K Info

Mrs. Step’s

ABC’s of Kindergarten



I am looking forward to working with your child this year. Whether this is your first child beginning school or your last coming through, you are probably experiencing some mixed emotions concerning school right now. I realize this and hope this information will help you and your child have an easy transition into Kindergarten. I am very excited to have the opportunity to work with you and your child. I am here for you whenever you need me and I’m looking forward to a fabulous year!

Please keep and refer to this packet throughout the year to answer your questions and to remain updated. If you

have any questions that are not answered in the following feel free to contact me by e-mail, note or telephone! ☺


A

Absences: Please make sure that your child makes every effort to attend school every day except in cases of illness or emergency. If your child will not be in school please send an email to ginningsnotes@dentonisd.org. Please send a note or doctor’s excuse stating the reason for absence when they return.

Assessments: We will be doing a district Kindergarten assessment 3 times this year, at the beginning of the school year, middle, and end of the school year. Results will always be sent home in letter form.


B

Birthdays: Birthdays may be celebrated at school. I have found that it works best to have birthday celebrations at the end of the day as a snack. Homemade food items are not allowed. All food must be un-opened, store bought items.

Birthday party invitations: I can only send them home if all children in the class are invited and due to privacy laws I am not allowed to share contact information or names.

Bloomz: I will be using this app to keep you updated with important information, dates, and pictures of what’s going on in our classroom.

Breakfast: The school day begins at 7:30 am. All children need to eat breakfast at home or before school in the cafeteria. Breakfast is served at school starting at 7:10.

C


Check-Out Procedures: If you need to check your child out of school early please stop by the office to sign your child out

Communication folder: This green folder will be sent home each day. Inside you will find a behavior chart, a sleeve to put notes in, and assessment data sheets.

Conferences: I will have a parent/teacher conference with you during the fall (Oct. 12) once the assessments are done to share with you the results and our plan for the year. At any other time that you feel we need to have a conference, please feel free to contact me to schedule one.

D


Discipline: is simple. We work hard as a class to make the classroom a positive and safe place for all. Our rules are:

  1. Be a good listener
  2. Be a learner
  3. Have a good attitude!



E


E-mail: estep@dentonisd.org

This is an excellent way to communicate with me. I check my e-mail on a daily basis.


Emergency contacts: Please be sure to keep these up to date in the office. If any number changes, please call the front office to notify them.


Early release days: will take place on:

Dec. 19, 20 and May 22, 23. We will release at 12:00.



F

Folders: Your child will have a folder that will be sent home daily containing papers from the office, notes from me, etc. Please check this folder nightly, remove any necessary papers, and return it to school the following day. ALL correspondence should go through this folder. This is where I will look for your notes, signed reports, lunch money, etc. as well. Your child’s folder is his or her responsibility


Field trips: We will go on a field trip, a letter will be sent home in your child’s green folder at least a week in advance.


Facebook: Please like our facebook page: Ginnings Kindergarten. I will post pictures and important information on there.


G

GREAT YEAR! It is my personal goal to make sure that your child has a great year and an unforgettable first year experience. I am looking forward to a great year with your child!


Gym: Our days to go to the gym are Wed. & Fri. Please make sure your child is wearing tennis shoes.

H

Homework:Your child will come home with a red Homework folder with a book in it to read to you nightly. (This will start in Sept.) They will also have 5 sight words to work on each week. These sight word flash cards will come home in this folder weekly. Please make sure to return this folder to school daily.


I



Independence: This is a goal for students because it builds self esteem and self confidence. Kindergarteners are very capable of doing many things on their own and I encourage them to do as much as they can by themselves in the classroom. Please work on the following self-help skills at home with your child: zipping, tying, dressing, etc.


J

Jacket: Please make sure to always send one with your child and have it marked with your child’s name in it. Our room gets cold and we go to recess in the morning.


K


Keep updated: Please make sure to read the weekly newsletter, Facebook page, Bloomz, and daily communication folder everyday for important information.


L

Lunch: Our lunch time is from 10:30-11:00. You are more than welcome to join your child for lunch.


Library: We will go to the library weekly and check out a book, however we leave the book at school to use as reading practice in our book box.


