The ABCs of Kindergarten
( Helpful Information for Students and Families in Mrs. Dicks’ Classroom! )
A is for.........
Attendance- Regular, on-time attendance is very important to your student’s academic progress.
Absences- If it becomes necessary for your child to be absent, please notify the school office by phone by 9:00 a.m. the day of the absence. Student work that is missed will be sent home if possible, or will be made up during independent work periods during the school day when they return.
Arrival- Students are expected to arrive at school each day on time. They should not arrive at the school prior to 7:30 a.m. There is no one at Hillside at that time to supervise students. Please make arrangements accordingly. School begins each day at 8:15. One of our goals is to increase student performance by reducing absences and tardies.
Address- Please notify me or the school office as soon as possible if your address or telephone number should change. This allows the school to contact you in case of an emergency, maintain communication and current records for your child, and mail correspondence, such as your child’s report card, to you.
Assessments- We use several assessments to determine your child’s progress in kindergarten, both teacher-made assessments, and research-based, standardized assessments. We formally assess students with DIBELS reading assessments and SMI math assessments.
B is for.........
Backpacks- To assist your student in carrying important learning materials, parent notes, and messages to and from school, please make sure your child has their backpack EVERY DAY! Please ask them to share the contents of their backpack with you daily, and assist them in keeping their bag cleaned out and organized.
Birthdays- Birthdays are very special occasions for young children. If your child would like to celebrate their birthday at school, they may bring birthday treats. Please contact me in advance to find a day and time that works best. You may either bring treats yourself or send them to school on your child’s special day. If your child’s birthday party is planned outside of school hours, please make party arrangements outside of school. Party invitations may not be distributed at school. This eliminates anyone’s feelings from being hurt or students feeling left out. If your child has a summer birthday, we would be happy to celebrate their “half”-birthday with them during the school year, or celebrate their summer birthday during the last two weeks of school.
Book Orders- I will be sending home Scholastic book orders monthly during the school year. These book clubs offer books at a discounted rate, allowing you to build your home library while your child is learning to read! If you choose to order, please return the necessary forms to school, as well as a check made out to Scholastic Books. You may also order online, and have access to all of the books in the Scholastic company inventory! If you wish to order online, our classroom order code is H446L, and you may pay online by credit card. When the books arrive (10-12 days later), I will send them home with your child. If you would like for me to save the order as a surprise or gift for your child, please just let me know. Participation in book orders is strictly voluntary. If you do not wish to order, please discard the order.
Breakfast- Hillside staff will allow students into the building at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast. Please have your child at school early enough to allow them adequate time to eat, before dismissal to classrooms at 8:00.
Box Tops for Education- Please collect and trim box tops from General Mills products, as well as Campbell soup labels from cans, as these can be mailed to the respective companies to earn money for our school!
C is for........
Calendar- A monthly calendar will be placed in your child’s communication folder informing you of activities that will take place that month. This calendar will also be posted on our classroom website, allowing for changes if new activities are scheduled.
Centers- Young children learn through hands-on activities and active play. Students will have the opportunity to reinforce math, fine motor, reading, listening, and language arts skills through the use of learning centers in our classroom.
Communication- Throughout the year, I will communicate with you through notes, phone calls, email, newsletters, report cards, and conferences. I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. It is much easier to reach me via email, rather than personal phone call, during the school day. Please see the “CONTACT ME” portion of our classroom website for a direct link to my email: [email protected].
Conferences- Hillside Elementary will officially schedule Fall and Winter conferences. During these times, your child’s strengths and progress in meeting kindergarten standards will be addressed, as well as any areas of concern that may need strengthening. Please make it a priority to attend. Notes are sent home prior to conferences, allowing you to call the Hillside office and schedule your conference at a time that is convenient for your schedule. Of course, you may call or email me at any time throughout the school year if you would like to meet.
Clothing- Student dress should be appropriate for the classes and activities they will be participating in during the school day. Weather conditions, appropriateness, health and safety should be considered. The school dress code does not allow hats, sunglasses, bandanas, chains, visible underwear/midriffs/open backs, and no saggy jeans or shorts. Tank tops must also have wide straps, not spaghetti straps. Please have girls wear shorts under skirts if possible, as we do sit on the carpet to complete whole group learning activities each day.
Computers- We have 4 computers in our classroom available for student use. Students will be taught the appropriate way to use the computers and will use age-appropriate educational software and programs that reinforce skills being taught in our classroom. All students will have the opportunity to use computers during our reading and math center/choice periods.
