Class Work and Homework:
Students are expected to participate fully in learning activities in our classroom. I encourage neat penmanship, quiet voices, good listening, and raising hands to get the teacher’s attention, to create a positive work environment for all.
In Kindergarten we use Read Well and Everyday Math curriculum. Your child will learn the alphabet and foundational reading skills through the use of songs, poems, rhyming activities, read-a-loud stories, and small group work. Everyday Math combined with some problem solving activities provides opportunities for students to learn math concepts in an applied and practical way that can be seen in their everyday lives. There are many fun games and activities that you can work on with your child at home that directly connect to what we are doing in the classroom. I will be sending home additional information in the first few weeks of school that describes the type of reading and math work you should be practicing at home with your child.
Homework is another important part of the learning experience. Students will have homework sent home in their folder each Friday. Completed homework is due the following Friday. I encourage you and your child to work out a homework plan that includes a quiet time and place to promote good study habits. In addition to our weekly homework packets, it is important to read with your child for at least 20 minutes each evening so they can be best prepared for the reading curriculum in our classroom. Please note that I will not be sending home homework until I get to know your child, and we are established as a group—this may take two to three weeks.
Accommodations:
It is my goal to create a learning environment where all students can be successful. If you have concerns about your child’s desk placement, ability to work with the technology in our classroom, or feel that other accommodations need to be made to enhance their learning, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Attendance and Absent Work:
In Kindergarten we are building foundational knowledge for the rest of your child’s educational career. Every day is filled with new and exciting things to learn! To help your child be successful this year please make EVERY effort to have them attend daily and arrive on time. Our day begins promptly at 8:45, so even being 20 minutes late will result in missed learning opportunities. If your child is coughing incessantly, vomiting or running a fever, please keep them out of school and I will make sure to send home work that was covered while they were absent.
Nametags and Transportation:
Your child will be sent home with a name tag that includes his/her name and transportation information. Please have your child wear this the first two weeks of school. This tag helps to ensure that your child gets to the right place after school, whether it’s the bus, day care van, or parent pick-up. Students who are being picked up from school and those who ride day care vans will wait in the gym. If you child’s transportation ever changes, even if just for a day, you MUST either send a note or call to notify the school no later than 2:55 p.m. Sorry, no exceptions!
Buses:
The bus stop information I gave some of you may have changed as it was in the process of being updated. Call transportation to verify your child’s bust stop at 253-298-3865. All Kindergarteners who ride the bus MUST have an adult at the bust stop. For the safety of your child, bus drivers will not allow kindergarteners off the bus if there is no adult waiting for them at the bus stop—so please make sure there is always someone there. Because of budget cuts, buses must adhere to a very tight schedule and are simply unable to wait for someone who is even just a few minutes late.
Labels:
Please label coats, jackets, sweatshirts, umbrellas, backpacks, and lunchboxes. Put your child’s first and last name on EVERYTHING they bring to school.
Extra Clothes:
Whether it is weather-related or just bad timing, accidents happen. If your child is a mud-magnet, or is sometimes a little “late” in making it to the bathroom, it may be a good idea to keep an extra set of clothes at school or in their backpack.
Drinks and Snacks:
It is important for students to stay hydrated and nourished so they are able to concentrate on learning. Students will have access to a classroom drinking fountain, but they may also bring a water bottle (with a lid that closes to avoid spills) to keep on their desk if they need. With highly active kiddos burning calories all day, their tummies can get very hungry. Your donations of healthy, non-perishable snacks (i.e. Graham crackers, saltines, Goldfish crackers, etc.) are very much appreciated!
Birthdays:
You are more than welcome to send in birthday treats to honor your little one’s special day. I encourage you to think about keeping kids healthy and to bring in a treat that is nutritious rather than a sugary one like cake or cookies. You may also want to consider an alternative celebration such as a book donated to the classroom on behalf of your child. Please do not send birthday party invitations with your child to pass out at school as Kindergarteners’’ feelings can be fragile. I am, however, happy to discreetly deposit invitations into folders at the end of the day.
Show and Tell and Toys at School:
Toys are not allowed at school, nor should they be stowed away in backpacks or pockets. However, students will have an opportunity to share something special with their classmates on their designated “Show and Tell” day. Look for a schedule to come home within the first few weeks of school.
Visiting:
You are welcome to visit your child in our classroom or to join them for lunch. It is helpful if you can notify me 24 hours before your visit. Please send a note with your child on the day prior to your visit, so we can prepare for your arrival.
Specialists:
Students have specialists each week, including: music, art, computer time, and library. All classes are on a three-day specialist rotation schedule (red/blue/green).
Breakfast and Lunch Procedures:
Students eat lunch in our classroom. Breakfast and lunch are provided for all students free of charge. Breakfast is optional, and the students are more than welcome to bring a sack lunch. Breakfast is served from 8:15-8:45 am and lunch is served at 11:15 am. If your child has food allergies or is a picky eater, you may want to consider packing a lunch for them.
Recess:
Students will be going outside for recess and although there is a covered area for rainy days, it is important to send you child to school with warm clothes and a coat (preferably with a hood). In the event of extreme weather, students will be allowed to stay indoors and play games, watch a movie, or color.
