The ABC's of Kindergaerten


Absences	If your child is going to absent from school please call the school office between 8am and 9am. The phone number is 972-968-1200. When your child returns to school he/she must bring a note stating the dates of absence and reason.
Attendance	A successful school experience is the responsibility of the children, the parent and the school. Your child's progress, both academically and socially, is influenced to a great extent by daily participation. Regular attendance without tardiness is a key.
Arrival	Pupils should plan to arrive between 7:30 and 7:55 AM. Students should not arrive prior to 7:30 AM since supervision is not available. Students should report directly to the cafeteria between 7:30 and 7:55. School begins promptly at 7:55 AM and dismissal is at 3:10 PM.
Art	Our class will have Art on a rotating schedule at least once a week with Mrs.Perry. Please have your child at school on time so he/she won’t miss any of the activities.

Backpacks	To help your child carry messages and information to and from school, you are asked to provide a backpack for this purpose. Also, make sure that it is large enough to hold a 3-ring binder. Please have your child share the contents of the backpack with you daily.
Birthdays	Birthdays are special occasions for young children. If your child wishes, he/she may bring may bring cookies or cupcakes to share with classmates at lunchtime. Please refrain from bringing party favors and/or decorations.
Book Orders	Every month or so I may be sending home book order forms for you and your child to look over. These clubs offer wonderful books at reduced prices – what a great way to build your home library!

Communication Binders	I will use a daily folder that goes home. In an effort to consolidate information to and from home, I will send the folder home daily. Please be sure to review the folder daily.
Clothes	Please send your child to school in clothes appropriate for learning. Do not send your child to school so "dressed up" that you might be concerned about her or him "getting dirty." Becoming involved in kindergarten activities often means that the students will get a little "messy." Please refer to the standardized dress code policy.
Conferences	Parent/Teacher conferences are a time to discuss your child’s accomplishments, strengths and overall progress. We will have 1 scheduled conference around the end of the 1^st 9-week grading period. Please feel free to schedule conferences at any time throughout the year if the need arises.
Calendar	I will be sending home a calendar to keep you informed of the happenings in our classroom. This is a great way to stay abreast of our curriculum, classroom news, special activities and upcoming events. You can find this information included in the folder.

Differentiation	Because all children are unique and special, they may be at many different instructional levels. Since it is my responsibility to take each child from where he or she is to a higher level, students may be learning concepts different from his/her peers. With this type of teaching in the classroom, you can be sure that your child's individual needs will be met.
Discipline	My philosophy of discipline is based on the belief that children need affectionate care and firm guidelines within a flexible environment. To establish good order and help the children learn self-control, the children will be guided to respect themselves and their companions through specific directions, positive reinforcement, suggested new activities and responsible actions.
Dismissal	All car riders are released through the the front of the school. Students wait with their teacher until their ride arrives. It is important that your child tell his/her teacher “goodbye” before they leave!

Emergency Closings	If schools are closed for any emergency, or if opening is delayed, TV and radio stations will make announcements that morning. If an emergency occurs during the day, parents will be contacted with dismissal procedures.
Field Trips	We plan at least two field trips that are fun and educational for the children. Please sign and return permission slips promptly. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated.
Fire Drills	Fire drills are held periodically throughout the year. All students will participate and are expected to walk quickly and quietly to their designated exit. We will practice and become familiar with procedures before our first scheduled drill.
Footwear	Please have your child wear shoes that are appropriate for running and active movement. Cowboy boots, dress shoes, or flip flops for example, are not good for school activities because they are slippery and inappropriate for the gym or the playground.

Got Questions?	I’m sure that you may still have some unanswered questions. Please feel free to email me any time or send a note in your child’s folder with any questions that may arise throughout the year.
Guided Reading	The definition of guided reading encompasses a wide variety of behaviors. For example, some children may be working on alphabet recognition; some may require teacher support to read stories with predictable text, while others may read simple texts independently. Guided reading provides an opportunity to teach children the variety of reading strategies they need in order to become fluent, independent readers. During guided reading, the teacher monitors and evaluates each child's progress.
Hands-on Learning	The best way to help children learn is to make learning fun. Important concepts can be learned by doing meaningful hands-on activities. There are times when seatwork is required and necessary but for the most part our classroom will be an active learning environment.
Homework	Your child will be bringing home books and have weekly homework activities to complete. These take-home books and activities promote home involvement and allow for reinforcement of reading, math, science, and social studies concepts taught in class. Please take the time to enjoy this special learning time with your child as homework time should never be stressful.

Illness	The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning. It is important, however, to keep your child home if he/she is ill. This helps to make them more comfortable and prevents others from becoming ill. Children function more effectively in the classroom when they are healthy. Children must be FEVER FREE for 24 HOURS before returning to school.
Independent Reading	Because children learn to read by reading, they need plenty of opportunities to read independently. Sufficient time and appropriate materials are necessary to develop and strengthen reading abilities. By giving the children time to read both at school and at home, we can work together to provide a literature-rich environment and a life-long love of reading.
Journals	One strategy that will be used to help convey the vital concept that “print conveys meaning” is the frequent use of journal writing. In these journals the first graders combine their emerging writing skills with their drawing skills. As the children are exposed to a variety of phonics and reading experiences, journal entries will move from drawings and “phonetic” spellings towards more conventional writing.

