Kindergarten is the crucial year to build a love for learning and school.  This beginning is so important and I will do my best along with your support to provide your child with the best start possible.  I am committed not only to your child’s academic growth but their social and emotional growth as well.

     I have provided information I hope will be helpful to you.  Being fairly new to Benton, I may not have or know all the answers to your questions but I will do my best to find an answer.  However, I do know  kindergarteners!

Curriculum:

     Kindergarten curriculum focuses on reading and math.  You will receive the kindergarten objectives from the district.  In the past we have given it to you at 1^st Quarter Parent – Teacher Conferences and I am assuming that is when you will get them this year.  

     The weekly newsletter that comes home on Friday will provide you with insight to what we are working on in class (of course I will not list everything we are working on). 

     The expectations for kindergarteners have increased within the past years I have taught so, if you have not had a child in school or one in school for a long time you might be surprised by the objectives.  The great news is…your child is capable of meeting them.  If your child is needing some extra practice at home to gain a skill I will let you know.  I know you will take this opportunity very serious and will do all you can to help your child to master skills that are necessary for promotion.  Also, I will offer tutoring throughout the year.

Classroom Management/Discipline:

     Like academic goals for your child, I have high expectations for their behavior as well.  I take a firm yet loving approach.  I encourage following rules, listening the 1^st time, and being kind to others. 

     If your child is having trouble doing the right thing after a warning they will get to “pull a crayon” from their pocket on the behavior chart.  This means they will have 5 minutes of time-out from recess or centers.  They could receive as many as 2 more time-outs in one day (pulling a different colored crayon each time and 5 minutes of time-out each time).  If their behavior continues in a downward cycle, I would most likely contact you with a note or call and/or have them visit the principal, Mrs. Hammett about their inappropriate behavior.  I do not tolerate a child harming others and being dishonest to me when asking about an incident. 

     Remember if your child pulls a crayon only every once and again, I do want you to discuss it with them while realizing they are learning and this is a way to hopefully correct the inappropriate behavior and to help them remember the right thing to do.  On the flip side to consequences, I also reward those who following the rules.  Each day their green crayon (no time-out) is still in their behavior pocket they receive a sticker on a card.  When they have filled a row with stickers they get to get in the treasure box.  Once their whole card is filled with stickers they eat in the room with me and rewarded with something extra.   I appreciate your support in discussing your child’s behavior (good and not so good) when receiving your “Weekly Behavior Report” on Friday along with your newsletter.  Please sign and return the Behavior Report on Monday or the next day back.

Communication:

     The weekly newsletter that is sent on Friday will usually provide you with all the up to date information concerning happenings in our room and school.  So when wondering about something, take a look at that.  Also, I have found that throughout the week the office sends important notes that are to be sent home that afternoon... so send backpacks to school each day and look in them each evening for notes. 

     I will do my best to keep you informed and would appreciate you keeping me informed of things that could effect your child's performance or behavior in class.

     It is most helpful to me if you have email capabilities to email me with quick questions or things you need to let me know!  Likewise it is easy for me to email you when I need to ask you a question or let you know something.  So... make sure I have your email address(es) if you have one please!

Transportation and Changes:

     A few things to keep in mind…

Ø    Don't forget your parent pick-up tag – tags are for your child’s safety.

Ø    I prefer if you would send me a note or email me if your child’s transportation will be different then I will send the note on to the office.  If you want to send me a note and call the office that is fine.

Ø    It is preferred that if you come to get your child that you meet us outside so traffic isn’t stopped in the hall. 

Ø    It is school policy that you do not walk your child down the hall to class.  If you need to speak to me, check-in at the office like all other times (again for the safety of children) and they will notify me.

Ø    PLEASE notify me and the office of any changes in your address or phone numbers incase we need to contact you!

Ø    For bus changes you may call the Transportation Department at 451-

Lunch:

     You are welcome to eat with your child at school.  If you are bringing them a lunch in it would be helpful if you send me a note.  If you wish to eat a tray you are welcome to and pay the cashier when going through the line (if you can let me know so I can let the cooks know).  Our lunch time varies but if you are here by 10:40 that is when the 1st "K" Class begins.

Prices are as follows:

Child:   Breakfast -  .80   Lunch - $1.30

Adult:  Breakfast -  $1.00   Lunch - $2.10

Milk is .30 per carton if wanting an extra or one with a lunch brought from home.

      Lunch envelopes are not provided for money.  The food service dept. will send a printout if you owe $.  Please try to keep track of how many lunches your child has.  If you wish, you may place or have your child place their envelope with lunch $ in one of the black mailboxes with a fox on it.  If they give it to me, that is where I ask them to place it.

     After lunch your child will go to recess and you'll need to tell them good-bye.  At this time you're not allowed to follow them to recess and play.

Sending Money:

     Anytime sending $ to school, make sure it is in a sealed envelope or ziplock bag with child’s name, my name, $ enclosed, and what it is for. 

Book Orders:

     Your child will receive Scholastic book orders usually monthly.  When you wish to order, please pay by cash or check made payable to Scholastic.  Again, please place $ in an envelope with info the outside.  After the date returned allow around 10 days for me to get it ordered and the book order returned.

Birthdays:

     You are welcome to bring or send birthday treats for your child’s birthday!  The treats must be prepackaged.  Little Debbie snacks work well however, I say, it’s your child’s birthday so let them choose something they like (one request – no sheet cakes and ice cream that needs to be scooped please).  It's helpful if you can inform me if you wish to send treats and if you’ll be bringing drinks and/or treats so I can inform the kitchen.  If you haven’t gotten with me, I’ll probably ask so I know how to plan.

     If you are having a birthday for your child away from school and want to pass out invitations, I will pass out invitations if there is one for all the children.  If you are not inviting the whole class I ask that the invitations not be brought to school but rather mailed or delivered away from school. I do not want a child’s feelings hurt because they were not invited.  It is your party and you invite whom you like just understand my policy on handing out of invitations.  Let me know if you need a class list by emailing or sending a note and I'll get you one that day or the next. 

Parties:

     There is a "Fall Harvest Party", "Christmas Party", and "Friendship Party"   If you filled out the form at the beginning of the year to help sent from the office, I will be calling on your help or the room parent will.  I usually have a sheet to sign at Open House if you are able to help by coming or sending items for crafts or snacks.  The parties are fun but I have to have parent participation to be able to have stations that have activities for the children to rotate through.  If at all possible try to come to at least one.  The "Room Mom or Dad" works with me to decide what activities and calls other parents who have signed up to help to get supplies and see who is able to attend.  It isn't a stressful job because I help you get organized and have ideas for activities but new ones are always welcome!

Help Our School:

     If you are able to come and volunteer to help teachers cut, glue, etc. let me know.  Other ways to help are to save and send to school Box Tops For Education labels and empty toner, pop can tabs, old cell phones and empty inkjet cartridges.  We appreciate all you do for our school!