D is for......
Daily 5 Reading- Each day, students will participate in five literacy activities designed to strengthen their reading and writing skills. These activities are Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listening to Reading, Working on Writing, and Word Work. Please visit the DAILY 5 page on our classroom website to see pictures of these activities in action!
Dismissal- School dismisses each day at 3:30. Students will not be allowed to deviate from their normal dismissal procedure without a note or phone call from parents. It is important that you communicate with your student the plan he/she is to use to get home after school. Please make sure to communicate any changes in your student’s plan with the school office.
Discipline- we will focus a great deal of time on learning classroom rules/routines/procedures during the first month of kindergarten. These will assist your child in making appropriate choices for social and academic behavior, in order to be successful in our classroom. Please see our DISCIPLINE POLICY page on our classroom website for detailed information about our classroom expectations.
E is for.......
F is for.......
Fire Drills- Fire drills are held on a monthly basis throughout the school year. Students are taught the appropriate procedures and are expected to walk quietly and quickly to our designated area during the drills.
Footwear- Please help your child to dress in shoes that are appropriate for running and active play. Dress shoes and flip flops are not as safe or appropriate for P.E. in the gym, or recess on our playground.
G is for.......
H is for.......
I is for....
Illness- The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning. It is important to keep your child home, however, if he/she is ill. This helps them to be more comfortable and prevents others from getting sick. Children function more effectively when they are healthy! Students will be sent home if they are vomiting or have a fever.
Ipods- Students will have the opportunity to use educational apps in both reading and math on the 4 Ipods in our classroom during student choice periods.
J is for....
Journals- During the school year, your child will be writing in their journal during Daily 5 “Working on Writing.” At the beginning of the year, their journal entry will probably consist of a drawing or picture, with a written caption by me, dictated by your child. As the year progresses, students will write their own entries of 1-3 sentences! Please check out the WRITING WORKSHOP page of our classroom website to find information on developmental stages of children’s writing. Writing instruction, through mini-lessons geared to students’ needs and writing skills, are presented during our “Writing Workshop.” I feel that this name encourages and gives confidence to students that they are truly writers! The “KinderWriter” of the day shares their writing with peers to gain compliments and suggestions to strengthen their writing.
K is for....
KELSO- Kelso’s Choice is a conflict-resolution program that is introduced to students at the beginning of the year. Kelso the Frog teaches students the difference between “big problems” (those requiring adult assistance) and “small problems,” that students can solve on their own, using his strategies and choices. Students are asked to try two of Kelso’s choices (Share/Take Turns, Talk It Out, Walk Away, Ignore It, Tell Them to Stop, Apologize, Make a Deal, Wait and Cool Off, or Go To Another Game) before asking an adult to assist them. If by making these appropriate choices they are still unable to solve their problem with another student, an adult will assist to help and teach conflict resolution skills. It is okay to feel sad, mad, or angry, but we are focusing on personal accountability for our actions and learning appropriate ways to deal with those feelings and solve the problem!
L is for....
Lunch- Our class goes to recess from 11:30-11:50 and eats lunch from 11:50-12:10. You are welcome to join your child for lunch on any day that you would like. Please call that morning by 9:00 to let the office know, so that we can plan accordingly.
Line Leader- Every child will have the opportunity to be the leader of our classroom line. We will start in alphabetical order and start over when everyone has had a chance to perform this special job!
Library- We will have the opportunity to check out library books twice a week from the Hillside library. This opportunity is available to all students as long as they are responsible for returning items in a timely manner, and caring for them properly. We will be checking out books on Mondays and Fridays.
Please help your child to remember these days, so they can return their books and check out new selections. We will also see Mrs. Warrick for library skills on Thursdays.
M is for....
Math- We are so excited to have a new math curriculum this year, TrailBlazers! Our whole group mini-lessons will be taught from this curriculum during the math block. Students will also have the opportunity to make independent, hands-on math choices to reinforce their learning.
Music- Our music teacher, Mrs. Sperry, will be teaching the children the basics of music education and will be sharing many wonderful songs! We are scheduled to have music two days a week, Mondays and Fridays. A kindergarten vocal concert will also be held during the school year. Of course, we will be singing and enjoying music DAILY in our classroom as well!
N is for....
