Kindergarten Handbook

Yellow Grass School 2016 - 2017

Children Learn What They Live

If children live with criticism, they learn to condemn. If children live with hostility, they learn to fight.

If children live with fear, they learn to be apprehensive. If children live with pity, they learn to feel sorry for themselves.

If children live with ridicule, they learn to feel shy. If children live with jealousy, they learn to feel envy. If children live with shame, they learn to feel guilty.

If children live with encouragement, they learn confidence. If children live with tolerance, they learn patience. If children live with praise, they learn appreciation. If children live with acceptance, they learn to love.

If children live with approval, they learn to like themselves. If children live with recognition, they learn it is good to have a

goal. If children live with sharing, they learn generosity.

If children live with honesty, they learn truthfulness. If children live with fairness, they learn justice.

If children live with kindness and consideration, they learn respect.

If children live with security, they learn to have faith in themselves and in those about them.

If children live with friendliness, they learn the world is a nice place in which to live.

~ Dorothy Law Nolte

Kindergarten Handbook

Welcome to Kindergarten! I hope your child’s first year in school will be a positive and successful one. Our program at Yellow Grass is based on the latest research into how children learn best. Your child will be given opportunities to interact and converse with others. There will be a balance of teacher-directed, and child-initiated learning throughout this school year. Children will learn to work and play cooperatively. They will learn how to make choices and handle the responsibility associated with those choices. Emphasis on how reading and writing are useful will be stressed through predictable, rhythmic books and extension activities. Manipulatives and games will help to lay the foundation for basic math skills. Children come to kindergarten with a wide variety of backgrounds and skills. You can help your child to be ready for school by giving them a rich language base (nursery rhymes, storybooks, and experiences) and by helping to build your child’s self-esteem. I welcome every child and will give them the best program I can, while being mindful that all children can learn, and will learn, in their own way and at their own pace.

DID YOU KNOW?...

Kids who are read to, do better in school.

Reading aloud to a child raises his/her self-esteem.

Becoming a better reader helps a child to do better in social studies and math.

Keeping a diary helps a child become a better reader and writer.

Reading the print on cereal boxes is good practice for a child.

Allowing your child to read in bed is a good habit to start.

Children will read a book on their own if it has been read aloud to them.

Children who know how to handle books and are familiar with stories learn how to

read much faster than those who have little or no book experience.

Children who learn to read early are the ones who are read to by parents, sibling, or other caregivers.

Reading aloud to your child is the single most important thing you can do to make him

a successful reader.

Telling a story from the pictures is an important step in the learning-to-read process.

“Pretend reading” is a critical step in the development process of learning to read.

Talking develops language. Talk to your child and get him/her to talk about things

that you do together and things that he/she does with friends.

Young children like to hear the same story over and over again. They need to hear the same story repeatedly to make it their own.

Children like to participate in story reading and story telling. Look for books with

flaps to lift or parts that fold out. Let your child turn the pages. Let your child say the words he/she knows.

Children need to see that reading and writing are useful and enjoyable things to do

before they begin to work on remembering letter names.

Reading stories and poems to children is the best way to teach them to read.

Children learn by doing things ~ actively exploring books and print.

Kindergarten Supply List

Yellow Grass School

Labeled Supplies: 1. 1 box of 24 crayons (only 24) *Put in pencil box 2. 2 sets of dividers 3. 1 plastic pencil box *Just a plain one 4. 10 #2 pencils 5. Dry Erase Markers – Expo brand 6. 3 glue sticks 7. 1 bottle of wet glue 8. 1 pair of child-sized scissors 9. 1 2” binder **Please put name on – not sure if I will use 10. Kleenex 11. 1 old, oversized t-shirt to be used as a paint shirt 12. 1 box of large Zip-lock Bags 13. White/light soled indoor runners (Velcro closure

if your child does not yet know how to tie laces) *Name on 14. Backpack (to carry notes and supplies to

and from school) *Name on 15. Change of clothes in a Zip-lock bag with name on 16. 5 plain pocket folders 17. 2 ½ plain – ½ interlined exercise book

2016/2017 Elementary School Calendar August 28 Staff Development Day August 30 Staff Development Day August 31 Staff Development Day 3 Days

