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FAQ for Incoming John Hay Families 

Kindergarten students start school the week AFTER grades 1-5. First day for Pre-K & Kindergarten is Monday, September 9, 2024!

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Drop-off and pick-up

  • What are the bell times? 

    • 8:50AM first bell, students line-up and are escorted by teachers into classrooms. 

    • 8:55AM instruction start

    • 3:25PM dismissal; 2:10PM early dismissal (Wednesdays)

  • How does drop-off work?

    • Drop-off starts at 8:35AM. 

      • Cars bringing K-5 students should drop off at the front of the school on Garfield St (aka Hay Way)  between 3rd  Ave N and Nob Hill Ave N and enter the playground through the side gate. Cars bringing  PK students should drop-off in front of the PK entrance between 2nd Ave N and 3rd Ave N and enter the PK playground through the PK side gate. 

      • Buses drop-off on Garfield St and students will be met by staff. 

      • Walking: Students can enter the playground directly from either Galer or Garfield St. During inclement weather, staff may direct students to the cafeteria. 

    • Students will play and chat with friends until the first bell. Parents and families are encouraged to do the same. It's a great chance to get to know other students, families, teachers, and staff!

    • Students arriving after 8:55AM will be marked tardy and need to enter via the front door and sign-in.

    • NOTE: Do not park in front of the school anywhere on Garfield, which is used for both PK and K-5 drop-off.

  • How does pickup work?

    • Students are dismissed at 3:25PM except for early dismissal at 2:10PM Wednesdays.

    • Locations and procedures  for pickup are the same as drop-off.

    • Gates to the playground typically open around 3:20PM.

    • NOTE: Do not park in front of the school anywhere on Garfield, which is used for both PK and K-5 pick-up.

  • What do I do if I need to pick up my student early?

    • Enter via the front (ring the doorbell) and sign your student out. The front office will call for your student. Playground gates are locked during the school day.

  • Who do I need to contact if my student will be absent?

  • How do I contact SPS transportation?

 

School day and calendar details

  • When is the first/last day of school? When is school closed? What holidays are observed? 

  • What should my student bring on the first day of school?

    • Backpack (not needed for PK)

    • Spare clothes in a bag labeled with student’s name (left at school)

    • Snack

    • Lunch (if not purchasing)

    • Water bottle

  • Do I need to provide school supplies?

    • No, instead each family is asked to pay a supplies fee. If this presents a financial hardship, you can pay what you are able to.  A SchoolPay link will be sent to you at the beginning of the school year to submit this fee.

  • When will I find out my student’s assigned teacher/classroom?

    • Your teacher will reach out and introduce themselves by the Friday before Labor Day, ~1 week before school. A family connection meeting will also be scheduled.

  • How does Lunch work?

    • Students may bring food from home or purchase lunch. Breakfast is also available for purchase. Note that refrigeration and reheating of food is not possible.

    • To purchase lunch, funds need to be deposited into an account on PayPams. Families in need can apply for free/reduced lunch through this application.

      • Visit the SPS reduced meals website for information on income levels to qualify. When students qualify, it helps with our school’s funding, so please apply if you think your child might qualify.

    • Lunch time is short!

    • More details including online payment and menus at the SPS Culinary Services website.

    • PK students will eat lunch in the classroom.

  • What is a typical school day schedule?

    • This varies by classroom but generally:

      • Circle time at start or end of day

      • Learning blocks for each subject

      • Music, Art, or PE

      • Library

      • Morning Recess

      • Lunch and Lunch Recess

      • Afternoon recess

 

After School Options

  • What after-school care and activities options are there?

  • How does my child get to after-school care or enrichment?

    • Volunteer parents, teachers, and staff coordinate and ensure your student gets to where they need to go. You do not need to be present to assist in the transition from school.

    • To ensure the success of our Enrichment Program, we're seeking one volunteer per day (5 total) to assist with chaperoning students from their classrooms to their enrichment activities. The time commitment is ~30 minutes. Your support during this time will be greatly appreciated! If you're interested, please reach out to enrichment@johnhayptsa.org.

  • How does pickup from after school enrichment or Kidsco work?

    • Kidsco pickup is through the 2nd Ave cafeteria door (ring the doorbell) or on the playground.

    • Enrichment pickup is in the front of school unless otherwise specified by an enrichment provider.

 

Communication and administration

  • How do I communicate with my student's teacher?

    • All teachers are available by email. You may also be able to chat with them at drop-off or pick-up.

  • What is a room parent?

    • A room parent is a volunteer who helps support and provide an additional communication point between the teacher and PTSA, and families. This includes sending out additional communication and event reminders, updates about classroom activities, and they may also organize additional social events.

  • When is the school office open? 

    • 8:30-4:00 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri

    • 8:30-3:00 Wednesdays

  • How can I contact the school office? 

    • Main Office: 206-252-2100

    • Fax: 206-252-2101

  • Who are the administrators and office staff?

  • Where can I look for school communications? 

 

Volunteering and involvement

  • How can I get involved or volunteer? 

    • Join the PTSA! It's free! - johnhayptsa.org/join

    • Become a room parent for your student’s classroom. Reach out to your teacher if interested.

    • Volunteer for planning and/or staffing community events.

      • No prior training or clearance is needed for school events outside school hours.

    • Volunteer to support the school as a lunch or recess monitor, safety patrol and more. Contact the office or Principal Morisco (jsmorisco@seattleschools.org) for more details. Some positions are compensated.

 

PTSA

  • What does the PTSA do? 

    • We partner with and support the teachers, staff, and community through fundraising to support school staff, organizing community events and after-school enrichment programs, engaging the community through diverse communication channels, scholarships for families in need, and much more.

  • What is the time commitment? 

    • As much or as little as you want!

  • Who is on the PTSA Board?

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