Use this as your "go to" for any quick questions you might have.
A
Absences- If your child is going to be absent, please send a note in advance, send us an email, or call and leave a message. This allows us to plan our days appropriately and we won’t worry!
Administration- Always say "hello" to our Administration. They are the best. If you every need anything they are here for you and your child.
Attendance- The State Board of Education has established regulations defining lawful and unlawful absences. Please refer to the school web site under “Handbook” for details.
Arrival/Dismissal-
7:15 - 7:30 a.m. Students should be dropped off at their designated area.
*This will also be the time for breakfast. If your child would like breakfast they will need to go to the cafeteria between 7:00-7:45. There will be school staff to help them, but not their teacher.
7:45 a.m. SCHOOL BEGINS. Students should be in their classrooms and ready to begin the school day. If children are not in their classrooms by 7:45 a.m., they are considered tardy. Students should check in at the office so a tardy slip can be issued for the child to enter class.
1:40 p.m. Latest time to issue an early dismissal
2:15 p.m. Dismissal for buses and vans, car riders and walkers
Assessments-We will be assessing your child in Language ,Math, Social Skills and much more throughout the year. We will review these during the October Conferences.
B
Backpacks- Please provide your child with a backpack she/he can open/close and that can hold folder/notebook sized items and even a lunch box if it is hard to hold at the beginning and end of the day.
Balanced Literacy—You will hear this term often throughout your child’s elementary school career. It is simply balancing a phonics approach with a whole language/literature approach. Children are assessed and taught according to what his/her skill level is.
Behavior- will be communicated through their folder calendar and /or email. If you do not hear from me we are working on the behavior at school. I promise I will communicate a behavior issue if I need your support at home. If you ever have a question or concern you can always contact me.
Birthdays- We love birthdays! We can have small toy gifts or store packed health snacks. Please let us know ahead of time so we know when to celebrate.
Any type of fresh fruit or veggie
A whole grain brown rice cake with low-fat cream cheese, honey and raisins
Baked apple crisp – sliced apples tossed with cinnamon, oats, and a little brown sugar. Baked until crisp and topped with dollop of plain low fat yogurt.
Dried or fresh fruit served with low-fat yogurt (for squeezable yogurts make sure it has no artificial food colorings and is low in added sugar).
Individually packed applesauce with no added sugar
String cheese or any small serving of cheese and fruit
Whole-wheat pita chips or home made toasted pita with hummus, bean dip or fresh guacamole
Steamed and cooled edamame (soy beans)
Raw sugar snap peas dipped in low-fat Greek yogurt dip
Apple slices tossed with lemon juice and cinnamon.
Bananas cut into 4 pieces, dipped in plain yogurt, rolled in crushed graham crackers or a whole grain cereal, and frozen.
Celery sticks stuffed with peanut butter and topped with raisins.
Fresh or steamed broccoli florets served with lemon juice, dipped into a healthy salad dressing, or sprinkled with Parmesan cheese
Sliced cheese and cucumbers on brown rice cakes.
Make a healthy Chex mix with rice Chex, whole-wheat pretzels, popcorn baked with seasonings, dark chocolate pieces, and dried cranberries.
Bottle Water- All students need a labeled water bottle DAILY. PLEASE think about having a no spill water bottle instead of a free flowing water bottle. This helps with a lot of spills in the classroom
Breakfast- The school does offer a breakfast program. Breakfast is served from 7:00 to 7:40 a.m. each morning.
C
Chromebooks- Each student will be issued a Chromebook for eLearning at home. This will be used for snow days or if we have to be at home for any other reason. Your child may use this computer for school related subjects. Your child will receive information on how to use their Google Classroom and other educational websites. Please remember that this is issued to them and the Chromebook and charger will need to be turned back in at the end of the year. More information to come.
Conferences- Parent/Teacher Conferences will be held with every parent in October. Conferences are also able to be scheduled as needed.
Communication- Your child will receive a Communication Folder that is used for much communication between parents and teachers. You can also reach me through email or leave a message on our class phone. Behavior will be communicated through the communication folder, phone or email. If you do not hear from me we are working on the behavior at school. I promise I will communicate a behavior issue if I need your support at home.
Communication Folders:
· This is our main way of communication. It needs to come to school every day.
· Inside will be notes and homework.
o Please put all money in the zipper pocket with a label with what it is for.
o Checks need to be separate for PTA, lunch, and Office. Most money will be paid online.
D
Digital Citizenship and safety- As digital natives our students/children need to understand both digital citizenship and safety. Many might feel that kindergarten is too early, but think about the last time your child used the internet… was it today? We will be introducing age appropriate rules and procedures when using the internet and computers.
