Our classroom discipline system is centered around a traffic light.
REWARDS: verbal praise, happy grams, stickers, and treasure box treats.
The class as a whole can earn "heartprints." When 10 heartprints are accumulated, we'll celebrate with popcorn & a movie.
Drama
Students will attend a 30 minute class with Ms. Bourgeois once a week. They will work with puppets, storytelling, role-playing, etc.
E-mail
You can contact me via my email address:
availes@caddo.k12.la.us. I will check my email often. If you need to discuss something urgently, please call me at school instead.
Emergency or Early Dismissal
Please complete and return the Early dismissal form promptly (if you did
not complete it during orientation). If your home/work phone number or email address changes... inform me and/or the office so you can be located quickly if an emergency occurs. By signing up on the Newsflash page of our website you can receive information quickly.
Enter and Exit
After the first few days, please allow your child to enter the school
building independently. If your child clings to you and cries about your
leaving, the best thing to do is to leave quickly. The longer you stay, the
more difficult the situation will be. Those who cling and cry calm down
within a few minutes and enjoy school. Remember ... quicker goodbyes leave drier eyes!
Field Trips
We plan several field trips that are both fun and educational for the
children. Buses will be used for transportation. We often need parent
volunteers on the trips, and chaperones will be chosen on a first come, first served basis (younger siblings cannot go along). Please return permission slips as soon as possible after they are sent home.
Fire Drills
Fire drills are held on a monthly 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.
Gym
Students will have a 30 minute p.e. class each week with Mrs. Mason-Hollins. They are asked to wear sneakers with socks on P.E. days. Girls might consider wearing pants/shorts or having a pair of shorts on under their dresses.
Hands on Learning
I feel that the best way to help children learn is to make learning fun.
Important concepts can be learned by doing meaningful hands-on activities.
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 which 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 complement 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 *Writing to 30
•Parents’ names •Basic colors/shapes •Counting to 31
•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 *identify rhymes •Shape names
•Birthday (month & date) •Identifying numbers to 31
•Identifying letter names and sounds *Tying shoes
Your extra help at home really makes a difference
Homework
Homework will be sent home once a week (usually Mondays). Your child should complete this work him/herself, under your supervision, and return it on Thursday. Completing and returning homework helps build a sense of responsibility and prepares him/her for the homework s/he will have to complete in later school years. Homework should be your child’s best work. Returning neatly completed work on the due date will strengthen your child's sense of accomplishment.
Occasionally, I’ll ask your help in completing “family” projects. It is called that because the entire family is encouraged to get involved in doing it. For example, in September I will send home a small boy or girl cutout for you and your child to decorate and then return it to school. We’ll hang the projects up to share with the rest of the school.
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.
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 WhaleKids 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 our class as well as others with kindness and respect. Bothering others, bullying and interrupting learning will not be permitted.
Library
The children go to the library once a week. In the library Mrs. Shamburg will entertain them with a story or a video. In a few weeks the children will have a chance to select a book to borrow each week.
Literacy Centers
During center time, children practice reading and writing skills while
the teacher works with individual children or small guided reading groups. The center activities are designed to strengthen handwriting,letter/sound knowledge, phonics, phonemic awareness,listening skills, oral language expression, rhyme, letter formation, develop reading and writing strategies, and promote cooperation. There are also afternoon centers that focus on math, science, and theme-based concepts.
Lunch
We will eat lunch from 10:40 to 11:00 each day. Students may bring a packed lunch from home or eat a school lunch. The lunch menu is published weekly in a school newsletter sent home each Friday. The cafeteria has a computerized pre-payment plan. Students may pay in advance by the week, month, or any length of time. NO CHECKS may be sent.
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.
Medication
When it is necessary for a student to take medication at school, there is a
form that the doctor must fill out before we can administer any medicine. We cannot administer medication at school unless this form is signed. Please pick up a form from the office so that your doctor may answer the questions and sign it.
Music
Our music teacher, Mr. Brutus, will be teaching the children the basics of
music education and will be sharing many wonderful songs! We are scheduled to have music once a week. Of course, I will be singing and enjoying music with the children daily.
