This was the first letter sent home to parents with a description of the
KinderKlasse program. It is a useful reference point for the entire year.
August 25, 2011
Dear KinderKlasse Parents,
Welcome to the beginning of a new school year! For some of you, it is your
first experience at St. Raphael�s. For others, it is continuing an exciting
experience. I would like to take this opportunity to share with you a little
bit about the KinderKlasse program and schedule. KinderKlasse is designed
for the �young fives.� KinderKlasse provides many opportunities for the
children to develop social skills through outdoor play, learning centers,
teacher-directed activities, class field trips, and small group interaction.
For cognitive development (academic), the KinderKlasse children are allowed
to go at their own pace. They will be exposed to many different lessons and
materials. KinderKlasse provides opportunities with many materials for
children to develop physically their fine and gross motor skills. We will
practice (in January) writing our alphabet letters out of playdough, yarn,
pasta, beans, popcorn, etc. to help develop their confidence in fine motor
skills. The KinderKlasse environment is supportive and non-stressful.
Birthday celebrations: We celebrate each child�s birthday with a special
birthday crown and a song. You may bring a birthday treat. Please see me to
set up a time before the birthday approaches.
Show and Tell: This is a very important time for the KinderKlasse
children. It helps develop their language and self-esteem. Books,
educational items, videos, CDs, and favorite toys are encouraged. Because
our class is small, I encourage
the children to bring something to share as often as they would like. Please
make sure the children know something about the item they are sharing and are
able to talk with us about it. Please do not encourage bringing the same
item unless there is a new experience with the sharing.
Scholastic Bookorders: Every month the children will receive a book
selection for their age level. You are not required to order books but this
is a service with reasonable prices. Please try to return any book order as
soon as possible with a check made payable to Scholastic Books (not St.
Raphael�s School). If you order books from the Angel bookclub, make the
check payable to Angel Books (not St. Raphael�s School).
Health and Safety: If your child has a fever, please do not send
them to school. This applies also to any contagious condition, i.e.
ringworm, lice, or scabies. Your child will not be able to attend class
until your doctor has given written medical clearance. If your child becomes
ill at school, we will send the child to the office and the office will call
you at home or at work.
Arrival & Dismissal: School starts promptly at 8:00 a.m. Any
student not in their classroom at 8:00 a.m. will be marked tardy. All
KinderKlasse children are to be brought to the KinderKlasse room. We end our
day at 2:50 p.m., except on Monday with early dismissal at 2:00 p.m. All
KinderKlasse children are to be picked up at the KinderKlasse room door. If
you are unable to pick up your child, please leave a list with the office of
the people who have permission to pick up your child. ONLY those people on
that list will have permission to pick up your child. If your child needs to
be picked up early, please send a note and inform the office.
Snacks & Lunch: Please send nutritious snacks and lunches. Do not
send gum, candy, carbonated drinks, cans, or bottles. Our snack time is at
9:45 a.m. Our lunch time is at 11:45 a.m.
Our daily schedule: The schedule varies according to age-appropriate
curriculum requirements, to the units being studied in class, and to the
interests and enthusiasm of the children.
8:00 Opening (attendance, pledge, prayer)
8:10 Religion
8:40 Language Arts
9:00 Centers (writing table, blocks, library, writing, doll corner,
journaling, art, math, science, table top toys, computers, iPad,
leappad); (Library visit once a week during this time)
9:45 Morning recess and snack; Physical Education [2 times/week, Tuesday
& Thursday]
10:45 Calendar, weather, math
10:55 Science or social studies
11:45 Lunch/Recess
1:00 Squirt (Storytime) and Rest time (mats & books)
1:30 Art, music & movement, free choice
2:00 (Mon.) Dismissal
2:50 Dismissal (Tuesday-Friday)
Every Tuesday a plastic envelope will be sent home with the school bulletin,
important notes, and my weekly newsletter. Please return the plastic
envelope the following day. Periodically throughout the year, a large orange
folder will go home with the child with their artwork or any other work done
in school. Please return this orange folder to school the next day.
KinderKlasse Curriculum
Religion: �I am Special� workbook & music CD (Our Sunday Visitor); �Me
at Five� (Sadlier), group prayer, rosary, attend Mass on holy days and
special events, and St. Joseph Books.
Reading & Language Arts: In Language Arts we use Big Books �
Invitations to Literacy (Houghton-Mifflin). We incorporate basic skill
drills in centers that emphasize informal phonics, consonants, and alphabet-
capital letters & lower-case letters. Our workbook is English-K Level by
Houghton Mifflin (poster units), Leappad books, computers and iPad help
master these skills.
Math: �Math Their Way.� Manipulatives: buttons, shells, people,
cubes, blocks, animals, games, unifex geoboards, computers & iPad help master
their skills.
Science: �Discover the Wonder� (Scott Foresman), Unit 1: Human Body
and Unit 3: Physical Science; National Wildlife Federation Magazine, �Your
Big Backyard,� �Zoo Books,� and Scholastic �Let�s Find Out� newspapers.
Social Studies: �The World I See� (Houghton-Mifflin), Units 1 & 3;
Scholastic �Let�s Find Out� newspapers.
Additional Units:1-Ladybugs and other insects 8-Safety
2-Introduction to the Ocean 9-All About Me
3-Forests 10-Apples
4-Dinosaurs 11-Community helpers
5-Seasons & holidays
6-Introduction to Plants 12-Native
7-Zoo Americans
Afternoon Programs:
Arts & Crafts KinderStars
Music & movement Gardening
On Thursday, September 15, there will be a Parents Back to School Night, 5:30-
7:00 p.m.. I will discuss your child�s KinderKlasse curriculum, show you the
materials, and answer any questions you may have. See you then.
Thank you,
Mrs. Katherine Pattison
P.S. Please label your child�s clothes and belongings (sweaters,
sweatshirts, jacket, backpack, lunch box, markers and crayons.)
P.P.S. A note about shoes: no Vans or slip-ons are ever allowed on campus.
They are not safe for physical education or play structures. Also, only
plain shoes are to be worn.
