Welcome to Kindergarten!

We are looking forward to getting to know you and your child! This handbook may answer some of the questions you may have and will be a good future reference.

Kindergarten is a year of growing socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Your involvement, interest, and enthusiasm will help make this a wonderful year of growth for you and your child.

A child's first and most important teacher is his or her parents. Communication between parents and teachers is essential. Please call or send a note if you have a question or concern.

Take a moment to imagine the kindergarten world: letters, numbers, stories, sharing blocks, puzzles, play, paint and playdough. Imagination and creativity are everywhere. As you talk with your child about their day and celebrate their best effort on the work they do, remember that Kindergarten is a "child's garden." Many times the process is more important than the product, and learning is accomplished by doing, touching, and experiencing.

Sincerely,

Patsi Kugler and Cindy Feda

A If your child will be absent from school, please call the school office between 8:00 and 8:30. If your child is sick, school policy states that they may not return to school until their temperature is normal for 24 hours. If your child has allergies to food or other things, please inform the school in writing so that we may be aware.

B We will assume that your child will be riding their bus or walking home each school day. If there is a change in plans, we must have a note! If your child will be going to a friend's house, both parents should send notes. If you will be picking up your child, please be at the Elementary Office area by 3:05.
Your child's birthday will be a special day in our room! Each child can wear a birthday crown to celebrate their birthday and, of course, we will sing Happy Birthday! If you would like to send a birthday treat for the class you may, but it is optional. Remember, treats must be store bought and make sure there are enough to go around. Fruit roll-ups or snacks, candy bars, cookies or bakery cupcakes are favorites.

C Conferences are scheduled so that a family with more than one child has conferences scheduled together. Please let us know in advance if there is a time that won't work for you and we can schedule around that. Conferences are held at prescheduled times of the year, but we can conference at your request or ours at any time.

D Kindergarten is a busy place that sometimes can get messy! Dress your child so they are ready for action! Tennis shoes must be worn for Phy. Ed. Please have your child wear tennis shoes to school the first few weeks. (When shopping please consider shoes that won't leave black scuff marks.) When cold weather comes we will be going outside to play unless the temperature is below zero, so warm, waterproof mittens and boots are important along with a hat, scarf and snow pants.

E Everything should come to school in an envelope with your child's name on it.

F Each child needs to have a folder with pockets to hold important papers. The folder should come to school with your child and be checked after each school day. There will be a communication page inside your child's folder. Feel free to use it to make quick comments about their learning at home or about something that happened while they were away from school. It is not meant to replace notes that inform us of special events or changes. It is ment to be a place for dialogue between teacher and parent.

G We go to the gym everyday and must wear tennis shoes while playing there. Please make sure that your child wears tennis shoes in school everyday.

H Elementary Handbooks will come home to each family during the first weeks of school. Please return the slip attached to the handbook as soon as you've read through it. The office documents that families have acknowledged the handbook.

I Independence

J Journal writing - we write in our journals almost every day. Your child will bring their journal home at the end of the school year.

K Kindness

L Kindergartners check our a library book each week and visit the library. We will be checking out one or two books. Remembering to bring their book back on Library Day is an important task and responsibility. If a book is lost, let us know and we can find out the replacement cost.
We have a computerized lunch account system. Each child is assigned a number and has their own individual account. You may deposit money in your child's account by sending a check to school. We will deliver it to the office for you. When your child's lunch account balance falls below a couple of dollars, a notice will be sent from the office. You will have access to your child's lunch account online. Check with the Elementary Office if you'd like to access this.
Please label everything your child plans to bring to school. Jackets, shoes, bags, mittens, etc. That will help your child's things find their way home!

M Each month the lunch menu will be sent home with your child. If you don't receive one let me know. Milk money won't be collected this year. All children may have afternoon milk and the cost is being covered by the Minnesota Kindergarten Milk Program, courtesy of the State of Minnesota.

