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Procedures

The “ABC’s” of Kindergarten:

A Handbook for Parents

~Mrs. McIntosh

A

Absences:  Please call the office if your child will be absent that day.   If you are aware ahead of time of an absence your child may have, please let me know so we can plan on your child being absent.

Allergies: Please let me know of ANY allergies your child may have. It is important for everyone to be aware of what special actions need to be taken in case of an allergic reaction.

Alphabet: Learning the alphabet is an important part of kindergarten. In the beginning, we say A, /a/ (making the short a sound like in cat), and apple (any item that matches the letter sound).  For example, B, /b/, bear… C, /c/, cat.  Play fun games with your child at home; such as, pointing to letters on food items or billboards you pass, making letters with things like straws, blocks, and spelling out sibling’s names to see what letters they have in their name. These easy games will help expand your child’s alphabet development.

Arrival/dismissal:  School starts at 8:25 a.m. and ends at 3:20 p.m. Students will need to eat breakfast before school starts.  The children will need to leave their backpacks outside the cafeteria door while eating.  After eating they my put their backpacks in their lockers and if it is after 8:05 they may go to recess.  Please have your child to school on time so we can start learning right away!

B

Backpacks:  Your child should bring their backpack to school every day. They will bring their planner home daily.  Please sign each night after school and return the next day.  This will be our most valuable line of communication!

Birthdays:  Birthdays are VERY special in kindergarten! Your child may bring a store bought birthday treat on the day of their birthday, if they would like.  We are not allowed to serve homemade items. Please contact me ahead of time so we can plan for the treat!  You can send the treat in the morning with your child or arrange a time to bring the snack in if you would like to join the celebration. Please ask how many students to plan for.  Parties will be at the end of the day.

Book Orders:  We will occasionally send home book order forms. You are never obligated to purchase books, but books are always a great gift for your child!

Bus Riders: If your child rides the bus, they walk to their correct bus each day after school! Don’t forget to send a note in the planner if there will be a transportation change.

 C

Car pick up:  If you are picking up your child by car, please park in a parking space and walk up to our meeting spot, by the top of the hill in front of the Warrior Dome. This ensures each child gets to where they need to be safely! When leaving you will not be allowed to back up until the busses have left.  You may pull forward out of your parking space.

Centers:  The students will participate in “centers” throughout the school year.  These are structured learning centers that will change daily.

Computers:  Your child will receive computer instruction once a week.  Be sure to check out their computer skills!

Conferences:  You will have the opportunity to participate in two “formal” parent/teacher conferences during the school year.  Of course, if any concerns arise, we can schedule a meeting at your convenience.

D

Discipline:  We believe in using positive reinforcement and praise as our main discipline tool. We strive to encourage good behavior!  We will often refer to the Magic Triangle: Soft Touches, Kind Words and Smiling Faces!   Any concerns will be sent home in your child’s planner.

E

E-mail: E-mail is the quickest and easiest way to contact me. I am able to check email throughout the school day and will respond as soon as possible to questions or concerns! My email is bmcintosh@hammon.k12.ok.us

F

Field trips:  We will have several opportunities for field trips at the throughout the year. Permission slips will be sent home when dates and times are determined. Parent volunteers are always welcomed and encouraged on these trips! Parent transportation will not be provided.

Fine motor practice:  Fine motor activities help develop hand muscles. Working with Play-Doh, using markers, crayons, pencils, pens, and scissors will strengthen your child’s hand muscles.  Stronger hand muscles will help your child’s writing skills and encourage proper letter formation throughout the year.

G

Gym: We have gym Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday!  

H

Hands-on:  I believe that young children learn best by hands-on activities. I will strive to make your child’s learning developmentally appropriate and meaningful.

Homework:  Your child will have a reader sent home on Tuesday and Thursday.  Please sign and return the following day.  A three day homework pack will also be sent home on Tuesdays.  Please Sign th 3 day homework and return on Friday.  This will be in their planner.  Please remember, if the homework becomes a frustrating experience at any time, please let me know!

I

Illness:  Please report your child’s absence to the office.  In an effort to keep our children as healthy as possible, we ask that you keep your child home until he/she has been symptom-free for 24 hours. THANK YOU for your cooperation!  Please don’t worry about any work your child missed while absent. For extensive amounts of days off, I will send home any missed work.

