ABSENCES

In accordance with our attendance policy procedures, office personnel will contact the parents of all absentee children each morning. However, it would save us from bothering you if parents will call and leave a message on our answering machine 303-387-7077 prior to 8:30 am or speak with the office personnel after 8:00 am at 303-387-7075.

ALLERGIES

If your child has any allergies, please notify me immediately to that we assure the safety of your child in our class and at school. Proper paperwork should be filled out and on file with our school nurse.

APPOINTMENTS

It is common to have periodical appointments throughout the year where you will need to pick your child up early from school. If at all possible, please try to pick your child up during breaks such as recess. This helps eliminate disruption during learning time.

ATTENDANCE

Much of our learning will take place together in class. We do lots of hands-on activities and group work. Please plan to attend school every day, except in cases of illness or emergency!

ARRIVAL

Children should not arrive to school before 8:25. The first bell rings at 8:35 to come into the building which we will do as a class. The last bell (The Tardy Bell) is at at 8:40. They will enter through the kindergarten door by the flagpole unless they come after the tardy bell which then you need to sign your child in through the front doors by the office. The playground is off limits both before and after school. On bad weather days, we have indoor line-up inside by the front office.

BACKPACKS

To help your child carry messages and information to and from school, you are asked to provide a backpack for this purpose. Please send a backpack with your child every day! Please have your child share the contents of the backpack with you daily. Your child's backpack should be big enough to fit library books inside. It is also a good idea to keep an extra set of clothing inside just in case.

BIRTHDAYS

Check with your child's teacher before sending in birthday goodies. You never know if there is a student with serious allergies in your child's classroom and such.

CENTERS

Throughout each week, students will be doing independent centers where the practice reading and writing skills while the teacher works with small, guided reading groups, The activities are designed to strengthen letter/sound knowledge, listening skills, oral language expression, rhyme, letter formation, cooperation, etc.

COMMUNICATION

One of our goals as Kindergarten teachers is to keep you as parents involved and informed about your child’s progress, so that you may participate, enjoy and rejoice in your child’s learning and accomplishments. Report cards will be sent home two times a year (December and May). Parent-Teacher conferences are officially held twice a year to give you an opportunity to discuss your child and his/her progress in all areas of development. Please know that I'm always able to speak with you about your child’s progress at other times during the year as the need arises.

DELAYED SCHOOL START

Douglas County School District has a plan that allows school to be open on marginal days when the weather improves rapidly or roads become passable. The delayed start implementation will be broadcast via radio and TV stations. Dismissal will be at the regular time. Length of delay will be one and a half hours later than regular pick-up time for the elementary school busses. Eagle Ridge will begin on these days at 10:00 a.m. You may also check the district website or the weather line for more information. The weather line is: 303-387-7669

DEVELOPMENTAL GROWTH

Children acquire learning in a similar developmental sequence, but at different rates. Just as all toddlers don’t start walking on their first birthday, older children follow a predictable progression of development but do not all begin reading on their sixth birthday. The child who enters kindergarten reading may be higher up the ladder of development than the one who is learning colors and shapes, but both are climbing the same ladder. Please avoid comparing your child to another, especially to a brother or sister. Each is unique and deserves his or her own special place.

DIFFERENTIATION

Because all children are unique and special, they may be at many different instructional levels. Since it is my responsibility to take each child from where he or she is to a higher level, students may be learning concepts different from his/her peers. With this type of teaching in the classroom, you can be sure that your child's individual needs are met.

DISCIPLINE

In order to support your child’s academic and social growth, our goal is to foster a sense of self-control and responsibility for his/her behavior. This can best be accomplished by providing consistent expectations, predictable consequences and generous amounts of praise, encouragement and positive recognition. In the event that a problem does occur, you will be notified as soon as possible. Hitting, pinching and pushing is NOT tolerated under any circumstance.

DISMISSAL

School ends at 3:30. We usually start dismissing kindies around 3:25 to avoid mass chaos with all the older students flooding out through the doors at the same time. You must send a note to school if your child is to go home a different way than his/her normal schedule- especially if he/she is to ride a different bus! You are welcome to park in a designated parking spot and walk over to our meeting area or stay in your car in the car loop. Please do not park and leave your car in the carpool loop. This is a safety issue. In the event you are late in picking up your child, he/she will be waiting safely in the school office.

