A B C ’s of Kindergarten Orientation

ABC’sof Kindergarten Orientation Mrs. Easterling Mrs. Kimball Mrs. Wagner Mrs. Kaufman

A • Announcing Mr. Aldern, Principal of Beattie!

B • Beattie • Our mission is: Educate the Whole Child • Bear Lake • is the name of our kindergarten unit • Name of a lake within Rocky Mt. National Park • Website with our classroom information

C • Curriculum • District wide literacy and math programs • District Science kits • Social Studies • Writing

D • Daily Schedule • Both half and full day kindergarten includes: • the academic areas • social/emotional well-being support from the counselor • encore classes • media support • Full day offers the opportunity to enrich on the academic areas.

E • Emotional Preparation for First Day Jitters • Share your kindergarten experiences • Read books about beginning kindergarten. • Help your child learn to write their name.

F • First Day • Children whose last names begin with letters A-M will come to school the first day. • Children whose names begin with letters N-Z will come to school the next day. • ALL kindergarteners will come on the third school day. • All students will need to arrive at the outside classroom door by 8:30. • Kindergarten students walk out the front door at the end of their day and can be picked up by the flagpole. • It is a good idea to visit with your child prior to the first day about who will be picking him/her up.

G • Gifted and Talented Program • Our hope is to expand on our current program.

H • Handwriting and Cutting Skills • Refer to the handout in your folder • “Pinch and Flip” method • Pencil grips encouraging the use of three fingers • Reinforce the holding of scissors correctly

I • Immunizations • Ms. Freeman, Secretary and Health Tech

J • Joint Activities • Both Bear Lake classrooms enjoy activities together, such as read-alouds and our 100th Day centers

K • Knowing How To… • Zip their jackets • Tie their shoes • A capable and independent child is out the door for recess more quickly

L • Lunch • Children may bring a cold lunch from home • Children may purchase a drink only (milk or juice) • Children may go through the lunch line and select an entrée from a choice of four, along with a fruit and salad bar • You may pay online, send money with your child, or pay in the cafeteria yourself

M Moving on…

N • Newsletter from Bear Lake • Every other week. • Can be found on Beattie’s website under Bear Lake

O • Opportunities for Sharing • Show and Tell box

P • PBS or Positive Behavior System • Matrix • System areas • Consistent throughout the school • Blue notes • School-wide drawing every other week • Weekly kindergarten drawing

Q • Questions • When reading aloud to your child, provide time for questions before and after the book is read. • Ask a variety of questions which require your child to think critically about the story.

R • Registration is February 10, 2011 • 7:00 am-6:00 pm • Need birth certificate and immunization records

S • Safety • It is important to model safe behavior when crossing the street-use the crosswalk • Parking on Meadowlark, in the cul-de-sac (north of the school), or the church parking lot • It is important for your child to learn his/her phone number and address and be able to say it • When registering, it is important to provide your child’s teacher with phone numbers where you can be contacted-please keep these numbers current during the school year by letting us know of any changes

T • Themes • Families, Friends, Transportation, Food, Animals, Neighborhoods, Weather, Plants, Seasons, Nutrition, Shadows, Safety, Trees, Paper, Holidays Around the World, Mother Goose • Title I/Literacy support throughout the school year

U • Understanding and Supportiveness • School is hard work and at the end of the day your child may need some down time

V • Volunteers • Daily work stations • Specific activities such as Invention Day and 100th Day celebration • Take-home activities • Parties

W • Whole Child- Encore Classes • P.E. • Music • Art • Computer Lab

X • Experiences • Hands-on (science, math manipulatives, reading) • Movement (bean bag activities, follow direction activities) • Singing songs • Role playing

Y • Your Literate Home • The experiences in your home can make a difference in your child’s reading development • Magnetic letters, books, paper, writing tools, scissors, etc.

Z • ZZZZ… Be sure your child is rested and ready for the day… Humpty Dumpty sat on the wall, Kindergarten is the best place of all!

A B C ’s of Kindergarten Orientation