September 1 First Day of School September 2 First Day of Kindergarten September 5 Labour Day Holiday September 19 Staff Development Day 20 Days

October 7 Staff Development Day October 10 Thanksgiving Holiday October 17 Staff Development Day 18 Days

November 11 Remembrance Day Holiday

Parent/Student/Teacher Interviews

November 25 Day in Lieu November 28 Holiday 19 Days

December 22 Christmas Holidays Start 15 Days

January 4 School Re-Opens January 4 Kindergarten’s First Day

January 30 Holiday 19 Days

February 20 - 24 Winter Break February 27 School Re-Opens February 27 Kindergarten’s First Day 15 Days

March 24 Staff Development Day 22 Days

April Parent/Student/Teacher

Interviews

April 7 Staff Development Day April 14 - 21 Easter Break

April 24 School Re-Opens April 25 Kindergarten’s First Day 14 Days

May 8 Staff Development Day

May 22 Victoria Day 21 Days

June 28 K’s Last Day of School June 29 - 30 Staff Development Days 20 Days

OOuurr VViissiioonn

Yellow Grass School, where we are actively engaged in our learning, accountable for our actions and empowered to succeed.

KKiinnddeerrggaarrtteenn PPrrooggrraamm

The Kindergarten program provides a strong foundation from which the child can be actively involved in learning. The goal of the program is to nurture the development and learning of the whole child.

Participation in the Kindergarten program can assist the child to: acquire a level of communicative competence acquire social skills which enable them to relate to adults and other children develop confidence in themselves develop the ability to focus their attention continue to develop to their potential

MMiissssiioonn SSttaatteemmeenntt

Our ‘Mission’ at Yellow Grass School is to empower students to develop academically, socially, emotionally and physically in a safe and respectful environment.

Kindergarten A celebration of Learning

Dear Parents, I came across this poem as I was thinking about how difficult it must be for you to leave your child at school for the first time. I, too, have had to leave my child in the care of someone else for the first time, so I can appreciate some of the emotions you are feeling. Please feel assured that I will care for your child with all my heart. If you have any questions, please feel free to come and talk to me. Sincerely, Mrs. Tricia Klemenz tricia.klemenz@cornerstonesd.ca

The First Day I gave you a little wink and smile As you entered my room today.

For I know how hard it is to leave And know your child must stay.

You’ve been with your child for five years now And have been a loving guide.

But now, alas, the time has come To leave them at my side.

Just know that as you drive away, And tears down your cheeks may flow,

I’ll love them as I would my own And help them learn and grow.

For many have come through this door And how quickly the years do pass

And I know one day it will be my turn To have a child to take to class. So please put your mind at ease And cry those tears no more.

For I will love them and take them in When you leave them at my door.

Adapted from Jamie Solley’s poem

Mrs.Klemenz’s of Kindergarten

Attendance Please ensure that your child attends school regularly and is on time. Your child’s progress, both academically and socially, is greatly influenced by daily participation. School runs from 8:55-12:21 for the morning class, and 1:06-3:25 for the afternoon class. If your child will be away, please contact our office administrator at 465-2500 to inform the school of his/her absence.

Book Orders

Your child will have the opportunity to order books for your home library each month. The book orders are from Scholastic Books and will be placed in your child’s take home folder. Do not feel as though you must place an order. It is optional.

Backpack You are kindly asked to provide a backpack for your child. Please check your child’s backpack daily for notes and other important information.

Birthdays & Treats Birthdays are wonderful! Simple treats may be sent to school on your child’s birthday. Sending a birthday treat is optional. It is certainly not expected. Should you choose to send a treat, please ensure that it is nut-free. We will celebrate summer birthdays near the end of June. Please do not send birthday invitations to school with your child. These should be handed out outside of the classroom. This is to avoid hurt feelings of those not invited and to ensure that invitations make it home for those that are.

Conferences

Parent/Student/Teacher conferences will be held after the November report and April report cards are sent home. Please feel free to contact me at any other time if you would like to meet to discuss your child’s progress in our Kindergarten program.

Discipline

Since Kindergarten is a new experience for your child, we will spend time learning and practicing class rules and routines. Each student will be expected to follow our class rules. I will send home a note to let you know if your child needs extra reminders to do this.