EMERGENCIES

Please make sure we have the correct emergency information on file for your child. If phone numbers change, you can call or send a note so your child's file can be updated!

EXPECTATIONS

In our classroom we respect each other, try our best, work as a team, learn from our mistakes, create, and celebrate each other's successes! We are a 7 Habits classroom that promotes leadership through responsibility and accountability. We want our school and classroom to be a warm, safe and happy place. In order to be successful, we must practice good behavior in the classroom, hallway, bathrooms, cafeteria, and the playground. We need to be RESPONSIBLE, SAFE, and RESPECTFUL.

FIELD TRIPS

At this point in time due to CoVid, we will not have field trips till further notice.

FIRE DRILLS

These are held periodically throughout the year. All students will participate and are expected to walk quickly and quietly to their designated exit. We will practice and become familiar with procedures before our first scheduled drill. We will also practice other important safety drills such as: Lockout, Lockdown, and Tornado drills. More information can be found on our district website.

GOALS

Your child will set an academic goal and a personal goal each quarter as part of our Leader In Me program. I look forward to celebrating your child's accomplishments throughout the year.

GUIDED READING

The definition of guided reading encompasses a wide variety of behaviors. For example, some children may be working on alphabet recognition; some may require teacher support to read stories with predictable text, while others may read simple texts independently. Guided reading provides an opportunity to teach children the variety of reading strategies they need in order to become fluent, independent readers. During guided reading, the teacher monitors and evaluates each child's progress.

HANDS-ON LEARNING

I feel that the best way to help children learn is to make learning fun. Important concepts can be learned by doing meaningful hands-on activities. There are times when seat work is required and necessary, but for the most part, our classroom will be an active learning environment.

HEALTH SERVICE INFORMATION

Share specific health information with the teacher in writing. Inform the office of information including phone numbers of where you can be reached, neighbors, doctors and dentist phone numbers. Remember to update this information as situations change.

HOLIDAYS

Labor Day, Fall Break, Thanksgiving, Winter Holiday, MLK Jr. Day, President's Day, and Spring Break. See the school calendar for more information. Eagle Ridge is on a traditional school calendar.

HOMEWORK

Check with your child's teacher for more information regarding classroom homework. Usually the rule of thumb is 10 minutes per night plus nightly reading with a family member.

ILLNESS

It is important to keep your child home if for any reason you believe your child may be ill.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

If you have any important papers that need to come to school, please make sure you tell your child to turn them in to me first thing in the morning. This is your child's responsibility and your help is greatly appreciated.

INDEPENDENT READING

Because children learn to read by reading, they need plenty of opportunities to read independently. Sufficient time and appropriate materials are necessary to develop and strengthen reading abilities. By giving the children time to read both at school and at home, we can work together to provide a literature-rich environment and a life-long love of reading.

JEWELRY

If your little one likes wearing bracelets, necklaces or other small accessories, please understand that they need to be worn and not played with. If they become a distraction, I will ask your child to put the item in his/her backpack. We do not want to hurt our learning or others throughout the day. I am not responsible for any lost or stolen items so please do NOT wear valuables that cannot be replaced. Please also understand that we are not able to use class time to locate such items.

JOBS

All students will be assigned classroom jobs periodically throughout the year. We need help with office messenger, light monitor, line leader, caboose, etc.

KINDNESS

We will learn about being kind to others and ourselves every day. Our daily promise is to not hurt bodies, feelings, things or learning.

LEADER IN ME

Eagle Ridge was the first school in the state of Colorado to be accredited with this program. The Leader in Me is a whole-school transformation model. Based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, The Leader in Me equips students with the self-confidence and skills they need to thrive in the 21st-century. Visit the Leader In Me website for more information.

LIBRARY

Your child will be visiting the school library periodically. Students will learn how to use the library and each child will be allowed to check out one book for the week. This book will be due the following week. Books must be returned before another book may be checked out.

LUNCH FEES AND PROCEDURES

We use a computerized lunch accounting system, each child will have his/her own number. The system automatically deducts the cost of one lunch or milk as the number is used. Lunch costs $2.75, including milk. The cost of milk is $.50. Checks may be made out for any number of lunches or milks (we suggest $20), that amount is credited to the student’s account. When the balance in the account drops to $3.75 or lower, the kitchen will send a note home with the child. You may also pay online using a site called My School Bucks. The online is helpful as it will send you an email and replenish your child's account before it runs out. For more information, please see the Eagle Ridge homepage.

