The ABC’s of Kindergarten
A Handbook for Mrs. France’s Class
Voorheesville Elementary School
2016 - 2017
Welcome to Kindergarten! I
hope that this book will guide you through the day-to-day routines of the
kindergarten program and serve as a reference for your child’s first year of
school.
The ABC’s of Kindergarten
(Important Information for Parents)
A is for Absences, Attendance, Arrival and Art
Absences - On any day your child is not attending school or
will be late to school, parents must call the elementary school office,
765-2382 no later than 9:00A.M., to
report the absence. This is for your child’s safety. If your child must leave early for a doctor’s
appointment, send in a note to let me know the pick up time. When you arrive at school, go to the office
to sign your child out and the secretary will call him/her to the office. Please do not send another person to pick up
your child without informing the office or me. A note is needed when your child
is out sick. Please write out an excuse with the date, stating why your child
was out and sign the excuse. We are required to keep these excuses on file for
one year.
Attendance: A
successful school experience is the responsibility of the school, the parent,
and the child. Your child’s progress is
influenced by school participation.
Please make every effort to have your child present at school. The school doors open at 8:30 a.m. each
morning. If your child is late he/she
will be marked “tardy.”
Arrival and
Dismissal: Please do not drop off your child before 8:20
a.m., there will be an aide that stands outside from 8:20-8:30. Dismissal is at 3:00 p.m. If you are picking up your child, please send
in a dated and signed note in the morning.
If you are picking up your child before dismissal, notify the secretary
and she will call down to the classroom.
Art – We will have art on Day 3 for 45 minutes. Our art teacher
is Mrs. Vitelli.
B is for Backpacks, Birthdays,
Bus Tags and Bus Permits
Backpacks: A roomy backpack is needed for transporting
items to and from school. It should be
carried every day and be labeled. Please
establish a routine for checking notices daily.
Birthdays – They are
special to each child and may be celebrated simply at school. We celebrate
weekend birthdays on Friday or Monday. Children with summer birthdays can
celebrate on or close to their half birthday. Contact me to let me know when
you would like to celebrate their birthday at school. It would be lovely to
send in a snack to share with the whole class. Some examples include cookies,
brownies, cookie bars, Rice Krispie Treats, bagels and cream cheese. **Please
do not send in cakes. **Unless you are inviting the entire class to your
child’s birthday party, please do not send invitations to school. We wouldn’t
want to hurt the feelings of children not invited. Please mail them or deliver
them outside of school.
The “birthday bag” will come home the day of your child’s birthday
(or the Friday before your child’s birthday if their birthday falls on a
weekend). PLEASE enjoy its contents and return it the next school day. We share
it as a class literature bag.
Please
remember:
·
Send in
napkins.
·
Beverages
are not necessary.
·
Parental
attendance is not required.
·
No candles
please.
·
When
preparing the birthday snack, please keep in mind any class allergies. For example, nuts may cause an allergic
reaction in some children.
·
If your
child does have food allergies, please provide a special snack for in school
birthdays.
Bus Tags– Your
child has received a bus tag that you have attached to their backpack. Please
keep these attached to their backpacks as long as possible so that the bus
drivers can find the correct destination.
Bus Permits-
No child is permitted to leave school on a bus other than his/her regular bus
unless a note from a parent is received. The note should be addressed to the
teacher with information about the bus number and address where the child
should be dropped off.
C is for Comment Sheet, Computer Lab, and
Conferences
Comment Sheet
– A pink comment sheet will be kept in your child’s “Go Home Folder”. This is a place that you can jot down any
notes to me and I will be sure to check it each morning. I will also be leaving
notes for you on the sheet as well if need be.
Computer
Class – We will
go to the Computer Lab this year. We will have Computer on Day #2.
Conferences
– We will meet in the fall to discuss your child’s progress and goals.
Conference days are held in the afternoon and children will attend school for a
half day. Sign-up will be online, more
information will come home about this process.
