KINDERGARTEN HANDBOOK

FOR
PARENTS

2014-2015
Sunset Park
Center for Accelerated Studies
A handy year lon !"de #or $aren%&
Welcome To
Kindergarten
2014-2015
First Day
Everyone has a First Day
When they feel sad and all alone.
It can be so scary
When youre out on your o!n.
"ake #y hankie$ dry your tears.
%oull find lots of thin&s to do
And youll 'robably #ake ne! friends.
I 'ro#ise !ell be to&ether
When the school day ends.
(ere co#es the teacher$
)lo! your nose and be brave.
Co#e on no! !i'e your eyes$
"his is no !ay to behave.
Well$ &ood #ornin& teacher.
We really #ust be& your 'ardon.
*o$ +,++% doesnt al!ays act this !ay.
)ut its #y first day of -.I*DE/0A/"E*1
Author Unknown
WELCOME TO KINDERGARTEN!
Dear Parents,
What an exciting time for you and your child! Whether this is your frst child or your baby,
his/her entrance into kindergarten is an important eent ! a milestone" We #ant your
child$s kindergarten year to meet your expectations and proide him/her #ith a sense of
excitement and curiosity for learning"
%f you hae &uestions after reading this booklet, please contact your child$s teacher at '()*
)+,-"
PHILOSOPHY
The Kindergarten Program of the Sunset Park Center for Accelerated Studies is committed
to providing each student with a positive beginning in school, a favorable attitude toward
learning, and a happy, successful year. ost e!pert observers say the "rst years of a child#s
formal education are the most crucial in determining future success as a student and an
adult. $e want to make certain that the kindergarten year is positive and meaningful % that
it is successful for each child who enters the school#s doors.
Through independent activities, small&group instruction, and continuous teacher
assessment, we encourage the development and enhancement of concept formation and
academic skills. The Kindergarten Program incorporates the following beliefs about the
nature of learning and teaching'
( )very individual is uni*ue.
+ As children grow, they change.
, A child#s sense of personal worth grows out of his-her e!periences.
. /iscovery is an active process of young children.
0 1earning results in changes in behavior of the individual.
The Kindergarten Program is the initial entry level in the continuous program of elementary
education. )ach child is introduced to the basic skills necessary for a successful transition to
a more formal and structured educational program. The kindergarten e!perience provides
children with opportunities to learn by doing, e!ploring, discovering, creating, and
*uestioning.
GOALS
The ma2or goal of our classes is to provide a learning environment that ensures that all
students reach their full potential in becoming productive members of our democratic
society.
The Kindergarten Program provides e!periences to'
( 3 /evelop a positive self&image and a positive attitude toward learning.
+ 3 )nhance social and emotional development.
4 3 )!pand early concepts, encourage independent thinking, and develop problem&
solving skills.
, 3 5mprove all communication skills.
. 3 )!pand readiness skills that will lead to success in reading and math.
0 3 Stimulate interest in the natural world.
6 3 5ncrease the capability for self&discipline and responsibility.
7 3 Advance the development of fundamental motor, visual, and tactile
skills-abilities.
8 3 5dentify special individual mental, social, emotional, or physical needs.
9 3 :urther the development of respect for human dignity and for the rights of
others.
(4 3 Promote aesthetic appreciation and e!pression.
(( 3 )ncourage creativity.
(+ 3 )nhance an understanding and appreciation of one#s heritage and faith in the
American way of life.
(, 3 )ncourage the involvement of parents in the educational process.
CURRICULUM
The instructional program focuses on e!periences which provide active e!ploration of the
environment, guided discovery, concrete e!periences, and both structured and unstructured
opportunities for play. 5t is designed to meet the needs of each child and promote growth in
intellectual, social, emotional, and physical areas. The curriculum focuses on the content
areas of reading, writing, listening-speaking, mathematics, science, social studies, and
health; however, they are interrelated so that students see the <real life= connections
between sub2ect matter. Students are allowed to learn at their own developmental rates
through e!periences and processes.
