ABCs of Kindergarten

by Tara Duncan

The of
Kindergarten

A Handbook for Mrs. Duncan’s Class


Absence	If your child is ill, please call the office (223-0284) by 9:00 a.m. to inform us of your child’s absence and the reason for it. If a student must leave early for a doctor’s appointment, please go to the office to sign him out and the secretary will call him to the office. Never send another person to pick up your child without informing the secretary or me.

Attendance	A successful school experience is the responsibility of the child, the parent and the school. Your child's progress, both academically and socially, is influenced to a great extent by daily participation. Regular attendance without tardiness is a key.

Arrival and Dismissal	Pupils should arrive between 8:45 and 8:55 AM. Students should not arrive prior to 8:40 AM because supervision by the school staff is not available. No child or parent should be in the building before this time. School begins promptly at 9:00 AM and afternoon dismissal is at 3:25 PM from the playground door. Please pick up your child promptly. If you are late, look for your child in the office. Before and after school care is available. It begins at 7:00 a.m., and runs until 5:30 p.m. Please contact the office for information.

Art	The children will attend a 55-minute Art class once a week with our art teacher, Mrs. Wick.

Backpacks	To help your child carry messages and information to and from school, you are asked to provide a backpack. Large backpacks that zip are best for independence. Please check your child’s backpack daily for important notes and any wonderful creations your child has made.

Birthdays	Birthdays are special occasions for young children. If your child wishes, he/she may bring a treat for the class. Because every child’s birthday is equally important, we will celebrate everyone’s special day with a treat, a crown, and the birthday song. Please do not send decorations, party favors, balloons, etc. You may choose to celebrate summer birthdays on the ½ birthday.

Book Orders	Every month I will send home book order forms for you and your child to look over. These clubs offer wonderful books at reduced prices. What a great way to build your home library! If you choose to order, please make the check payable to Scholastic Books. Always be sure to write your child’s name on every order slip that you return. These inexpensive books make great gifts and rewards. If you ever want to order as a gift, just mark “secret” on the envelope, and I’ll call you when the books come in. I’ll put them in a marked bag in the office, and you can pick them up without your child knowing.

Breakfast	Please be sure your child eats a healthy breakfast every day. A child with a happy tummy finds it much easier to learn. Northview School now offers a breakfast program; starting at 8:30am.

Calendar	The school office provides a calendar of events and the monthly school lunch menus. They will be sent home each month. Special events are also listed on our school website: /.

Computer	We are fortunate to have four computers in our classroom. We use a variety of age-appropriate programs that reinforce math, writing readiness, and reading skills. Children will work on the computers during center time and free choice time. We will also use the computer lab on a regular basis. Parent volunteers will be greatly appreciated in the computer lab.

Communication	As partners in your child’s education, it is important for us to communicate openly with each other. Please feel free to send notes, or to call or e-mail me at school (tduncan@perued.net) if you have any questions or concerns. While my door is always open to you, I do ask that you refrain from stopping in to see me before school in the mornings. Preparing for a day of kindergarten is much like planning for 20 guests for Thanksgiving dinner. Those last few minutes are often critical in ensuring that we have a super day together!

Discipline	Our classroom is a small community where teamwork and good relationships are expected. Since this is a new school experience for most kindergarten students, we will spend time learning classroom and school procedures/routines and practicing them. Each student is expected to act within our standards of behavior. To establish good order and help the children learn self-control, they will be guided to respect themselves and their companions through specific directions, positive reinforcement, suggested new activities and responsible actions. Our classroom discipline system will include a stoplight program. If a child breaks a rule, he or she will be given a gentle reminder of the rule being broken. If the child corrects the behavior, there will be no consequence. If the inappropriate behavior continues, I will have your child remove their first green card from its pocket. Continued inappropriate behavior leads to removal of the next green card; which becomes yellow. If continued inappropriate behavior continues your child will change their yellow card to red. At the end of the week, every child who has kept their first green card will receive a good behavior award that may vary from week to week. Children whose original green card is not up will simply not receive a behavior award. Children whose card is on yellow will have 5 minutes of time out during the next recess or free choice time. During the time out, I will visit with the child to be sure that he or she understands why the behavior is unacceptable. Children whose card is on red will spend an entire recess or free time in time out, where we will again discuss the behavior. If a child continues to need reminders beyond removal of his/her cards, I will call or send a note to parents to ask for some support at home. The important thing to remember is that this is a learning environment. Discipline will be handled positively and with respect for the child. At home, I hope that you will celebrate your child’s successes. If your child’s card is moved, please do not punish harshly! Instead, please talk to your child about how he or she can do better the next day. Rules: BEE SAFE; Walk in the building at all times. Work and play safely with others. BEE RESPECTFUL; Listen when others are speaking. Keep hands and feet and other objects to yourself. BEE RESPONSIBLE; Listen and follow directions. Put toys and tools away after use.

E-mail	You can contact me via my email address: tduncan@perued.net I will check my e-mail on a daily basis. Due to the district’s SPAM filtering software, some e-mails may not go through. If you attempt to e-mail me and do not receive a response within a few days, please call me and I’ll have your e-mail address “unblocked.” If you need to discuss something urgently, please call me at school instead.

