helotes elementary kindergarten parent orientation

Purpose of Tonight

• To give you information on Kindergarten from the classroom teacher.

• To give you a chance to ask questions.

• We will be scheduling conferences soon.

Language Arts• We do daily oral language activities.• We “write” daily. Please remember

Kinder students may just illustrate, but that is their form of writing.

• We read lots of books everyday and work on story components.

• We will be teaching handwriting and expecting correct letter formation.

Math

•We journal about math daily.

•We do daily hands on lessons.

•We spend time in Math Stations daily and small math groups.

Science and Social Studies

•We will spend time learning about the world around us.

•We will do lots of hands on investigations.

•We keep a notebook.

Academic Promotion Requirements

• Reading at level B by the end of May.

• An S or higher in the Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies areas of the report card.

• There are new readiness standards that will be taught as well to prepare students for next year.

Sample Level B Reader

•I can jump.•I can swing.•I can slide.•I can hop.•Look what I can do!

Homework

• Nightly reading is expected.• Additional homework ideas will be in

every upcoming newsletter.• Please take the time to work with

your child on their skills. They love to show off for you!

School Wide Reading Program

• Monthly tracking sheet• Students earn dog tags for their

reading necklace as goals are met. • Necklace will be kept in classroom

and sent home in June.

Report Cards/Progress Reports

• Every 4 ½ weeks you will receive either a Progress Report or Report Card to give you a picture of how your child is succeeding in kindergarten.

• Please take time to review, sign and return.

Grading Policy

•Students earn E, S, N, and U grades.

•The grading policy will be discussed more during your individual conference.

Morning Drop Off

• Students are to meet their classmates in the cafeteria.

• Please do not drop students off at the classroom door, walk them to meet the class.

• Students may not arrive prior to 7am.

Attendance• Perfect attendance means a child is

here EVERYDAY, ALL DAY.• Children must have a written excuse

in their folder or through email, when they return back to school.

• The only excused absences are illness and death in the immediate family.

• Absences can only be changed within 5 days of your child’s return to school.

Tardies• Students are to be in class by 7:45. • It is recommended students get here by 7:35 so

they can start the day with their classmates. • Anytime after 7:45 students must report to the

office and get a tardy slip.• At 3 tardies you receive a letter from the

teacher and the office. At 5 a 2nd letter from the office. At 7 a phone call from the administration.

• You can check your child’s attendance through the Parent Portal of CMS.

Leaving Early• Students need to be in class ALL day!• We are working from the time we get

here to the time we leave and we have fun!

• Please remember play is the work of young children.

• Children will be engaged in various activities throughout the day. If they leave that is instruction that cannot be made up.

Illness

• Please don’t send sick children to school.

• Children running a fever will be sent home.

• They need to be fever free for 24 hours before returning.

Going Home• If you are going to change your child’s

transportation I need a note in the morning. Please use the daily folder to write notes. DO NOT rely on email or phone calls.

• Children need consistency and routines!

• If you have an emergency and need to change dismissal then you MUST call the office by 2pm!

• Children will only be released to adults listed on the Emergency Card.

Daily Schedule

• We are on a eight day rotating schedule. This schedule will be in the newsletter.

• We go to PE every other day. Please wear tennis shoes!

• The other days we alternate Music, Computers, and Art.

• Library once a week.• Counselor, once

every 8 days.

Dress code• Shorts under dresses.• Tennis shoes are encouraged!• No colored hair or hats on head. • Students may keep a sweater in class,

please label with your child’s name.• No spaghetti straps.• If you have a question please refer to

the Student Handbook.

Snacks and Food

• Please try to send nutritious foods. • Your child does not have to have snack; but it

can only be provided from home. • If you visit your child during lunch, you may

bring food for your child only. Please meet us in the cafeteria. Also say your goodbyes at the cafeteria.

• You cannot charge your parent lunch on your child’s account.

Birthdays• I can only pass out invitations if a

class set is sent or for all the boys or all the girls.

• You may purchase ice cream in the cafeteria. The cafeteria needs 1 weeks notice.

• We are encouraging non food items for birthdays- like little goodie bags- due to food allergies.

Nap Time• Students are tired!• Students are expected to rest. • Quiet time is 30 minutes.• Please send a clean towel every

Monday!

PTA

• Please help the fundraiser. This money is used to support field trips and instructional materials.

• Room parents coordinate 3 class parties.

• We will go on two field trips.• Parent helpers ARE needed. In

order to help you need to fill out the criminal background check found off the NISD main page. Do now to get out of the way.

GT Screening

• Mrs. Rustin will screen every Kinder student.• Students should be reading at least one year

above grade level.• Students can be formally nominated by

teachers or parents.• The process involves several hours of taking

Standardized tests.

Counselor

• Ms. Stone will visit us once every 8 days.

• She also can work with small groups of children.

• If you have concerns, please contact her.

Medication

• Students may not bring ANY medication, unless it is going to the nurse with doctor’s orders. This includes insect repellant and sunblock.

• Teachers can not give any medications.• Students may keep in their backpacks a

chap stick and hand sanitizer. It MAY NOT be shared!

Visiting School• You must bring an id card and go

to the office. Your card will be swiped for entry.

• Please wear nametags at all times.• Remember it is for the safety of

the children!

Lost and Found• It is a HUGE wooden rack near the

cafeteria.• Please mark jackets, sweaters,

towels, gloves, lunchboxes, etc. so items may be returned to your child.

• Encourage your child to keep track of their things- it builds responsibility.

Philosophy of Behaviors

• Children have choices and they have to accept those choices.

• With choice comes the ability to have a learning lesson.

• We do not believe in children missing recess, unless it is absolutely necessary.

• The classroom is a community and we all have to get along and learn to respect each other!

Newsletter

• Newsletters will be posted on the website.

• Weekly update on: skills learned, announcements, upcoming events, at home activities, homework and Specials schedule.

• We are going to have a good year!• We have enjoyed being with your

children the past weeks- they keep us going.

• Please remember this is a partnership and we do not do this without YOU!