Nurse- We are very fortunate to have a wonderful nurse, Mrs. Cindi Smith, to care for our Hillside students if needed. Hillside staff will tend to minor scratches and scrapes, as well as sudden illnesses. For more serious concerns, Nurse Cindi will check-in on your child. She may contact you via telephone or written note. Please make sure to keep contact numbers updated in case we would need to reach you.
Newsletters- I will be communicating with you through classroom newsletters during the school year to help familiarize you with happenings in our classroom. They will also highlight upcoming events at school. These updates will also be posted to our classroom website.
O is for....
Open-Door Policy- Please feel free to stop in and visit with me or call me at any time if you have questions or concerns, or if your child shares concerns at home that I might need to be made aware of!
P is for....
Portfolios- Throughout the year, I will be keeping examples of your child’s work and quarterly assessments. By collecting sequential samples of your child’s work, it is easier to see and document your child’s growth and progress in achieving grade-level standards. It is always exciting to compare work from August and May! At the end of kindergarten, the entire portfolio will be yours to keep. Please do not be concerned if you do not see papers coming home each day with your child. Each day they are busy participating in group activities, independent work, hands-on centers, and working in small groups or individually with me. Please see the poem, WHAT’S IN MY BACKPACK, on our classroom website to help with understanding our busy kindergarten days!
Pledge of Allegiance- We will recite the pledge each morning as part of our calendar and morning message routine.
Parties- Classroom parties will be held 3 times during the school year (Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day). Parent assistance is greatly appreciated in planning and providing supplies and/or help in the classroom during that time. A sign-up sheet will be available at “Meet the Teacher,” at the beginning of the school year, if you would like to volunteer.
P.E.- Our classroom will have P.E. for 30 minutes, three days a week. Our days are: Tuesday. Wednesday, and Thursday. Please make sure your child is wearing appropriate footwear. Dress shoes and flip flops are not always safe or comfortable for physical education activities.
PTO- All parents are encouraged to join our Parent-Teacher Organization and attend meetings throughout the year to assist with various projects and events.
Q is for....
Quick goodbyes leave dry eyes! Please help your child to gain independence in entering the Hillside building each day and walking to the gym to join their class.
Questions- Please feel free to contact me with any and all questions! Please also question your child each evening about their school day. Ask what they learned, what they played, who they played with, what they had for lunch/snack, and their favorite part of the day!
R is for....
Routines- Routines and procedures guide everything we do in our classroom. Students feel comfortable and safe in their learning environment when they know the expectations for social and academic behaviors.
Recess- Outside play is an important part of the educational process. Students will have outside recess, except in adverse weather, so they will need to dress appropriately. A winter coat is required for students to participate in outdoor recess if the temperature outside is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A sweatshirt or hooded sweatshirt is not considered a heavy winter coat. Caps and mittens are recommended in cold weather. If a student is unable to go outside due to health reasons, he/she must have a note from his/her parent or guardian.
Restrooms- Your child is allowed to use the restroom as needed throughout the day. We also go to the restroom as a class 3 times per day. Unfortunately, accidents do occur sometimes, but we do have a change of clothes for your child at Hillside if one is needed, thanks to generous donations! If we are unable to find something to fit your child, we will call you to assist with this!
Report Cards- Students will receive report cards for each of the four quarters during the kindergarten year. As you look over your child’s report card, please be aware of our report card’s ability to “grow” with us throughout the kindergarten year. You will see that all standards will not be introduced or assessed during all quarters. Standards are listed on the report card with developmental appropriateness in mind, and with prerequisite skills to be mastered listed above more challenging standards. Please look at a sample of our kindergarten report card on our classroom website.
S is for....
School Supplies- Our kindergarten school supply list for this year includes:
crayons ( 2 boxes) pencils ( 1 pkg. #2 lead)
10 gluesticks page protectors (1 pkg. 25 pack or more)
2 wide-lined, spiral notebooks scissors (Fiskar, blunt end)
1 bottle of white glue erasers (2 lg. pink)
index cards (1 pkg. unlined) large backpack
red/blue thin, plastic rest mat 2 boxes of Kleenex
SchoolReach- In the case of inclement weather/school cancellations and important reminders, you will receive an automated phone message. Please be sure to keep your contact number updated to receive this information in a timely manner!
Snacks- Each kindergarten classroom has a scheduled snack time during the day, usually in the afternoon. Thank you for sharing snacks to begin our school year! Additional snacks are purchased by the school and include cereal, crackers, pretzels, fruit, and milk. If your student would like to share a special snack at any time, donations are always appreciated!