Kindness	Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class as well as others with kindness and respect. Hitting, fighting, name-calling, and making fun of others will not be permitted.
Library	We will visit the library on a regular basis. Our librarian will read to the students and teach them basic library skills. The kindergarten students will not be checking out books to bring home but will be given the opportunity for the 2nd semester to check out books to be kept in the classroom.
Lost & Found	We have a Lost and Found area located by the entrance to the cafeteria next to the stage. We ask that you label clothing items worn to school by your child. This will help us return lost clothing to it’s owner.
Lunch	Our class will be eating lunch from 10:55-11:25. Children may either purchase their lunch (for $1.75) or bring it from home. A monthly lunch menu will be sent home with each day’s meal choices for you to discuss with your child.

Math	The first grade mathematics curriculum provides students with mathematical experiences that help them develop number sense and a positive attitude towards mathematics that will continue through their school career and their lives. We use a hands-on, problem solving approach.
Music	The children will attend music on a rotating basis at least once a week. Our music teacher, Mrs. Adamo, will be teaching the children the basics of music education and will be sharing many wonderful songs!

Nurse	We are very fortunate to have nurse Sally Albright at Carrollton Elementary. I take care of minor hurts in the classroom, such as scratches and scrapes, but send the children to the nurse for more serious injuries and illnesses. Please be sure to send in any change of contact numbers in case the nurse needs to get in touch with you.
Outside Play	The children will be going out for a 20-minute recess every day. Please keep this in mind when helping your child to select clothing for the day. Children should also always wear closed-toed shoes

Parent Involvement	Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school! I will be sending home a form for times when parents will be needed to help. Please find a time convenient for you and volunteer! There will also be a variety of special classroom activities and celebrations throughout the school year. I hope that you can come and join in the fun!
Parties & Celebrations	We will have class parties from time to time for occasions such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day and End of the Year. Room parents usually organize these events and coordinate volunteers as well as donations. All are welcome to participate in the festivities!

Report Cards	Report cards are issued four times a year, in October, January, March and May. These reports reflect the progress your child has made toward various kindergarten objectives and use a grading system that reflects the developmental nature of kindergarten learning. Please review, sign and return the report card in a timely manner.
Room Parents	The room parents' job is to be available for any number of things: to help coordinate parties and activities; to seek volunteers for field trips and events; and to be a sounding board about new ideas. Being a room parent is a great way to be involved in your child’s school life. If you are interested, please contact the PTA or your child’s teacher.

Science	The focus of the kindergarten science curriculum is on developing an awareness of the world in which we live. Through scientific inquiry, concepts will be presented in the life and earth sciences, including the study of animals and plants, the five senses and general health, and the four seasons. These areas will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach.
Shared Reading	Shared reading is an interactive process used with the whole class. As the teacher reads a story, children join in on phrases or words that they know. During subsequent re-readings, children read more and more of the text, until they are able to read the story independently. Shared reading is an opportunity for the teacher to model conventions of print and the use of reading strategies.
Social Studies	The first grade social studies curriculum focuses on the students and how they relate to others in their families, classroom, school, and community. Activities will help the children focus their natural curiosity for the world around them.

Toys	Bringing toys to school is not permitted for a number of reasons. If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt.
Transportation	If your child has a change in transportation, you must send a written note or call the office no later than 2:00. Do not rely on your child to tell us this information because children often become confused and relay information incorrectly.
Unique	First Graders learn that they are special and unique. First Graders have opportunities to describe how they are alike as well as different from others. They share their culture and learn about different cultures within the class.
Visitors	Carrollton Elementary has a policy that ALL GUESTS (including familiar faces) are required to check in at the office and wear a guest badge. Good welcomes and encourages family involvement and the presence of a guest badge will help identify visitors to all faculty and staff. It is important to remember that while this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment.

Website	Carrollton-Farmers Branch I S D has a website which can be accessed at http://www.cfbisd.edu. Check it regularly to find information about curriculum, special events and district news. Good Elementary also has a website which can be accessed at http://cfbstaff.cfbisd.edu/good. Here you will find information specific to our school as well as our class website. Be sure to visit regularly!
Wish List	Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our classroom materials (film, napkins spoons etc…) These needs will be posted in the communication binder. Extra items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome!
Writing	Our writing program builds on what each child already knows. Writing begins with scribbles and proceeds to lines and circles, random strings of letters, words and spaces and eventually sentences. Your children will be encouraged and praised for all attempts and accomplishments in writing. Providing a risk-free environment is paramount to your child's progress in writing. If possible, please provide your child with writing tools, such as pencils, crayons, markers and paper at home.

XVIII	We have sixteen to eighteen children in our class. Please keep this in mind when sending in things to be distributed to the whole class (Okay, okay, so this “x” word is a little lame and a bit of a stretch, but I concede, I couldn’t come up with anything else…)
Younger Siblings	It is in your child’s and the program’s best interest to have our parent volunteers available without younger children. This not only allows your full attention to be focused on the class, but also allows for some special time between you and your kindergartner. Thank you for making childcare arrangements for younger siblings.
ZZZZZ's	Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!

Absences

Attendance

Arrival

Backpacks

Birthdays

Book Orders

Clothes

Conferences

Calendar

Differentiation

Discipline

Dismissal

Emergency Closings

We plan at least two field trips that are fun and

educational for the children. Please sign and return permission slips promptly. Volunteers are always needed and appreciated.

Got Questions?

Homework

Emergency
Closings