Discipline: Social development with peers and adults is
encouraged throughout the day during whole and small group activities, as well
as through play. In a caring
environment, the children learn the importance of respect, tolerance, and
safety.
Good
behavior is positively reinforced through our “warm fuzzy jar.” When I notice the children making good choices,
either individually or as a class, they earn “warm fuzzies” (colored pom-
poms). When the jar is filled, the class
earns a special treat that they vote on.
This may be a snack, extra playtime, pajama day, or a fun activity. When this happens, I will send a note home to
inform you of what was decided for the special treat. This plan focuses on the children
independently making good, positive choices.
If your
child chooses to make inappropriate choices (i.e., forget to follow directions
or keep his/her hands to themselves, etc.), he/she will receive a verbal
reminder of the expected behavior. If I
have to speak to him/her a second time, your child may be asked to move his or
her clip down on the behavior chart. If
he/she has to move the clip down another time to “red”, he/she will loose some
time out of “free choice” time to think about his/her behavior and a note will
come home. The clip can always be moved
up throughout the day when positive behavior is seen.
Your child
will have a behavior report sheet in his/her folder. Each day your child will come home with the
color that he/she was on for the day highlighted. Please keep this sheet in the folder all
week, sign at the end of the week and return. I will then return it back to
you.
Donations -
In some of our weekly or monthly newsletters, I may ask parents to donate
random items (food, shoe boxes, paper bags, cardboard tubes, etc.) for class
projects. Your contributions are greatly appreciated!
Energy - Our day
is very action packed. Therefore, a healthy breakfast and a good night’s sleep
is critical for learning. Please be sure to have your child wear clothes for
active, hands-on learning.
Extra Set Of Clothes - Please send in an extra
change of clothes in a Ziploc bag (include a shirt, pants, underwear, and
socks). Label the bag AND the clothes
with your child’s name. The clothes will
be kept in your child’s cubby.
F is for Folders
Your child will be given a purple folder at the beginning of the
school year. Please send this folder to school everyday. Important papers,
school work, and our “Parent-Teacher Connection Newsletter will go in this
folder. PLEASE CHECK THIS FOLDER EVERYDAY!!!
G is for Gym
Your child must wear sneakers on P.E. days. Our P.E. teacher is Coach
McCormick. We will have P.E. on Days
1 and 4 .
H is for Homework and Helpers
Homework – Homework
for kindergarten is reading to, listening to or reading with your child for at
least 15 to 20 minutes every night. There will be family projects coming home
throughout the school year.
Helper – Every
day we will have a class helper. This is a big event for kindergartners as they
get to do many special jobs! Throughout the year, your child will have several
opportunities to be the class helper!
I is for I am ALWAYS available
Should you
want to discuss your child’s performance or share any concerns, please do not
hesitate to contact me. I can be
contacted at school at 765-2382 or by e-mail at: mfrance@voorheesville.org
In the classroom, journals of various types are used to engage
children in literacy activities. Children are supported at various levels.
Children will use journals for specific purposes during various themes and
projects. Some children will use their journals to develop picture ideas,
whereas some might be ready to begin matching print to picture ideas. Math
journals will be used to support problem solving skills and thinking. I will
support and guide your child according to their specific level.
K is for Kindergarten Celebrations
We will have several different celebrations through the school year!
I will be sure to let you know well in advance so that you can come join us!
L is for Labeling, Library and Lunch
Label -
Label all items your child brings to school (i.e., coats, boots, book
bag, etc.)
Library –Mrs.
Rappoccio is our librarian. We will have library on Day 6. The children
will be able to sign out books from the library each library day. It is very
important to help your child keep track of their library books and return them
the following week. Please encourage your child to assume safekeeping and
responsibility of these books by keeping them in one spot each week.
Lunch – Please
try to send your child to school with a packed lunch for the first week of
school. This helps your child learn the
routines of the lunchroom before having to purchase a lunch.
Your child will have the opportunity to purchase a lunch from
school each day OR bring their own lunch. Please be sure to review the menu
choices on the calendar sent home each month so that your child comes ready to
make a choice. Be sure to label your child’s lunch box or bag so that we can
make sure it gets back to you.
