The ABC's of Kindergarten

A

Arrival time for school is 8:00 a.m. and students are to meet in the gym for a general assembly and announcements at 7:50 a.m. The teacher will then take them to the room as a class. If the student arrives after announcements then he/she is tardy. If your student is tardy please stop at the office to receive a tardy slip. Note: 3 tardies will equal 1 absence.

It is important that each child arrive for class on time and be picked up on time when class is over. Please do not have your child at school prior to 7:30 a.m. If you will be dropping your child off, please only drop your child off at the front entrance to the school. If your child will be going home in a different way (such as, riding car when he/she normally ride bus) then we MUST have a note from home. This is for the safety of the student. If we do not have a note stating the change, then we will send them home in the “normal” way. We encourage you to wait until the 3:30 p.m. release time to pick your child up as instructional time extends to that time.

Our school is striving for good attendance! If your child will be absent please notify the school as soon as possible. When your child has been absent please send a note to school when they return explaining the child’s absence. Please schedule doctor appointments after 10:00 a.m. to ensure that your child is counted present for that day.

B

If you would like to send a birthday treat with your child on or near his/her birthday, please feel free to do so. These treats will be eaten during our snack time. Birthdays are recognized during our calendar time. We will recognize summer birthdays at the end of the school year. Please do not send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school unless all children, all girls, or all boys receive an invitation.

I will send home book orders for you and your child to look over every month. Book clubs offer books at reduced prices. Please send back the order form(s) and one check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs in an envelope. Put it in their take home folders by the due date.

C

Clothing for kindergarten should be comfortable and washable. Boots, dress shoes, sandals and flip flops make running and playing in P.E. and recess difficult. Please put your child’s name on all clothing that can be removed while at school such as jackets, coats, and hats. Please also provide one change of clothing (pants, shirt, socks and under garments) for your child in a labeled zip lock bag for any accidents that may occur. Make sure your child wears a coat when the weather gets cold. We do go out for recess.

Communication - Each day your child will bring home their folder. The folder will contain a monthly calendar/conduct sheet, monthly cafeteria menus, CPR logs, daily work and important notes. The monthly calendar/conduct sheet will provide information on what topics we will learn in class and keep you informed on your child’s behavior. Please initial and return. Talk to your child about the events of the day and remove any papers. If any papers need to be signed, please do so promptly and remind your child to turn their folder in as soon as they get to class.

Our conference times are from 11:35-12:25 p.m. everyday. If you need to schedule a conference, please call my classroom at 940-682-3127, e-mail me at tstevenson@millsapisd.net or send a note to school in your child’s homework folder.

CPR (Child-Parent Reading) Logs - Reading to your child is very important in building pre-reading skills. You will be asked to read EVERYDAY to your child as a HOMEWORK assignment.

D-E

To avoid disruptive behavior in the classroom, a policy regarding discipline has been established. You will find a copy of the campus wide discipline policy in the student handbook.

Discipline Plan for Kindergarten

Every child’s name is on an apple on the apple tree each morning. Great Behavior! If the child forgets a rule, his/her apple falls off the tree into the yellow basket (loses 5 minutes of playtime). If the child forgets a second time his/her apple moves into the red basket (loses an additional 5 minutes of playtime). If the child continues to disrupt the learning environment he/she will visit with the principal. Please view your child’s homework folder nightly. A sticker, stamp, or smiley face will be found on their calendar if they had a good day.

If their apple had to fall to the red basket (10 min.), a sad face will be found on the calendar instead. An explanation will then be recorded on the reverse side of the student calendar. Please initial all conduct marks given.

F-H

Information about field trips will come home in the homework folder and will include a permission slip.

I

Independence is a goal for students because it builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Kindergarteners are very capable of doing many things on their own and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom. Please work on the following skills at home with your child: zipping, tying, dressing, etc.

J

Writing takes place every day in kindergarten. One way we accomplish this is through free writing in our journals and through writer’s workshop. Encourage your child to write at home for a variety of purposes.

K-L

Kindergarten students will need to bring a lunch from home or buy a hot lunch from the cafeteria. The cost of a lunch tray is $2.00. Students may also purchase a breakfast tray for $1.75. Millsap ISD also provides a free or reduced lunch for those who qualify.

M

Please inform the teacher if your child has any allergies or a serious medical condition. Only the nurse may administer medicine. Please do not send medicine to school with your child. A parent or guardian must take it to the office/nurse. Please be sure that your child’s name and clear instructions are included with the medicine.

Send money to school only when necessary. If a child must bring money to school, please place it in an envelope. On the outside of the envelope have the child’s name, teacher’s name, and specify what the money is for.

N-O

A newsletter will be sent home every six weeks called Kibbles and Bits. We hope this newsletter helps to keep you informed about what is happening in our class.

P-Q

We need a phone number for each child. If you do not have a phone, give the number of friend or relative. Emergency numbers are very important. If you change phone numbers please ensure that the school has the new number.

Soon, your child will bring home a ring with sight words. We call these sight words our popcorn words because they “pop up” in 70% of all written language. We feel it is important for your child to know them. We will be adding new words throughout the school year. Please go over them with your child nightly. Make sure these words are placed back in their homework folder for classroom activities.

R

Report cards will be sent out at the end of each six weeks. Report cards should be signed and returned the next day. If at any time you should have any questions or concerns, please feel free to send the teacher a note, and a conference will be scheduled during non class hours. Our conference period is from 12:30 p.m. to 1:20 p.m., Monday through Friday.

If you would like to volunteer to be a room parent, please give your name to the teacher. We need your help and support in planning and organizing our special days!

S

Students will be provided with a nutritious snack each day. Please provide your child’s classroom with one box of healthy snacks…for example: animal crackers, graham crackers, Fig Newton’s, pretzels, etc. to start the year. Your child’s teacher will notify you when the snack supply is running short. Milk will be provided for your child during snack time.

T

Children are not allowed to bring toys to school. Any exceptions will be on the monthly calendar or a note will be sent home.

V

Volunteers and visitors must register in the office and pick up a badge.

To volunteer for field trips or classroom activities a criminal background check must be on file with the district. These reports must be updated yearly. Parents please note that you will be required to provide your own transportation when attending field trips.

W

Please notify the teacher in writing 24 hours in advance if you need to withdraw your child from school. This will help us to have his/her materials ready and records clear.

X

Parents and family members may eXit and enter via the main school entry only.

Y

Your ideas…and suggestions are welcome!

Z

Zzzzzz – Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give your child!