Sight Words- Your students will be learning almost 100 high-frequency words, or sight words, during their kindergarten year. These words often are not phonetically fair, and cannot be sounded out by beginning readers. Thus, they need to know them by “sight” when they read them in text. These words will be sent home each week on index cards, and added to the bag found in your student’s song and poem folder. Please help your child to practice these words consistently, as knowing them will greatly increase their reading fluency!
Show and Tell- “VIP” sharing takes the place of “show-and-tell” in our classroom. However, at different times throughout the year, I will be sending home show-and-tell clues that correspond with our current theme or unit of study. Please help your child to find an item that corresponds to these clues. On these occasions, all students who have brought an item that matches our clue will be allowed to share.
T is for....
Take-Home Bags- To help strengthen the connection between home and school, your child will be bringing home take-home activity bags to reinforce skills introduced in class. The activities are designed to take 15-20 minutes, and will include a sample of what you are to complete. Most activities will deal with math and science themes, and each will include a short literature selection to read with your child. Please return the activity bag as soon as you have completed it, so that other students may check it out, and so your child can bring home another activity. Have fun!
Toys- Please do not let your child bring toys to school. They can be very distracting to their learning, and can be lost or broken. The only exception would be if your child is the student of the week, or if special toys or items are requested by me to enrich a unit theme.
Tardiness- Your student will be considered tardy if they are not in our line and/or in our classroom by 8:05. It is extremely important that your child arrives on time so that they can complete morning routines/procedures to prepare for the day. This time sets the tone for our entire day!
Transportation- If your child is getting home from school in a different way, please do not rely on your child to tell us this information, as young children often become confused and relay information incorrectly. If no written note is received, or no parent phone call is made to the Hillside office, your child will be sent home by his/her usual method of transportation.
Tornado Drills- Tornado drills are held on a monthly basis during the spring, storm season. Students are taught the appropriate procedures and are expected to walk quietly and quickly to our designated area during the drills.
U is for....
Unit Themes- In addition to our daily reading and math activities, science and social studies topics are introduced in our classroom through seasonal and monthly themes. Many of the photos displayed on our classroom website will highlight projects from these themes!
V is for....
VIPs or “Very Important Persons”- Each week we will name a “VIP’ for the week. This is an opportunity for your child to share about themselves and their families with our class, and for other students to get to know your child better. A student questionnaire will be sent home for you to assist your student with that outlines their “favorites” in several areas. They may bring 5 of their favorite items to share with the class, with one of their items being their favorite book to be read aloud! Volunteers- We love them! However, please give us a few weeks to get our routines and procedures down in our classroom first!
Visitors- Our Hillside building doors are locked during the school day. Please ring the bell and visit with Mrs. Smith in the office so she can “buzz” you into the building. All visitors (including familiar faces) must check-in at the office to receive a visitors badge. These badges help identify guests in our building to all staff and students and will help to create a safe learning environment.
W is for....
Website- Please visit our classroom website to see pictures of our classroom learning and for useful information and updates throughout the school year.
www.kindergartenkaos.weebly.com
Word Wall- The sight words that are introduced in our classroom will be placed on our magnetic word wall. Also, frequently used words, such as children’s names, will be placed on the word wall.
Writing Workshop- Kindergarten writing builds on what each child already knows. Writing begins with random strings of letters, then letters to represent beginning and ending sounds, and eventually words separated by spaces, and sentences! Students are encouraged and praised for all attempts and accomplishments. Please check out the developmental writing samples on our classroom website!
Wish List- Throughout the year we sometimes need materials above and beyond our back to school supply lists. These needs will be posted in our classroom newsletter and on our classroom website. Extra items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome!
X is for....
eXpectations- I have very high expectations for ALL students in my classroom. I expect them to learn, always try their best, and make appropriate behavior choices in order to be successful students. “I Can’t” is not allowed in our classroom. Students are always encouraged to say “I’ll Try” and do their personal best! Kindergarten is a place where all children develop at different rates, based on their individual needs and learning styles.
Y is for....
Year-long Learning and Fun! Student growth, both socially and academically, during the kindergarten year is amazing! I am so excited to share this journey with your child and your family!
Z is for....
ZZZZZZZZZZs......Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest, especially at the beginning of the year. Students get very sleepy adjusting to kindergarten. We do have a scheduled rest time each day, however, most students do not nap during this time. Setting and keeping a reasonable bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give your child! It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day! Don’t forget a bedtime story!
