Welcome to Kindergarten Information Night

1. Welcometo Kindergarten InformationNight

2. Great Falls Elementary - Jane Esty, PrincipalVillage Elementary - Brian Porter, PrincipalNarragansett Elementary-Polly Brann, Principal Kindergarten Teachers Betsy Fox Rosalie Mosher Kim Wright Kathy Baker Cindra Simpson

3. ATypicalDayinK 2.5 hours for 175 days… Arrive, greet, get ready Circle Time (calendar, weather, numbers) Everyday Math program Reading Street program Center time Specialists: Music, PE, Story Time, each week Snack and Recess

4. Approximate AM/PM KindergartenAttendance Areas

5. Great Falls Elementary School Approximate AM/PM KindergartenAttendance Areas

6. Village and Narragansett School Approximate AM/PM KindergartenAttendance Areas

7. Norm Justice Director of Facilities & Transportation normj@gorhamschools.org 207-222-1147 Judy Philbrick Administrative Assistant judyp@gorhamschools.org 207-893-2547 http://www.gorhamschools.org/

8. Kindergarten LiteracyReading Street Program-It provides high quality literature (K 60% fiction/40% nonfiction)-Every selection emphasizes a science or social studies concept-It provides instruction for whole-group and small-group teaching to attend to specific needs-It focuses on six trait writing What Can I Do At Home? Engage your child in conversation Encourage your child to be a letter/word detective Read, read, read Talk about books Write, write, write Read your Family Times newsletter

9. Kindergarten MathEveryday Math ProgramHands-on ActivitiesDiscussion and DiscoveryHigh Expectations End of Kindergarten Math Goals Count to 100. Read and write numbers up to 30. Compare and order numbers up to 20. Identify 2D and 3D shapes. Create and describe patterns. Solve addition and subtraction problems to 5. Know days of the week and purpose of the calendar. Identify coins and bills.

10. Kindergarten Math What Can I Do At Home? • Whenever you find yourself using math in your daily lives, point out this fact to your child. • Count, count, count! • Discuss math’s usefulness in real-life situations. Encourage your child to experiment with and use everyday math tools like rulers, tape measures, measuring cups and spoons, clocks and calculators. • Play games together that use numbers, counting and patterns like Candy Land, Go Fish!, and Trouble. • Have fun, stay positive and encourage your child to enjoy math!

11. Advice from theKteachers “Strive for excellence, honor progress.” “I promise not to believe everything your child tells me happens at home, if you promise not to believe everything that happens at school!” “Celebrate the new things they are learning!” “Enjoy this age and stage of your child’s life - they will be grown up before you know it!”

12. Health and Wellness • Please have your physician fill out the Physical Exam Form at their 5 year old physical. • A physician and parent signature are required for ALL medications, including over the counter medication. Cough drops that contain menthol, medication, or additives are included. Please do not send in medication with your child, a parent must hand carry in all medication and it must be labeled and in the original container. • Please sign a Release of Medical Information sheet for kids with significant allergies, so we can speak with their physician if needed.

13. Health and Wellness • Please bring in a copy of all immunizations to registration, and if you are choosing not to immunize, then please sign an EXEMPT form with an explanation, and return to the school nurse. However, if we do have an outbreak of some kind, the student could be exempt from school for up to 14 days depending upon the CDC’s recommendations. • School Attendance Guidelines--Temperature should be normal for 24 hours before sending a child to school without the use of Tylenol or Motrin. We check temperatures upon return to school. When calling your child out absent, please give symptoms and whether they have a temperature. Your child should be free from diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.

14. Collaborate with the Gorham Fire Department for Fire • Education and regular fire drills each year. • Review and practice the school Crisis Plan with staff. • Use two-way radios to communicate from the • playground to the office. • Use radios on buses to connect to the • transportation office. • Doors are locked by 9 a.m. • Each school will advertise their protocol for dismissal and visitors. Safety and Security

15. Kindergarten Paperwork • Student Registration Form • Kindergarten Parent and Child Information Form • Student Talent Release Form • Bus Form • Home Language Survey

16. Kindergarten Paperwork Please remember to bring a copy of your child’s original birth certificate, current immunization records, and proof of residency to K screening.

17. forattendingourevent !

18. Do you have any questions for us? Feel free to contact us if you have any additional questions.