Doors Kindergarten students enter and exit for the day through the side doors of the school (facing Southeast). Please remind your child to remove their shoes/boots when they enter the school (and be a good example by removing yours as well), and then put them on the shelves in the boot room. If you are picking up your child from school, please wait outside the Kindergarten room.

Emergencies Please complete and return the student information sheet that will be sent home in the fall. If your home or work telephone number changes, please inform the office as soon as possible so that your contact information is always up to date in case of an emergency.

Email Please forward me an email address (if you have one) with your personal information so that we can send you newsletters and other school information electronically if possible. This will help us to minimize paper waste and do our part to help our environment. This will also ensure that you receive information in a timely manner and will avoid any lost paperwork. IF there a behavior problem that occurred through the day I will contact you via e-mail. If the behavior is serious & needs an in person phone call will be made. My email address is tricia.klemenz@cornerstonesd.ca

Field Trips At the end of the year we usually go to the Weyburn Pool for a morning. A note closer to the date will be sent home. Please return permission slips and bus fees (where applicable) as soon as possible.

Gymnasium Our class will have regularly scheduled time in the gymnasium for Physical Education activities. The children are asked to have indoor runners kept at school in order to keep our gymnasium clean and safe.

Health Information Please make sure to include detailed health information about your child on the demographic sheet that will be sent home in the fall. Information about any medical conditions/concerns, allergies, etc. are important for us to know so that we can keep your child safe when at school. Please keep us informed of any health changes concerning your child as well.

Homework I believe that kids need time to be just be kids, so I will not be sending home a lot of homework for your child. There are, however, a few things that you can work on at home for a few minutes each day to help them find the most success possible at school:

Reciting the alphabet Naming shapes

Reading to and with your child

Illness Please keep your child at home if they are feeling ill. It helps them to get better more quickly and prevents others from becoming ill. Please call the office to let us know if your child will be away from school due to illness.

Jobs

Please let me know if you are interested in assisting in special projects, helping with Bulletin Boards, cutting out materials, etc…

Kindness All students are asked to follow the Golden Rule, and treat everyone the way they would like to be treated…with kindness and respect at all times!

Library

The students will get a chance to go to the library each week. They will learn about books there as well as get a chance to borrow a book for the week. Please help your child to remember to bring this book back to school each week. They must return it before they will be permitted to borrow a new one. Please check your child’s calendar each month for specific library dates.

Math

I will be sending home a letter at the beginning of each math unit outlining the topics we will be focusing on. There will be home activities in these letters for you to practice if you wish.

Money When your child has to bring money to school, please place it in an envelope or Ziploc baggy that is clearly marked with your child’s name. You can place this in the front pocket of your child’s agenda to make sure that we receive it on time.

Newsletters

I will be sending home a monthly newsletter to keep you informed about what is going on in the Kindergarten classroom. Included in these newsletters will be information about our current themes, star students for the month, etc. Please read this carefully and keep the calendar handy. There will also be a school newsletter sent home each month.

Open House Please check the September school newsletter for the date of our Open House/Welcome Back BBQ. This event provides an opportunity for your family to visit the school and meet the staff that will be working with your child this school year.

Praise With appropriate behaviours students will be given daily praise. Praise can be given with the following:

Verbal Awards Stickers Class parties Free time

Quick Good-byes… …leave dry eyes! Please feel comfortable knowing that we will care for your child as if they were our own.

Report Cards

Report Cards/Progress Reports are sent home in November, March, and June. They will reflect your child’s progress in our Kindergarten program. Please feel free to contact me at any time with concerns, questions, or comments.

Rest, Read or wRite Time Our class will end the school day with a 15 minute rest, read or write time. Your child is not required to go to sleep but must rest and relax quietly during this time and reflect on their day at school

Snack We will have time set aside for a small healthy snack from 9:30 to 10:45 in the morning & then again in the afternoon from 2:20 to 3:00. Please send a snack for your child that is healthy and easy to clean up, such as carrot sticks, crackers, granola bar or fruit.

