Granger Kindergarten

Boot Camp & Curriculum Night

August 27, 2009

The Teachers

Mrs. McClainMrs. Harris/

Ms. HitchMrs. B. LynchMrs. PerryMs. J. LynchMrs. Smith

Special Classes

P.E. - Coach Ray & Coach Duron Music - Mrs. Hancock Art - Mrs. Ruddle Library - Mrs. Hammonds Computer – Classroom Teacher

Other Important People

Principal-Ms. Etheredge Vice Principal – Mrs. Ruhs Counselor-Ms. Goodson CIT- Mrs. Wood Nurse-Nurse Mrs. Shelton Office Manager-Mrs. Shumake Office Assistants-Mrs. Collins and Mrs.

Hayes

What will your child learn?

TEKS What the Texas Education Agency says all

children must learn in KindergartenDistrict Curriculum

The sequence of how the District has decided that we will teach the TEKS

Alphabet

Letter and sound recognition is one of the most significant early indicators of reading success.

We will be learning letters and sounds through: The Johnny Can Spell Program Our Thematic Units which integrate Writing,

Science, & Social Studies, Reader’s and Writer’s Workshop

Please reinforce letter and sound recognition at home.

Writing

We will be writing daily as a group and individually. Journal Writing Morning Message Writer’s Workshop Write From the Beginning Thinking Maps

Reading

Your child will learn to read in Kindergarten!!!

We will teach Reading through:Shared Reading (Big Books & Poems)Guided ReadingReader’s WorkshopBrowsing BoxesLiteracy Centers

Math

Patterning Estimating Graphing Calendar Activities Recognizing numbers 0-31 Writing numbers 1-20 Counting to 100 Math Workstations Measurement

Science and Social Studies The following thematic units will integrate Science and

Social Studies:

All About Me and 5 Senses Apples & Pumpkins Fire Safety Thanksgiving, Native Americans, Pilgrims Holidays Around the World Zoo Animals Farm Animals Insects Pond Plants My Community Community Helpers

Assessment

Classroom Teacher ObservationsAssessments will be done every six

weeks by your child’s classroom teacherObservation SurveyDRA – September, January

& MayWriting Benchmarks

Report Cards

Report Cards will be sent home every six weeks except for the 1st six weeks

Sign the envelope and return the next day – you can keep the Report Card

Parent/Teacher Conferences will be scheduled to discuss your child’s academic progress on October 12th.

Homework Please read to your child every night Work a maximum of 15 minutes per night on other

Kindergarten skills such as:

Full name Birthday Address

Phone # Letters & Sounds Counting

Projects will occasionally be sent home Other homework will be sent home

on an as needed basis

Cooking/Extra Curricular Activites

We will be cooking on various Fridays to correspond with units and areas of study.

Cooking ingredients will be asked for as needed.

Student Responsibilities

Follow School & Classroom Expectations

Communication FolderQuality WorkClassroom ProceduresAlways Show RespectRead Nightly

Parent Responsibilities

Read all Notes and FormsInitial Behavior Log NightlyConference with Teacher as NeededRead Nightly to your ChildProjectsHomework Enrichment CalendarVolunteer

Communication FoldersPlease check daily for behavior and

notesPlease initial the behavior chart dailyPlease place all money in baggies inside

foldersPlease use the parent communications

sheet to note any changes of transportation, concerns, etc.

Money

Please send money in a zip lock bag with your child’s name on it & what it is for.

Please place the zip lock bag in the money bag in their folder.

Email The fastest way to get a response from your

child’s teacher is by email! Please understand that we will refer to your

child by their initials or first name only in all emails to protect their privacy.

If we do not respond within 24 hours, please send a note or call. We have filters that do block certain addresses.

Book Orders

A great inexpensive way to provide quality books for your child.

Earns bonus points for the teacher to buy more books for the class.

Conference Time

12:05 - 1:00 P.M. DailyA morning or afternoon conference can

be scheduled upon requestPlease call or send a note to schedule a

conference if needed

Attendance

Promptness – children need to be on time to class (7:50 a.m.)

Absences - Please send a note when your child returns to school and call the school to let us know that your child will be absent.

State law requires students to be in school 90% of the school year.

Morning Drop Off

If your child eats breakfast at the school, please drop off by 7:30 a.m.

When dropping off in the car line in the morning, please have your child ready to get out of the car when you pull up

Parents SHOULD NOT get out of the car in the car line when dropping off or picking up

Please allow your child to walk themselves to their classroom alone to help them establish their independence

Volunteers

We LOVE Volunteers If you wish to volunteer, you must fill out a

volunteer application and be approved by the district.

This includes helping in the classroom/around the school, parties, any special event such as Field Trips & Field Day

Siblings will not be allowed in the classroom during instruction time, during parties, or on Field Trips

Volunteers must follow school dress code.

Field Trips

Please make sure you have filled out the Background Check if you want to go on a field trip!

Please send in all field trip forms to your child’s teacher as soon as possible.

Birthdays and Parties Parents are allowed to send cupcakes for their child’s

birthday. These will be handed out between 1:30-1:40.

Parent’s are not allowed to send candy to school except for our Winter and Valentine’s Party.

You do need to let us know ahead of time if you will be bringing or sending cupcakes.

No Party Favors, plates, cups, ice cream, birthday candles, presents, or juice boxes

We will not be allowed to hand out birthday invitations for any child. NISD Board policy states that outside written material may not be distributed in the classroom unless approved by the board.

Suggestion: contact your room parent to get an email list to send out E-vites for parties

Dress CodeNo spaghetti strapsNo halter topsNo Mid-drift shirtsShorts beneath dressesNo open-toed shoes are allowed for P.E.Tennis shoes that cover the top of the

foot are required for your child to participate in P.E. They will sit out if they are not wearing the appropriate shoes.

No short skirts

Snacks

Healthy Snack Suggestions

Dry Cereal Cheese Nips Goldfish Plain Graham Crackers Teddy Grahams Animal Crackers Pretzels Vanilla Wafers Granola Bars***No Candy or Cookies Please

Lunch

10:25-10:55 dailyParent Table in the hall… No friends

may sit with your childPlease send items that are easy to open.

If you have trouble opening an item… your kids will too!

Recess is 2:00-2:30

Morning Procedures

If your child arrives between 7:30 and 7:45 they will go to a teachers classroom to wait.

You will be notified in the weekly newsletter which classroom your child will going to each week.

Look for the big purple dot on the door in the mornings!

Dismissal

2:50 DailyIf your child is going to go home

differently please call the office before 2:00 pm or send a note in their folders.

Car Riders – In the Back (please do not get out of your car to get them)

Walkers – Kindergarten Playground

Newsletter

Paper copy will come home this weekNext week we will begin sending out the

newsletter electronically unless you requested a paper copy with your child’s teacher

Provides information concerning curriculum, classroom needs/wants, upcoming events, reminders, etc.

Extras

Please Join PTA-$8 per familyBox Tops, Campbell’s Soup Labels, &

Carpi SunsWe are collecting these to get money for our

school!Fundraisers – Fall & Spring (Cookie

Dough Fundraiser starts on Monday)Questions?