Kindergarten Parent Handbook2019

About Kindergarten at Fridley Public Schools• FridleyPublicSchoolsofferskindergartenprogramsatboth

HayesElementaryandR.L.StevensonElementarySchools.• Eachkindergartenstudentbeginshisorherjourney

tocollegereadinesswiththefollowingcoreacademicdisciplines:reading,math,scienceandsocialstudies.

• Studentshaveexperiencesinmusic,art,physicaleducation,mediaandSpanish.

• AllstudentsateachschoolhaveaccesstoInternationalBaccalaureatemagnetprogram.

Locations: Hayes Elementary School615MississippiStreetNEFridley,MN55432763-502-5200

R.L. Stevenson Elementary School6080EastRiverRoadFridley,MN55432763-502-5300

Hours: 9:10AM–3:45PM(freebreakfast:8:55AM)

Bussing: TransportationisprovidedtostudentswholivewithinthedistrictboundariesORopen-enrolledstudentsthroughNWSISD

International BaccalaureateAt the center of an International Baccalaureate (IB) education arestudentswithunique learningstyles,strengthsandchallenges. TheIBfocusesoneachstudentasawholeperson.Thus,IBprogrammesaddress not only cognitive development but social, emotional andphysicalwell-being.Theaimistodevelopinquiring,knowledgeableand caring young people with adaptable skills to tackle society’scomplex challenges and who will help tomake the world a betterplace.

Primary Years Programme (PYP)In Fridley Public Schools, the PYP is offered to all students frompre-Kindergarten throughGrade4. Foundedonaphilosophy thatrecognizesachild’snaturalcuriosity,creativityandabilitytoreflect,thePYPgenerates a stimulating, challenging learning environmenttonurturethoseassetsandfosteralifelongloveoflearningineverychild. Like all IB programmes, it is transdisciplinary, meaningstudentslearnacrosssubjectareaswhileinvestigatingbigideas:

• Addressesstudents’academic,socialandemotionalwell-being.

• Encouragesstudentstodevelopindependenceandtotakeresponsibilityfortheirownlearning.

• Supportsstudents’effortstogainunderstandingoftheworldandtofunctioncomfortablywithinit.

• Workswithinglobalcontexts.Studentsincreaseunderstandingoflanguagesandcultures,andexploregloballysignificantideasandissues.

• PYPstudentstakeSpanishclasses,wheretheyareintroducedtoSpanishlanguageandculture.

• Exploressignificantcontentthatisbroadandbalanced,conceptualandconnected.

• Helpsstudentsestablishpersonalvaluesasafoundationuponwhichinternational-mindednesswilldevelopandflourish.

Welcome to Kindergarten!We are pleased to welcome you to Fridley Public Schools! Hayes Elementary and Stevenson Elementary are both International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools. As such, your kindergartener has access to the full IB magnet programs. This handbook should answer many of the questions you have about kindergarten. Please keep this handbook as a reference throughout the year. If you have additional questions, contact your student’s school directly at the numbers listed below.

John PiotraschkePrincipal

Julie Bieniek Principal’sSecretary

Margo Rothenbacher Counselor

Hayes Elementary School Stevenson Elementary School

Daryl VosslerPrincipal

Chelsea Jones Principal’sSecretary

Christa Sanders Counselor

To learn more about our district, please visit www.fridley.k12.mn.us

IB CONTINUUMCONTINUUM DE L’IB

CONTINUO DEL IB

Our district is proud to offer the full IB Continuum. All students have access to the International Baccalureate Continuum: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme.

