Kindergarten
MRS. ARMSTRONG

 KA's Kindergarten Klippings

Welcome to KA!  Below are the ABC's of Kindergarten for our class.

Dear Parents,

Welcome to Prairieland!  I am thrilled to be your child’s Kindergarten teacher.  I am looking forward to a fun and exciting year.  This is a very important year for your child and I will do every thing I can to make it special!  I am sure you have many questions for me, so I have tried to anticipate as many as possible, and put the answers in writing for you to have for future reference.  Please look over the information in this packet carefully when you have some free time.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 888-6838 or by e-mail (armstrbm@unit5.org).

ATTENDANCE:  It is essential that your child attend school regularly.  Many of the activities that we do in kindergarten are “hands on” and it is important that your child participates in the projects for maximum benefit.  If your child is ill and must be absent, please call the attendance hotline (862-5057) before 9:00 a.m. to inform the office.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL: Students should arrive between 7:55 and 8:10 a.m. and go to the kickball field (multi-purpose room in inclement weather) to line up by grade level. Students are expected to be in their classrooms by 8:15 a.m.. Any child arriving after this time will be marked tardy. Students are dismissed at 3:00  Our class waits at the North East corner by the overhang in front of the school.

ART:  Students will attend 40 minutes of art weekly with Ms. Meredith, the art teacher. 

BACKPACKS:  Your child should bring a book bag/backpack to school with him/her daily.  It should be large enough to carry their homework folder and library books that will be transported to and from school.  Please make sure that you check your child’s backpack on a daily basis.  Also, backpacks that have wheels are not recommended. 

BIRTHDAYS:  Birthdays are an important day for kindergartners, and you are welcome to send treats to celebrate your child’s special day.  If your child’s birthday falls during the summer, we will be happy to celebrate a half birthday if you notify me in advance.  If your child’s birthday falls on a weekend, we will celebrate it on the weekday closest to the actual day.  Please notify me in advance if you plan on sending treats so I may plan accordingly.  District policy also requires that birthday invitations for home parties may only be passed out at school if all classmates or all boys/girls are invited.  If you are only inviting select students, please do not send invitations to school so me may avoid hurt feelings. 

BIRTHDAY TREATS:  Please send single serving treats such as cookies, Rice Krispy treats, or fruit snacks as birthday treats.  Please DO NOT send cupcakes or other messy treats.  If you wish to send juice, please send single serving juices as well to help avoid spills.  Also if the snack you send requires paper plates or napkins, please provide them for the class.  I will have a few of these items on hand for emergencies, but the expense is too great for me to supply these items for each child’s birthday. 

***If you do not celebrate birthdays or other holidays, please let me know and we can work out an alternate plan. 

BOOK ORDERS:  I will send home several book orders at a time throughout the year.  You are welcome to order from none, one, some or all of them.  If you do choose to order, please pay by check, and make it payable to the book company.  If you would like to order books as gifts for your child, please let me know and I will hold the books for you, otherwise they will be sent home with your child.

BOOK BORROWING:  Starting later this fall, I will begin a book borrowing program.  Students will have the opportunity to borrow a book from a selection I have set aside for home reading.  They will bring these books home and may keep them for up to a week.  When they finish reading it, they may return it and choose a new book to borrow.  Please set aside some time each day to read with your child. 