Discipline- Please see our Expectation page for information.
Dress- Kindergartners must also adhere to the district dress code policy. This includes no flip-flops, tank tops, halter tops, spaghetti straps, or very short shorts or skirts. We do play outside every day (weather permitting), so sneakers really are best. Tennis Shoes are required for PE days.
E
eLearning- At times we will be doing eLearning at home. This will be on snow days and if we ever have to go into quarantine. More information about eLearning will come home.
Emergency Card-PLEASE be sure we have correct information on your child’s Emergency card and in the front office.
Emergency Closings-Please check local news stations for school closings.
F
Field Trips- When possible will be able to participate in several field trips this year! I strongly feel that the more life experiences children have the more “anchors” they will have for learning.
Fire Drills and other Drills - We will participate in a fire drill each month in addition to tornado and other drills. We do participate in other safety drills. We try to make sure that in all situation our staff and students are prepared for any safety situation. When practicing we do talk in a clam and loving manner. As a parent you may want to go over safety drills at home as well and how they make us feel, how they keep us safe, and what we should do in these situations. I know some of these conversations are hard, but coming from you is where they feel the safest. I let them know quickly that my job is to keep them safe and that is always number one.
G
GO!! We are a CATCH school that incorporates healthy living and physical fitness every day!
Google- Your child will receive a Google sign in. This will be the way they sign into their Chromebook and other Google Applications. This will follow them through out their years in Greenville County School.
Google Classroom- This is where we communicate digitally in the classroom and at home during eLearning days. This is really cool, but DON'T stress. We will only be using and learning the basics.
H
Health- Please let me know of special circumstances which may affect your child. These could include medication that may make him sleepy, a death in the family, etc. Also, please let me know of any allergies your child may have, especially food allergies.
Hygiene- We will talk about proper hygiene and germs A LOT this year. We will be talking about how to properly wash hands and social distance while having fun learning.
Homework- Please read with your child each night!! It is truly one of the best ways to help your child’s early education. More information will come home soon about monthly homework.
I
Internet- Your child will get access to internet though a chrome book. This is monitored has a firewall through Greenville County School (even when you are using at home).
Illness- As we all know it is highly important to keep your child home if he/she is ill.
J
K
Kindness- Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class as well as others with kindness and respect. Bothering others, bullying and interrupting learning will not be permitted. Please be sure to discuss using kind words when upset and not hands or mean words. We will have many kindness project and community service acts to practice the important of this life skill.
L
Lunch- Your child will need to bring or buy a lunch everyday. Pre-Pay options are on Myschoolbucks online click Here Please go over the menu with your child so that they are aware of the choices and not surprised and upset when it is lunch time.
M
Math- The mathematics curriculum provides students with mathematical experiences that help them develop number sense and a positive attitude towards mathematics that will continue through their school career and their lives. We employ a hands-on, problem solving approach.
N
Newsletter- Each Friday I will email our Newsletter containing information for the upcoming week. You can always find current and achieved newsletters here on the website.
Nurse- Our school nurse will tend to minor scratches and scrapes, as well as sudden illnesses. For more serious injuries, she will contact you. Please be sure to send in any change of contact numbers in case she needs to get in touch with you.
NOTES REQUIRED- *Important*
A note is always required, if your child:
· is absent due to illness, death in the family, or in advance of a religious holiday
· is tardy
· needs to be picked up before dismissal (please designate dismissal time)
· needs to take medicine during the day
· needs to be excused from recess or physical education
· changes from usual transportation home or to daycare This needs to be signed and hand written. No phone calls or emails are permitted!
****VERY IMPORTANT
All Money should have a note.
O
Office Staff- If you need anything during the day, you will need to call the office and talk to our wonderful office staff.
OOOh!!! We are ready to learn!
P
Parent Involvement- Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school! We are always happy to have your help for special activities in the classroom. I will try to let you know at least a week ahead of time if I need help. Requests for help will be published in our weekly newsletter. I hope that you can come and join in the fun!
Parent Back Pack- It is extremely important that every parent enroll in Greenville County Schools Parent Backpack. This is a one-time enrollment, so if you signed up last year you do not need to sign up again. Backpack is an online tool that will allow you to view your child’s grades, see district and state testing scores, attendance and more. The Parent Backpack works on any device and is mobile friendly.
PTA- Please consider joining the PTA!! Active in virtually all facets of school life, the PTA relies on its incredible parent and community supporters to offer a wide-range of programs. At least four PTA general sessions are held during the school year. PTA Board meetings are held once a month.
