Frequently Asked Questions

I'm a new parent with a child starting in the fall. Where can I go to get questions answered and to find out more about the school?
How do I know what's coming up at school?
Who do I contact about putting information in the Walkie Talkie?
Is there an extended day or after-care program?
Are there enrichment classes?
What happens if my child is sick?
What about minimum days?
What does homework look like at Joaquin Miller?
How do I reach my classroom teacher with concerns?
Does the school have a PTA?
How do I get involved in the JMPTA?
How do I communicate with the JMPTA?
What part does fundraising play at Joaquin Miller?
Who do I contact if I want to help with fundraising?
How can I volunteer at the school or in my child's classroom?

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I'm a new parent with a child starting in the fall. Where can I go to get questions answered and to find out more about the school?
Each August, a couple of weeks before the start of classes, the school hosts a kindergarten tea for incoming families. Look for an invitation in the mail.

How do I know what's coming up at school?
The most important place to look is in your child's lunch box or backpack each day. Your child's teacher will send home notices. And every Wednesday, the PTA produces the Walkie Talkie, which is sent home with the youngest child in the family. In addition, the bulletin board outside the office has items that are of interest to parents. And this web site has a calendar with upcoming events.

Who do I contact about putting information in the Walkie Talkie?
You can reach the Walkie Talkie editor via email at walkietalkie@joaquinmiller.org.

Is there an extended day or after-care program?
Yes, a private company called Adventure Time provides before- and after-school care starting at 7 a.m. and ending at 6 p.m. The fee is about $5 per hour. Call 1-800-339-6832 for more information.

Are there enrichment classes?
Yes, the PTA sponsors a fee-based enrichment program. Offerings vary from year-to-year,but some examples include cartooning, ceramics, science, chess, cooking, drama, art and sewing. Look for information to be distributed in the early fall. Also, Spanish instruction is offered to first-through fifth-graders. For more information, go here.

What happens if my child is sick?
We ask that you keep your child home when symptoms of illness begin. If your child becomes sick at school, s/he will be removed from the classroom and you will be called to pick up your child.

What about minimum days?
Every Wednesday is a minimum day, with all classes being released by 1:15 p.m.

What does homework look like at Joaquin Miller?
Homework is going to vary from teacher to teacher. Talk to your child's teacher to find out more.

How do I reach my classroom teacher with concerns?
Feel free to either leave a message in his/her mailbox in the main office or call and leave a message on the main line. Your child's teacher will reach you as soon as possible, probably during lunch hour or after school if possible. Some teachers have e-mail addresses. Ask you child's teacher how she/he prefers to be contacted. In addition, parent-teacher conferences are held twice a year.

Does the school have a PTA?
Yes, it's called the Joaquin Miller PTA. See the parent involvement page for more information.

How do I get involved in the JMPTA?
The easiest way to start is to attend a PTA meeting, held the third Thursday of each month in the multipurpose room. Another great way to get involved is to volunteer for an event or a committee. The following are the standing committees of the JMPTA:

Arts Enrichment
Back-to-School Picnic
Computers
E-Scrip
Fall Auction
Graduation Party
Health and Safety
Library
Multiculturalism/Diversity and Human Relations
Cultural Enrichment and Assemblies
Music Program
Parent Education Program
PTA Bulletin Board
PTA Membership & Roster
Room Coordinators
School Pictures
Spring Fair
Teacher/Staff Appreciation
Walkathon
Walkie Talkie
Yearbook

How do I communicate with the JMPTA?
The best way to communicate is to contact a member of the Executive Board. Their contact information is here.

What part does fundraising play at Joaquin Miller?
Fundraising events at Joaquin Miller are essential if we are to continue offering our children the best possible education. The money we raise is put to many uses, including buying instructional materials, equipment, books, and teacher workshops, paying for student projects, field trips and assemblies, and paying for the salaries for staff such as librarians, motor development and computer coordinators, classroom assistants and others. Visit the fundraising page to learn about the school's major fundraisers.

Who do I contact if I want to help with fundraising?
Contact a member of the PTA board.

How can I volunteer at the school or in my child's classroom?
There are many ways to get involved in your child's education, from being a room coordinator to volunteering in classes to helping fundraise. Ask your child's teacher at the start of the year about volunteer opportunities in your child's classroom. And visit the parental involvement section for more general information about parental involvement at Joaquin Miller.

 

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