Independence:   Kindergarten is a big transition for children and families! We gently encourage the children to be as independent as possible.  We are focusing on how to be kind, helpful and responsible! Be sure to encourage your child to continue these behaviors at home.

J

Journals:  The kindergartners will have a variety of journals to work on throughout the year. Writing journals will be composed of children’s writing on specific or free choice topics. As a bridge kindergartner, ‘writing’ is not limited to correctly written sentences. Sometimes writing is a combination of words, letters, shapes, or drawings that show their thoughts.

 K

Kindergarten:  The kindergarten year is a special time for you and your child. Although academics are important, they are not the sole focus of our program.  We aim to support and develop your child’s social, emotional, and physical development, as well. We want your child to become the best kindergartner they can be!

L

Label all of your child’s backpacks and jackets:  This will cut down greatly on lost items!

Lunch: A monthly menu will be sent home to keep you informed!

M

Math:  Math concepts are covered daily. Encourage your child to explain what they are learning in math throughout the week. You can always expand your child’s math knowledge by using everyday objects to count and add. Show your child how you use math every day, as well!

N

Newsletter:  A school newsletter will be sent home in your child’s planner each month. Be sure to check it out for important updates, what we have been learning about, and other special news!

 O

Outdoors:  Recess is outdoors every day, weather permitting. Please send your child in with weather appropriate clothing and extra warm clothes in the winter months!

P

Parties: We love to celebrate holidays and other events. We will have a fall party and a spring party.  Volunteers and goodies are greatly appreciated – please sign your party note in the enrollment packet.

 Q

Questions:  Please don’t hesitate with questions or concerns! Feel free to write me a note and send it inside your child’s planner!!

R

Reading:  We will start, establish, and expand reading skills in kindergarten! Please read with your child every day. Also, allow your child to read to you! In class, we have three ways to read: read the words, read the pictures, or retell the story. All these forms of reading help your child develop reading skills and an excitement for reading! Encourage any and all reading your child may do!  Books will be send home on Tuesday and Thursday nights.  Please sign and return the following day. 

S

Snack:  We will have a snack each day. The school cafeteria will provide snacks and juice for the students.

T

Toys:  Please remind your child that toys from home should not be brought to school!

Transportation:  It is very important that we safely get your child to their proper form of transportation each day! If there is a change in the way your child will be getting home, send in a note in your child’s planner. If there is a last minute change, please call the office to let us know of the change! Unless we hear otherwise from a parent/guardian, your child will be sent home the way that’s normal for him/her on any given day!

U

Unique:  Each child comes to us with gifts and needs that are unique to him/her.  We rejoice in each child’s uniqueness and will do our best to teach him/her according to his/her individual needs.  We strive to differentiate our teaching so that each child can be the best student he/she can be!

V

Visitors:  When visiting the school, please check in at the office before going into the classroom.

 W

Web Page:  www.hammon.k12.ok.us The school website is a great place to keep updated with current school events. The site will be updated throughout the year with things we are working on in our class.

Writing: Kindergartners are beginning to learn so many new things and writing is one of them! Your child’s writing will develop tremendously throughout the year. A kindergartner’s ‘writing’ may not look like an exact letter formation, and that is okay! Squiggles and scribbles are the beginning of the writing process! Encourage your child to write about what they draw at home. If you don’t know what it says, you can ask your child, “Can you read this to me?” or “Wow! Tell me what you are writing about. That looks interesting!” These are ways to encourage your child to excitedly continue writing!  If you are helping your child, encourage them to start at the top of the letter and bring the writing utensil down. By the end of the school year our goal will be to write a papaghraph!!   

X

 “Xtra” help at home!!  Ask your child about their day at school.  Encourage them to practice learning at home! They are only little once…..Enjoy every minute!

 Y

Younger siblings:  We realize that situations may arise when younger siblings need to accompany a parent to a class party or field trip.

Z

 Z-z-z-z’s:  Please make sure your bridge to kindergartner gets a good night’s sleep and has a good breakfast!  This will help your child have the best day possible!

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