ABCs+of+Kindergarten

**A** ***Absence*** If your child will not be in school, please call the office (757-888-3200) and inform us of your child’s absence and the reason for it. This is for your child’s safety. If a student must leave early for an appointment, please go to the office to sign him/her out and the secretary will call him/her to the office. Never send another person to pick up your child without informing me or the secretary.

***Agenda*** The school will provide your child with an agenda book for a small fee. This is an excellent tool for home-school communication. Please check and sign/initial your child’s agenda every night for any notes, classwork, or important information that may be sent home. This is also a convenient way to send all notes to me.

***Arrival and Dismissal*** Pupils should arrive between 8:05 and 8:20 AM. Students should not arrive prior to 8:00 AM since supervision by the school staff is not available. No child or parent should be in the building before this time. School begins promptly at 8:20 AM. Afternoon dismissal is at 2:45 PM (12:15 on Wednesdays) from the cafeteria if your child is a parent pick-up. Please pick up your child promptly. If you are late, look for your child in the office.

***Attendance*** A successful school experience is the responsibility of the child, the parent, and the school. Your child’s progress, both academically and socially, is influenced to a great extent by daily participation. Regular attendance without tardiness is a key.

** B ** ***Bus Necklace*** To help identify your child’s correct mode of transportation to and from school each day, your student will be given a “bus necklace” that needs to be worn DAILY. Please keep this tag with your child’s backpack at home and use the matching cards when meeting your child at the bus each afternoon. There will be a replacement fee if the original is lost/damaged.

***Breakfast*** A school breakfast is served every morning from 8:00-8:20 AM. Students will use their “lunch number” to purchase breakfast and the money will be taken out of their account. Students who want to eat breakfast should go directly to the cafeteria at 8:00.

** C ** ***Computers*** We are fortunate enough to have four classroom computers in addition to our fully stocked computer lab. We use a variety of age-appropriate programs, both internet and software based, that teach computer readiness and reinforce math, science, social studies, and reading skills. Children will take turns working on the computers throughout the day depending on our activity.

***Conferences*** Parent-Teacher conferences are held twice a year on school-wide Conference Nights (usually from 3:00-6:00 PM). I will send home a sign-up sheet prior to each night. I ask to meet with every student’s parents to discuss your child’s accomplishments, strengths, and overall academic progress. Please feel free to contact me at any time throughout the year for any additional conferences you may want to schedule. I am happy to meet before school, after school, or while the students are at a resource class.

** D ** ***Discipline* See the Behavior Management Plan and the Class Rules.**

**E** ***Emergency Closings*** If schools are closed for a snow day or an emergency, the Newport News Public Schools website will have updated information and there will be a recording on the NNPS Information Line (757) 283-7810 or the Administration Building Main Line (757) 591-4500. The local radio stations and the local TV stations will also make an announcement, generally by 7:00 A.M.

***Emergency Contact*** Please notify the office of your child’s emergency contact information as soon as possible (if you did not already give them this information during registration). If your home, cell, or work phone number changes, please inform the office immediately so that we can let you know quickly if an emergency occurs.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**F** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Field Trips*** We will plan several field trips this year that will be both fun and educational for the children. Buses will be used for transportation, but parents may follow in their own vehicle if they wish. We often need parent volunteers on the trips and chaperons will be chosen on a first come, first served basis. Please return permission slips and money as soon as possible after they are sent home.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***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 our designated exit. We will practice and become familiar with procedures before our first scheduled drill.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**G** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Gym*** Our class will have a 40 minute gym class once a week with our P.E. teacher. The children are asked to wear sneakers and comfortable clothes on gym day. Girls might consider wearing pants or shorts rather than a skirt or dress on gym day.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**H** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***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.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Health*** Please let me know of special circumstances which may affect your child – physically or mentally. These could include medication that may make him/her sleepy, a death in the family, a deployed parent, etc. Also, please let me know of any allergies your child may have – especially food allergies. We sometimes do food-related activities to complement lessons in kindergarten and it would be helpful to know this information when I plan.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Homework*** Homework will be sent home weekly. Your child should complete this work by him/herself, under your supervision. Completing homework helps build a sense of responsibility. Homework should be your child’s best work. Occasionally, I’ll ask your help in completing “family” homework – it’s called this because the whole family is encouraged to get involved in doing it. Extra time will be given to complete these special family homework projects. Please take the time to enjoy this special time with your child.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**I** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***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.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***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.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**J** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Journals*** One strategy that will be used to help teach the vital concept that “print conveys meaning” is the frequent use of journal writing. In these journals the kindergartners 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.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** K ** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***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.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**L** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Library*** The children will go to the library once a week. In the library Mrs. Abi-Saab will entertain them with a story or a video related to a topic we will be working on in class. The children will have several opportunities each week to select 1-2 books to borrow. Please help your child enjoy this book and practice responsible book handling skills.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Literacy Work Stations*** During literacy work stations, children practice reading and writing skills while the teachers work with individual children or small guided reading groups. The work station activities are designed to strengthen letter/sound knowledge, listening skills, oral language expression, rhyme, letter formation, and cooperation.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Lunch*** We will eat lunch every day at 12:15 (11:05 on Wed.) in the cafeteria. Children may bring a packed lunch from home or buy a school lunch. You can send cash or a check in your child’s agenda when his/her account is low. When doing so, __please send money in a sealed envelope or baggie, clearly labeled with your child’s name and lunch number__. The lunch menu will be sent home monthly in your child’s agenda. Any day you would like to join your child for lunch would be a welcome treat for your little one!