( Helpful Information for Students and Families in Mrs. Dicks’ Classroom! )
A is for.........
Attendance- Regular, on-time attendance is very important to your student’s academic progress.
Absences- If it becomes necessary for your child to be absent, please notify the school office by phone by 9:00 a.m. the day of the absence. Student work that is missed will be sent home if possible, or will be made up during independent work periods during the school day when they return.
Arrival- Students are expected to arrive at school each day on time. They should not arrive at the school prior to 7:30 a.m. There is no one at Hillside at that time to supervise students. Please make arrangements accordingly. School begins each day at 8:15. One of our goals is to increase student performance by reducing absences and tardies.
Address- Please notify me or the school office as soon as possible if your address or telephone number should change. This allows the school to contact you in case of an emergency, maintain communication and current records for your child, and mail correspondence, such as your child’s report card, to you.
Assessments- We use several assessments to determine your child’s progress in kindergarten, both teacher-made assessments, and research-based, standardized assessments. We formally assess students with DIBELS reading assessments and SMI math assessments.
B is for.........
Backpacks- To assist your student in carrying important learning materials, parent notes, and messages to and from school, please make sure your child has their backpack EVERY DAY! Please ask them to share the contents of their backpack with you daily, and assist them in keeping their bag cleaned out and organized.
Birthdays- Birthdays are very special occasions for young children. If your child would like to celebrate their birthday at school, they may bring birthday treats. Please contact me in advance to find a day and time that works best. You may either bring treats yourself or send them to school on your child’s special day. If your child’s birthday party is planned outside of school hours, please make party arrangements outside of school. Party invitations may not be distributed at school. This eliminates anyone’s feelings from being hurt or students feeling left out. If your child has a summer birthday, we would be happy to celebrate their “half”-birthday with them during the school year, or celebrate their summer birthday during the last two weeks of school.
Book Orders- I will be sending home Scholastic book orders monthly during the school year. These book clubs offer books at a discounted rate, allowing you to build your home library while your child is learning to read! If you choose to order, please return the necessary forms to school, as well as a check made out to Scholastic Books. You may also order online, and have access to all of the books in the Scholastic company inventory! If you wish to order online, our classroom order code is H446L, and you may pay online by credit card. When the books arrive (10-12 days later), I will send them home with your child. If you would like for me to save the order as a surprise or gift for your child, please just let me know. Participation in book orders is strictly voluntary. If you do not wish to order, please discard the order.
Breakfast- Hillside staff will allow students into the building at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast. Please have your child at school early enough to allow them adequate time to eat, before dismissal to classrooms at 8:00.
Box Tops for Education- Please collect and trim box tops from General Mills products, as well as Campbell soup labels from cans, as these can be mailed to the respective companies to earn money for our school!
C is for........
Calendar- A monthly calendar will be placed in your child’s communication folder informing you of activities that will take place that month. This calendar will also be posted on our classroom website, allowing for changes if new activities are scheduled.
Centers- Young children learn through hands-on activities and active play. Students will have the opportunity to reinforce math, fine motor, reading, listening, and language arts skills through the use of learning centers in our classroom.
Communication- Throughout the year, I will communicate with you through notes, phone calls, email, newsletters, report cards, and conferences. I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. It is much easier to reach me via email, rather than personal phone call, during the school day. Please see the “CONTACT ME” portion of our classroom website for a direct link to my email: [email protected].
Conferences- Hillside Elementary will officially schedule Fall and Winter conferences. During these times, your child’s strengths and progress in meeting kindergarten standards will be addressed, as well as any areas of concern that may need strengthening. Please make it a priority to attend. Notes are sent home prior to conferences, allowing you to call the Hillside office and schedule your conference at a time that is convenient for your schedule. Of course, you may call or email me at any time throughout the school year if you would like to meet.
Clothing- Student dress should be appropriate for the classes and activities they will be participating in during the school day. Weather conditions, appropriateness, health and safety should be considered. The school dress code does not allow hats, sunglasses, bandanas, chains, visible underwear/midriffs/open backs, and no saggy jeans or shorts. Tank tops must also have wide straps, not spaghetti straps. Please have girls wear shorts under skirts if possible, as we do sit on the carpet to complete whole group learning activities each day.
Computers- We have 4 computers in our classroom available for student use. Students will be taught the appropriate way to use the computers and will use age-appropriate educational software and programs that reinforce skills being taught in our classroom. All students will have the opportunity to use computers during our reading and math center/choice periods.