Emergency Card	Please be sure that you have a correct emergency card on file in the school office. If your home or work phone number changes, inform the office so you can be located quickly if an emergency occurs.

Emergency Closings	If schools are closed for a snow day or any emergency, radio station WAJK (99.3 FM) or WLPO (1220AM) will make an announcement. Please be advised you will also receive an AlertNow phone call from the district.

Field Trips	We plan field trips that are both fun and educational for the children. Information regarding each trip and requests for parent chaperones will be sent home well in advance of the scheduled trip. Please return permission slips as soon as possible after they are sent home.

Fire Drills	Fire/disaster drills are held on a regular basis throughout the year. All students will participate and are expected to walk quickly and quietly to their designated exit. We will practice and become familiar with procedures before our first scheduled drill.


Gratitude	On behalf of all of the children in our class this year, I would like to thank you in advance for any time, energy, or materials you are able to donate. We appreciate your generosity.

Gym	Our class will have three 20-minute gym classes each week. The children are asked to wear sneakers on gym day and girls might consider wearing pants or wearing a pair of shorts under their dress. Our current P.E. teacher is Mr. Cerveny.

Hands-on Learning	I feel that the best way to help children learn is to make learning fun. We will do a number of hands-on activities to teach each kindergarten concept. There are times when seatwork is required and necessary, but for the most part, our classroom will be an active learning environment.

Health	Please let me know of special circumstances that may affect your child. These could include medication that may make him sleepy, a death in the family, etc. Also, please let me know of any allergies your child may have, especially food allergies. We sometimes cook or do food activities to compliment lessons in kindergarten and it would be helpful to know when I plan our recipes.

Help at Home	Your child is expected to know these readiness skills: •Full name •Address •Telephone number •Parents’ names •Basic colors •Counting to 10 •Printing first name beginning with a capital letter and the rest in lower case When time permits, work on these skills also: •Reciting the alphabet •Shape names •Birthday (month & date) •Identifying numbers to 10 •Identifying letter names •Tying shoes Your extra help at home really makes a difference!



Homework	There will be no homework this year, but I do send extra work home occasionally during the second half of the year with incentive. I do encourage you to read to or with your child every day, and to practice numbers, letters, and sounds often. Occasionally, your child will bring home a reproduced book that he or she can read. Please designate a special place to keep these books (like a huge zip lock bag or a plastic box), so that he or she may practice them over and over and over again.

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, however, to keep your child home if he/she is ill. This helps to make them more comfortable and prevents others from becoming ill. Children function more effectively in the classroom when they are healthy. Generally speaking, a child should be free of fever and/or vomiting at least 24 hours before returning to school.

Independent Reading	Because children learn to read by reading, they need plenty of opportunities to read independently. Sufficient time and appropriate materials are necessary to develop and strengthen reading abilities. By giving the children time to read both at school and at home, we can work together to provide a literature-rich environment and a life-long love of reading.

Journals	One strategy that will be used to help convey the vital concept that “print conveys meaning” is the frequent use of journal writing. In these journals the kindergartners combine their emerging writing skills with their drawing skills. As the children are exposed to a variety of phonics and reading experiences, journal entries will move from drawings and “inventive” spellings towards more conventional writing.

Kindness	Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of Roosevelt School with kindness and respect. Bothering others, bullying and interrupting learning will not be permitted.

Library	Mrs. Spelich, our school librarian, will visit our class once each week. During her visit, she will read a story to our class, and then will give each child the opportunity to choose two books to check out for the week. Please help your child remember to return library books promptly, so that he/she may check out a new book each week. We will also visit the library on our own once a week and the students will again have the opportunity to check out two books.

Learning Centers	During learning centers, children practice kindergarten readiness in small, guided groups. The center activities are designed to strengthen letter/sound knowledge, listening skills, oral language expression, rhyme, fine motor development, math concepts, letter formation, and cooperation. Parent volunteers are essential in implementing learning center activities. We greatly appreciate any volunteers who are able to help out on center days.

Lunch	Our lunch period will be from 11:50 to 12:30 each day. Children may bring a packed lunch from home or eat a school lunch. After eating, the children will go outside for a recess break. Please be sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather, and that he or she wears shoes that allow for safe play on the playground equipment.

Math	The kindergarten mathematics curriculum provides students with mathematical experiences that help them develop number sense and a positive attitude towards mathematics that will continue through their school career and their lives. We employ a hands-on, problem solving approach to learning such concepts as counting, sorting, graphing, recognizing numbers, adding, subtracting, measuring, comparing, and ordering by size, position, and numerical value.

Music	Our music teacher, Mrs. Kelsey, will be teaching the children the basics of music education and will be sharing many wonderful songs! We are scheduled to have music for two 30-minute periods weekly. Of course, I will be singing and enjoying music with the children daily.