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**M** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Music*** Our music teacher will be teaching the children the basics of music education and will be sharing many wonderful songs! We have music class for 40 minutes once a week. Of course, I will be singing and enjoying music with the children daily.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**N** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Nurse*** We are very fortunate to have Mrs. Foard, our own personal health aide, at General Stanford. She will tend to minor scratches and scrapes, as well as sudden illnesses. For more serious injuries, she will contact you. Please be sure to send in any change of contact numbers in case she needs to get in touch with you quickly.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** O ** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Oh boy – we’re almost done!***

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**P** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">***Practice*** Remember little ones need lots of practice when it comes to things like reading and writing. Encourage your child to practice writing about anything they'd like. Practice can also be great for tasks like tying shoes. Practice Practice Practice!

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**Q** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Questions*** If you have any questions at all, please do not hesitate to contact me! The best way to reach me is by e-mail: bradleigh.cumbey.07@cnu.edu. Feel free to call me at school between 7:30 and 8:00 AM or leave a message with the office anytime during the day and I will call you back as soon as I have a free moment. And, of course, you can always send a note in your child’s agenda.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**R** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Recess*** The children will play outside for 30 minutes __every__ day (unless it is raining). 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/she is probably too sick to come to school. Since teachers are required to supervise recess, there is no supervision available for children to stay indoors during recess.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Report Cards*** 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. They will be sent home in your child’s agenda. Please sign/initial the second page in your child’s agenda to indicate that you have seen your child’s report card.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Restrooms*** Please have your child use the restroom shortly before coming to school. We are fortunate enough to have a restroom in our classroom. While your child will be permitted to use it as often as he/she needs to, we would like to keep the bathroom trips to a minimum to keep your child from missing too much academic time. Please make me aware of any medical problems that might require more frequent restroom trips. Please also have a discussion with your child about proper bathroom behavior.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**S** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Shared Reading*** Shared reading is an interactive process used with the whole class. As the teacher reads a story, children join in on phrases or words that they know. During subsequent re-readings, children read more and more of the text, until they are able to read the story independently. Shared reading is an opportunity for the teacher to model conventions of print and the use of reading strategies.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**T** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Toys*** Bringing toys to school is discouraged because they distract the children from learning. If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt. Please help your child to remember this rule and refrain from putting toys into his/her backpack. Students may bring in books that are clearly marked with your child’s name.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**U** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Understanding*** Kindergarten is an incredibly developmental time in every child’s life. Everyday they will be exposed to new, exciting things. Their bodies and minds will be growing and changing exponentially! For that reason, this can also be a very frustrating time as a parent due to the changes that your child will be undergoing. To exacerbate all of that, throw in the life of a military family – understanding and patience are often difficult virtues to display. Please let me know if I can do anything to help you, your child, or your family. We have a fabulous counselor, who is always more than willing to lend a helping ear or hand. No problem is ever too small!

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: 190%;">**V** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Visitors*** __ALL GUESTS__ (including familiar faces) are required to check in at the school office. The school welcomes and encourages family involvement. It is important to remember that while this requirement may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** W ** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Wish List*** Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our classroom materials (such as glue sticks and extra dry erase markers).These needs will be posted in the class newsletter and on the kindergarten website. Extra items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome!

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***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.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** X ** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***eXtra Clothes*** Sometimes “accidents” happen… to make these unexpected surprises more manageable, please make sure to return the ziplock bag with an extra set of clothes for your child as soon as possible. Please make sure to include a weather appropriate top, bottom, pair of socks and underwear.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** Y ** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***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.

<span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">** Z ** <span style="color: #008000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; font-size: medium;">***Zzzzzs*** 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!

<span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; height: 1px; margin: 0in 6.55pt 0.0001pt; overflow: hidden; text-align: center; width: 1px;"> ***Toys*** <span style="color: #008000; display: block; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; height: 1px; overflow: hidden; width: 1px;"> Bringing toys to school is discouraged because they distract the children from learning. If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt. Please help your child to remember this rule and refrain from putting toys into his/her backpack. Students may bring in books that are clearly marked with your child’s name.