Small School SizeLarge School

IB World SchoolS All schools in the district are International Baccalaureate World Schools

AWArd WInnIng SchoolS Our schools have been named Minnesota Schools of Excellence and Minnesota’s Best School, U S News & World Report

Strong communIty Support Fridley enjoys strong community support through volunteers, passage of referendums, and numerous collaborations

outStAndIng lIfelong leArnIng opportunItIeSThe District’s community education program encapsulates all ages: from newborns to seniors

focuS on college & cAreerSAVID (at FMS & FHS)and GET READY (FMS) proudly offered, as well as many college exploration opportunities

POINTS of PRIDEat Fridley Public Schools

Opportunities!2 3

welcometo Fridley Public Schools

International Baccalaureate World Schools

FridleyPublicSchoolsisanurbanschooldistrictlocatedwithintheCityofFridley.Ourdistrictoffersasmallschoolatmospherewithlargeschoolopportunitiesforallstudents.

Asaworld-classcommunityoflearners,FridleyPublicSchoolsaimstodevelopinternationallymindedstudents.Wechallengeourselves,ourstudentsandourcommunitytobecomecaringandknowledge-ablelife-longlearnerswhoinquireandtakeactiontocreateabetterworld.Ourmissionistoguidestudentsinthedevelopmentoflearn-ingskillstohelpthemreachtheirfullpotential.

Fridleyservesits3,000studentsatFridleyPreschool(3-and4-year-oldprograms),HayesElementary(K-4),StevensonElementary(K-4),FridleyMiddle(5-8),FridleyHigh(9-12)schools,andanAreaLearningCenter(9-12).Thedistrictalsohasacommunityeduca-tiondepartmentthatprovidesyear-longeducationalandenrichmentprogramstocommunitymembersagesbirthtoseniorcitizens.

OurschooldistrictisoneofveryfewschooldistrictsinthenationthatoffersK-12InternationalBaccalaureate(IB)Continuumpro-grammingtoallstudents.ThePrimaryYearsProgramme(PYP)isofferedatHayesandStevensonelementaryschools,theMiddleYearsProgramme(MYP)isofferedatourmiddleschoolandhighschool,andtheDiplomaProgramme(DP)andCareer-related(CP)Pro-grammeareofferedatthehighschool.HayesandStevensonElemen-tarySchools,FridleyMiddleSchoolandFridleyHighSchoolareallIBWorldSchools.

EducationthroughtheIBframeworkhasanemphasisoninterna-tionalmindedness,rigorouscurriculumandassessment,instruc-tioninasecondlanguageandreachingthewholechild.Intheeverincreasingglobalizedworldeconomy,Fridleyisproudtoprepareitsstudentswiththeskillstheywillneedtobesuccessfulinthe21stcentury.

Things to know

Health & SafetyKindergartenstudentslearn:

• Firesafetypractices• Bussafetypractices• Basicpersonalhygienehabitsrequiredtomaintainhealth

(caringforteeth,gums,eyes,ears,nose,skin,hairandnails)

• Theimportanceofexercisingandwaystomaintainfitness

• Waystomanagestress• Theimportanceofsleep• Strangerdangers• Aspectsofsubstanceuseandabuse(tobacco)

ImmunizationsThefollowingshotsarerequiredbyMinnesota’sSchoolImmunizationLawbeforeyourchildcanstartschool:

• 5-Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis(DTP)• 4-Polio• 3-HepatitisB(thistakes4-6monthstocomplete)• 2-Measles/Mumps/Rubella(MMR)• 2-Varicella(Chickenpox)

IllnessesThe Attendance Policy is:Ifyourchildissick,pleasecalltheattendancelinesatHayes(763-502-5207)orStevenson(763-502-5307)andleaveamessagewithyourchild’snameandthereasonforabsence/tardiness.Forthesecurityofyourchild,it’simperativethatweknowthatwhentheyarenotinschooltheyarehomewithyou.Ifyourchildisinjuredorbecomesillatschool,theHealthAssistantwillcontactyou.Itisimportanttokeepphonenumberscurrent.

A child should stay home from school when:• He/Shehasatemperatureof100degreesormore,is

vomiting,orhasdiarrhea,foraperiodof24hoursafterthelastepisode.

• Ifyourchildhasarashthatmaybediseaserelated,checkwithyourfamilyphysicianbeforesendingyourchildtoschool.