Newsletter
Our weekly newsletter, Whale Tales, is generally sent home on Mondays.
This will keep you informed about what is happening in our class---the skills we are learning, vocabulary words, poems or songs to practice, special activities and upcoming events. Sometimes there will be an activity attached to help your child practice skills at home. You can always check our webpage for more current information.
Parent Involvement
Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school! We are always happy to have your help for special activities in the classroom. I will try to let you know at least a week ahead of time if I need help. Requests for help will be published in our weekly newsletter and on our webpage. I hope that you can come and join in the fun!
Parties & Celebrations
There are two main parties each year--- Christmas and the end of year.
The room parents usually organize these events and coordinate volunteers and donations. All are welcome to participate in the festivities! We will have some other celebrations that will require organizing throughout the year
Playground Procedures
There are two playgrounds. Please review these playground safety procedures with your child:
*no toys on the playgrounds
*drain ditch & monkey bars are off limits (too high)
*slide down the slides on your bottom, feet first
*sticks, woodchips, shells, dirt,etc are to remain on the ground
*never leave the playground without asking a teacher first
*if you see an animal on the grounds, do not touch it, tell a teacher
*line up immediately when your teacher raises her hand to go inside
**Students who do not follow these safety rules will be asked to sit down.
We want everyone to have a safe and fun time on the playgrounds.***
PTA
We have an active PTA and all parents are asked to join. We will send out
announcements pertaining to PTA meeting dates and times. The “PTA Post” has monthly calendars with scheduled events shown on the calendar.
Recess
The children will play outdoors after lunch each day (unless it is raining or too cold/hot). 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 recess supervision available for
children to stay indoors at recess. Afternoon recess will be at my discretion
Report Cards
The parish Report cards are issued every nine weeks. These reports reflect the progress your child has made toward various kindergarten objectives and uses a grading system that reflects the developmental nature of kindergarten learning. You will also receive a SH report that reflect the accomplishments of our students at South Highlands.
Restroom
Please have your child use the restroom shortly before coming to school.
We will go to the bathroom once in the morning, before lunch and once
in the afternoon. Of course, we have a bathroom in our classroom that the WhaleKids use whenever needed. Please make me aware of any medical problem that might require frequent restroom trips.
Room Parent
This is a wonderful opportunity for you!
The room parent's job is to be available for any number of things:
to help coordinate parties and activities; to seek volunteers for
field trips and events; and to help with special occasions. Being a room
parent is a great way to be involved in your child’s school life.
You may sign up to become a room parent at our orientation meeting.
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.
Snack
We have a snack each afternoon, since lunch is so early. A snack calendar will be sent home each month designating your child’s day. Every child should bring in a snack and drink to share with the entire class (20 students). The snack could be a healthy one that is eaten quickly, such as crackers, pretzels, fruit roll-ups, apple slices, etc. We love homemade goodies like cookies and brownies, too. Please send boxed juice with straws or small waters (DO NOT send sodas or jugs of juice to be poured). If you want to send in a special treat that goes along with our unit of study, that would be great! The snack should be at school no later than 12:00 noon. I will let you know of allergies a child has as soon as I know.
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. Books are okay to bring in, just please make sure that they are clearly marked with your child's name.
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
South Highlands has a policy that ALL GUESTS (including familiar faces) are required to check in at the school office. SHM 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
Website
Our class has a webpage which can be accessed at
http://www.southhighlands.comClick on staff, kindergarten, then my photo. Check in regularly to find information about curriculum, special events and school news. It will feature photos of our class activities--it's the next best thing to being in our classroom!
Please promptly return the web permission form, which permits
me to include your child's photo and work on our webpage. Sign up on the Newsflash page, too!
Wish List
Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our classroom materials (such as wiggle eyes or paper plates.) These needs will be posted on the class website. Any items that you think we might be able to use and would like to donate, please send them to school or drop them off.
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.
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
Your child will need a large bath towel (NO BEACH TOWELS, pillows, rolled mats, etc.) for rest time. Please make sure that your child's name is clearly labeled on the end of the towel. Towels will be sent home each Friday to be washed and returned each Monday.
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!