Nurse	We are very fortunate to have a wonderful school nurse, Mrs. Heuser, at Northview School. She will tend to minor scratches and scrapes, as well as sudden illnesses. For more serious injuries, she will contact you. Please be sure to send in any change of contact numbers in case she needs to get in touch with you.

Objectives	We have many social and academic goals for our kindergartners to achieve by the year’s end. My main objective, though, is to foster an enthusiasm for learning and a love for school in each and every child.

Parent Involvement	Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school! At the end of each month, I will send out a calendar listing days, times, and activities that we’ll need help with during the following month. You will be asked to sign up for any that interest you. Once I receive the responses, I will send a verification schedule to you. Please keep in mind that grandparents and other special adult loved ones are also welcome helpers in our classroom.

Parties & Celebrations	There are a number of special celebrations planned throughout the school year. For these events, we’ll rely on parents to help!

Peace Builder Program	The Peace Builder Program teaches a nonviolent approach to conflict resolution. Children are taught to use their words, rather than their fists, to express themselves. Components of the Peace Builder Pledge include praising people, giving up put-downs, seeking wise people when help is needed, noticing when one has hurt another, and righting wrongs one has committed. We will learn to be good peace builders at home, at school, and in our community.

Quiet	We will learn respect for others by quietly listening while others speak, and by using the hallways and restrooms quietly. You can help strengthen this skill at home by encouraging your child to wait his or her turn to speak, and by discouraging interrupting.

Recess	The children will play outdoors for 20 minutes after lunch each day (unless it is raining or very cold). Please keep this in mind when helping your child to select clothing for the day. If your child is too sick to play outside, he is too sick to come to school. There is no lunchtime supervision available for children to stay indoors at lunch. Additional morning or afternoon recess will be at my discretion.

Report Cards	Report cards are issued every semester. Progress reports will be sent home quarterly. These reports reflect the progress your child has made toward various kindergarten objectives and use a grading system that reflects the developmental nature of kindergarten learning.

Restrooms	Fortunately we do have a restroom in our classroom. We will take group breaks to use the restroom and wash hands as needed as well. Please be sure to dress your child in clothing that he or she can operate independently.


Science	The focus of the kindergarten science curriculum is on developing an awareness of the world in which we live. Through scientific inquiry, concepts will be presented in the life and earth sciences, including the study of animals and plants, the five senses and general health, and the four seasons. These areas will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach.

Shared Reading	Shared reading is an interactive process used with the whole class. As the teacher reads a story, children join in on phrases or words that they know. During subsequent re-readings, children read more and more of the text, until they are able to read the story independently. Shared reading is an opportunity for the teacher to model conventions of print and the use of reading strategies.

Show and Tell	Each child will be assigned to a group; there will be three groups of show and tell. Show and tell will always be on Friday’s. A calendar will be sent home with your child in order to prepare for their designated show and tell. On your child’s special day, he or she should bring something to school that begins with the letter that we are learning that week. This is the only day that your child should bring a special toy or item to school.

Snack	Young children generally get hungry by mid-morning so I’m requesting that families contribute to our snack program as they are able to. Please send snacks to share with the entire class (20-25 students). This should be a healthy snack that is quickly eaten, such as a box of cereal, crackers, cookies, fruit roll-ups, raisins, etc. We will have milk with our snack. When our snacks begin to run low, I will send home a request for more donations. Please do not send snacks that must be refrigerated, or that require dishes and/or utensils for serving or eating.

Social Studies	The kindergarten social studies curriculum focuses on the students and how they relate to others in their families, classroom, school, and community. Activities will help the children focus their natural curiosity for the world around them.


Toys	Bringing toys to school is discouraged for a number of reasons. If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt. Please be sure that all toys, electronic games, etc., are kept at home.

Unique	Kindergartners learn that they are special and unique. Kindergartners have opportunities to describe how they are alike as well as different from others. They share their culture and learn about different cultures within the class.

Visitors	Northview School has a policy that ALL GUESTS (including familiar faces) are required to check in at the school office. Roosevelt welcomes and encourages family involvement. It is important to remember that while this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment for all of its children.

Website	Our district has a website which can be accessed at www.perued.net Check in regularly to find information about special events and school news.

Wish List	Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our classroom materials (such as baby food jars or toilet paper rolls.) These needs will be sent home in a letter. Extras items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome!

Writing	Our writing program builds on what each child already knows. Writing begins with scribbles and proceeds to lines and circles, random strings of letters, words and spaces and eventually sentences. Your children will be encouraged and praised for all attempts and accomplishments in writing. Providing a risk-free environment is paramount to your child's progress in writing. If possible, please provide your child with writing tools, such as pencils, crayons, markers and paper at home. Remember to praise every writing attempt, to help your child feel confident and willing to keep trying!

eXcitement	eXcitement will make us tired in the beginning days and weeks of kindergarten. Please eXercise eXtra patience, as your child may be cranky by the week’s end!

Younger Siblings	It is in your child’s and the program’s best interest to have our parent volunteers available without younger children. This not only allows your full attention to be focused on the class, but also allows for some special time between you and your kindergartner. Thank you for making childcare arrangements for younger siblings.

Zzzzs	Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!