ASSESSMENT
Kindergarten students# progress and development are continuously assessed during the
year through teacher observations, anecdotal notes, portfolio assessment, teacher&made
assessments, developmental reading assessments, and mathematics assessments. The
purpose of assessment is to provide diagnostic information to better meet the needs of the
students by identifying their strengths and weaknesses. Assessment of a student#s progress
is an ongoing process in kindergarten. Students usually have no idea that they are being
assessed on a daily basis. They 2ust know they are having fun.
ROLE OF THE PARENTS
Those who work with young children have long reali>ed the need for cooperation
between the parents and teachers in the education of children. Parents, grandparents,
and guardians are encouraged to become actively involved with their child#s
education beginning in kindergarten. Parental involvement is always welcome in our
school. 5f you are able to volunteer, that would be fantastic? /epending on your time
and schedule, you may choose to volunteer in our classroom @to read with a child, to
help with pro2ects, etc.A or 5 can send things home with your child for you to help with
from home. Anyone volunteering at our s!ool" in our lassroo#" or
atten$ing a %el$ tri& MUST !ave an a&&rove$ volunteer a&&liation on %le
at t!e 'istrit O(e)
o Bolunteer forms are available on the Cock Dill School /istrict $ebsite E Parents
E Bolunteer Application @left sideA
GENERAL INFORMATION
School begins promptly at 7'.0am and dismisses at +'+0pm.
Lun!* $e will eat lunch at ((',4&(('00 am. Parents are welcome to have lunch with their
children at their designated lunch time. Students may eat lunch with their parents at the
tables located in the front of the cafeteria, or they may 2oin the class. 5 will not, however,
be able to allow children to eat with the parents of other children at the tables in the front of
the cafeteria.
Ie&rea#* 5ce&cream will be sold on :ridays and will cost .04 cents. Please la+el t!e
envelo&e or +aggie ,!en sen$ing in #oney so ,e -no, ,!at it is .or)
/!at to 0ring to S!ool*
Four child will need to bring a bag or backpack to school every day to carry home
papers-pro2ects from school. Please check the contents of this backpack daily. 5 will give
each child a communication folder to keep a daily behavior sheet, homework, and any
important notes that come from the oGce or me. This folder needs to be sent back to
school every day. Please see <School Supply 1ist= under the Parents tab on our school
website for a list of supplies needed this school year for your child.
ATTEN'ANCE AN' A0SENCES
Cegular attendance and punctuality are essential to each student#s successful progress and
are important habits for students to form in the early years of school. Any time that a
student is absent, the parent or guardian is asked to write a note e!plaining the reason for
the absence. )!cessive absences and tardiness aHect student progress and will be
addressed by school administrators.
Stu$ents ,ill NOT +e $is#isse$ early a.ter 1*22&# ea! $ay) I. you are in nee$ o.
&i-ing your !il$ u& early" &lease $o so +e.ore 1*22&#)
CONFERENCES
Parent&teacher conferences are essential to maintain proper home&school communication
regarding the progress of each child. :ormal conferences are conducted during the school
year, and parents are also encouraged to schedule a conference with the teacher at any
time it is deemed necessary.
FIEL' TRIPS
Kindergarten students will go on "eld trips throughout the year. All "eld trips are related to
units of study and have speci"c learning ob2ectives associated with them.
I. you ,oul$ li-e to !a&erone a %el$ tri& or volunteer in t!e s!ool3lassroo#"
&lease +e sure to o#&lete a volunteer .or# an$ sen$ it in to t!e 'istrit O(e
.or a&&roval &rior to t!e event)
SCHOOL HOURS
The kindergarten program at Sunset Park Center for Accelerated Studies is a full&day
program. The hours are from 7'.0 a.m. until +'+0 p.m. Kindergarten students must attend
all day.
CONTACT INFORMATION
Fou may contact your child#s teacher at 98(&(+64 or by e&mail.
rs. Ilackwell& tblackweJrhmail.org
rs. Ioatwright& AIoatwrightJrhmail.org
s. :ournet& nfournetJrhmail.org
SNAC4
Snack will be provided each day. Please in.or# t!e s!ool nurse an$ your !il$5s
tea!er i. your !il$ !as any .oo$ allergies)
ME'ICAL INFORMATION
5f your child has any medical conditions that 5 need to be aware of, please inform the school
nurse and myself.
