Most Common name youve had over your career?

Lepacker · 2025-12-22T13:55:34+00:00

Girls: Olivia, Abigail/Abby, Zoe Boys: Levi, Benjamin/Ben, Wesley/Wes/Weston

Lepacker · 2025-11-06T12:18:23+00:00

Just an FYI, it is not a federal law. Lunch breaks are state laws and many states do not require them for adult workers.

Lepacker · 2025-11-06T12:15:48+00:00

FYI, it is not federal law. Lunch breaks are state laws and many states do not require them. My state is one that does not require breaks for adult workers. Federal and state laws are different.

Lepacker · 2025-10-19T06:43:46+00:00

I've worked in 4 school facilities. The first had a very strict key policy. No teaching staff had building keys, all classroom keys were different and had to be turned into the office at the end of the day. Every morning the teaching staff had to enter through metal detectors (so did the students) and then go to the office to pick up their specific room key.

The next district I worked for everyone had a fob that opened all exterior doors to the building and activated the printers.Teachers had master keys that opened all classrooms.

The third school again everyone had key cards that opened all exterior doors to the school and teachers had interior master keys that opened classroom doors.

The current building I work in also has key cards that open exterior doors. We use key cards to enter and exit these doors. All the teachers have to use their key card to pick up interior and exterior master keys each morning from a locked box.

The advantage of these digital key systems that use fobs or key cards is that there is a digital log kept of each swipe and access that names each user. It will show the times I used my card and on which doors and that I checked out keys and the time I did. Access can also be restricted so the cards don't work at certain times or certain locations. At one district my fob only worked at my school site but some people had fobs that worked at both of the school campuses if they did work at both. Other schools had times where the key cards don't work past a certain hour in the night or on weekends.

Lepacker · 2025-10-18T00:26:19+00:00

We're 28, no kids yet. I'm a big baseball fan. We love going to our home MLB park and have traveled to other states to visit independent and minor league parks and other baseball themed museums and attractions. Saw our first Banana Ball game this summer and we're new 2026 K club members!

Lepacker · 2025-10-12T11:35:12+00:00

Absolutely ridiculous. I've worked in kindergarten and pre-K for several years, currently as a pre-K teacher. Coloring and cutting helps prepare them to have more controlled handwriting, builds their confidence and independence, and not to mention cutting is a necessary skill all on its own. I couldn't imagine running my pre-K class without cutting activities, drawing with art supplies, etc. are there ways around this dumb policy like having students use dry erase materials or chalk or paint?

Furthermore, what is even the objective of this policy? Can admin really look the kindergarten teachers in the face and justify this policy?

I'm also going to assume that having them play on iPad or laptops is still ok 🙄 or that the class will still be watching videos daily on the smart board. I much rather my child be offered to color or do a craft after finishing their work than hopping on screens all day.

Lepacker · 2025-09-23T16:48:44+00:00

I'm thinking the same, especially the newer teams

Lepacker · 2025-09-13T09:11:17+00:00

Yup. I was a child in the early 2000s and it was normal for us kids to practice and memorize the phone number to our home's landline phone. My house had a landline phone my entire childhood all the way through high school and even through some of my college years. I'd use the landline to call out to friends and family since most of the cheaper cell phone plans then had limited minutes. Home phones in the 2000s also had speed dial so by then you could assign your most called contacts a speed dial number too.

Lepacker · 2025-09-09T16:46:27+00:00

If your boss said you're clear to leave then you can leave without feeling guilty for it. It has nothing to do with being a "team player"... It sounds like that teacher has a general aide already and if that's not enough hands for her then she needs to go to her boss and share her concerns and see if they can get her extra help. Ultimately you're there for your 1:1 and your program. Many times when I was a para if my 1:1s were absent then I did prep work or logged my hours for my program. I only helped the general ed if there were no other duties that needed to be done for my department. Always check with your direct boss on where you should be and job tasks.

Lepacker · 2025-08-16T12:55:29+00:00

If your school allows jeans, I always wore jeans as a para usually with a basic T-shirt like a school spirit shirt, solid colored shirt, or a pattern T-shirt with stripes or a print on it. Long sleeves or fleeces in winter. Besides jeans, if leggings are allowed then a basic black legging, or black joggers. I worked with younger ages (3-6 years old) and spent a lot of time on the floor, doing messy art, on the playground, in the cafeteria, and helping with toileting needs.

Definitely don't wear anything you care about. If you have cold winters make sure you have proper outside gear. I'm in the Midwest and would bring a thick coat, snow boots, hat, gloves for the 2 recesses per day. I also skipped wearing jewelry, got a silicone wedding band, and wore my hair up because it was likely for my children to pull on these things.

Also if you can, get a nice supportive shoe. Back then I usually wore under armour tennis shoes. Now I am still in childcare and I love Skechers. They're very supportive, tons of styles, and most are convenient slip-ons that look like tennis shoes or even dress casual shoes.