Students are expected to participate fully in learning activities in our classroom. I encourage neat penmanship, quiet voices, good listening, and raising hands to get the teacher’s attention, to create a positive work environment for all.
In Kindergarten we use Read Well and Everyday Math curriculum. Your child will learn the alphabet and foundational reading skills through the use of songs, poems, rhyming activities, read-a-loud stories, and small group work. Everyday Math combined with some problem solving activities provides opportunities for students to learn math concepts in an applied and practical way that can be seen in their everyday lives. There are many fun games and activities that you can work on with your child at home that directly connect to what we are doing in the classroom. I will be sending home additional information in the first few weeks of school that describes the type of reading and math work you should be practicing at home with your child.
Homework is another important part of the learning experience. Students will have homework sent home in their folder each Friday. Completed homework is due the following Friday. I encourage you and your child to work out a homework plan that includes a quiet time and place to promote good study habits. In addition to our weekly homework packets, it is important to read with your child for at least 20 minutes each evening so they can be best prepared for the reading curriculum in our classroom. Please note that I will not be sending home homework until I get to know your child, and we are established as a group—this may take two to three weeks.
Accommodations:
It is my goal to create a learning environment where all students can be successful. If you have concerns about your child’s desk placement, ability to work with the technology in our classroom, or feel that other accommodations need to be made to enhance their learning, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Attendance and Absent Work:
In Kindergarten we are building foundational knowledge for the rest of your child’s educational career. Every day is filled with new and exciting things to learn! To help your child be successful this year please make EVERY effort to have them attend daily and arrive on time. Our day begins promptly at 8:45, so even being 20 minutes late will result in missed learning opportunities. If your child is coughing incessantly, vomiting or running a fever, please keep them out of school and I will make sure to send home work that was covered while they were absent.
Nametags and Transportation:
Your child will be sent home with a name tag that includes his/her name and transportation information. Please have your child wear this the first two weeks of school. This tag helps to ensure that your child gets to the right place after school, whether it’s the bus, day care van, or parent pick-up. Students who are being picked up from school and those who ride day care vans will wait in the gym. If you child’s transportation ever changes, even if just for a day, you MUST either send a note or call to notify the school no later than 2:55 p.m. Sorry, no exceptions!
Buses:
The bus stop information I gave some of you may have changed as it was in the process of being updated. Call transportation to verify your child’s bust stop at 253-298-3865. All Kindergarteners who ride the bus MUST have an adult at the bust stop. For the safety of your child, bus drivers will not allow kindergarteners off the bus if there is no adult waiting for them at the bus stop—so please make sure there is always someone there. Because of budget cuts, buses must adhere to a very tight schedule and are simply unable to wait for someone who is even just a few minutes late.
Labels:
Please label coats, jackets, sweatshirts, umbrellas, backpacks, and lunchboxes. Put your child’s first and last name on EVERYTHING they bring to school.
Extra Clothes:
Whether it is weather-related or just bad timing, accidents happen. If your child is a mud-magnet, or is sometimes a little “late” in making it to the bathroom, it may be a good idea to keep an extra set of clothes at school or in their backpack.
Drinks and Snacks:
It is important for students to stay hydrated and nourished so they are able to concentrate on learning. Students will have access to a classroom drinking fountain, but they may also bring a water bottle (with a lid that closes to avoid spills) to keep on their desk if they need. With highly active kiddos burning calories all day, their tummies can get very hungry. Your donations of healthy, non-perishable snacks (i.e. Graham crackers, saltines, Goldfish crackers, etc.) are very much appreciated!
Birthdays:
You are more than welcome to send in birthday treats to honor your little one’s special day. I encourage you to think about keeping kids healthy and to bring in a treat that is nutritious rather than a sugary one like cake or cookies. You may also want to consider an alternative celebration such as a book donated to the classroom on behalf of your child. Please do not send birthday party invitations with your child to pass out at school as Kindergarteners’’ feelings can be fragile. I am, however, happy to discreetly deposit invitations into folders at the end of the day.
Show and Tell and Toys at School:
Toys are not allowed at school, nor should they be stowed away in backpacks or pockets. However, students will have an opportunity to share something special with their classmates on their designated “Show and Tell” day. Look for a schedule to come home within the first few weeks of school.
Visiting:
You are welcome to visit your child in our classroom or to join them for lunch. It is helpful if you can notify me 24 hours before your visit. Please send a note with your child on the day prior to your visit, so we can prepare for your arrival.
Specialists:
Students have specialists each week, including: music, art, computer time, and library. All classes are on a three-day specialist rotation schedule (red/blue/green).
Breakfast and Lunch Procedures:
Students eat lunch in our classroom. Breakfast and lunch are provided for all students free of charge. Breakfast is optional, and the students are more than welcome to bring a sack lunch. Breakfast is served from 8:15-8:45 am and lunch is served at 11:15 am. If your child has food allergies or is a picky eater, you may want to consider packing a lunch for them.
Recess:
Students will be going outside for recess and although there is a covered area for rainy days, it is important to send you child to school with warm clothes and a coat (preferably with a hood). In the event of extreme weather, students will be allowed to stay indoors and play games, watch a movie, or color.