* Special Note about Full Day Kindergarten - Rainier School District is pleased to be providing Full Day Kindergarten this year (2011-12). We will still cover the same Kindergarten Grade Level Expectations as before, but we will have more time to expand lessons and practice basic skills. Your child will also participate in Music and P.E. We are looking forward to a great year in Kindergarten!
* Late Start Dates - Nine late start dates have been established to allow staff time to work together on learning improvement projects. School will start at 10:30 on those days. The late start dates are September 14, October 12, October 26, December 7, January 11, February 8, March 21, April 11, and May 9.
* Early Dismissal - There will be early dismissals at the end of 1st quarter (Nov. 4), before Thanksgiving Vacation (Nov. 23), before Winter Vacation (Dec. 21), the end of 2nd quarter (Jan. 20), and the end of 3rd quarter (March 23).
* Monthly Homework - Homework assignments are designed to extend the work in the classroom. Practicing skills at home is essential to a child’s academic success. It is very important to help your child establish good homework habits now, so please support your child and make sure that all homework is completed and turned in on time. Homework participation will be noted on each child’s report card.
* Snack - My students eat snack in class everyday. I am asking parents to please contribute a box of peanut/nut free snacks (i.e. Cheezits, Original Wheat Thins, Club Crackers, Graham Crackers, Plain Ritz Crackers, Teddy Grahams, Townhouse Crackers, Goldfish Crackers, Fruit by the Foot, Fruit Roll-Ups). Please always double check the label and send the packaging. I will request more when the supply starts to run low. Your child may bring a pre-filled water bottle that will be kept in the cubby with his/her backpack; the water bottle must be marked with the child's name and it must go home each day. Since nuts are a common allergen, please do not send any snacks that contain nuts. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF YOUR CHILD HAS ANY FOOD ALLERGIES. If it is a serious allergy or an allergy to common foods/ingredients, then you will need to provide snack specifically for your child. I can keep the supply of snacks for your child (marked with his/her name) with the other snacks, and I will let you know when the supply starts to run low. Thank you.
* Birthday Treats – Please send only non-food treat items (such as stickers, tattoos, pencils, small toys, or bookmarks) if your child wants to bring something to share with the class on his/her birthday.
* Star Student - Each day there will be a “Star Student” in my classroom. The Star Student may bring a special item to show the class (not too valuable or breakable, please). It is okay if your child doesn’t want to bring anything to school; he/she can just tell the class something special.
* Classroom Volunteers - I like to have two parent volunteers if possible, one in the morning and a different one in the afternoon. Every volunteer must go through a Washington State Patrol background check before volunteering in school. If you would like to volunteer and have not submitted the volunteer form, please do so as soon as possible because the background check must be completed before you start.