Welcome to our COMMUNITY BLOG! Throughout the year we will feature information, updates, and resources from the people who work with our children in our community. 

Our third Back-to-School post is all about keeping children safe on their way to and from school. It comes from Cathi Kellett, Coordinator for the Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Chapter, based at Griffin Hospital. 

Dear families,

As we approach the start of a new and exciting year, we should take a moment to review some tips on keeping your child safe on their way to and from school.  Safe Kids Worldwide, and your local Chapter, Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley, recommend that children:

• Always cross the street with an adult until age 10
  

• Cross the street at corners, using traffic signals and crosswalks,
  

• Look left, right, left again when crossing
  

• Always walk, never run, when crossing streets
  

• Walk on sidewalks or paths
  

• Walk facing traffic as far to the left as possible if there are no sidewalks
  

• Never run out into the street or cross in between parked cars
  

• Wear a properly fitting helmet every time they ride a bicycle
  

Drivers need to do their part to keep kids safe while they walk or bike to school also.  We recommend that drivers:

• Slow down and be especially alert in residential neighborhoods and school zones
  

•  Take extra time to look for kids at intersections, on medians, and on curbs
  

• Enter and exit driveways and alleys slowly and carefully
  

• Watch for children on and near the road in the morning and after school hours
  

• Remember that children may move in unpredictable ways
  

• Reduce any distractions inside your car so you can concentrate on the road and your surroundings
  

• Never leave a child alone in a vehicle
  

• Always lock car doors and trunks and keep keys out of children’s reach
  

Remember children (and parents) are excited to start the new year, let’s make it a happy and safe one!

Safe Kids Worldwide is a global organization dedicated to protecting kids from unintentional injuries, the number one cause of death to children in the United States. Throughout the world, almost 1 million children die of injuries each year.   

By educating children and adults, we hope to make this number go away.

Cathi Kellett

Safe Kids Greater Naugatuck Valley Chapter Coordinator 

Griffin Hospital

Community Outreach & Parish Nurse Dept.

Welcome to our new COMMUNITY BLOG! Throughout the year we will feature information, updates, and resources from the people who work with our children in our community. 

Our second Back-to-School post comes from Jenny Ames, a Derby Public Schools Kindergarten Teacher, with tips on how you can help your child be prepared for the first day and get the most from their school experience.

Dear Derby Families,

The first day of school is just around the corner in Derby. Here are 5 tips for getting the littlest Raiders ready for August 28th.

1. Bedtime: Start going to bed as soon as possible at the regular school night time your family has decided upon. The school day is long and the students need to be well-rested to make it through the afternoon without falling asleep. Parents need to be rested as well.

2. Planning: Pack backpacks and lay out clothing the night before, including socks, shoes and hair accessories for the girls. I never did this growing up and I was forever racing out at the last minute, leaving homework and books behind, and with a questionable hairdo!

3. Label: Write your child's name on everything that will be sent to school. Sometimes we set aside items for later in the year. Also, all envelopes with money inside should be clearly labeled with your child's name, grade, teacher, and purpose.

4. Fun: Derby is a great place to be a kid. In addition to our fabulous schools, there are a lot of activities in town, especially at the Derby Public (Elizabeth St.) and Derby Neck (Hawthorne Avenue) libraries. Also, many sports teams are available: football, baseball, softball, cheer, soccer, and basketball. I really encourage students to become involved with a sports team. They present great opportunities to meet kids in other classes and the other elementary school as well as follow rules and directions. Many Derby parents have struck up friendships on the sidelines. Sign-up notices for Parks and Recreation leagues are sent home in the home/school folders.

5. Family Involvement: Keeping in touch with your child's teacher is easy. For non-urgent matters, reach us by email; first initial last name@derbyps.org. For example, my email address is james@derbyps.org. There are staff directories on www.derbyps.org. I highly recommend joining the PTA/PTO. These groups play a huge role in the school experience for your child and are great way to meet new friends.

I can't wait to see you on August 28!

Jenny Ames,

Kindergarten Teacher
Derby Public Schools

Welcome to our new COMMUNITY BLOG! Throughout the year we will feature information, updates, and resources from the people who work with our children in our community.

The first day of the new school year is fast approaching. Starting a new school or a new grade means having to deal with a lot of changes including new routines, places and people. Sue Sherman, the Children’s Librarian at DERBY PUBLIC LIBRARY has provided us with a list of BACK-TO-SCHOOL books for you to chose from to share with your children during these last days of summer in preparation for the big day! 

Reading books with your children on this subject:

• Helps your child know what to expect on their first day and helps ease the transition from summer days to school routines.
  

• Encourages your child explore any fears or anxieties they may have about school. Be prepared to ask and answer questions to help your child to talk about their feelings. 
  

• Develops your child’s vocabulary by introducing them to new words they might hear at school.
  

• Provides you and your child the chance to share in the excitement of a new adventure together ahead of time!
  

Back to School Titles

Take a Kiss to School by Angela McAllister

The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

First Day Jitters by Julie Danneberg

You’re Wearing That to School?! By Lynn Plourde

A Place Called Kindergarten by Jessica Harper

Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne Rockwell

Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

Kindergators series by Rosemary Wells

First Grade, Here I Come by Nancy Carlson

Best Seat in Second Grade by Katharine Kenah

Get Ready for Second Grade, Amber Brown by Paula Danziger

I Love School by Philemon Sturges

Ready, Set, School! by Jacquelyn Mitchard

Wow! School by Robert Neubecker

Starting School by Janet Ahlberg

My New School by Kirsten Hall

Hello, School Bus by Marjorie Parker

Scholastic Series:  Back to School Safety, Going to School, Getting Ready for School

For Parents

What Your Preschooler Needs to Know by E. D. Hirsch, Jr.

Kindergarten Success by Amy James

Kindergarten Success: Helping Children Excel Right From the Start by Jill Frankel Hauser

Starting Out Right: a Guide to Promoting Reading Success by M. Susan Burns 


THE DERBY PUBLIC LIBRARY will also be hosting the following back to school events:

Kindergarten Day – Friday, August 23 at 11:30 a.m. for children entering kindergarten in the Derby school system this school year. This is an opportunity for children to apply for their own library card, listen to stories, tour the Children’s Room and more.  Children must be accompanied by an adult.  Registration is requested.

First Day of School Blues and Yahoos!! – Wednesday, August 28 starting at 8:30 a.m. (following school drop off).  Parents are invited to attend this 1st annual back to school social to share their feelings whether they be excitement, relief, anxiety or joy.  Come and enjoy coffee, donuts, and a shoulder to cry on, a friend to celebrate with or just some good conversation.

For information on what is on offer at the Derby Neck Library or Ansonia Libraries please visit their websites. Links can be found in the Quick Links section of this website. For information on Kinder Kamp, offered at the FRC in Derby call Ayanna Williams on (203) 736-5420 x208

If you have any questions about the blog or any suggestions for topics you would like us to cover, you can contact us on the My First 8 Facebook page or at myfirst8@yahoo.com