All students
have a twenty minute lunch, along with a twenty-five minute recess period. Children can buy lunch or bring one from
home. To prepay for lunches, send money
only in a labeled envelope. Put the
check in an envelope labeled “lunch money” along with your child’s name and
teacher’s name on it. You can also
prepay for lunches at myschoolbucks.com.
This account works like a debt account.
Cash is also accepted for individual lunch purchases. If you send in cash, please place it in an
envelope with your child’s first and last name. There is a “nut free” table for
children who are allergic to nuts. Each day there are other choices other than
the main lunch choice: deli sandwiches
(roast beef, ham, or turkey), soup of the day, and salads (chef, Caesar, tossed,
and fruit). (Lunch $3.25,
Milk .$50)
**Please
direct any lunch questions to Christy Rivenburg: crivenburg@voorhessville.org or 518-765-3314 ex 109.
M is for Milk and Music
Milk – Children
will not be purchasing milk during snack time. Please be sure to send in a
drink with your child’s snack. Water bottles are encouraged. Students will have the option of purchasing
milk during lunch, even if they brought their lunch from home.
Music –
Kindergartners will have music two times during the 6 day cycle. We will have
music on Days 2 and 5. Our music teacher is Dr. Morgan.
Newsletters - Please take the time to read the “Parent-Teacher Connection” that
your child will bring home each Friday. These letters will tell you about what
we did in the classroom that week, activities in the upcoming week, as well as
other important information to take note of.
Nurse - The
school nurse, Mrs. Brackett 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.
O is for Ordering Books and Outdoor Recess
Ordering Books
- Book orders will be sent home once a month. I would ask that you only send in
checks to pay for books. Please make your checks payable to “Scholastic Book
Clubs.” This is an optional activity. You can also order books online right at
Scholastic More information will follow.
Outdoor Recess
- Before lunch, your child will go out for recess every day for 25
minutes. Please dress your child
appropriately for the weather. Remember
to label coat, hat, gloves…etc. If the temperatures are too cold, we’ll have
indoor recess.
Parent Involvement - Your support of school activities makes your child feel
important and sends the message that you value school! We are always happy to have your help for
special activities in the classroom. I
will try to let you know at least a week ahead of time if I need help. I hope that you can come and join in the fun!
I know that
not all parents can come into the classroom and help out, but there are some
ways you still can help and be recognized as a helping parent to the children.
Please consider the following and on Parent Night you may indicate what you
would like to do.
In Class:
·
Party
celebrations
·
Assist in a
center
·
Teach a
craft to the children
·
Discuss a
career or hobby
·
Play a
musical instrument
·
Field trip
supervision
At Home:
·
Organize
scholastic book orders for the class
·
Make props
or materials
Parent Night
– On September 15th, this evening will include information on the
kindergarten curriculum, parent/teacher communication, parent volunteer sign-ups,
as well as other important information.
This is a night for parents/guardians only.
Q is for Questions
Questions: If we
question, we will never have to wonder. Therefore, do NOT hesitate to call,
e-mail, or send a note regarding anything that might be happening in the
classroom.
R is for Report Card, Responsibilities and Rest
Time
Report
Cards: Report cards will be sent home three times
during the year. These reports are a
summary of your child’s growth and achievements and will also point out areas
for improvement. Report cards are just
one of the many tools used to provide you with information on your child’s
success in kindergarten. If at any time
you would like to personally discuss your child’s progress, please contact me
to set-up a time to meet. There will be
fall parent teacher conferences.
Responsibilities - Please encourage your child to be responsible for themselves.
This includes getting themselves dressed, zipping their zippers, cleaning up
after themselves, and placing their purple “Go Home Folder” in their backpack
each night.
Rest Time –
Kindergarteners will have 15 minutes of rest time for the first couple months
of school. This is a quiet time where the lights are off, quiet music will be
playing and your child can relax. Please send in a towel labeled with your
child’s name in a plastic bag. Starting
in November we will use this time as a class read aloud time.
