Starting preschool but can't meet teacher beforehand

[Neera]

Dd starts prek (public school) this September. An important thing I wanted to do to prepare dd was to meet her classroom teacher. But, the school says the teachers won't be assigned until after schools have closed for summer vacation, when the teacher's aren't around anyway. For kids that are separating for the first time it's tough. Dd has had some amounts of separation when we tried a playgroup last yr but she was too miserable there and we had to stop. She is really different now and is ready for school but I just wanted us to be prepared a 100%

Thanks for listening and any suggestions will be appreciated. 

[HollyBearsMom]

We always meet with the teacher at the end of August or a few days before school starts. Our school is the same as yours in that they do not communicate who the teachers are until closer to the start of semester. So much can change in three months-teachers can leave, students can move and so forth.

I would arrange to meet with principal now before school breaks for summer and ask to arrange a meeting for the Fall. It is not unsual at all for a new student and/or first time students to visit their classroom and meet their teachers. I would let the principal know that you will be completely flexible and will work around their schedule but it is imperative for your child's transition and success to have a comfort level knowing where her classroom is, where her cubby is located, the bathrooms as well as give both you the opportunity to meet the teacher, etc. I can't imagine that this is a unique request for a pre-k students!

good luck!

[swd12422]

Around here, all the elementary and preschools have a day to go in and see the classroom and meet the teacher before school starts. I would contact the school and ask if there's a "Meet the Teacher" day/time and if there isn't, if you can make an appointment to meet the teacher sometime during the week before school starts. I'd be very surprised if there isn't such a day scheduled, and even more so if there's not and they won't accommodate a special request from a parent. That wouldn't be the school for me!

[pianojazzgirl]

Here too there is a "meet the teacher" night a few days or a week before school starts.  Teachers always have to start before the actual school year, and I'm sure that even if there isn't an official meeting with her, you should be able to arrange something.

[Neera]

Great tips!! Thanks a lot. I would've never thought of contacting the principal and meeting bfor school started in Fall. I know the teachers start early but I also know they are v. busy preparing for the new school year. I would be delighted if they had a Meet the Teacher day. I am going to find out. And it would be great for her to see where "her cubby is located, the bathrooms as well."

[SuburbanHippie]

I'm betting they probably have some sort of open house night before hand.  Every preschool and elementary school my kids have attended have had one.