Student of the Week & Show and Share Each student will have the opportunity to be the Student of the Week. These students are allowed to bring one item for Show and Share during their week. The purpose of Show and Share is to build confidence in your child and promote self-worth by getting up in front of their peers to speak. Please keep in mind that war toys, weapons, or anything that implies fighting is unacceptable in our classroom, so please do not send these types of items with your child for Show and Share.

Transportation If your child will be picked up by an alternative person, you must send a written note or contact the office at 465-2500. Do not rely on your child to pass this information along independently at this early stage.

Toys

Please only allow your child to bring toys to school on their Show and Share day. We cannot be held responsible for lost or damaged toys.

Unit Study Each month we will focus on a particular theme and author(s) for our unit study. Most of these themes will encompass many subject areas. Check your monthly newsletter for information about our themes.

Visitors Yellow Grass School kindly asks all visitors to please check in at the office before proceeding to the classroom. This does not apply for drop-offs at the beginning and pick-ups at the end of the day.

We are a Team Please feel free to come and talk to me any time you have comments, questions, or concerns regarding your child. It is our job to work together as a team to ensure your child has a successful experience in Kindergarten this year.

eXperiences

We will have so much fun while learning this year through a variety of experiences…science, cooking, crafts, and lots and lots of hands on learning! We’ll be doing many fun projects this year in Kindergarten. If you are interested in donating any of the following items to our classroom please send them to school with your child. Thank you!

Play-doh (I try to change the play-doh often) Dishes, dolls and clothes for our Home/Kitchen play area

Year Long Fun

It is my hope that we have an exciting year filled with friendship and fun!

Zzzz… We have 15 minutes of Quiet Time, no naptime in the Kindergarten room, so please make sure that your child gets a good nights’ sleep before coming to school. That way we will all be refreshed and ready to learn!

Learning Through Play

I take play very seriously. Our Kindergarten program is designed so children learn through play and, thus, ignite in themselves a fire for learning. Children are encouraged daily to do what they do best…play, and by playing, they learn. My students do not do mini versions of what grade one students do. There are very little worksheets or homework. Instead, using toys, books, music, games, and other learning material, I create an environment that encourages children to play and learn at their own pace. In this way, children develop skills and learn concepts in a way that is most natural for them. Problem solving is a very grown-up concept, but it’s one that children can learn through play. It may take a few tries, but a child will eventually figure out that square blocks stack up better than curved or triangular ones. The child solves a problem and learns something in the process. This is the kind of play we do in Kindergarten. If we are successful in teaching basic thinking skills and concept development, everything else they learn in school will be that much easier. Each child in our program is viewed as an individual, with their own timetable for learning. Teachers are prepared to deal with different levels of abilities and different abilities in the students. Children are encouraged to choose their own activities, to learn through exploration and interaction with hands on learning materials, adults, and children.

Just Playing

When I’m building in the block center, Please don’t say I’m “Just playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play,

About balance, I may be an architect someday.

When I’m getting all dressed up, Setting the table, caring for the babies,

Don’t get the idea I’m “Just playing”. I may be a Mother or a Father someday.

When you see me up to my elbows in paint,

Or standing at an easel, or molding and shaping clay, Please don’t let me hear you say I am “Just playing”.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I just might be a teacher someday.

When you see me engrossed in a puzzle

Or some ‘playing’ at my school, Please don’t feel the time is wasted in “play”.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning to solve problems and concentrate.

I may be in business someday.

When you see me cooking or tasting foods, Please don’t say that because I enjoy it, it is “Just play”. I’m learning to follow directions and see the differences.

I may be a cook someday.

When you see me learning to skip, hop, run, and move my body, Please don’t say I’m “Just playing”. For, you see, I’m learning as I play.

I’m learning how my body works. I may be a doctor, nurse, or athlete someday.

When you ask me what I’ve done at school today,

And I say, “I just played”. Please don’t misunderstand me.

For, you see, I’m learning as I play. I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work.

I’m preparing for tomorrow. Today, I am a child, and my work is play.

What Do We Do In School?

Dear Parents/Guardians,

The information below will help you to build an understanding of what your child does in his/her classroom each day. I encourage you to read the information, and then you’ll be able to ask your child with confidence, “What did you do in school today?”

