Granger Kindergarten

1. Granger Kindergarten Boot Camp & Curriculum Night September 20, 2010

2. The Teachers • Mrs. McClain • Mrs. Moore • Mrs. B. Lynch • Mrs. Perry • Ms. J. Lynch • Mrs. Smith • Mrs. Schindler

3. Special Classes • P.E. - Coach Ray & Coach Ladd • Music - Mrs. Hancock • Art - Mrs. Calliet & Mrs. Hodges • Library - Mrs. Hammonds • Computer – Classroom Teacher

4. 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. Engelhardt and Mrs. Hayes

5. What will your child learn? • TEKS • What the Texas Education Agency says all children must learn in Kindergarten • District Curriculum • The sequence of how the District has decided that we will teach the TEKS

6. 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.

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

8. Reading • Your child will learn to read in Kindergarten!!! • We will teach Reading through: • Shared Reading (Big Books & Poems) • Guided Reading • Reader’s Workshop • Browsing Boxes • Literacy Centers

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

10. 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

11. Assessment • Classroom Teacher Observations • Assessments will be done every six weeks by your child’s classroom teacher • Observation Survey • DRA – September, January & May • Writing Benchmarks

12. 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 8th.

13. 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 Homework • Phone # • Letters & Sounds • Counting • Projects will occasionally be sent home • Other homework will be sent home on an as needed basis

14. Student Responsibilities • Follow School & Classroom Expectations • Communication Folder • Quality Work • Classroom Procedures • Always Show Respect • Read Nightly

15. Parent Responsibilities • Read all Notes and Forms • Initial Behavior Log Nightly • Conference with Teacher as Needed • Read Nightly to your Child • Projects • Homework Enrichment Calendar • Volunteer

16. Communication Folders • Please check daily for behavior and notes • Please initial the behavior chart daily • Please place all money in baggies inside folders • Please use the parent communications sheet to note any changes of transportation, concerns, etc.

17. 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.

18. Email • The fastest way to get a response from your child’s teacher is by e-mail! • 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.

19. 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.

20. Conference Time • 12:45 - 1:40 P.M. Daily • A morning or afternoon conference can be scheduled upon request • Please call or send a note to schedule a conference if needed

21. 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.

22. 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

23. 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.

24. 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.

25. Birthdays and Parties • Parents are allowed to send cupcakes for their child’s birthday. These will be handed out at the end of the day. • Parent’s are not allowed to send candy to school except for our Winter and Valentine’s Parties. • 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

26. Dress Code • No spaghetti straps • No halter tops • No Mid-drift shirts • Shorts beneath dresses • No 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

27. Lunch • 11:00-11:30 daily • Parent Table in the hall… No friends may sit with your child • Please send items that are easy to open. If you have trouble opening an item… your kids will too! • Recess is 10:25-10:55

28. 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!

29. Dismissal • 2:50 Daily • If 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

30. Newsletter • Paper copy will come home only upon request • We will be 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.

31. Extras • Please Join PTA-$8 per family • Box Tops, Campbell’s Soup Labels, & Carpi Suns • We are collecting these to get money for our school! • Fundraisers – Fall & Spring • Questions?