Parent News

Important Parent Announcement

You can register your child on Monday August 3rd from 5-7pm or Tuesday, August 4th from 9am-2pm. Please bring the following item:

Your child's social security card

Birth certificate

Immunization record

EED (Eye, Ear, and Dental form)

Please don't forget to bring your child with you to school on verification day. While you are filling out the necessary paperwork to register, we (the kindergaten teachers) will pull your child and assess him/her on the following:

8 primary colors

shapes (triangle, square, circle, oval, rectangle, and diamond)

recognition of numbers 0-10

how far your child can count

positions (bottom, inside, outside, in front of, behind)

All the uppercase letters and all the lowercase letters

writing first and last name (1 capital letter followed by lowercase letters)

Bring your child to the media center(library) at 8:30 on August 6th. The media specialist will read a story to the children, and Mr. Hanner will make remarks. After this, parents will come back to the classroom with me for orientation. It won't take long. We ask that you say goodbye to your child (hugs and kisses) in the media center. After orientation in the classroom, please don't return back to the media center. I know it may be difficult but this prevents prolonged crying and difficulty adjusting on the first day. It is an easier transition for the students when the goodbyes are said in the media center. After our orientation, I will go get the children and bring them back to the classroom to develop a rapport with them.We will also start our classwork. The first couple of weeks are crucial for learning important rules and procedures.After these rules and procedures are established, you may drop in if you wish to volunteer or observe. Please let me know of any concerns you have throughout the school year. I am always available for you and your child. We will have a great year.

Thanks so much,

Mrs. Medlock

Kindergarten Readiness Checklist

Your child will experience greater success in kindergarten if he or she enters into school with the skills listed below.

*    Able to dress themselves (snap, zip, tuck in shirt, buckle belt). These skills are very helpful for children going to the bathroom independently.
*    Ability to write name, using a capital only at the beginning, along with knowing letters in their first name.
*    Ability to take turns and share
*    Tie their shoes
*    Able to identify and name most of the 52 letters (upper and lower case).
*   Able to identify their colors and basic shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle, diamond and oval).
*    Has had experience using crayons, scissors, and glue. Can cut a straight, wavy, or curved line.
*    Able to listen, do, and stay focused for a period of 15 minutes. Has been read to at home.
*   Can count by rote to 10 or more. Identifies numbers 0-10.

Circle time

The time the children sit on the carpet for learning is very important. This is a time that the children need to be focused and attentive. New material and the review of old material takes place on the carpet. Please talk to your child at home about the importance of paying attention and not talking to others and playing during this time.This could cause your child to fall behind.

Station work

The students in my classroom work in math and language learning stations each day. These stations are often integrated with science and social studies. The stations are equipped with manipulatives the children can use to complete the activity. A visual is placed at each station. My paraprofessional and I walk around and monitor the children and provide any assistance they may need to complete their task.  The seating arrangement in my classroom promotes cooperative group learning that fosters oral language development. Cooperative groups play an important role in classroom learning. The students teach each other new skills as well as information. They are encouraged to help each other if the teacher is not available. Sitting in a group setting teaches them how to communicate with each other and work as a group.

Please talk to your child about doing his/her work neatly and not rushing through it to go and play. I also need the children to understand that when they are doing their seatwork, they need to stay focused on it and complete it without disturbing others. It should also be done in a timely manner.

Dismissal

All kindergarten students will be released at 3:00. If your child is a car rider, we will be waiting for you outside under the tree by the portable located in the front of the school by the playground area. Please be on time. Keep in mind that I may have a faculty meeting or conference scheduled after the children are released. I have classroom duties that need to be done as soon as the children are released to prepare for the next day.Thank you for your consideration.

Rainy Day Dismissal

If it is raining outside, I will keep the children in the classroom. You may come to Mrs. Jacobs emergency exit door by the playground with an umbrella. I will then send for your child. Going to the office and having them intercom us is a second option.

Sick Children

I am very concerned about the health and well being of each and every child in my classroom. If you suspect that your child may be running a temperature or may be sick, please allow him/her to stay at home to prevent the other students from contracting whatever illness your child could possibly have. We need to ensure the health, safety, and well being of ALL our students. If your child does come to school sick, he/she will be sent to the clinic and you will be called.

Phone numbers

Anytime your home number or work number changes, please notify me of the new numbers immediately. The office needs to keep all numbers updated. We need to be able to contact you if necessary. If you will be sending someone who is not on the pick up list to get your child, we need you to notify us so we can add him/her to the list. Children WILL NOT be released to anyone who is not on the pick up list.

Homework Folders

Please don't forget to check your child's backpack daily.Your child will be given two folders on the first week of school. He/she will receive a homework and a traffic light folder. Your child's daily work, homework assignments, and any letters from the office or myself will be in this folder. Remove all papers and send the folder back empty the next day unless you are returning something. Folders that are too full will rip and not last long.The traffic light folder will inform you of the day your child had. Initial the traffic light folder and bring it back everyday. This is what I will check to see if your child stayed on green all week so he/she can go to the treasure chest on Fridays. Please be aware that I will be teaching your child rsponsibility over the course of this year. Some of these responsibilities you child will have include: Bringing both folders back daily, putting up belongings, making a lunch choice, cleaning his work area when finished, and doing classwork to the best of his ability.

Snacks

I am asking that every parent help provide snacks for our class. The children are very hungry at the end of the day, and I like to give them a snack. They often tell me that they are hungry in the afternoon. Please help our class by providing snacks and drinks when you can. Popcorn is used for popcorn parties that are given on Fridays. Please send other snack items that can be eaten during the week. (pretzels, cookies, chips, cheesepuffs etc.) I will send a note home and post an announcement on this site when we are low on snacks. If you bring a jug of juice, please send paper cups.

Lunch

The cost of breakfast is $.85. Lunch is $1.75. The reduced lunch price is $.40. You may pay by the day, week, or month. If you would like to eat lunch with your child, the cost is $3.50.

Money

When sending money to school, please send it in an envelope. Label the envelope with the following information:

Your child's name

My name

The amount of money

The purpose of the money

This information will help if your child loses the envelope.

Transportation

If the way your child normally goes home changes, you will need to send me a written note or contact the school that day. Please do not rely on your child to tell me this information, because I may NOT get the message. If I do not receive a written note or get a phone call from the office, your child will be sent home by his/her usual method of transportation.

Tardies

Please try to have your child to school on time. The bell rings at 8:30. If your child comes in after 8:45 he/she will be marked tardy. Morning instruction often starts when the first bell rings. Children who are tardy consistently miss valuable instructional time and will have to make up missed work.

Absences

If your child is absent, please send a note excusing the absence upon your child's return to school. If a note is not received within three days, the absence will be marked unexcused. After the fifth parent excuse, a doctor excuse will be required.

Parent conferences

Parent conferences may be scheduled in writing, by e-mail or by phone. Conferences will be held after school hours.

Good Citizen

A Good Citizen is selected every nine weeks from each class. The Good Citizen is a student who models good classroom behavior. The Good Citizen obeys the classroom and school rules and helps others who are around. The Good Citizen displays a positive attitude and sets a good example for others. The Good Citizen gets to eat lunch with his/her parents and receives a free ice cream from the cafeteria. Encourage your child to strive to become the Good citizen by trying his/her very best at school.