*Literacy development helps your child build an understanding of language and literature. It includes listening, speaking, reading, writing, viewing, and representing activities. These activities build skills in areas such as communication, vocabulary, letter recognition, and comprehension. Story time is designed to help your child develop an appreciation and enjoyment of literature as well as introduce them to basic book skills. *Math activities include hands-on and real-life experiences. They also help your child develop an awareness of numbers, geometry, patterns, measurement, and graphs. *Manipulative activities help students improve visual perception, hand-eye coordination, as well as problem solving and social skills. *Circle Time is a group gathering during which the day’s plans, ideas, and observations are shared. Circle activities are designed to stimulate your child’s thinking, enrich their social skills, and expand their attention spans. *Art activities help your child creatively express their thoughts and feelings. They help reinforce fine-motor skills and concept development in areas such as colours, shapes, and size relationships. *Dramatic-play activities help children express themselves, practice life skills, improve social skills, increase self-esteem, build vocabulary, and solve problems. And, well, dramatic play is just plain fun! *Music activities promote children’s listening skills, creative expression, and social skills. In music, children can explore sound, volume, tempo, and rhythm. *Science activities offer children many hands-on opportunities for observation, exploration, investigation, making predictions, and experimentation. *Sand and water activities allow your child to experiment with textures and the properties of different substances. These activities also promote the development of other skills, such as math, science, and language. *Block play gives children experience with many different concepts, such as shape and size discrimination, spatial relationships, number skills, balance, organization, cause and effect, and classification. Cooperative play skills, problem solving, and creativity are also promoted in block play. *Gross-motor activities give children the opportunity to use their muscles – as well as their imaginations – as they engage in fun, healthy exercises, such as running, jumping, and climbing.

*Fine-motor activities help improve small-muscle development and hand-eye coordination. Some common items that can be used in developing these skills include puzzles, laces, pegboards, and crayons. *Brain-break activities are designed to refresh students’ minds, and prepare them to be attentive and focus on the next task.

Thoughts at the Bottom of a Beanstalk

Once upon a time there was a little boy named Jack who was about to climb his very first

beanstalk. He had a fresh haircut and a brand-new backpack.

Even though his friends in the neighbourhood had climbed this same beanstalk almost everyday last year, this was Jack’s first day and he was a little nervous. So was his Mother.

Early in the morning she brought him to the foot of the beanstalk. She talked encouragingly to Jack about all the fun he would have that day and how nice his giant would be. She

reassured him that she would be back to pick him up at the end of the day.

For a moment they stood together, silently holding hands, gazing up at the beanstalk. To Jack it seemed much bigger than it had when his Mother had pointed it out on the way to the store last week. His Mother thought it looked big, too. She swallowed. Maybe she

should have held Jack out a year…

Jack’s Mother straightened his shirt one last time, patted his shoulder, and smiled down at him. She promised to stay and wave while he started climbing. Jack didn’t say a word.

He walked forward, grabbed a low-growing stem and slowly pulled himself up to the first leaf. He balanced there for a moment and then climbed more eagerly to the second leaf, then to the third, and soon he had vanished into a high tangle of leaves and stems with

never a backward glance at his Mother.

She stood alone at the bottom of the beanstalk, gazing up at the spot where Jack had disappeared. There was no rustle, no movement, and no sound to indicate that he was

anywhere inside.

“Sometimes,” she thought, “it’s harder to be the one who waves good-bye than it is to be the one who climbs the beanstalk.”

She wondered how Jack would do. Would he miss her? How would he behave? Did his giant understand that little boys sometimes acted silly when they felt unsure?

She fought down an urge to spring up the stalk after Jack and maybe duck behind a bean to take a peek at how he was doing. “I’d better not. What if he saw me?” She knew Jack was really old enough to handle this on his own. She reminded herself that, after all, this was

thought to be an excellent beanstalk and that everyone said his giant was not only kind, but had outstanding qualifications.

“It’s not so much that I’m worried about him,” she thought, rubbing the back of her neck. “It’s just that he’s growing up and I’m going to miss him.”

Jack’s Mother turned to leave. “Jack’s going to have lots of bigger beanstalks to climb in his life,” she told herself. “Today’s the day he starts practicing for them,

And today’s the day that I start practicing something too: cheering him on and waving good-bye.”