N We will be sending home a newsletter on Fridays. Watch for it on bright paper. Occasionally, we will send notes home with your child. When we do we will place them inside their folder. When you send notes, please do the same. Then we will always know where to look!

O We will send home book orders each month. Remember, they are completely optional. Please return the completed order along with a check made out to the book club in a envelope with your child's name on it within a week.

P Parent Involvement - your child's success is linked to your involvement in their learning. Plan on being involved in our Family Fun Time. One afternoon a month family members can join the classroom for an afternoon of activities. Our first Family Fun Time will be September 26 and the second October 31 at 2:00.

Q Quiet "read, write and rest" time. If you have any questions, you can reach us at 864-5217 between 3:15 and 4:00 pm or email us at pkugler@battlelake.k12.mn.us or cfeda@battlelake.k12.mn.us.

R Kindergarten report cards come home every 9 weeks. You may keep the report card for your reference. Please sign the YELLOW Report Card Acknowledgement Form and return it to school in the envelope within one week.

S Your child may bring 2 snacks, one for morning and one for afternoon. Please don't send candy, but crackers, raisins, fruit, cheese or carrot sticks are great. Keep in mind it should be ready to eat (peeled or sliced if appropriate.) NO SNACKS WITH NUTS OR PEANUTS PLEASE. We have food allergies in our classroom.
During the first 2 weeks of school, the Kindergartners will have a special helper from the 3rd grade at lunch time. If your child is eating cold lunch, they may purchase a milk in the lunchroom directly from their lunch account. You don't need to send change. Remember, no pop in a thermos (I'm told it will explode!) and no glass containers. Each child will have an opportunity during the school year to be the Star of the Week.

T Ted E. Bear will be making home visits this year. He will come home on Friday in his special travel bag. Please include him in your family activities for the weekend and send him back on the next school day. Ted has a journal so parents can write down the things he does with your family. Photos would be great! Ted's purpose is to foster responsibility and language. Each child will be asked to take good care of Ted and his things and to report back to the class his adventures. Kindergarten will be using the MAPS primary test to gather data about each students progress over the course of the year.

U Unique - "There are millions of people all over the place, but no one else with exactly my face." Each child will bring to school their special qualities and strengths. We will build on them during the school year.

V There will be opportunities for parents to come and help in our classroom. We will ask for volunteers as the need arises. If you are interested in visiting, let us know in advance and we will let you know when a good time would be. All visitors must sign in at the office when they enter the building. That policy is in effect to ensure safety for all students and staff.

W The school website (www.battlelake.k12.mn.us) has a kindergarten link under the elementary link. That information is updated periodically.

X EXciting!

Y Younger siblings are welcome to join us for show and tell if your child would like to share their family with us. They are also invited to Family Fun Time. When volunteering or visiting, please don't bring younger siblings with you.

Z The Zoo Trip in May! ZZZZ - help your child to get plenty of sleep each night so they are rested and ready for a busy day at school!

Reading
Using the MacMillan McGraw-Hill Reading series, we will read and discuss many books, poems and songs. The series will introduce all the letters of the alphabet and their sounds. We will learn that sounds stand for letters and words are made of sounds. The children will have an opportunity to work at their level and participate in small group activities to strengthen their emergent reading skills. We will also learn sight word vocabulary to prepare for first grade.

Math
We use the Everyday Mathematics curriculum. Our math series uses manipulatives to teach basic concepts. We will order numbers, work on one-to-one correspondence, learn about shapes, put objects into sets and act out story problems, plus more!

Handwriting
In Kindergarten, your child will learn the basic handwriting strokes and practice making all the upper- and lower-case letters and also numbers. Their small motor skills are still developing and we will see much improvement as the year progresses. If your child does not write with a dominant hand yet, most likely they will establish one during Kindergarten.

Science/Social/Health
Many of our centers and themes will cover topics in science, social studies and health. We will also use the Weekly Reader.

Art
Art in Kindergarten is taught by the classroom teacher. We also have an art specialist that will teach us an art lesson in the art room 6 times per semester. We will experiment with different art materials and processes. Some art projects are good lessons for following directions. Remember, it's the process that matters, not just the product!