D is for......
Daily 5 Reading- Each day, students will participate in five literacy activities designed to strengthen their reading and writing skills. These activities are Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listening to Reading, Working on Writing, and Word Work. Please visit the DAILY 5 page on our classroom website to see pictures of these activities in action!
Dismissal- School dismisses each day at 3:30. Students will not be allowed to deviate from their normal dismissal procedure without a note or phone call from parents. It is important that you communicate with your student the plan he/she is to use to get home after school. Please make sure to communicate any changes in your student’s plan with the school office.
Discipline- we will focus a great deal of time on learning classroom rules/routines/procedures during the first month of kindergarten. These will assist your child in making appropriate choices for social and academic behavior, in order to be successful in our classroom. Please see our DISCIPLINE POLICY page on our classroom website for detailed information about our classroom expectations.
E is for.......
F is for.......
Fire Drills- Fire drills are held on a monthly basis throughout the school year. Students are taught the appropriate procedures and are expected to walk quietly and quickly to our designated area during the drills.
Footwear- Please help your child to dress in shoes that are appropriate for running and active play. Dress shoes and flip flops are not as safe or appropriate for P.E. in the gym, or recess on our playground.
G is for.......
H is for.......
I is for....
Illness- The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning. It is important to keep your child home, however, if he/she is ill. This helps them to be more comfortable and prevents others from getting sick. Children function more effectively when they are healthy! Students will be sent home if they are vomiting or have a fever.
Ipods- Students will have the opportunity to use educational apps in both reading and math on the 4 Ipods in our classroom during student choice periods.
J is for....
Journals- During the school year, your child will be writing in their journal during Daily 5 “Working on Writing.” At the beginning of the year, their journal entry will probably consist of a drawing or picture, with a written caption by me, dictated by your child. As the year progresses, students will write their own entries of 1-3 sentences! Please check out the WRITING WORKSHOP page of our classroom website to find information on developmental stages of children’s writing. Writing instruction, through mini-lessons geared to students’ needs and writing skills, are presented during our “Writing Workshop.” I feel that this name encourages and gives confidence to students that they are truly writers! The “KinderWriter” of the day shares their writing with peers to gain compliments and suggestions to strengthen their writing.
K is for....
KELSO- Kelso’s Choice is a conflict-resolution program that is introduced to students at the beginning of the year. Kelso the Frog teaches students the difference between “big problems” (those requiring adult assistance) and “small problems,” that students can solve on their own, using his strategies and choices. Students are asked to try two of Kelso’s choices (Share/Take Turns, Talk It Out, Walk Away, Ignore It, Tell Them to Stop, Apologize, Make a Deal, Wait and Cool Off, or Go To Another Game) before asking an adult to assist them. If by making these appropriate choices they are still unable to solve their problem with another student, an adult will assist to help and teach conflict resolution skills. It is okay to feel sad, mad, or angry, but we are focusing on personal accountability for our actions and learning appropriate ways to deal with those feelings and solve the problem!
L is for....
Lunch- Our class goes to recess from 11:30-11:50 and eats lunch from 11:50-12:10. You are welcome to join your child for lunch on any day that you would like. Please call that morning by 9:00 to let the office know, so that we can plan accordingly.
Line Leader- Every child will have the opportunity to be the leader of our classroom line. We will start in alphabetical order and start over when everyone has had a chance to perform this special job!
Library- We will have the opportunity to check out library books twice a week from the Hillside library. This opportunity is available to all students as long as they are responsible for returning items in a timely manner, and caring for them properly. We will be checking out books on Mondays and Fridays.
Please help your child to remember these days, so they can return their books and check out new selections. We will also see Mrs. Warrick for library skills on Thursdays.
M is for....
Math- We are so excited to have a new math curriculum this year, TrailBlazers! Our whole group mini-lessons will be taught from this curriculum during the math block. Students will also have the opportunity to make independent, hands-on math choices to reinforce their learning.
Music- Our music teacher, Mrs. Sperry, will be teaching the children the basics of music education and will be sharing many wonderful songs! We are scheduled to have music two days a week, Mondays and Fridays. A kindergarten vocal concert will also be held during the school year. Of course, we will be singing and enjoying music DAILY in our classroom as well!
N is for....
