined by what your child individually needs and what they are assigned based on gender. Guess what, pre-sharpened pencils really are a thing...There is also a request/requirement of "one clean athletic sock for wipe boards." Come on now, who buys one sock? Just ask for the set. They ask for Clorox or Lysol wipes, but per the individual I spoke to on the phone they prefer Lysol. She had to ask someone nearby while I listened. Just specify that on the list then. By the way, you can only find Lysol wipes at Target. Try not to choke when you see you must buy 24 sticks of glue (and 36 for next year.) Seriously, I would be happy to pitch in on one of those old-school tubs of minty scented paste they used to have in art rooms. I will not begrudge teachers for this. I know this is not their fault. However, I find it pathetic that parents are supplying sanitary items: paper towels, soap, hand sanitizer, and Lysol wipes. Are staff members paying for paper towels, soap, and disinfectants at the court house and the library? I didn't think so. I get it, different budgets, different allocations. Moving on, quart sized Ziploc bags - Are those the slide zippers or the original designed ones you prefer? Called about it. Answer: "I don't know. That would be a good question for orientation." Thanks for the lack of effort. Again, specify it on the list. Orientation is four days before school on a weekday in the morning.
The website link for kindergartners specifically has been down for a month. I called and pointed it out because we went to the school and got the official printed list on the bright green paper and I wanted to make sure they were not updating it. I was told by an individual, "Oh, I will let our computer guy know." It's still down as of this posting.
3. Dress Code:
I called.
Girls:
Shorts must reach the finger tips
Skirts can't be short - probably a fingertip rule too, not sure.
Tank top straps - three fingers wide, no spaghetti straps. (Those sexy shoulders and all...)
No flip flops
Sandals must have a back on them
The county website is generically broad and spends a lot of time on see through clothing and the standard, "must not be distracting to the learning process" - basically open to convenient interpretation and abuse on both ends...
Orientation for kindergarten:
Is at the end of August, but good luck finding that information prior to August on their page.
Efficiency and ease of use is an unfortunate downfall for Cedar Road Elementary at this time.
I will say though, Liz (a teacher I believe) has been the most helpful during all my calls. Others are woefully unprepared.
*School has started:
Orientation - Bring your supplies, drop them off, go to the library to get your child's bus number, go to the cafeteria for PTA recruitment and let your kid ride the bus (happy about this), and you are done. The teachers tell you nothing about the year or how the day is broken down or what the kids do - total lack of information. Being shuffled from one tiny table to another and being instructed to label and drop certain items in your child's pencil box and "mailbox" is frustrating because much of this could have been done at home and grouped together prior to being corralled in the room with all of the other parents and kids (and it gets hot). Your child gets their pencil box, two of their pre-sharpened pencils, all four crayon boxes, one glue stick, one large eraser, their folders, and one highlighter - the rest is community use items. Oh and the supply list link finally works... read more