BEHAVIOR:  Prairieland has established a school wide behavior plan that consists of five steps.  In our Kindergarten classroom, I will use a slightly modified version to suit Kindergarten.  Each student has a magnet with his/her name on it that begins the day in a green square, indicating good behavior.  If a child does not meet one of the school behavior expectations, they will be asked to move their magnet to the yellow section, indicating a warning.  If the child does not meet behavior expectations again, they will be asked to move their magnet to the orange square.  They will then either complete a logical consequence (ex. If a child moves his/her magnet for tearing up a classmate’s paper, he/she will need to think about and come up with a way to make his/her classmate feel better.  This may mean getting a new paper for the friend or making an apology card etc…), or if this is not possible, take a 5 minute time out.  If your child must move his/her magnet to red (the next step), they will receive a red behavior slip indicating which expectations were not met.  The red slip will be sent home for you to sign and return so you are aware of the situation.  The child will also either miss 10 minutes of recess/centers or offer a logical consequence.  If a child must move his/her magnet off the color board, then all of recess/centers will be missed and if the behaviors are serious, a detention may be given as well.  At this point, you will also receive a phone call to let you know what has happened.  Any extreme behaviors are subject to being sent to the office for discussion with the Principal.  The purpose of the behavior program in our classroom is to help children become problem solvers.  It is my hope that children learn how to interact and solve their differences independently.  On the last day of the week, students will bring home a yellow slip of paper letting you know how many "checks" were received for the week.  Students with no magnet moves (these are called “checks” because we have a traveling clipboard that teachers make check marks on to record behavior) for the week will also earn a trip to the prize box.  Please look for this slip every week!    Your support for this behavior program is essential to its success.  Cheer for your child when he/she brings home a good week slip, discuss appropriate behavior if a red slip is necessary. 

CONFERENCES:  District sponsored Parent/Teacher conferences will be held in the fall.  If you would like to meet at another time during the year, please feel free to call or e-mail me to set up an appointment. 

COMPUTERS:  Students will have a 40 minute Tech Time in the IMC weekly.  They will be receiving direct instruction in computers and using specific educational programs. 

CENTERS:   We have developmental centers weekly with all the kindergarten classes.  Students are mixed together and rotate through different kindergarten classrooms each week.  We also have developmental centers several times a week that include handiwork & construction, puzzles & games, theme & math, and magnets & paperwork.  The purpose of these centers is to reinforce topics we have already covered, increase literacy, and to develop problem solving skills and fine motor ability. 

CLOTHING:  The clothing your child wears to school needs to be easy for him/her to put on and take off by him/herself.  Practice shoe tying, coat zipping etc… at home to make sure learning time isn’t lost to these activities.  Also, please label any coats, shoes backpacks, etc… with your child’s name to prevent confusion.

DATES:  Please watch your monthly edition of the Prairieland Press for important dates as well as other relevant information.

E-MAIL:  Please feel free to contact me by e-mail.  I try to check it at least twice a day.  If it is an emergency however, please realize that with such a large system, our server does go down more frequently that we would like, so a phone call may be better.  My e-mail address is:  armstrbm@unit5.org. 

FIELDTRIPS:  Please make sure that you have signed the field trip permission form with your registration information.  If parent helpers are needed, I will let you know a few weeks before the trip. 

GYM:  The children will have gym (or PE) daily for 20 minutes with Mr. Kinley and Mrs. Garneau.  Students will be required to wear gym shoes every day or they will not be allowed to participate. 

HOMEWORK:  Homework folders will begin in September.  Folders will come home on Monday, and will be due on Friday or the last day of the week.  Please enjoy these activities that can enhance your child’s learning experience.  I don’t expect perfect products, it is the process that is most important.  If your child would like to show off a project you completed together, they are welcome to bring it in for me to see, however it is not required on the calendar homework pages.  Other homework may also be included in your child’s folder, please check for it each week.  Make sure that homework becomes a priority for your child.  If your child knows that his/her homework is a priority for you, it will become a priority for them and good habits will be formed that will benefit your child throughout his/her educational career. Home reading activities will also be an important part of your child’s homework.  Although children receive incentives and rewards for several of the reading programs, please consider them homework as well.  Home reading is one of the most important things parents can do to ensure educational success.

ILLNESS:   The district has set policies about children’s health and their ability to attend school.  When students are ill, they must stay home.  Please call the doctor if necessary.  Do not send your child to school if he/she has a fever, has vomited or had diarrhea in the last 24 hours, has inflamed eyes, a rash of undetermined origin, or has obvious signs of a respiratory infection.  Call the school to report the absence.  Please also remember that children are not to bring medication (including cough drops) to school unless the appropriate medical form is signed and on file in the nurse’s office. 