Give your child a healthy start by assuring they have:• Necessaryimmunizations.• Periodichealthexams

• Plentyofsleepeachnight(10-12hoursarerecommendedforthisagegroup)

• Agoodhealthydietthatincludesbreakfast• Neat,clean,comfortableclothesappropriatetotheday’s

activities

Transportation Studentseligiblefortransportationwillrideregularmorningandafternoonbuses.OurcontractorsareVoigt’sBusService(763-571-1241),1stStudent(763-421-5785),andRandD(763-767-1804).

Itemsforparentstokeepinmind:• Pleasereviewbussafetyinformationwithyourchild• Arriveatyourbusstop5minutesbeforescheduledbus

time.• Ifyourchildmissestheassignedstopintheafternoon,

tellyourchildnottogetoffatanotherstop,buttonotifythedriverimmediatelyandthedriverwillbringthechildbacktotheassignedstop.

Transportation and DaycareIfyourkindergartenerwillbeindaycare,youwillneedtosubmitaformonline.Oncethedistrictreceivestheform,wewillsetuptransportationtoandfromthedaycareifeligible.

PleasekeeptheTransportationDepartmentandyourschool’sofficeupdatedifyouhaveachangeinaddressduringtheschoolyear.Beforechangingdaycare,makesurethedaycareislocatedwithinthedistrictboundaries.Thedistrictwillnotprovidetransportationtoadaycarethatislocatedoutsidethedistrictboundaries.

Forup-to-dateinformation,pleasevisittheTransportationpageonourdistrictwebsite.NavigatetoDistrict>Departments>Transportation.

How do I get my bus stop information? • Youwillreceiveyourchild’sbusinformationatthe

KindergartenOrientationinAugust.ThisinformationcanalsobefoundonourParentPortalsite.Pleasevisitourdistrictwebsitetosignupforanaccount.ClicktheParentPortallinkonthetopofthehomepage.

• Ifyouhaveanyquestions,callTransportationat763-502-5026oremailCindy.McKay@Fridley.k12.mn.us

Safety Guidelines:Pleaseteachyourchild:

• Abouttrafficlights,policeofficers,busdriversandschoolsafetypatrolmembers

• Touseonlycrosswalkstogetsafelytotheothersideofthestreet

• Tousesidewalkswhereverpossible,andtowalkfacingtrafficiftherearenosidewalks

• Toavoidstrangers:don’ttalktooracceptridesfromthem

• Togodirectlyhomefromschool• Tofollowallsafetyrulesontheschoolbus.

School Start and End TimesHayesandR.LStevenson:9:10a.m–3:45p.m.FreeBreakfast:8:55a.m–9:10a.m.

Class ListsBecauseofchangesmadethroughoutthesummer,classlistsarenotfinalizeduntilmid-August.

Back-to-School InformationInmid-August,watchforback-to-schoolinformationinclud-ingaschoolsupplylist,KindergartenOrientationtimes,andotherimportantinformationfromyourschoolinthemail.

Staying ConnectedFridleyPublicSchoolsusesseveraltoolstocommunicatewithfamiliesincluding:

• FridleyPublicSchoolshasrecentlyimplementedPeach-jar,anewe-flyersystem.WithPeachjar,parentsreceivedigitalflyersviaemailaboutschoolactivities,afterschoolprogramsandotherschool-approvedprogramsintheFridleyarea.WatchforemailsfromFridleyPublicSchoolsPeachjar.

• Districtandschoolwebsite:Accessschoolinformationatwww.fridley.k12.mn.us

• Facebook–usethistostaycurrentwithschoolhappen-ingsthroughouttheyear:Hayes - www.facebook.com/HayesElementarySchool-FridleyStevenson - www.facebook.com/RLSElementary

Visitor Check-In SystemTohelpensurethesafetyofallofourstudents,weuseavisi-torcheckinsystem.Visitorswillberequiredtoscantheirdriver’slicensewhenenteringthebuildingandidentifyingwheretheywillbevisitingorvolunteering.Thiswillcreateavisitor’sbadgethatmustbewornthroughoutthebuilding.Pleasebringyourdriver’slicenseinthebuildingwithyou.