Nurse- We are very fortunate to have a wonderful nurse, Mrs. Cindi Smith, to care for our Hillside students if needed. Hillside staff will tend to minor scratches and scrapes, as well as sudden illnesses. For more serious concerns, Nurse Cindi will check-in on your child. She may contact you via telephone or written note. Please make sure to keep contact numbers updated in case we would need to reach you.
Newsletters- I will be communicating with you through classroom newsletters during the school year to help familiarize you with happenings in our classroom. They will also highlight upcoming events at school. These updates will also be posted to our classroom website.
O is for....
Open-Door Policy- Please feel free to stop in and visit with me or call me at any time if you have questions or concerns, or if your child shares concerns at home that I might need to be made aware of!
P is for....
Portfolios- Throughout the year, I will be keeping examples of your child’s work and quarterly assessments. By collecting sequential samples of your child’s work, it is easier to see and document your child’s growth and progress in achieving grade-level standards. It is always exciting to compare work from August and May! At the end of kindergarten, the entire portfolio will be yours to keep. Please do not be concerned if you do not see papers coming home each day with your child. Each day they are busy participating in group activities, independent work, hands-on centers, and working in small groups or individually with me. Please see the poem, WHAT’S IN MY BACKPACK, on our classroom website to help with understanding our busy kindergarten days!
Pledge of Allegiance- We will recite the pledge each morning as part of our calendar and morning message routine.
Parties- Classroom parties will be held 3 times during the school year (Halloween, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day). Parent assistance is greatly appreciated in planning and providing supplies and/or help in the classroom during that time. A sign-up sheet will be available at “Meet the Teacher,” at the beginning of the school year, if you would like to volunteer.
P.E.- Our classroom will have P.E. for 30 minutes, three days a week. Our days are: Tuesday. Wednesday, and Thursday. Please make sure your child is wearing appropriate footwear. Dress shoes and flip flops are not always safe or comfortable for physical education activities.
PTO- All parents are encouraged to join our Parent-Teacher Organization and attend meetings throughout the year to assist with various projects and events.
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Quick goodbyes leave dry eyes! Please help your child to gain independence in entering the Hillside building each day and walking to the gym to join their class.
Questions- Please feel free to contact me with any and all questions! Please also question your child each evening about their school day. Ask what they learned, what they played, who they played with, what they had for lunch/snack, and their favorite part of the day!
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Routines- Routines and procedures guide everything we do in our classroom. Students feel comfortable and safe in their learning environment when they know the expectations for social and academic behaviors.
Recess- Outside play is an important part of the educational process. Students will have outside recess, except in adverse weather, so they will need to dress appropriately. A winter coat is required for students to participate in outdoor recess if the temperature outside is below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. A sweatshirt or hooded sweatshirt is not considered a heavy winter coat. Caps and mittens are recommended in cold weather. If a student is unable to go outside due to health reasons, he/she must have a note from his/her parent or guardian.
Restrooms- Your child is allowed to use the restroom as needed throughout the day. We also go to the restroom as a class 3 times per day. Unfortunately, accidents do occur sometimes, but we do have a change of clothes for your child at Hillside if one is needed, thanks to generous donations! If we are unable to find something to fit your child, we will call you to assist with this!
Report Cards- Students will receive report cards for each of the four quarters during the kindergarten year. As you look over your child’s report card, please be aware of our report card’s ability to “grow” with us throughout the kindergarten year. You will see that all standards will not be introduced or assessed during all quarters. Standards are listed on the report card with developmental appropriateness in mind, and with prerequisite skills to be mastered listed above more challenging standards. Please look at a sample of our kindergarten report card on our classroom website.
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School Supplies- Our kindergarten school supply list for this year includes:
crayons ( 2 boxes) pencils ( 1 pkg. #2 lead)
10 gluesticks page protectors (1 pkg. 25 pack or more)
2 wide-lined, spiral notebooks scissors (Fiskar, blunt end)
1 bottle of white glue erasers (2 lg. pink)
index cards (1 pkg. unlined) large backpack
red/blue thin, plastic rest mat 2 boxes of Kleenex
SchoolReach- In the case of inclement weather/school cancellations and important reminders, you will receive an automated phone message. Please be sure to keep your contact number updated to receive this information in a timely manner!
Snacks- Each kindergarten classroom has a scheduled snack time during the day, usually in the afternoon. Thank you for sharing snacks to begin our school year! Additional snacks are purchased by the school and include cereal, crackers, pretzels, fruit, and milk. If your student would like to share a special snack at any time, donations are always appreciated!
