Tom Wilson Elementary Kindergarten Information Night

1. Tom Wilson ElementaryKindergarten Information Night Spring 2014

2. Exciting New Experiences Kindergarten marks the beginning of exciting new experiences for your child. • Interacting with new people • New settings and activities • More structure and focus on learning Spend time speaking with your child about thesenew, exciting experiences!

3. What every parent wants to know…”Is my child ready?” • Personal and Social Readiness • Fine and Gross Motor Readiness • Communication Readiness • Basic Cognitive Readiness

4. Personal & Social Readiness • Uses the bathroom independently • Dresses self and buttons/snaps shirts and pants and zips zipper • Knows own age and birthday • Separates from parents easily • Responds appropriately to adult authority • Pays attention for short periods of time to adult-directed tasks • Demonstrates self-control • Completes tasks willingly • Gets along well and shares with others • Takes turns when playing with friends • Shows an interest in learning and coming to school

5. Fine & Gross Motor Readiness • Uses crayons, scissors and glue correctly • Holds and writes appropriately with a pencil • Traces basic shapes • Can cut various lines • Can put on shoes and coats without help • Throws, catches or bounces a large ball

6. Communication Readiness • Speaks clearly and communicates needs • Uses phrases and complete sentences • Can say his or her full name, address and phone number - including area code • Knows parents’ first and last names • Follows spoken directions and rules • Listens without interrupting

7. Basic Cognitive Readiness • Identifies basic colors • Shows an interest in books and learning to read • Identifies some alphabet letters • Produces some letter sounds • Understands positional words such as up, down, over, under, beside • Begins to write name in print • Colors and “writes” (tries to write letters and numbers) • Identifies some numbers and counts to 20

8. Preparing for the New School Year Help your child prepare for this exciting school year by: • Making sure he or she is receiving plenty of rest • Meals should be nutritious and unhurried • Encourage your child to be polite and to state feelings • Provide numerous opportunities for experiences with books • Help your child begin practicing writing his or her name correctly

9. A Typical Day in Kindergarten • Calendar/Circle Time • Whole Group Language Arts/Reading • Small Group Guided Reading and Literacy Stations • Writing • Handwriting • Lunch • Recess • Specials (PE, Music or Art daily) • Whole Group Math • Small Group Guided Math and Math Tubs • Snack • Extended Learning Time (Pack-time) • Developmental Centers • Science/Social Studies • Library/Computer Lab (once a week)

10. Transportation • Children can walk, ride a bike, take a bus, go to a Daycare, attend YMCA or ride in a car • Teachers supervise children each day during arrival and dismissal • Please try to keep the mode of transportation consistent day to day…Children get stressed and confused when it changes • We have included a School Bus Readiness bookmark to help prepare your children for riding a school bus

11. The First Day of School • Talk about the first day of school in encouraging terms • Answer any questions or address any concerns your child may have • Arrive on time, but not too early • Leave cheerfully ~ Please do not linger • Make sure your child has all of their needed supplies • Keep a positive attitude…If you look forward to the first day of school your child will too

12. Plan to be Active in School • Active involvement in your child’s school will help answer many of your questions and help your child feel better about entering school.   • Join the PTA • Volunteer to help at school • Attend school events, parent conferences, and meetings • Contact your child’s teacher if you have questions or concerns

13. How to Show Your Interest • Asking your child about his or her favorite school activities • Reviewing papers and information that come home • Signing up for e-News at the Parent Information Center at katyisd.org • Listening and asking questions about what your child says about school

14. Tosha Chowdory TWE School Nurse

15. New Kindergarten Student Registration for 2013 - 2014Tuesday, April 8, 20149:00 - 11:00 a.m.1:00 - 3:00 p.m. To qualify for the kindergarten, the child must reside in Katy ISD and be five years old on or before September 1 of the current school year. Kinder Registration • Required Documents • Proof of residence • Original birth certificate or Passport • Social Security Card (Optional) • Parent Drivers License or Passport • Proof of immunizations • Application for Determination of a Minor's Residence (only if the student resides with someone other than a parent) Registration packets are available tonight to take home and bring back completed. Registration packet is also available online at www.katyisd.org Questions? Contact Danielle Vasquez 281-234-1600 daniellemvasquez@katyisd.org

16. Registration Tuesday, April 8th 9:00 am – 11:00 am 1:00 pm – 3:00 pm