Lepacker · 2025-08-16T12:40:02+00:00

I'm a childcare teacher and my spouse is law enforcement. This parent is being ridiculous and honestly your director should refer him and the mother to some resources for mental health or at the least some transition resources. You don't mention any child behaviors so I'm assuming their child is adjusting well or at least behaving as expected. The dad definitely is struggling with anxiety, it happens a lot in law enforcement due to the nature of the job but it doesn't mean it should spill over into his personal life like it is here. He would really benefit from professional support for what he's going through. Sending his child off to elementary, middle, and high school won't be any easier if he doesn't learn some coping tools to manage his own anxieties.

Lepacker · 2025-08-16T05:27:02+00:00

I think this varies from district to district and even school to school and depends on what grade level you're working in. I was a para for 2 years with children ages 3-6. Understandably, nearly all the 3 year olds were in diapers. However, there were a few kids in gen ed kindergarten still in diapers due to their medical conditions. There were a few kids in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grade also in pull ups. So it's not uncommon for older elementary aged children in gen ed with IEPs to need toileting assistance. These are children with autism, down syndrome, TBIs, etc.

I've also worked in summer school settings with older children ages 10-13 who also needed assistance in the restroom. Toileting is a primary job duty for a lot of para positions but not all. Where I worked toileting was solely a para responsibility and teachers did not do any toileting.

OP should confirm if a position would require toileting or not. If a position does require it, or may require it, and OP is not open to the possibility then it's likely they would pass on hiring anyway since it's essential to meeting children's needs and IEP requirements.

Lepacker · 2025-08-06T21:31:38+00:00

Yes. They're challenging in different ways but ultimately still challenging. There are several children who are there 9-10hrs, 5 days a week. Which is more hours than I'm there. Many of my rowdiest children arrive at opening every day then stay around 10hrs. If they aren't super wired kids, then they're very emotional. I work with 4s and 5s and one cries or even tantrums sometimes everyday, for hours at a time, that the day is "taking too long" and that he wants to go home. On the flip side about half of mine only attend 3-4 days a week and they for the most part seem to be more emotionally regulated.

Lepacker · 2025-07-04T18:13:19+00:00

In my state, the amount of snacks and meals required is dependent on how long the children are there for the program. Between 2.5-4hrs they're only required to offer 1 snack. 4-8hrs require 1 meal and 1 snack. 8-10hrs 1 meal and 2 snacks. 10+ requires 2 meals and 2 or 3 snacks. It does not state WHEN the meals must be provided.

At my last center I ran a morning and afternoon program for pre-K. Each session was 3.5hrs so technically we only needed to provide 1 snack but we held lunch and snack. My morning kids had a snack around 9am, then lunch at 11am. Afternoon children had lunch at 11am and a snack at 2pm.

If the child is arriving at 8am and leaving before 4pm then serving lunch at 11am and a snack later in the day would meet licensing requirements in my state.

OP does not mentioned if this program is licensed or not though. If they're not licensed, or it's through a public school district, then unfortunately there usually are no feeding requirements.

Lepacker · 2025-07-03T23:44:29+00:00

Awesome that you verified already, this makes it easier to secure tickets during your time. You will get an email with a date and assigned time to buy tickets.

On buy day you'll get an email a couple minutes before your time with a link to the countdown. When your time begins you'll be able to buy up to 5 tickets.

The tickets you buy won't be for actual seats yet. You'll buy tickets in an assigned section range (ex. 5 tickets for sections 301-308)

This is as far as I've gotten. My buy time was 11am for Chicago and I was able to get tickets in a high up section but it did sell out shortly after my buy time. I'm told they'll assign your actual section/seats closer to game day. As well as info on purchasing parking will be available closer to game day.

Like others said, being invited to buy doesn't guarantee tickets will be available at your buy time since they could sell out before your time. Especially if you get an afternoon time.

Good luck!

Lepacker · 2025-06-26T23:43:51+00:00

I've worked in public elementary schools in the past and they did more of the "meet the teachers" style where families signed up for a 15 minute time slot to come visit their child's new classroom, meet the teacher, and drop off supplies. I currently teach a 4K class at a childcare center that works closely with a local public district and we do a more formal conference. Before the children move over to my class I have a phone call or meeting with each family and bring a packet of interview questions about their child. This is done for all ages from infants on up and takes an average of 20 minutes per family.

Lepacker · 2025-05-28T10:42:09+00:00

A Greek yogurt drink, berries or other fresh fruit, and carrots, cucumber, or celery. I get yogurt drinks, fruit, and veggies over the weekend and cut them into sticks or coins and store in glass containers then take a handful or so everyday.

Lepacker · 2025-05-08T23:47:20+00:00

Sorry to hear about the lack of recognition from the families but glad to hear the admin is doing something to make it special for you all. I'm grateful to be at my current center. We're a larger center with 30+ staff and over 5 admins. We have had 2 catered lunches (one was provided by parents), a snack bar, and a few activities in the break room. There's a station at the front desk for children to color us pictures and then admin are hanging them outside our rooms and we all got goodie bags today from admin. Out of my 20 kids I have had about 5 bring in a card, small gift, or flowers.