Sight Words- Your students will be learning almost 100 high-frequency words, or sight words, during their kindergarten year. These words often are not phonetically fair, and cannot be sounded out by beginning readers. Thus, they need to know them by “sight” when they read them in text. These words will be sent home each week on index cards, and added to the bag found in your student’s song and poem folder. Please help your child to practice these words consistently, as knowing them will greatly increase their reading fluency!
Show and Tell- “VIP” sharing takes the place of “show-and-tell” in our classroom. However, at different times throughout the year, I will be sending home show-and-tell clues that correspond with our current theme or unit of study. Please help your child to find an item that corresponds to these clues. On these occasions, all students who have brought an item that matches our clue will be allowed to share.
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Take-Home Bags- To help strengthen the connection between home and school, your child will be bringing home take-home activity bags to reinforce skills introduced in class. The activities are designed to take 15-20 minutes, and will include a sample of what you are to complete. Most activities will deal with math and science themes, and each will include a short literature selection to read with your child. Please return the activity bag as soon as you have completed it, so that other students may check it out, and so your child can bring home another activity. Have fun!
Toys- Please do not let your child bring toys to school. They can be very distracting to their learning, and can be lost or broken. The only exception would be if your child is the student of the week, or if special toys or items are requested by me to enrich a unit theme.
Tardiness- Your student will be considered tardy if they are not in our line and/or in our classroom by 8:05. It is extremely important that your child arrives on time so that they can complete morning routines/procedures to prepare for the day. This time sets the tone for our entire day!
Transportation- If your child is getting home from school in a different way, please do not rely on your child to tell us this information, as young children often become confused and relay information incorrectly. If no written note is received, or no parent phone call is made to the Hillside office, your child will be sent home by his/her usual method of transportation.
Tornado Drills- Tornado drills are held on a monthly basis during the spring, storm season. Students are taught the appropriate procedures and are expected to walk quietly and quickly to our designated area during the drills.
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Unit Themes- In addition to our daily reading and math activities, science and social studies topics are introduced in our classroom through seasonal and monthly themes. Many of the photos displayed on our classroom website will highlight projects from these themes!
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VIPs or “Very Important Persons”- Each week we will name a “VIP’ for the week. This is an opportunity for your child to share about themselves and their families with our class, and for other students to get to know your child better. A student questionnaire will be sent home for you to assist your student with that outlines their “favorites” in several areas. They may bring 5 of their favorite items to share with the class, with one of their items being their favorite book to be read aloud! Volunteers- We love them! However, please give us a few weeks to get our routines and procedures down in our classroom first!
Visitors- Our Hillside building doors are locked during the school day. Please ring the bell and visit with Mrs. Smith in the office so she can “buzz” you into the building. All visitors (including familiar faces) must check-in at the office to receive a visitors badge. These badges help identify guests in our building to all staff and students and will help to create a safe learning environment.
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Website- Please visit our classroom website to see pictures of our classroom learning and for useful information and updates throughout the school year.
www.kindergartenkaos.weebly.com
Word Wall- The sight words that are introduced in our classroom will be placed on our magnetic word wall. Also, frequently used words, such as children’s names, will be placed on the word wall.
Writing Workshop- Kindergarten writing builds on what each child already knows. Writing begins with random strings of letters, then letters to represent beginning and ending sounds, and eventually words separated by spaces, and sentences! Students are encouraged and praised for all attempts and accomplishments. Please check out the developmental writing samples on our classroom website!
Wish List- Throughout the year we sometimes need materials above and beyond our back to school supply lists. These needs will be posted in our classroom newsletter and on our classroom website. Extra items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome!
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eXpectations- I have very high expectations for ALL students in my classroom. I expect them to learn, always try their best, and make appropriate behavior choices in order to be successful students. “I Can’t” is not allowed in our classroom. Students are always encouraged to say “I’ll Try” and do their personal best! Kindergarten is a place where all children develop at different rates, based on their individual needs and learning styles.
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Year-long Learning and Fun! Student growth, both socially and academically, during the kindergarten year is amazing! I am so excited to share this journey with your child and your family!
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ZZZZZZZZZZs......Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest, especially at the beginning of the year. Students get very sleepy adjusting to kindergarten. We do have a scheduled rest time each day, however, most students do not nap during this time. Setting and keeping a reasonable bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give your child! It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day! Don’t forget a bedtime story!