JOURNALS:  Students will be writing in journals weekly in addition to thematic writing activities and 4-Square writing.

KINDNESS:  Students at Prairieland are encouraged to treat each other with kindness and respect.  Prairieland uses a problem solving method called CPR, which stands for Children Practicing Respect.  Students learn how to discuss their feelings with their classmates and how to work out problems with this method. 

LUNCH/RECESS:  We will be eating lunch at 11:30 a.m. each day.  You may send a cold lunch with your child or put money in your child's account for hot lunch.  Student lunches are $1.60 each.  Milk may be purchased for 40¢.  Students will keep lunch cards at school.  Please check the family access portion of the unit 5 webpage to check your child's account balance.  Payments may also be made via the website.  After lunch each day, students will have recess time.  Children go outside for recess unless the temperature (including wind chill) is below 20 degrees or there is inclement weather.  Please make sure your child has appropriate clothing for the temperature!!!

LIBRARY:  Students will go the library for story time and book check out once a week for 20 minutes with Mr. Ford.  Our library day is Wednesday.  Books should be returned on or before this day every week.  Please make sure your child takes good care of his/her library books.  Books that are lost or damaged must be paid for before students can check out a new book. 

MUSIC:  Students will attend music class with Mrs. Sharp for 25 minutes 3 times a week.  The kindergarten and first grade classes will be doing the winter music program at the beginning of December. 

NEWSLETTERS:  I will do my best to send home regular newsletters explaining the events of the previous weeks.  I usually include important dates, themes that we are covering, special Prairieland events and things we need here in the classroom. 

OFFICE:  Visitors to Prairieland are required to sign in at the office before coming to the classroom and get a visitors badge.  Also, any time a child arrives late, leaves early or has to leave for an appointment or lunch, you must sign him or her out in the office.

PARTIES:  We have 3 major parties at Prairieland, a Halloween party, a winter party and a Valentine’s Day party.  The room parents will organize these events and coordinate volunteers.  All parents are welcome to come and help out during these times. 

QUIET TIME (M.O.U.S.E.):  Students will have a daily quiet time in the afternoon.  At the beginning of the year, students will be resting quietly on their towels and either napping if they choose or listening to relaxing music.  As the year progresses, students will be able to use this time for quiet reading or writing as well.  The daily quiet time is a developmentally necessary opportunity for children to re-energize and re-focus for the remainder of the day.

REPORT CARDS:  You will receive a progress report for your child at Parent/Teacher conferences shortly after the first nine weeks.  Kindergarten report cards will be issued for the remaining 3 quarters on the same schedule as the rest of the grades.  You will have an opportunity to view a Kindergarten report card at Parent/Teacher conferences.

SNACK:  We will be having a daily snack time.  Each child will be responsible for bringing his/her own snack from home every day.  Please do not send drinks or any snacks that require utensils.  Disposable packaging is encouraged.  Left-overs will be thrown away, so make sure to check with your child to see if he/she is finishing all of his/her snack.  Examples of good snacks include:

Goldfish Crackers        Grapes              Fruit Snacks                   Bananas                    Carrot Sticks       Apple Chips                  Rice Krispy Treat       Graham Crackers   Dry Cereal              

SUPPLIES:   These are the supplies listed on the Kindergarten Supply list.  Please label with your child’s name.  Crayola Crayons  (12 count 3 boxes); Pencils, Number 2 lead (at least 5); Scissors (Fiskars for Kids); Tissues, Facial (Pop up, no lotion would be appreciated!); Elmer’s Glue (White, 3 bottles) plus one bottle for art; Markers, Crayola Watercolor (2 of the 10 pk. w/ gray and pink if possible, broad tip); Gym Shoes (non-marking soles to remain at school  if necessary ); Gallon size Zip-Lock Bags; Baby wipes (2 packs); Bath Size Towel for quiet time (should be able to fit into a storage tub about the size of a shoebox); Anti-Bacterial Hand Sanitizer and Watercolor Paints (boys); Colored Pencils and Thin Dry Erase Markers (girls); $3.00 paper fee