*If your child will be bringing a lunch to school, practice opening and closing the lunch box, thermos or any other containers.

MATH

Our school uses iReady Math. This curriculum introduces children to thinking mathematically about problems and their solutions. Children are given opportunities to investigate, discover, explore and apply their own solutions to mathematical problems. Children learn to use numbers to make connections and realize the relationships between them in relation to real life situations.

MEDICATIONS

Must be brought to the school secretary to be administered. Medications must be brought in the original container with the prescription label and cannot be administered without doctor's permission. If you need more information, please stop by the front office.

MONEY

When sending money to school, please put it in an envelope or bag with your child's name and what it's for. Remind your child to turn it in first thing so I can get it to the right place.

NEWS AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Each classroom teacher will have their own system in how they communicate important information and dates with their students and families. Please make sure to keep up with all communication so you are up to date on all the important events that take place in your child's classroom and at our school.

OPEN HOUSE

This is held at the beginning of the school year. Please plan to attend this event to learn more about our daily classroom activities, policies, and to see our classroom!

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school. There will be many opportunities for volunteering in our classroom and at home. Your help will very much be appreciated! There will be a variety of special classroom activities and celebrations throughout the school year. We hope that you can come join in the fun!

PARTIES

Each classroom would appreciate having a head room parent that would be willing to plan the activities and games for the various parties throughout the year. Of course, this volunteer will count on others to help as well. If you would like to help, please let me know and I will but you in touch with our room parent. We have the following parties each year: Halloween, Polar Express Day / Winter, Valentine's Day, and End of Year. Room parents may request a small financial donation or supplies for party purposes during the year. If you are not assigned a task, you are certainly welcome to join us.

PHONEMIC AWARENESS

Phonemic awareness is not phonics. Phonemic awareness is the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate individual sounds-phonemes--in spoken words. Before children learn to read print, they need to become more aware of how the sounds in words work. They must understand that words are made up of speech sounds, or phonemes (the smallest parts of sound in a spoken word that make a difference in a word's meaning). In kindergarten, we focus on rhyming words, blending and segmenting.

PHONICS

We will be using a program called Benchmarks. Phonics instruction teaches children the relationships between the letters (graphemes) of written language and the individual sounds (phonemes) of spoken language. It teaches children to use these relationships to read and write words. The goal of phonics instruction is to help children learn and use the alphabetic principle--the understanding that there are systematic and predictable relationships between written letters and spoken sounds. Knowing these relationships will help children recognize familiar words accurately and automatically, and "decode" new words. In short, knowledge of the alphabetic principle contributes greatly to children's ability to read words both in isolation and in connected text.

QUICK AND QUIET HELLOS

As you volunteer in our classroom or our building, I will urge your child to acknowledge you with a "quick and quiet" wave hello. It is important for them to greet you, but remain involved in class activities.

READING

Students are expected to read at home every night, as part of his/her nightly homework. Students should be encouraged to read books (library or classroom) that are sent home frequently as one tool to practice reading at his/her instructional level; however, all types and ways of reading are important. Don't forget to practice having your child retell stories to help with comprehension. We use Wonders reading curriculum in our classrooms.

RECESS

A few times throughout the day, we will go outside for a quick break (15 minutes). This is a gross motor break and a great way to get our wiggles out. We go outside unless the weather is too severe or the playground is too icy and poses a safety hazard. Please make sure your child comes to school prepared to go out each and everyday. We also have a quick snack during this time.

RESTROOMS

There will be one scheduled break after each recess. At all other times, students are free to go as the need arises. Keep in mind that we only have one bathroom in our classroom for all our students. It is a good idea to have your child go before coming to school each morning.