Phy Ed. and Music
The children will have Phy. Ed. and Music each day that they come to school.

Computer
The Kindergartners will have a chance to use the elementary PC computer lab. We will be teaching them basic computer vocabulary and commands. We use a variety of software in the lab. They will become familiar with the mouse. We will not work on keyboarding, their hands are simply to small to cover the keys.

Standards have been determined by the State of MN and are considered when planning curriculum and lessons. The kindergarten year includes many activities that help to build a strong foundation for learning.

WHAT TO EXPECT ...

Beginning of the Year Expectations

The activities that we spend time on at the beginning of the school year will incorporate these important areas:

Social skills (caring, sharing and getting along)
Classroom management plan and appropriate school behavior
Readiness skills (color and shape recognition, coloring, cutting skills, learning about letters and numbers)
Increasing attention span
Listening and following directions
Learning proper handwriting techniques - stregthening fine motor skills

End of the Year Expectations

Self Help skills - Your child can dress themselves
Attention span and behavior appropriate for age level
Follows directions
Good small motor skills
Basic Readiness Skills mastered (colors, shapes, all letters and most sounds, numbers 0-20, counting past 20)
Language development - understands letters stand for sounds, letters together make words, can rhyme and understands how books work

1) Go over the Discipline Plan with your child, sign it and return to school on their first day.

2) Get their bookbag filled with their school supplies.

3) Have them wear tennis shoes.

4) Send their resting mat if it's not already at school.

5) Send two snacks.

6) Put all notes inside their folder in their school bag.

7) Let them know if they should go to breakfast. If having cold lunch,
please label their lunch box or bag as a COLD LUNCH so it's not
confused with snacks.

8) If your child rides the bus, let them ride the first day. They need to know that this is their everyday routine, and it is best to start it off the first day - it is less traumatic on them (but not necessarily for you).

9) Tell your child that Mrs. Kugler and Mrs. Feda will be waiting in the hallway by the front door. Every morning this is where they will line up and wait until 8:15, unless they go to eat breakfast. Breakfast eaters go straight to the lunchroom. We will be picking up children from the cafeteria for the first few weeks. Tell them not to go down to the Kindergarten Rooms, because the teachers won't be there.

10) If you are going to pick your child up afterschool, please wait in the area in front of the Elementary Office. It is our school policy that all visitors must sign in before walking through the hallways. This is for the safety of everyone. So at the end of the day you won't need to sign in as long as you are in front of the office. Please try to be there by 3:05 so your child won't be worried.

During the school year we will be taking a few trips on foot, and at least one in a school bus with a responsible, licensed bus driver. The children will be closely supervised during these trips. If you give your permission for your child to go on such trips, please sign the permission slip below and leave it with Mrs. Kugler or Mrs. Feda. You will be notified in advance of any trips, on foot or by bus, that take us off of the school grounds.

I give my permission for _______________________
to go with their class on any trips in the school bus or on foot
for the 2008-09 school year.

___________________ ___________________
(Parent's Signature) (Date)

Would you be willing to come into the classroom during the day to help with a special project:
Mom ? _____YES ______NO Dad ? ______YES ______NO

Would you be interested in volunteering on a consistent basis?

weekly________ every other week______ once a month _______

Are you will to assist in the computer lab? _____YES _____ NO

Do you have a special interest area that you would to share with us during the Kindergarten Year? please indicate _______________________________

Would you be interested in going along to Chaperone a field trip on foot or by bus? We will contact you if you select Yes.

______YES ____NO

What general time is best for you to attend a Fall Conference in November?

_____EVENING (4:00 - 8:00 pm.)          Comments:

_____MORNING (8:00 am - 12:00 pm)

Can we call you with a concern during the day? _____YES______NO

If yes, where can we reach you by phone during the day?  #__________________

HAND IN TO SCHOOL NURSE:
School Health Form
Certification of Immunization
Emergency Information Card
Birth Certificate Verification
YOUR CHILD MUST HAVE GONE THROUGH PRESCHOOL SCREENING!

