Welcome To Room 3!  My name is Mrs. McPartland and I am so excited about the upcoming school year!  Kindergarten is a wonderful experience for both parents and children and is also a time of great change for your family!

      I have been at Lusher for 2 years. Previously, I  taught at Grannemann Elementary in the Hazelwood School District, and before that was a parent educator for the district.  I have a B.S. of Science in Education from UMSL and am certified to teach Early Childhood Education.  I am currently working on my Master's is Early Childhood as well.

     My family is growing and changing!  I have been married for 24 years to a high school history teacher and we have three children.  I will be sending my oldest off to the University of Iowa and the two others attend Hazelwood Central High School and Hazelwood North Middle school.  We are constantly on the go attending marching band competions, baseball games, swim meets and lacrosse games.

     I know that it feels like your child was a newborn baby just yesterday, then you blinked and now kindergarten is right around the corner.  You will be amazed at the transformation in your child over the next 9 months!  I will work to make school a very positive experience for every student in my room.  I believe that each child has unique strengths and weaknesses, I will strive to enhance their strengths and to build any weaknesses into strengths.  I enjoy working with this age group because the children are so enthusiastic about learning!  We work work to have fun and learn at the same time.

                     Tips For the First Day of School

             The first day will be filled with joy and saddness.  Here are a few tips to make things go smoothly.  If your child rides the bus, put the student on the bus the first day of school.  The same applies to daycare vans and car riders.  Follow your new normal routine from the very beginning so adjustment can begin right away. 

      Parents who are bringing their child to school will be allowed to walk the student to class on the first day of school. If you chose to bring your child to the classroom, please come in, take a picture, give your child a big kiss and hug and leave.  If your child is crying, I still need you to leave. If you stay, your child will think you are nervous about leaving and that you do not think school is a safe place.  Also, if you are a tad emotional (it's okay!) explain to your child that you are happy and sad.  Happy they are going to school, sad they are growing up so fast! Please try not to cry in front of your son or daughter. If you can't help it, just leave as quickly as possible.  I promise to take good care of all the students!

     After the first day of school, car rider and walker parents, please drop your child outside in the proper line.  We begin supervision at 8:25, and allow those eating breakfast to enter the building at 8:30.  Please leave your child at the door to walk to the classroom by him or herself.  Our goal is for all the students to become independent and to get to the room on their own every day.  There is plenty of supervision in the halls to assist the students in getting where they belong. 

     Breakfast begins promptly at 8:30 and ends promptly at 8:45.

If you are running late and arrive at school after 8:45, please make sure your child has breakfast before coming to school.

    The temperature in my room can be very unpredictable.  The students may wear uniform sweatshirts or Lusher wear over their regular uniform shirts.  It would be a good idea to keep a sweatshirt or sweater in their backpacks in case they get cold during the day.  There will be  form sent home soon for ordering Lusher wear.  PLEASE LABEL ALL CLOTHES, JACKETS AND BACKPACKS WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME!  If a sweater or jacket gets misplaced it is easier to locate the owner if there is a name on the clothing.

     Attending kindergarten will be an adjustment for both you and your child.  Please look to this website as a resource for information about my classroom as well as school events and child development and discipline resources.

   If you need to contact me, e-mail is best!  jmcpartl@hazelwoods.org.

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