Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the School Day?
The school day at Parkside begins at 8:30 AM. Children are considered late if they arrive after 8:30 AM. Dismissal begins at 2:30 PM.

2. How are new students grouped?
Children are grouped according to age, language and social/emotional skills. An emphasis is placed on forming groups of children with complimentary strengths and challenges to create a good balance for the group as a whole. There are eight or nine children in each group. Groups change from year to year.

3. Do groups stay together all day?
Children may move to other groups outside the classroom for math and reading. Children also join other classes for snack and lunch dates as well as assemblies and trips.

4. What is done to help the kindergarten children transition smoothly to the new school?
The children begin with a full-time schedule on the first day of school. They may have an opportunity to meet their teachers before school starts. Parents can remain on-site until the children have adjusted to the classroom.

5. What is the curriculum based on?
Grade level guidelines for all subject areas are based on New York State and New York City elementary school standards. In addition to the academics, the children receive gym, yoga, music, art, drama and library. The children use the computer lab and each classroom has one or two computers. Computers and iPads are used throughout the day to support the curriculum.

6. How much homework will the children receive?
All children will receive reading, math and handwriting homework. Homework in other subject areas is optional and is decided upon individually by the teachers. The purpose of the homework is to practice and review as well as to develop independent work skills. Teachers want to receive feedback from parents about how homework is progressing and will modify or offer strategies when necessary.

7. How do parents communicate with teachers and therapists?
Parkside teachers and therapists as well as Leslie Thorne and Albina Miller are accessible by phone or e-mail to answer questions and to address concerns. Parents can leave a voice mail or email message for teachers and therapists.

Parent conferences are held three times per year. One of these meetings can be a team conference with the teachers, Leslie Thorne, and all the professionals who work with your child. Parents are asked to choose the time of year (first and second choice) that they would like to have this team meeting: November. February, or May. Reports that describe each child’s progress in all areas are sent home twice yearly.

8. How do parents receive school-wide information?
All pertinent school information is sent home via Mail Chimp email every Wednesday. Please let us know if you are not receiving them. Parents are expected to read these notes (“Wednesday Notes”) weekly for information regarding school news: events, workshops, important dates, etc. Each child will be given a folder that stays in his/her backpack. Communication to and from the school as well as to specialists and other parents can be sent in this folder via “Backpack Express”. Parents can place communication into the folder and indicate recipient (along with recipients child’s name and group number) on the envelope.

9. How does Parkside work to transition students who are moving on? Are children mainstreamed?
Parkside’s Director of Placement, Katie Bassett, becomes familiar with every child in the school and follows their progress throughout their time at Parkside. She is experienced in placement to mainstream and special needs elementary and middle schools. When a child is ready to move on, she helps familiarize parents with their choices and guides them through the search for an appropriate placement.

10. How are related services determined?
Most children enter Parkside with an IEP (Individual Educational Plan) that is formulated by the Department of Education. The IEP states long-term and short-term goals for all areas: academic, therapeutic, and social/emotional. This plan is assessed when a child begins at the school to make certain that the mandated services support their needs. The IEP is reviewed each school year to revise goals, generate new goals, and to recommend changes in related services when necessary.

11. Does the school provide after school programs?
Staff members offer several after school programs, which may change from semester to semester. In the past they have included cooking, cartooning, movement, and homework help. These are not after care programs but target specific skills and most last only an hour. All classes are provided for an additional fee. Notification about these programs will be sent home in the fall. There is no bus service to pick up children following after school classes.

12. What are the key events during the school year?
There are several annual community events at Parkside that all parents are encouraged to attend. They include:

The New Family Cocktail Party which is held at the home of a current family on an evening in September or October. It is attended by new families, PA officers and current family buddies.

There will be a Book Fair, usually in the Fall. Parents and guests are given the opportunity to purchase books for their children and for the school based on wish lists that are formulated by the children and the teachers. Details will follow.

The Holiday Party takes place in December. The party includes food, games, art activities, face painting, entertainment, and more.

The Spring Benefit is held in March or April. Proceeds from this event are used to help fund our excellent arts program.

The Annual Family Picnic takes place in May as the school year is coming to an end. Families and staff attend for food, fun, and games. Details are disseminated in the spring.

One of the culminating experiences we provide our upper elementary students is participation in an ensemble production including acting, singing, and a wide range of additional skills both movement and artistically related.

13. What does the school expect from parents?
Every family is expected to make a commitment to meeting the goals of the Parkside community in the following three ways: a) as responsible parents who support their child and maintain open and frequent communication with the child’s teachers and therapists throughout the school year; b) as parent volunteers (see #14) involved in organizing school events which bring together our community members and help raise much-needed funds for our operating budget; and c) by making financial contributions to our annual appeal.

14. How do I get involved with the Parents Association (PA)?
Every Parkside family is a member of the Parent Association and is expected to donate time to the success of its undertakings.The PA is at the core of the school’s volunteering activities and meets several times a year. A schedule of meetings will be announced at the start of the school year. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend these meetings to organize and participate in the various school events and to voice questions and concerns, and to share ideas. Some parents act as Class Representatives, serving as liaisons between the parents in each group and the Parent Association, which in turn provides feedback to the administration.

Every Parkside family is a member of the Parent Association and is expected to donate time to the success of its undertakings.The PA is at the core of the school’s volunteering activities and meets several times a year. A schedule of meetings will be announced at the start of the school year. Parents are strongly encouraged to attend these meetings to organize and participate in the various school events and to voice questions and concerns, and to share ideas. Some parents act as Class Representatives, serving as liaisons between the parents in each group and the Parent Association, which in turn provides feedback to the administration.