HAND IN TO ELEMENTARY SECRETARY:
Forms for Free or Reduced Lunch
Lunch Account Money
Money to purchase a Resting Mat (if you are buying one at school)

HAND IN TO MRS. KUGLER or MRS. FEDA (KINDERGARTEN TEACHERS):
Pink Information Form
Pink Field Trip and Helper/Conference Form

Internet Permission Form

Kindergarten Questionaire
Any special instructions, written down please

*Mark your child's name on the item if you are afraid it may get lost or stolen.
*Fragile and expensive items are discouraged.
*Guns or knives of any type are not allowed.
*No pets are allowed in the school building this year.
*Please "PRACTICE" at home - ask your child what they may say or show when they get the item to school.

*The item must fit in your child's backpack.

Special Family Sharing - Kindergarten children love to share their families! Baby Brothers and Sisters may be brought for show & tell, please contact us to make arrangements.

To ensure that each child has a pleasant, positive learning experience, a classroom management plan for Kindergarten has been developed. Every child deserves to learn in an environment that allows learning. This plan will help insure control in the learning environment.

CLASSROOM GUIDELINES:
Be a good listener, do not interrupt others when they are talking.
Follow directions the first time they are given.
Walk in the classroom and quietly in the hallways.
Share with classmates.
Treat others with respect. No fighting, teasing, tattling or saying "bad" words.
Use an "inside" voice while working in the classroom.

If these guidelines are not followed, the following consequences will take place.

CONSEQUENCES:
First time Verbal Reminder/Warning
Second time Child meets with teacher to discuss their behavior.
Third time Child loses 5 minutes of playtime and is redirected to another activity (if appropriate.)
Fourth time Child loses 10 minutes of playtime and contact is made with parents by phone or note.
Fifth time Child is sent to the office to meet with Principal/Lead Teacher and referral is written.

Each day is a new beginning. When the children are "caught being good." There will be various individual or group rewards given.

If necessary, teacher, parents and child will set up an individual discipline plan to address any challenges that your child is dealing with in the classroom. Our goal is to educate all students and we will strive to maintain an environment that is conducive to learning for everyone.

INDIVIDUAL REWARD EXAMPLES:
Sticker reward will be given to child.
Child can choose a computer game to play with a friend.
Child is chosen to do a "special job."

GROUP REWARD EXAMPLES:
Afternoon snack time held outside if weather is nice.
Popcorn treat.
Storytime outside if weather is nice.
15 minutes of quiet reading time during Resttime.
A group game outside.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Return to school:

Kindergarten Classroom Management Plan

I have read the Classroom Management Plan and have discussed it with my child.

Parent's Signature:_________________________________

Child's Signature:___________________________________

Date:____________________

Comments

Please return to school on the first day of school. THANKS!!

Language Arts
alphabet recognition
beginning sound recognition
uses left to right progression
understands concepts of letters/words
uses complete sentences
handles a book appropriately
retells stories in proper sequence

Math
number recognition 0-20
counting to 100, 1's, 2's, 5's, 10's

counting backwards
recognizes and creates patterns
sorts and describes objects
forms set of objects to match numbers
names the 7 days of the week
identifies 4 basic shapes
circle, square, triangle, rectangle

Basic Skills
recognizes 8 basic colors
recognizes name in print
prints first name
knows telephone number
can tie shoes
can zip
handles self-care skills appropriately
knows left from right

Personal Growth
participates in group activities
contributes to group discussions
listens to and follows directions
listens attentively to stories and others
respects authority willingly
is courteous and polite
works well with others
follows school rules
organizes materials and belongings
puts forth effort

Physical Development
uses balance and control to:
run, jump, hop, skip, gallop

Music
participates in:
singing
movement/dance
instrument playing
works well with others in music
treats instruments with care and respect
follows rules of the music classroom