Flexible and Affordable Before- and After-School CareFridleyCommunityEducationchildcareprograms(TigerClub)providehighqualityservicesthatwillgrowwithyourchildfrominfancythrough6thgrade.TigerTimeistheschool-agedcomponentofTigerClub.LocatedattheFridleyCommunityCenter,weprovidebefore-andafter-schoolcarewherestudentscanparticipateinavarietyoffunandchal-lengingactivitiesdesignedtobuildconfidenceandexploreinterests.Formoreinformation,pleasecontactTigerTimeProgramManagerLindseyCrawfordat763-502-5137.YoucanalsolearnmoreaboutourprogramatFridleyCommEd.combyclickingon‘TigerClub(Childcare).’

• Before-schoolcare(6:00to9:00a.m.)andafter-schoolcare(3:00-6:00p.m.)forgradesK-6

• Full-timeorpart-timecareoptionsareavailable-countychildcareassistanceaccepted

• Full-daycareonmostdaysthatschoolisclosed(includesmealsandallactivities)

• Acompletesummerprogramincludingfieldtrips,swim-mingandmeals(Kindergartenersmayenrollforthesummerprogrambeforekindergartenbegins)

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Things to Know Important information for parents throughout the school year Things to Know Important information for parents

throughout the school year

TheGradeLevelExpectationsoutlinedinthisguidedescribesthelearninggoalsforkindergartenstudents.TheyarebasedontheMinnesotaStateStandardsandtheFridleySchoolDistrictCurriculumContentStandards.Familiescansupporttheirchildreninmeetingthesegradelevelgoalsbyhelpingthemcometoschoolreadytolearnandinvolvetheminhomelearningactivities.

At Fridley Public Schools, we want all children to be successful and enjoy school when they start kindergarten.‘Kindergarten Readiness’ is a term often used when talking about entering kindergarten. We’d like to helpyou answer the question “Is my child ready for kindergarten?” by providing the indicators listed below. If youhave questions about your child’s readiness, observe him/her over the next few months, watching for some ofthebehaviors listed. Ifyouhaveconcernsorquestionsaboutyourchildorkindergarten,please feel free tocontacttheprincipal.

Kindergarten Readiness?What is

Grade Level Expectations

Social Behavior:• Participatesingroupactivities• Interactseasilywithafamiliaradult• Keepshandsandfeettoself• Movesthroughroutinesandtransitionssmoothly• Playsorworkscooperativelywithpeers

• Takesturns

Reading / Writing / Math:• Beginstorecognizelettersandsounds• Countsobjectsto5• Countsto10orhigher• Identifiescolorsandshapes• Printsname(useslowercaseletters)

• Hasexperiencewithwritingtools(pencils,crayons)

Listening and Speaking:• Useswordstocommunicateneedsandwants• Listenstostoriesfor5-10minuteswithoutrestlessness• Followstwo-stepdirections• Recallsstoriesandevents

Fine / Gross Motor:• Cutsonlineorpatterns• Canrun,jump,hop,andmarch

Self-Help Skills:• Takescareofbathroomneedsindependently• Organizeshis/herbelongings• Showsprogresstowardtyingshoes,zipping,buttoning,etc.

Language ArtsCommunicateusinginterrelatedprocessesincludinglistening,speaking,reading,writing,andthinking.

ReadingComprehension and Response• Identifyfictionandnon-fictiontexts• Identifycharactersandsettings• Sequenceeventsinafamiliarstory• Identifyaproblemandsolutioninafamiliarstory• MakeaconnectiontoafamiliarstoryPhonics and Word Recognition• Namealluppercaseandlowercaselettersofthealphabet• Producesoundforeachletterofthealphabet• Recognizerhymingwords• Readcommonhigh-frequencywordsbysight• Segmentandblendbeginning,middle,andending

sounds

WritingTypes of Writing• Writeabouteventsandopinionsusingacombinationof

drawing,dictating,andwritingGrammar, Usage, and Mechanics• Writeasentenceusingacapitalletteratthebeginning,

punctuationattheend,spacingbetweenwords,andphoneticspelling

Mathematics Exploremathematicsusingahands-on,standardbasedap-proach.Investigatepatterns,geometryandspatialsense,money,graphing,counting,numerationandorder,patterns,timeandanintroductionofadditionandsubtractionopera-tions.

