Getting Ready for Kindergarten

1. Getting Ready for Kindergarten Cedar Wood Elementary 2015-2016 Academic Year

2. Your Hosts • Dr. David Jones • Principal • Ms. Denise Butler • Full Day Kindergarten Teacher • Ms. Karie Eickhoff • Half Day Kindergarten Teacher

3. Joining the PTA connects your family with other families who share similar goals and interests. • PTA provides essential volunteer and financial support to the school. • Everyone is welcome at the monthly meetings. Please come. First meeting is September 10th, at 7 p.m. in the library

4. Enduring Influences • Parents • Educators • Family, Friends, Community • Media

5. Our community YMCA provides a safe and supportive before and after school environment for your children and others right here on our campus. Child Care is available starting at 6:30 a.m. and ending at 6:30 p.m.

6. A Day in Kindergarten

7. Arrival at School How do children get to Cedar Wood? Walk Parents drive Bus for some neighborhoods

8. Arrival – Departure Times School begins at 9:10. The tardy bell rings at 9:15 a.m. For safety and supervision reasons children should not arrive before 9:00 a.m. A.M. students are dismissed at 11:55. Full-day students are dismissed at 3:25.

9. Early Dismissal • There are days throughout the year when the student day is reduced to allow for parent/ teacher conferences or professional development. Classes meet for a reduced time. • Make special arrangements for transportation on these days. You don’t want your child left waiting in the office when all the other children have gone home.

10. Getting to and from school • Start your transportation routine on the first day. Routine, routine, routine. • At “Meet Your Teacher” the afternoon before the first day of school you will be given a name badge for your child. Please have your child wear this badge every day for the first two weeks of school.

11. If you driveyour child to school • Wait until 9:00 a.m. • Park, hold your child’s hand and walk together to the upper play area. • Say goodbye at the gate. Do not enter the playground. Your student will join his/her class in line up and will be supervised by staff. • When the bell rings, the teacher will walk her students into the classroom. • In the afternoon we reverse this procedure.

12. If your child will be riding the bus • Practice going to the bus stop near your home prior to the first day. Locate landmarks so that your child will recognize where to get off on the way home. • Bus drivers are not permitted to let a kindergarten student off the bus after school unless there is an adult there to meet him/her. (If your kindergartner has an older sibling on the same bus you can make arrangements with the driver.)

13. Changes in Regular Dismissal • If you need to change your child's plans, send a note to the teacher. Changes could include: • Being picked up instead of riding the bus • Going home with another child • Riding a different bus than usual • Being picked up by another adult on your approved list • Leaving school early for a medical appointment • If there is no note from the parent or guardian indicating a change in plans, your child will be sent home as usual. So, send a note!

14. Beginning of the Day Breakfast program is available, starting at 8:45 Non-breakfast students line up in the kinder area starting at 9:00 Students are walked into the classroom at 9:05 They leave their coat & backpack in their locker

15. Welcome Time

16. Calendar Students identify the day, month and year. They count the days of the school year. They chart the weather together. They practice patterning, counting, and adding on.

17. Songs, Stories & Chants

18. Mathematics Standards focus on: Number sense Counting objects Patterns Forming groups Shapes Measurement & graphs Problem solving

19. Reading Standards focus on: Learning how stories work Sounds of letters and words Being a part of a classroom discussion Reading Guided reading Shared reading Partner reading Independent reading Center activities

20. Building on a child’s sense that “I am a writer” Standards focus on Describing format Narrative format Elements of writing Revising Writing in different modes: - Personal stories - Labels - Lists - Science journals

21. Building on a child’s sense that “I am a scientist” Standards focus on: Learning about living and non-living things 3 units per year Balls & Ramps Wood & Paper Animals 2x2 Asking questions Making observations Using tools to solve problems

22. Building on a child’s sense that “I have successful social skills” Standards focus on Understanding of self Working in a group Classroom & school community Problem solving

23. Social and interpersonal skills we target: Following routines Sharing and helping others Recognizing feelings in self and others Interacting with other children and adults Becoming a self-manager Counselor and Guidance

24. Recess & Outdoor Play Making choices during less structured time Promoting physical activity Learning to play safely with others—taking turns, sharing, problem-solving

25. Specialist Programs Library Music Computer Lab Physical Education (PE)

26. Your School Health Room Main Office Cafeteria

27. If your child is ill: You know your child best. If he/she is too sick to attend school please keep your child home. Call the office attendance line (425-385-7705) to leave a message if your child will not be at school.

28. Food at School Snacks from home (teacher will inform you) Lunch for Full-Day Kindergarten Free & Reduced Lunch applications are available Students need to know their ID number to go through the cafeteria line Allergies? Let us know.

29. Home/School Communication • If you have a question, contact your child’s teacher. Teachers are available from 8:25 - 9:10 in the morning and also after school until 3:55. • You may email a teacher—teachers check their messages at least once a day • Firstinitiallastname@everettsd.org

30. Between now and the Start of School… Review the “Getting Ready for Kindergarten Checklist” to identify what you and your child can work on together Develop and practice your “school morning routine” Help your child learn his/her personal information Get supplies ready and labeled (see the list on the school web site)

31. Practice Self-Help Skills Independently use the bathroom Wash hands Zip & button coats Blow your own nose Keep track of possessions

32. Supporting learning at home…(writing / drawing / story telling) Talk with your child about his/her stories. Ask, “What’s the story you are going to tell today?” • What happened? • Who was there? • Where did it happen? • How did you feel? • Did you say anything?

33. Supporting Learning at Home… (reading together) As you read together, ask: • From the cover, “What do you think this book will be about?” “Who will be in the story?” • Do a ‘Picture Walk’ before reading • Start reading. Ask for predictions before turning page • Point to characters, point to words • Ask, “What did you like best about this book?” “What did it make you remember?”

34. Supporting Learning at Home… (thinking mathematically) Connect items with numbers. Play ‘Find All the Threes’ or count specific items as you drive Talk about more than, less than, by how much Skip count (2, 4, 6, 8 . . .) Play, “What is 1 less than . . .?” Ask, “How many straws do you think we will need?” or “Will you get a paper napkin for each one of us, please?”

35. Important Things to Remember There are 177 days of school. Every day is packed with critical learning, which can not be made up. Every child starts school at a different skill level

36. Additional Support If you have concerns about your child’s development or readiness for kindergarten, please contact: The Cedar Wood office, 425-385-7700 Special Services, 425-385-5250 Early Childhood Curriculum Specialist, Lynn Lahey 425-385-4089

37. Spread the word about Kindergarten Registration is happening now. Tell your neighbors and friends.

38. What’s Next? • Classroom assignment calls will take place on Thursday, August 27th in the afternoon • Come to Popsicles on the Playground on August 28th at 1:00 • Come to Meet Your Teacher on Sept 1st at 4:00. Bring classroom supplies, find the classroom, enjoy popsicles in the courtyard. (dates are tentative—we will confirm in August)

39. What’s Next? • Half Day kindergarten students begin school on the same day as 1st – 5th graders. • Full-Day students take part in WAKids. The first three school days are for Family Connection conferences. (Students do not attend school.)

40. Questions?http://www.everett.k12.wa.us/cedarwood/