TRANSPORTATION
5f you plan to pick up your child that normally rides the bus, walks home or attends
Challenger, please send a written note or call the school. /o not rely on your child to tell
me this information, because children often become confused and relay messages
incorrectly. I. no ,ritten note or &!one all is reeive$" your !il$ ,ill +e sent
!o#e +y !is3!er usual #et!o$ o. trans&ortation)
A 'AY IN 4IN'ERGARTEN
)ach kindergarten class has its own Kavor and climate based on the students, teacher, and
paraprofessional involved. /uring a typical day, however, a kindergarten student will be
involved in the following activities'
'ESCRIPTION OF CURRICULUM COMPONENTS
MORNING CARPET TIME
This is the time when we all gather together on the carpet area to begin each day. $e sing
songs, record information on the calendar, days in school chart, and weather graph. Lther
important milestones @birthdays and missing teethA are also recorded at this time. 5 write
the <morning message= with the help of the <Delping Dand=. 5t is phenomenal how much
literacy sense is absorbed during this time. 5n addition to academic skills learned, morning
carpet time is an important learning time for social skills as well.
LEARNING CENTERS
This is our <center= time. $e call them learning centers because this is the time when your
child does his-her independent learning in school. The room is designed for movement,
interaction with others, and individual choice. /uring this time, students will participate in
art, dramatic play, technology, blocks, sand-water table, pu>>les, reading, etc. Children
learn best about their world by direct interaction and freedom to create meaning for
themselves.
REA'ERS5 /OR4SHOP AN' LITERACY CENTERS
/uring this time, there is a concentration on reading. The children move about the room
and settle in an area of their choice to read books. $hile groups of children are reading
independently, we work with small groups of children. After about (0&+4 minutes, we
gather back together on the carpet. The children share one interesting idea they learned
from that morning#s workshop. After students share, then 5 read a big book for Shared
Ceading. These books usually contain one or two lines of print per page and are designed
to help your child become increasingly more and more literate. $e believe children become
readers by reading. Students will also be allowed to work in literacy centers during this
time. These centers include' listening, writing, technology, big books, reading, words and
poetry.
/RITERS5 /OR4SHOP
$riters# $orkshop begins with a mini&lesson where 5 introduce, or e!pand on an aspect of
writing. Must as we believe children become readers by reading; we believe children
become writers by writing. Ceading and writing are intertwined by nature and your child
will literally be wrapped with reading and writing. After the mini&lesson, the children are
sent oH to write in their writer#s notebook. $hile the children are writing, 5 work individually
with groups. So 2ust as in Ceaders# $orkshop, your child will have an opportunity to write
individually and with support. After about +4&+0 minutes, we gather back together, and the
students share a piece of writing to the class.
MATH /OR4SHOP
ath $orkshop usually begins with the class gathered together on the carpet. This is the
time when a concept is introduced and or e!panded @2ust as in $riters# and Ceaders#
$orkshopA. After the whole group lesson, the children go to their table for bucket time.
Students work with math manipulatives to solve the problem introduced during carpet time.
The buckets are rotated throughout the week, so your child has an opportunity to work with
each bucket. /uring the course of the week, 5 will have an opportunity to work with your
child as the buckets rotate around the room.
REA' ALOU'
This is the traditional <story time=, but this is not the only time during the day your child will
be able to listen to *uality children#s literature. The books are carefully chosen to
complement the current unit of study. The day group leader also chooses a book for me to
read, so your child has ample opportunities to re&visit old favorites. $e have found these
books and their authors become an integral part of our classroom community.
SOCIAL STU'IES AN' SCIENCE
Social Studies and Science are integrated within our 1iteracy program. $e use four science
kits to reinforce skills and standards. There are "ve strands in the Social Studies standards.
The strands are geography, history, government, and economics.
AFTERNOON CARPET TIME
Must as we begin our day together with a meeting on the carpet, we end our busy day the
same way with conversation and songs.
6UIET TIME
At the beginning of the year, knowing that many students are not used to the rigors of a
full&day instructional program, kindergartners are allowed to rest for appro!imately (4
minutes. Some students choose to read *uietly during this time. As the year progresses,
however, the length of *uiet time decreases. After the winter break, students may no longer
need this type of rest time.