Playground-
1. Please review these playground rules and safety procedures with your child:
2. Always follow the directions of the adult on duty
3. Follow all school rules.
4. Do not jump off any playground equipment.
5. Always make sure you can see the adult on duty.
6. There will be no football or tagging---it is fun, but leads to pushing.
7. You may only come down the slide on your bottom facing forward.
8. No hands in the mulch.
9. Do not look in the windows/doors to other classrooms
10. No hands on friends.
PROJECT APPROACH- The Project Approach is nothing new to Kindergarten! Basically, a problem is proposed by teacher or student and we use our skills and learn new skills to solve the problem---then we present how we have solved the problem or what we have learned in a creative way!
Q
Questions-Since we are all new to Monarch this year, I’m sure that you may still have some unanswered questions. Please feel free to call me at school or you can always write a note or email me at: smcclelland@greenville.k12.sc.us
R
Related Arts- Your child will be going to music, art, STEAM lab, computer lab, library, P.E. and Guidance to enhance their learning at school.
“Report Cards”- Your child will not receive a report card but a Skills Report. We will review the Skills Report at the Parent/Teacher Conference in October and will send it home each 9 weeks after that.
Restrooms- A restroom is available in our classroom. Children are allowed to go when they need to. If we are in large group or going over instructions I always ask for them to wait. I do, of course, allow for emergencies. Please make me aware of any medical problem that might require more frequent restroom trips.
Room parent-The room parents' job is to be available for any number of things: to help coordinate parties and activities; to seek volunteers for field days and events. Being a room parent is a great way to be involved in your child’s school life.
S
Science- The focus of the K science curriculum is on developing an awareness of the world in which we live. Through scientific inquiry, concepts will be presented in the life and earth sciences, including the study of animals and plants, the five senses, general health and the four seasons. These areas will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach.
Science of Reading- This is the science of how we all learn to read. “The science of reading is a body of research that incorporates insights and research from disciplines that include developmental psychology, educational psychology, cognitive science, and cognitive neuroscience.“
In our classroom you will see, lessons that target phonological awareness, explicit and systematic phonics instruction, small groups that are goal oriented, snap/high frequency words that are mapped to analyze the sounds inside them and multisensory learning.
Shared Reading- 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.
Snack- You will need to send in a healthy afternoon snack daily. All students need a labeled water bottle DAILY. PLEASE think about having a no spill water bottle instead of a free flowing water bottle. This helps with a lot of spills in the classroom
Schedule-Class Schedule will be sent out shortly and posted my website.
T
Transportation-Remember that any change in transportation needs to be hand written and signed by a parent and sent in that morning. Any change in transportation during the day will need to be sent via fax only. NO EMAIL OR VOICEMAIL CAN CHANGE YOUR CHILDS TRANSPORTATION. This is for your child’s safety. For more information please see administration.
Tardies- Students are expected to be in their classrooms by 7:45 a.m. If they arrive to school after 7:45 a.m., they are considered tardy and must receive a note from the office to enter class. ***Please try to be on time. It is difficult to plan for lunch and lessons when children are constantly tardy (and we miss them).
Toys- Bringing toys to school is discouraged because they distract the children from learning. If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt. There will be special days that we can bring toys. These days will be in the Newsletter or in a special note in the communication folder.
U
Unique- We value each unique child! We can’t wait to get to know everyone’s unique personality!
V
Visitors- ALL visitors must sign in at the office and receive and nametag/sticker
Volunteer- We’d love to have you volunteer in whatever capacity you are able!
ALL VOLUNTEERS MUST RECEIVE DISTRICT APPROVAL PRIOR TO VOLUNTEERING AT ANY SCHOOL/CENTER OR CHAPERONING ANY SCHOOL FIELD TRIP. PLEASE ALLOW UP TO 2-WEEKS FOR THE APPROVAL PROCESS.
Greenville County Schools (GCS), in an effort to ensure the safety of all of our students, has implemented additional security checks for school volunteers. All volunteers must submit an online application to the district and receive clearance from the district before volunteering at any school/center or chaperoning any school field trip.
W
Website-Check in regularly to find information about curriculum, special events and school news. I will be featuring photos of our weekly activities--it's the next best thing to being in our classroom each day!
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.
Weekly Folder- Again, your child will bring home a folder each night. Daily, it will be full of class work and notes from the office or PTA. Please go through the papers to be sure you do not miss anything important! Also be sure to clean out the folder before Monday! Look though the work together and celebrate the growth you see.
X
Excited!
Y
Yearbooks- Yearbooks will be available for purchase at the end of the year and make a great keepsake of your child’s Kindergarten year.
Z
Zzzzs! Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime will help everyone…but especially your little learner!