Classroom Information
Mrs. Lazzaro’s Kindergarten Class
Welcome to Kindergarten at Cougar Run Elementary! Kindergarten is a time to foster the social, emotional, intellectual and physical growth of each child. I am looking forward to working with you throughout this exciting time in your child’s life!
Dropping Off and Picking Up
Kindergarteners line up outside the main doors by the sign with their teacher's name. At 8:35, teachers will come outside and escort students into the building. School begins at 8:40 a.m. If you arrive after our class has gone inside (or after 8:40), please bring your child to the front door and ring the bell. Someone from the office will come to get your kindie and walk them to class. Parents will not be allowed in the building at this time.
Kindergarteners will be dismissed at 3:20 from the main front doors. If you are picking up your child, please wait outside the doors at this time, so that they will see you when we come out. Please do not wait in your car as it is difficult to confirm who we are releasing your child to. Students attending Cougar Run’s Base program - Cougar Club, will be picked up from our classroom. Please be sure to notify me of any changes to your child’s usual schedule. I am unable to release your child to another person without consent from you. Good communication will help us ensure the safety of your child.
Classroom Management
In order to support your child’s academic and social growth, my 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.
I use many different reward systems in the classroom to reinforce positive behavior. These include a marble jar, which rewards working together as a community of learners and a sticker chart to reward individual choices. When our class fills the marble jar we will have a class celebration. When students earn 5 stickers on their chart, they get to choose an item from the treasure box. I teach my students that everyone makes mistakes (even the teacher!) but it is important to learn from them.
Absences
Regular attendance is imperative to your child’s success in school. I do understand, however, that from time to time missing school is unavoidable. If your child needs to be absent from school, please notify the front office using the Cougar Run Attendance line (303-387-6677). You can call this number 24 hours a day and leave a message. The information you provide will be posted on my attendance sheet, so there is no need to contact me directly.
Recess and Snack
We have 2 snack times each day at the beginning of our recesses at 9:50 and 1:20. We have snack time outside unless the weather is bad. Please send 2 healthy snacks and a filled water bottle to school with your child each day. Please do not send juice, Gatorade, etc.
Homework
Weekly Reading Envelopes will start coming home after Labor Day. Students will bring two books home on Wednesdays and possibly a homework page. The books will be at their approximate reading level. These books should be read aloud to family and friends over the week. Be sure to reread books many times to help develop fluency and confidence. It is important to keep the books in the envelope when not being read as it cuts down on lost books and wear and tear. The Reading Envelope and homework page are due each Monday. If you ever need more time, just let me know!
Math Homework will be sent home each week in your child’s Friday Folder. This can be completed anytime throughout the week and sent back to school whenever a page is done. When your kindie brings a math homework page back to school, they will get a sticker on their chart! Kindergarten homework is intended to begin forming good homework habits. Remember to work at a table or desk, turn off electronics, help your child when they are stuck and offer lots and lots of praise. Only work for as long as they are interested. If they aren’t interested, set a timer for 10 minutes and stop when the timer goes off. Making homework enjoyable now, will pay off later. :-)
Specials
Throughout the year, we will rotate through Music, Art and P.E. Each special will be one week long and will rotate following the MAP acronym (Music, Art, P.E.). Please remember to have your child wear tennis shoes on P.E. weeks. We will be going to the tech lab twice each month and technology will be integrated into the classroom daily. We will also visit the library weekly. Be sure to help your child with the responsibility of taking good care of their library books and returning them on time.
Celebrations
We love celebrating birthdays! Treats are welcome, but certainly not mandatory. You can send them with your child in the morning or drop them off before 10:00. We usually take the treats with us out to recess and enjoy them during snack time before we play. Ready to eat finger foods like cookies, doughnuts or cupcakes are easiest to pass out. Please do not send anything that needs to be cut or any peanut or tree nut products.
If you'd like to send invitations for a birthday celebration outside of school, please use the Kindergarten Class email list attached to the top of our Kindergarten Weekly Newsletter Doc.
The class will celebrate certain holidays during the school year. I will work with our room parent to set up these events and we will give you details about the dates and activities for these parties later in the year. Parents are welcome to attend and if you are available to assist in any way, please list your name and phone number on the volunteer sign-up sheet.
Communication
Good communication is key to a successful school year. I will keep you up to date with school happenings and your child’s progress in the following ways.
Email – I have created a class email list based on information that you have provided to the school. If you prefer to be taken off the email list, please just let me know. If you are not receiving my class emails, please let me know right away as this is my primary communication tool.
Classroom Newsletter – I will provide a summary of our learning and let you know what is coming up. These newsletters are emailed weekly.
Friday Folders – Friday Folders are sent home every Friday in your child’s backpack (sometimes on Thursday if there is no school on Friday). Important information from school is placed inside, so this folder should be checked every week. Periodically, you will find homework assignments to be completed and returned by the due date assigned. Please return emptied folders in your child’s backpack on the following Monday.
Conferences – Formal conferences are held twice a year. The first conference will take place in October and the second in February. I am always willing to speak with you about your child’s progress at other times during the year as the need arises.
Report Cards – Your child’s report card will be available online twice a year, in December and May.
Please do not hesitate to drop me a note, send me an email (kerri.lazzaro@dcsdk12.org), or call me regarding questions or concerns that you may have. If you have an issue that needs immediate attention, please leave a message in the office and it will be given to me as soon as possible. The main number to Cougar Run is (303)387-6675. As parents, you are your child’s first and most important teacher! Your comments and suggestions are welcomed and provide me with valuable information to better understand your child!
Mrs. Lazzaro’s Daily Schedule
8:25-8:40
Line up Outside (or soft start)
8:40-9:00
Morning Message and Calendar
9:00-9:40
Literacy- Writing
9:40
Bathroom Break and Wash Hands
9:50-10:10
Recess and Snack
10:10-10:50
Math
10:50
Bathroom Break and Wash Hands
11:00-11:40
Lunch and Recess
11:40
Hand Sanitizer
11:45-12:40
Literacy Rotations
12:40-12:50
Bathroom Break/Wash Hands
12:50-1:20
Letter Books/Poem and Song Books
1:20-1:40
Hand Sanitizer
Recess and Snack
1:40
Hand Sanitizer
1:50-2:30
Specials
2:30-3:00
Discovery Time
3:00-3:20
Pack up/Read Aloud
3:20
Kindergarten Dismissal