TRANSPORTATION:  I will assume your child will be using his/her regularly arranged form of transportation unless I receive a written note stating otherwise.  Kindergartners can be easily confused and may thing someone is picking them up when no one is coming, or have the day mixed up.  A note will alleviate tears and confusion at dismissal time. 

TOYS:  Bringing toys to school unless it is a show and tell item is discouraged.  If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt, and toys often disrupt learning time.  Please make sure your child is not bringing things to school that are best left at home.

TEACHER’S PET:  Each day, one student will be chosen at “Teacher’s Pet.”  That child will be the line leader and helper for the day.  Teacher’s Pets will be drawn the day before and your child will bring home a note informing you that he/she has been chosen for the next day.  Your child may also bring one item for show and tell on his/her Teacher’s Pet day.  Good ideas for show and tell include a special book or a well loved toy.  Keep in mind that your child is responsible for whatever show and tell item that is brought in, so you may not want to send an expensive electronic game or your favorite crystal vase.

TELEPHONE CALLS:  You may hear from me if your child has been absent for several days, if your child had a super day, or if I have noticed a change in behavior, either good or bad.  You may need to call me for any of the above reasons, as well as if you have questions about a note that has come home.  I would also appreciate a call if there has been a family triumph or tragedy.  This knowledge helps me understand some behaviors I may see at school. 

UNIQUE:  Every child in our class is a unique individual.  We try very hard to respect everyone for who they are and we do not allow unkind words or behaviors in our classroom.  It is important that we make everyone feel as special and valuable as they truly are. 

VOLUNTEERS:  I will be sending home a volunteer sheet  in a few weeks once we have become comfortable with our schedule.  We need all kinds of help from you to make our kindergarten run smoothly.  If you can help in the classroom, do paperwork or help at home, please sign up when the volunteer sheet comes home. 

WEBSITE:  Our Prairieland website address is www.unit5.org/prairieland

EXPLORE:  Children in kindergarten participate in a lot of “hands-on” explorations.  We try to have an appropriate mix of paper and pencil activities and explorations.  Ask your child daily to explain what he/she did today, as many of our activities are not represented by the paperwork that comes 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. 

ZERO THE HERO:  You may hear quite a lot about our kindergarten superhero named Zero.  He comes on the 10th, 20th, 30th 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th, 80th, 90th, and 100th day of school to help us celebrate.  He also usually leaves behind a small treat in the shape of a zero.  On the 100th day (a big day for Kindergartners) we will be having a special celebration and many fun activities will be taking place.  

I realize this is quite a bit of information all at once, and every class is unique, so some things could change.  You and your child may feel a bit overwhelmed at first, but I’m sure we will have a wonderfully successful year after we all get adjusted to our new routines.  Please feel free to come and visit after the first month so we can become comfortable with our schedules and expectations.  I’m looking forward to another wonderful year in Kindergarten here at Prairieland!

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW I LEARNED IN KINDERGARTEN  by Robert Fulghum

All I really need to know about how to live and what to do and how to be I learned in kindergarten. Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.

These are the things I learned:

· Share everything.

· Play fair.

· Don't hit people.

· Put things back where you found them.

· Clean up your own mess.

· Don't take things that aren't yours.

· Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

· Wash your hands before you eat.

· Flush.

· Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

· Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.

· Take a nap every afternoon.

· When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.

· Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

· Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.

· And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere. The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.

Take any one of those items and extrapolate it into sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your family life or your work or government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm. Think what a better world it would be if we all - the whole world - had cookies and milk at about 3 o'clock in the afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.

And it is still true, no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.