M

Money: When sending money to school with your child please send it in a sealed envelope with the following information written on it:

- Your child first and last name

- Teacher’s name

- The amount of money

- Purpose of money

Medication: All medication that is taken at school must be marked with dosage and time to be administered. Medications are stored in the nurse’s office. All prescription medication must be in the original bottle from the drugstore. Any medication give must be brought to the school by a parent/guardian. Parent’s must complete and sign a permission form available in the office before medication can be administered.


N

Names: Please be sure to write your child’s name on all belongings brought to school: lunchboxes, backpacks, coats, change of clothes, etc.


Nurse: We do have a registered nurse here at the school, but we make it a point to only make visits to the nurse’s station if absolutely necessary. If your child has any health issues please make her aware of these.


Newsletter: A weekly newsletter will be sent home each Friday via email. Please be sure to read this carefully and look for information such as homework, upcoming events, important dates, what we are learning, and sight words.


No school: We will be off the following days:

Sept. 3, Oct. 12, Oct. 15, Nov. 19-23, Dec. 21-Jan. 7, Jan. 21, Mar. 11-15, Mar. 18, Apr. 19,


O


Office: Much of the school’s business is handled in our office. Mrs. Ibarra is the school’s secretary. Attendance, messages, school picture money, and any number of other business takes place in the office. 940-369-2700 Use this number to report absences, bus changes, or other pertinent matters. Your child should be checked out through the office if you are picking them up before dismissal.


Open House:We will have a night in the spring where you can come and see what your child has learned this year. The date will be announced in the newsletter.


P



Parent/ Teacher Relationship: I feel that we must work closely together as a team to best meet the needs of your child and help him or her reach their maximum potential. Please feel free to contact me by note, e-mail, phone or conference at any time. I am more than happy to discuss any comments, concerns or questions you may have at any time during the school year! I will communicate to you through notes, phone calls, weekly newsletters, progress reports, and parent teacher conferences. Please refer to our school website for any information you may need.

Q

Questions: Please feel free to call, stop in, email, or send a note.

estep@dentonisd.org

940-369-2709


R


Recess: We will have recess each day from approximately 10:05-10:25 We will be on the playground as weather allows. Otherwise, we will have free choice time in the classroom. Please dress your child accordingly for outdoor weather, and send a coat/jacket when necessary.


Report cards: You will receive your child’s report card 4 times this year (each 9 weeks). The report card will come home on the Wednesday after the end of the 9 weeks. Please review it and sign and return the envelope.


S


Skills at Home: Your child not only learns at school, but also at home. Please work with your child on the following: homework, reading, sight word practice, tying shoes, saying their birthday, phone number, address and lunch number.


Snack: We will have snack everyday in the afternoon. I will create sign ups in the Bloomz app when we are in need of snacks. If you are able to help and can send one in, I would appreciate it!


T

Transportation: If for any reason your child’s transportation changes, please let me know by phone, email, or by calling the office by 2:00.


U

Unique: The special ages of four, five and six are a unique time of curiosity energy beyond belief and rapid learning. It is a time when the child receives his or her first impression of school. At this age children soak up information like little sponges, and are being introduced to many new concepts and ideas. We use a lot of repetition and re-learning to ensure that these basic skills are absorbed and understood for lifelong learning.


U: U are very important in your child’s education. Please take the time to work with them every night.


V

Visitors: Please make sure to sign in at the front office and receive a badge.


Volunteers: Get involved! I encourage you to get involved with our classroom and the school PTA!


W

Writing: We will be writing in the classroom every day. It is also very important for your child to practice writing their name and letters at home. Students will use inventive spelling later in the year; please don’t discourage your child for misspelled words.


Websites:


X

Extra Clothes: Please send an extra pair of clothes, and underwear with your child to leave in their backpack. We have had various accidents (bathroom, sickness, playground, spilled milk, etc.) at school and if we have a set of clothes available, your child can be made to feel more comfortable quicker.

Please write your child’s name on each item.


Y


Yearly Calendar: The calendar is posted on both the district website and school website.


YOUR Input: I want you as a parent to be satisfied and feel at ease with every aspect of your child’s education. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, feel free to contact me by phone, note, or e-mail at any time. I am always open to suggestions and willing to do what I can to best meet the needs of you and your child.


Z

ZZZZZ’s: Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a consistent bedtime is a wonderful idea!


Zip: Before we know it, this year will be over. I hope we have a great year together. I am looking forward to working with each of you to ensure that your child enjoys his or her Kindergarten experience. Believe it or not, this year will ZIP by!