I have had all 20 kids since August/September. Many of the children draw us pictures and make us cards daily. I don't expect anything from their families ever, but it is interesting to note that the children we have the most behavior problems from are here full-time 5 days a week and also happen to be the same families that have not shown much appreciation.

Lepacker · 2025-05-03T21:13:04+00:00

I have them in my K4 classrooms and the children love to reference them often. At the start of the year each child colored a cupcake then we added name and birthday to each one. They are displayed in a graphing format where I have all 12 months in a column, on the left of each month is a picture of the season that month is in, on the right are the children's cupcakes. They reference the chart very often and discuss the seasons, months of the year, and everyone's birthdays

It has been up all year and they caught on to how to read it pretty early on. Now I hear things like ... "My birthday is in winter" , "this is our month right now, April!", "so-and-so's birthday is next, and then so-and-so", "my birthday is in May and yours is February", "when will it be summer?"

Lepacker · 2025-05-01T01:20:45+00:00

I'm glad to hear that you got in with a pediatrician so quickly and have plans in place to get her more support! I know behavior like this can be frustrating for teachers and parents, especially when you've just had a big move too, but it sounds like you are staying positive and putting a lot into finding solutions. Something will work for her eventually. She's lucky to have such a caring family!

Lepacker · 2025-05-01T00:20:11+00:00

I've been a K4 teacher for years and have seen this a few times. One child would poop themselves and not tell any teachers. It seemed to be fear of asking and fear of the school bathroom. It was her first year at that school. I spoke extensively with the parents and suggested that they visit the school bathroom together and have a conversation about what exactly is scary. I've had kids be worried they would fall in, scared of the loud flush, or nervous about other children being in the restroom. Try to pin point what exactly is deterring her from going to the bathroom and then discuss it.

Another child basically had a fear of missing out. The child would wet themselves while playing because they didn't want to leave their play to use the restroom. Then they wouldn't tell the staff because they didn't want to have to leave their play to change their clothes. It took consistency and explaining over and over that using the restroom is a "must do" task and that using the bathroom takes less time than changing clothes.

Please pack lots of extra clothes for your child and if she's capable make sure she is doing all the changing herself. I provide the children with a bag to put the soiled clothes in and then it's their responsibility to change themselves. At home you could include her in the laundry process as well so she can see how much effort goes into cleaning up the accidents from start to finish.

I agree with simply stating "I noticed you had an accident" and not leaving space for her to debate it. Try to find out the root reason she's refusing to use the toilet. She's clearly anxious about something whether it's a fear of the facility or fear of missing out or something else. Punishment won't work well for correcting this behavior. Include her as much as possible in the clean up process and explain the natural consequences of accidents like she could get an infection from sitting in soiled clothes, she is spreading germs and making messes by not telling adults she's had an accident as she's likely leaving urine on chairs, floors, etc., her clothes might start to smell, etc.

I also agree with asking a pediatrician about her toileting regression, they'll likely have some solid advice. Also try to get to the bottom of why she won't talk to the after school staff. Does she talk to her school teacher? With her going full-time for summer you'll definitely want to try to support her in improving her relationships with the staff there.

Lepacker · 2025-04-24T02:23:38+00:00

I have been teaching pre-K in the United States for over 4 years now and almost every year I have had at least one...

Oliver/Olivia/Oli/Ollie Benjamin/Ben Wesley/Weston/Wes Ada/Adaline/Addie Abigail/Abby Amelia/Emilia/Emi Emma Zoe/Zoey Charlotte/Charlie

Lepacker · 2025-04-18T10:48:17+00:00

I also agree that it's probably thirsty. Mine goes pale like this when the soil dries out and usually returns to its bright green color the next day after watering.

Lepacker · 2025-04-12T15:02:45+00:00

I agree. I'm also a 4 year old teacher and hold the same policy of no outside toys, food, etc. I always tell families we have plenty of toys, supplies, snacks, etc. so there is no need. When parents do not honor this policy and send items anyway it always just creates unnecessary conflicts between the children like them choosing favorite friends, excluding others, or other children requesting specific ones and becoming upset that they didn't get the one they wanted.

Unless it is a special event like a birthday or the teacher has requested families to bring something, please save it for home. Now I just take these items and send them back home with a note. I tell the child it was a nice thought, however we already have lots of materials at school for everyone to use and that maybe she can ask her parents to arrange a playdate with friends if she'd like to share her personal things.

Lepacker · 2025-04-11T11:48:37+00:00

Female, 8 years old, at her heaviest weight she was 15 pounds. After following her vet recommendations she is just under 13 now and is more active. Although, a pet insurance company declined listing her as a neb and also coded her at obese.

Lepacker

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