OUT'OOR ACTI7ITY TIME AN' PHYSICAL ACTI7ITY
This time provides the students an opportunity to run, 2ump, climb, interact, and use
playground e*uipment. This time is always well supervised and will vary with the weather.
Planned games and activities may be included.
'ISMISSAL PREPARATION
Students will discuss the day#s activities, secure any take&home pro2ects, and prepare
personal items before departure. Supervision is provided during the dismissal time to
ensure that each student goes to the appropriate location' Challenger, walkers, bus loading,
or car loading.
'AILY FOL'ERS
Four child will bring his-her folder home daily. Fou will "nd the following information in the
folder' parent-teacher communications, newsletters, pro2ect assignments, behavior
calendar, and breakfast and lunch menus. Please vie, AN' initial your !il$5s .ol$er
every nig!t an$ return to s!ool t!e .ollo,ing $ay)
HOME/OR4
Four child is e!pected to read each night. Students will get a bag to bring home books in
after the "rst few weeks of school. Please return these books each week so they can be
changed out. $e will provide you with a list of activities that your child may complete
during the year for homework. $e will not take up work or check for work, however we
encourage you to practice some of these skills with your child periodically during each
week.
CLASSROOM E8PECTATIONS
$e carefully e!plain and practice routines and procedures with your child. The following
simple rhyme of the rules helps young students to remember them. Notice that the rules
are stated in a positive, instead of a negative, as all rules should be. Class rules should be
telling students what to do instead of what not to do.
<$e raise our hands to speak
$e work *uietly at our seats.
$e use voices soft and sweet.
$e are careful with our hands and feet.
$e are helpful, friendly, and fair.
$e take turns and always share.=
'aily 0e!avior* 5 have very high e!pectations for behavior. 5 am very consistent and we
will practice routines at the beginning of the year. 5n our classroom, 5 like to use a color
chart for behavior that starts on the color green every day. 5nappropriate behavior will be
communicated on your child#s behavior sheet by a circle colored in with the corresponding
color they were on for the day. I. t!ere are not any notes ,ritten on your !il$5s
s!eet an$ you !ave not reeive$ a &!one all" t!en you an +e assure$ t!at
your !il$ !as $e#onstrate$ a&&ro&riate +e!avior) 5 will not write notes for every
single yellow mark that your child may earn. 5t is normal to e!pect more yellow days in the
beginning of the year while students are learning the routines, procedures, and
e!pectations. These marks should decrease throughout the year. Dowever, if your child
receives a red mark for the day, there will be a note or phone call to inform you of what
went on during the day.
0e!avior s!eets' Iehavior sheets will be sent home daily and need to be initialed
nightly.
Green* Oreat 2ob? )very day is a new day, and students always begin their day
on green.
Yello,* Slow down and check yourself? 5f your child is not following our
classroom e!pectations, they will get a verbal warning and a visit to our
classroom <thinking chair=. Lnce they have time to think about their choices,
they are free to 2oin the rest of the class and begin again.
Re$* Stop and think. Ced is reserved for repeated misbehavior.
Parents-guardians will be contacted by note or phone.
9Severe +e!avior &ro+le#s ,ill +e sent to t!e reovery roo# an$
o##uniate$ to t!e stu$ent5s &arents3guar$ians)
0irt!$ays3Treats* 5f you would like to send in treats for your child and the class, please
make sure to send it during our lunch time or snack time.
Parties& parties for students will be held on Balentine#s /ay. No other parties will be given
in the classroom. Invitations for private parties wi !e "istri!#te" on$ in %ases
w&ere a st#"ents in t&e %ass re%eive an invitation' Four cooperation is
appreciated.
Suggestions'
&Please encourage your child to do his-her best in their school work. Ie involved with the
education of your child.
&Place names on all articles of outer clothing' coats, gloves, hats, sweaters, etc.
&Four child must have plenty of sleep each night in order to do his-her best in their school
work.
&Please rea$ t!e Stu$ent3Parent Han$+oo- loate$ on our s!ool ,e+site .or
.urt!er in.or#ation a+out our s!ool)
!tt&*33s&)ro-:!ill)-;1)s)us3UserFiles3sunset&ar-<e3'ou#ents3/e+site
=12Manager3SPES:Stu$ent=12Han$+oo-12;>:;?)&$.