Number and Operation• Recognizehowmanyobjectsareinaset• Readwholenumbersfrom0toatleast31• Writewholenumbersfrom0toatleast31• Representwholenumbersfrom0toatleast31• Countforwardtoatleast31• Countbackfrom20• Comparenumbersfrom0to31• Ordernumbersfrom0to31• Useobjects/picturestoaddnumbersbetween0and10• Useobjects/picturestosubtractnumbersbetween0and

10• Find1moreand1lessthanagivennumber

Algebra• Identify,create,andextendpatterns• Identifyunknownnumberpartners(3and4arepartners

of7,5and2arepartnersof7,etc.)

Geometry and Measurement• Recognizetwoandthree-dimensionalshapes• Sortobjectsusingcharacteristicssuchasshape,size,

colorandthickness• Compareandorderobjectsaccordingtosize

Allkindergartenerswillreceiveinstructionandhaveexperiencesinvisualarts,medialiteracy,music,physicaleducationandSpanish.EachstudentwillalsoparticipateinInternationalBaccalaureatePrimaryYearsProgramme(IBPYP)UnitsofInquiryonscienceandsocialstudies.

Please be sure to complete your child’s Early Childhood ScreeningEarlyChildhoodScreeningisanearlylookathowyourchildisgrowinganddeveloping.Betweentheagesof31/2and4years,screeningcandetectpossiblehealthorlearningconcernssochildrencangethelpbeforetheystartschool.

Minnesota law requires every child to participate in an Early Childhood Screening prior to entry into public school. Thescreeningincludesaheight,weight,visionandhearingcheck,aswellasadevelopmentalscreening.ScreeningsareconductedattheFridleyCommunityCenter(60857thStreetNE)throughouttheyear.

Toviewalistofscreeningdates,visitwww.fridley.k12.mn.usandnavigatetotheCommunityEducationtab.Underneaththetab,clickonEarlyChildhoodFamilyEducation(ECFE).YouwillfindalinktoEarlyChildhoodScreening.Youcanalsocall763-502-5111toscheduleyourchild’sscreening.

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Ready to Register?

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Your child must be five years old on or before September 1, 2019.

There are two easy ways to register your child in Fridley Schools: 1. Go online

• Visitwww.fridley.k12.mn.usandchoosetheyellow‘Enroll’buttonatthetopofthepage.The‘OnlineEnrollment’buttonisfoundontheenrollmentpage.

• To complete the registration process, youwill need to bring the required documents listedbelowinredtotheEnrollmentCenter.

2. Come to the Enrollment Center • Staffwillassistyouincompletingtheonlineregistration.Tocompletetheregistrationprocess,

youwillneedtobringtherequireddocumentslistedbelowinredtotheEnrollmentCenter.

The Enrollment Center is located in the Fridley Community Center: 6085 7th Street NE, Fridley, MN 55432

Please bring the following required documents with you:• Proof of address (driver’s license, utility bill, rental/purchase agreement) OR Open

Enrollment Form• Child’s original birth certificate • Up-to-date immunization records• Preschool screening documents if screened

outside our district

Copieswillbemadeofeachdocumentandoriginalsreturnedtoyou.Registration is not complete until we have received all of the above documents. Your child will not be assigned a teacher until all documents are received.

PLEASE NOTE: If your child is already enrolled in our 4-year old preschool program, there is no need to re-register for kindergarten.

Questions? Want more information? Call 763-502-5081.

2019 Kindergarten Parent Handbook