S is for Snack and Specials
Snack - We will
have snack every day in Kindergarten. Please send in a small healthy snack with
your child each day that can be eaten in about 10 minutes. We stress the
importance of being healthy; therefore I would ask that your child be provided
with a healthy snack (half a sandwich, crackers and cheese, fruit, carrots,
etc.). Please NO CANDY, cookies or soda! Please place their afternoon snack in
a separate bag from their
lunch and label it “afternoon
snack.”
If you would like to include a special note to your child with
their snack, we would be happy to help read it. Children love getting little
“love notes” from their parents and it provides a wonderful and meaningful
literacy model.
Specials – The
special schedule is on a 6 day rotating schedule. We will have P.E., library,
art, music, and computer lab this year. Below is our specials schedule. Please
make sure your child is dress appropriately for P.E.!
P.E. – Day 1 & Day 4
Music – Day 2 & Day 5
Computer Lab – TBA
Art – Day 3
Library – Day 6
T is for Trips, Take Home Books and Toys
Trips – We may
be taking field trips. I will be sure to let you know about these trips in
advance when asking for volunteer chaperones.
Take Home Books
– As we learn to read books, your child will bring home copies of some of the
books we read in school. Please help them read these books at home. In the
beginning of the year, this may mean that they help turn the page or describe
what is happening in the picture. Ask them questions about the books and what
is happening in the story. This will build their comprehension skills and let
you know if they understand the story. As your child progresses through the
year, you can have them read the books to you.
U is for Us
Your child’s education requires a partnership between home and
school. Cooperative efforts on the part of you, your child and myself will
create a healthy learning environment.
Vacations - If your child will be absent from school
due to a family vacation or business, please contact the school office and me
prior to your departure date.
Visitors –
Voorheesville welcomes and encourages family involvement, but does have a
policy that ALL GUESTS (including familiar faces) are required to check in at
the school office. It is important to
remember that while this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the
goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment.
W is for Water Bottles and Winter Clothing
Water Bottles
- You may send in a water bottle for your child to use at school. Please
clearly label the bottle. Water bottles
will be left in cubbies and will be there when needed.
Winter Clothing
- Please dress your child with boots, a hat, coat, and mittens that are easy
for them to manipulate on their own. Children will need snowpants for recess.
All clothing should be labeled so we can get them back home to you.
Your child will develop many friendships this year. Developing
positive social interaction skills is a critical part of your child’s growth as
a kindergartener. Encourage play opportunities with classmates outside of
school.
Y is for You
Z is for Zipping and Zzzzz’s
Zipping - Please
encourage your youngster to practice zipping their coats and pants. It is
wonderful to encourage their independence and practicing these procedures at
home will surely develop confidence to do it independently at school!
Zzzzzzz’s - Make sure that your child gets plenty of
rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime
routine is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will
help them to be alert and ready to learn each day
Thank you, in advance, for your cooperation!
I hope that this guideline will be helpful in you and your child’s
transition to school. Parents are an
integral part of the kindergarten program.
I appreciate your help in and out of the classroom and will not hesitate
to involve you in our activities throughout the year. I look forward to an exciting, happy year
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Tips for
Getting Ready on the 1st Day!
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Allow plenty of time
in the morning to get ready and travel to school so your child does not
feel rushed.
Pack your child’s
school bag with all the necessary supplies, including a nutritious
snack. Make sure that your child’s
bus tag is visible on his/her backpack.
Explain that it is
perfectly natural to be nervous about starting school. Remind your child that Mrs. France is a
nice person who is there to help, and that it’s okay to ask her questions.
Stay positive. Your child will pick up on your worries
and concerns if you show them.
Tell your child that
new experiences are exciting and making new friends is part of the fun!
Separating from you
may be hard for your child. Provide
plenty of reassurance that you will be back at the end of the school day.
Make the drop-off quick and painless.
Give your child a hug and kiss, and go. Most of the time children are fine as soon as their
parents leave
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