Arrivals
* Students will be able to enter the building through the recess doors near the playground, receiving supervision from school personnel, from 8:30am each morning
* When students enter the building, they will go directly to their classrooms
* Bus riders that arrive in the bus loop at the back of the school may come into the building through the doors by the cafeteria
* Parents and all adult community members MUST enter the school through the front door
* Parents that would like to walk their children to class in the morning must check in at the front office with the RAPTOR system (which will require an ID)
* Any student that arrives after 8:40am will be considered tardy and must report to the front office to receive a late pass. This will be reflected in their attendance report. 5 days of tardiness and/or 5 days of absence will automatically trigger the start of our attendance procedure.
Backpacks
Students need a standard sized backpack to carry their belongings. Please make sure the backpack is large enough for a folder and library books to fit inside and that the kindergartner’s name is on it. Check the backpack everyday for any classroom correspondence.
Birthday Treats
You are welcome to bring in birthday treats for your child’s birthday, but do not feel obligated to do so. Healthy treats are encouraged, such as: cheese & crackers, fruit cups/tray, or popcorn, etc. NO PEANUTS PLEASE, there are several students in the class with severe allergies to nuts. ALL food items must be store bought that include a nutritional and ingredient label. Thank you!
Book Orders
Scholastic book orders will be sent home about once a month. This a reasonable way to purchase book for your child and help the classroom library at the same time. Watch for more information regarding book orders.
Classroom Schedule
The daily classroom schedule is posted on the classroom website. In order to keep up with the ever-changing needs and interests of the children and the curriculum, it may vary slightly from day to day. If there are any big changes to the schedule, it will be updated on the website and a notice will be sent home.
Classwork
Student work and school correspondence will be going home on Friday. Backpacks need to be checked daily for any additional paperwork that may be sent home.
Communication
A weekly update will be sent home via e-mail. If you have any questions, comments, or concerns at any time, please do not hesitate to call, email, stop by, or send a note.
Curriculum
Kindergarten curriculum is based on district and state standards. While the developmental needs of each student are met, encouraging responsibility, making good choices, and individual growth are ways to build confidence academically, socially, and behaviorally.
Dismissal
Dismissal time is 3:30. To ensure the safety of younger students, we ask that kindergartners give us a "high five or knuckles" before meeting you. This ensures that we have seen you and students are getting to the proper people. If you will be picking up your child each day, please meet him/her at the tetherball poles on playground.
Please have all individuals that might pick-up your child on file in the office. All students that ride a bus at the end of the day will be escorted to the bus area and to the right bus. Please make sure that your child knows his/her bus number.
Estimation Jar
Every week kindergarten students will participate in an estimation jar activity. Each student will have the opportunity to fill the estimation jar several times throughout the year. The items can be edible or not and are shared with other students. There will be more information on the jar when your child brings it home. The activity involves each student making an estimation, then as a class, counting how many items are in the jar and check our estimates. Please NO Peanut Products.
Extra Clothes
Accidents can happen at school, even for children that have not had a problem in years.
The situation is much easier to take care of if a change of clothes are handy. Although we don’t require an extra set of clothing, if you feel your child may need them, don’t hesitate to provide a set in their backpack. The clothes should be labeled with your child’s name and kept in a large Ziplock bag.
Going “Green”
In an attempt to be more “Green” students will be participating in many activities that do not involve paper. These activities are more hands-on, yet still follow the curriculum and standards. There might be times when no class work (papers) come home. But we are still very busy learning.
Homework
The most effective “homework” you can do with your child is to read with him/her EVERY SINGLE DAY! Being read to and watching what "readers do" is an essential part of becoming a reader. Read what your child is interested in: non-fiction, comic books, magazines, signs, tags, and anything they love to know or hear about. Make reading fun! There will be additional homework coming home. Homework Folders will be sent home every Friday and returned each Thursday.
Lost and Found
As the year progresses personal items can be misplaced or lost. It is very important to put your child’s name on all his/her personal belongings; backpack, lunchbox, coat, jacket, gloves, hats, etc. There is a large cabinet in the front hallway between the library and art room that is used for the storage of any lost items. Please check periodically throughout the year if your child has lost any items.
Lunch Money
Each student has a lunch account with his/her own number (their student ID #), regardless of whether it is used or not. Students need to learn their last name and lunch number. This will make going through the lunch line quicker and easier. Money can be put in a lunch account through the parent portal "School Bucks". Each time your child purchases a lunch, the money will be automatically withdrawn from the account. When the account balance is low, an email will be sent automatically.
Parent Volunteer
Parent involvement in the classroom has a great impact on student success in school. There will also be times throughout the year that I could use help with take home projects. Sign-up to volunteer will be made available to you by your teacher.
Recess
Kindergarten will have a 15 minute recess am & pm and a lunch recess. Your child is welcome to bring a water bottle for recess. Red drinks can stain the carpet in the classroom, please avoid putting colored drinks in a water bottle. Please make sure your child dresses appropriately for recess as the weather is ever changing in Colorado.
Recess times will may vary day to day.
Rest-Time
Full-day kindergarten can be quite long for the students at the beginning of the year and most of them need some time to relax quietly. Kindergarten does not have “nap time” instead we will have a “downtime” during the day. During this time students can find a safe and quiet spot to read with a friend, independently, or just sit and rest.
Snack
Kindergartners may bring two snacks for the day. If you choose, please send an easy to eat healthy snack (no candy or cookies!) Please do not send snacks in a lunch box, it becomes confusing as to whether it’s lunch or snack. Make sure the snack is in a clear Ziploc bag labeled with child’s name. Snacks without a name can sometimes be eaten by other hungry students. Water is the only drink allowed in the classroom because colored drink can stain the carpet. Two snacks time is built into the schedule. NO PEANUTS or NUTS PLEASE.
Toys
Please do not send toys of any kind to school. Occasionally a toy might be needed for an activity, if so a notice will be sent home indicating the need. It is a school policy that toys are not to brought to school, we are not responsible for lost or broken toys. If a student brings a toy to school he/she will keep it in their backpack. If toys become a problem they will be taken away until the end of day or week.
Website
Each teacher has a website on the Eldorado Website, in Kindergarten we maintain one website. The Kindergarten website is full of information such as schedules, calendars, resources such as sight words and flashcards, links to educational sites, and information about each Kindergarten teacher!
Weekly Pal-Chester the Raccoon
Each Friday one student will have the opportunity to take home Chester the Raccoon (a stuffed animal) to be pals with for the week. In the suitcase, is a "All About Me" poster and paper that needs to be returned to class. We will share the poster on Friday and the paper will go in their Kindergarten Memory Book. In addition, you may document any adventures of the week. Students can draw pictures or you may and include photographs and captions to be kept in the journal. There are also several books to read together. The suitcase will need to be returned by Friday so another student can enjoy the “weekly pal” for the next week. All the items in the suitcase need to be returned.
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We hope this information is useful. If you have any questions please feel free to contact your teacher.
We are looking forward to a very exciting and the fun filled year in kindergarten. Thank you in advance for your support.