RUBRICS

Are a way a teacher evaluates student understanding and determines how knowledgeable students are about the topic at hand. Here is a district link to see examples of rubrics we use to assess students performance. https://sites.google.com/a/dcsdk12.org/21st-century-skills-rubrics/grades-k-6

SCIENCE

The focus of the kindergarten science curriculum is on developing an awareness of the world in which we live. Through scientific inquiry, concepts will be presented in the life, physical and earth sciences. Our units include: The Sun and Earth, Forces and Motion, Sorting and Classification. We will also spend time learning about plants, animals, the five senses, general health, and the four seasons. We currently use a platform called STEMScopes

SHARED READING

Is an interactive process used with the whole class. As the teacher reads a story, children join in on phrases or words that they know. During subsequent re-readings, children read more and more of the text, until they are able to read the story independently. Shared reading is an opportunity for the teacher to model conventions of print and the use of reading strategies.

SNACKS

Your child needs to bring 2 snacks to school each day. Please do not send in snacks with nuts for safety reasons if there is a nut allergy in your classroom. Snacks are enjoyed during recess time only. We eat first, then play.

STORM AND EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

Should inclement weather or emergency situations occur which would result in the closing of school or an adjustment to the start or dismissal times of school, the announcement will be made via radio and TV stations. The weather number is also listed on the bottom of the screen.

SOCIAL STUDIES

The kindergarten social studies curriculum focuses on the students and how they relate to others in their families, classroom, school, and community. Activities will help the children focus their natural curiosity for the world around them. We will spend time exploring life from the past vs. the present, family traditions, important holidays observed in the U.S., needs vs. wants and other interesting topics.

SPECIALS

Our students will have the opportunity to rotate to a special once a day for 40 minutes. Please look under the schedule link to see when and where we are scheduled to go each day. Please make sure your child wears good running shoes on P.E. days and to "dress for mess" on art days. Our specials include: P.E., art, library and STEAM on a rotating basis.

TARDIES

Students should be at school by 8:40. Arriving after this time causes students to lose instructional time.

THURSDAY FOLDER DAY

Thursday has been designated as the day that school and classroom information as well as student papers/work will be sent home. Please take the time to go through the information in your child's backpack every Thursday. It is your child’s responsibility to deliver and return any necessary forms/papers.

TOYS

Bringing toys to school is discouraged for a number of reasons. If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt. Books are okay to bring in, just please make sure that they are clearly marked with your child's name.

TRANSPORTATION

Bus route information is available from the office, or the bus garage 303-387-0406. It is the responsibility of the parent to notify your child's teacher which bus your child is scheduled to ride. For your child's safety, I would keep his/her routine the same when riding the bus. It is very confusing for a kindergartner to have a different schedule each and everyday especially when it comes to riding the bus.

IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU SEND A NOTE TO US WHEN YOUR CHILD IS GOING HOME WITH SOMEONE ELSE. WE NEVER KNOW WHEN THE SITUATION WAS “PREARRANGED” BY PARENTS OR “POST- ARRANGED” BY THE CHILDREN. Students cannot be allowed to ride on the bus or with someone else without your written permission.

THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.

UNIQUE

Kindergartners learn that they are special and unique. The children have opportunities to describe how they are alike as well as different from others. They share their culture and learn about different cultures within the class.

VOLUNTEERS

We hope you can come help in the classroom this year. Check with your child's teacher for more information regarding volunteer opportunities.

WEBSITE

Our website is updated regularly with important information so check it out!

WISH LIST

Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our regular classroom materials. From time to time we might also run out of things we use every day (especially tissues during peak sniffle season). These items may need to be replenished throughout the year. Any help you can give would be great!

WINTER WEATHER WEAR

Please write your child's name insider their winter gear! Please have your child dress for the weather. There will be outside recess unless the weather is too severe. During the wet winter months, children are encouraged to bring boots to school as the playgrounds remain quite soggy after a rain or snow storm.

*Help your child learn to manage his or her own clothes (buttons, snaps, zippers, shoelaces, etc.) including coats and other outerwear.

WRITING

Our writing program builds on what each child already knows. Writing begins with scribbles and proceeds to lines and circles, random strings of letters, words and spaces and eventually sentences. Your children will be encouraged and praised for all attempts and accomplishments in writing. Providing a risk-free environment is paramount to your child's progress in writing. If possible, please provide your child with writing tools, such as pencils, crayons, markers and paper at home. We use a developmental writing rubric to help coach and motivate your child to constantly improve and reach his/her fullest potential. The kid friendly writing rubric is posted on our writing wall.

I am excited to work with you and your child this year! Make sure he/she gets plenty of zzzz's each night as we have exciting days planned for this year!