Kindergarten ABC: A Guide for Parents

Kindergarten

ABC

A Guide for Parents

2021 - 2022 School Year

Welcome to Kent Center School! What an exciting year this will be for your child! Sending your son or daughter off to school is a huge leap of faith and trust, whether this is your first child or your last.

As faculty and staff we realize what an awesome responsibility it is to be given the opportunity to work with your child and to ensure that he or she receives an unparalleled education in all areas: academically, emotionally, and socially through stimulating learning activities.

Parents are a child’s first and best example. By developing an open and trusting relationship with your child’s teacher and the kindergarten staff, you are encouraging your child to do the same. Together we will make this a wonderful and positive school year for your child, which will set the standard for years to come.

We hope this Kindergarten ABC Handbook will answer many of your questions and give you a good idea of what to expect during your child’s kindergarten year.

Allergies – We have children at Kent Center School with severe food allergies. To avoid any problems. children are asked not to share food.

Art – Kindergartners go to Art Class once a week with Mrs. Tarabara.

Attendance – It is important for all children to be in school every day. If your child is going to be absent please call the nurse’s office (Ext. 118) and leave a message.

Backpacks – Students should have a regular sized backpack (no wheels please!) to carry things to and from school. Backpacks are stored in our cubby area.

Bus – All kindergarten children are eligible to take the bus to and from school. If your child will be a parent pick up instead of taking the bus, please let your child’s teacher know so that he or she can be taken off the bus list. It is assumed that your child will be taking the bus unless you notify us.

Computer Class – Kindergartners will have Computer Class once a week with Mr. Eldridge.

Conferences – Parent/Teacher conferences will be held in October and Student Led conferences will be held in March. You may also contact your child’s teacher throughout the year to schedule other meetings if needed.

Cougar Books – Each kindergartner will have a Cougar book to use for the year. This is a great way for all communication to go back and forth between school and home. Please check your child’s Cougar book every day for important notes home and for your child’s work. Your child will be responsible for checking his or her Cougar book every morning. Please be sure to empty all folders every day.

Donations – If you have any craft supplies that you think we can use in the kindergarten classroom please send a note in with your child. Chances are we can find a use for your “junk!”

E-mail – To conserve paper, we e-mail our weekly kindergarten newsletters and other important kindergarten information.

Flip Flops – Flip Flops are fun but they can be dangerous on the playground. We suggest that your child not wear flip-flops to school.

Free Play – We have free play in kindergarten most afternoons. This is a time when the children are free to explore and play with the different toys, games, and activities in our classroom. We love free play!

Holidays – We talk about many holidays throughout the year. This is a part of our social studies curriculum. If you have a holiday that you would like to talk about with our class please let your child’s teacher know.

Home Learning – In your child’s Cougar book you will find a Home Learning folder. Sometimes your child will bring practice work or family projects home in this folder.

Invitations – Invitations to parties can NOT be passed out at school unless EVERYONE in the class is being invited.

Jobs – Each child has a job in our classroom. Jobs are posted on a job chart and change weekly. The children feel that they are a part of our classroom community when they are all responsible for helping out.

Kindergarten – Kindergarten is FUN!

Library – We have Library Class once a week. Miss Morrow (Miss Snoopy) reads a book to the class and does an activity. Children may select two books to take home. All books should be returned to school the following week.

Lunch – We have lunch at 11:00 each day. Kindergarten students eat lunch in the cafeteria with the 1^st and 3rd graders. Your child may bring his or her lunch or may purchase lunch in the cafeteria. Your child may also order grilled cheese, a turkey sandwich, or the salad bar as an alternative. A lunch menu is sent home monthly so that you know what is being offered each day. You can also find the menu on the school website.

Milk – Milk can be purchased in the cafeteria daily.

Mrs. Mott – Mrs. Mott is our principal and she loves to visit the kindergarten classrooms!

Music – Kindergartners have Music Class once a week with Ms. Moros.

Newsletters – Kindergarten newsletters are e-mailed home weekly. Please read these for important information. Paper copies can be sent home for those without access to e-mail. Please let your child’s teacher know if you need a paper copy.

Notes – Notes regarding end of day plans or early dismissals should be emailed to coxm@kentcenter.com and robbm@kentcenter.com.

Outdoor play - We play outside at least once a day. Proper footwear is necessary as is weather appropriate clothing.

P.E. – Kindergartners go to Physical Education class with Mrs. Saunders twice a week. Please be sure to have your child wear sneakers on these days. Students who do not have sneakers will not be able to participate in gym class.

P.P.U. – If your child will be a Parent Pick-up everyday, you will meet him or her at the outside cafeteria doors after school. If you plan to pick up your child when he or she is normally a bus rider or a walker, please email the office.

PTO – You may want to join the PTO. There are many ways that you can be involved in the PTO.

Quiet Reading Time – Many days children will have quiet reading time. This is a time to read, rest, relax, and recharge for the afternoon. Quiet music is played at this time.

Recess – We go outside for recess every day that the weather allows. Please dress your child appropriately for that day’s weather.

Report Cards – Kindergartners receive two report cards during the year. We will discuss your child’s early progress with you at the parent teacher conferences in October.

Rules – Our school and our classrooms have rules that we all must follow to make our days safe and fun. We promise to be responsible, show respect, and practice safety. We will spend time talking about these rules during the first days of school and will review them throughout the year.

Seesaw – We use the Seesaw platform to share your student’s work and progress with you. Children also enjoy choosing their best work to display online for you. Seesaw is also a means for us to post newsletters and relay important information to you.

Shoes – Proper footwear is important for safety and full participation in all our activities. Sneakers must be worn for P.E. Snow boots need to be worn when there is snow on the playground.

Snacks – We have Snack time every afternoon. We eat our snacks in the classroom and cannot have any crumbs! Please send in a fresh fruit or vegetable or nut-free protein snack for your child to enjoy during this time. Good snack ideas are bananas, carrot or celery sticks, cucumbers, raisins, grapes, small apples, oranges, berries, cheese sticks, Go-gurts, applesauce pouches, pepperoni slices, and pea pods. No juice, fruit cups, applesauce cups, fruit gummies, granola bars, yogurt cups, dips, cookies, or crackers, please! You can save those for lunch in the cafeteria.

Snow – We go out for recess even when there is snow on the ground! Children need to have snow pants, snow boots, warm jackets, mittens or gloves, and hats to play on the playground. Children without proper attire will be required to play on the blacktop. Children must also have shoes to change into after snow play.

Spare Clothes – All kindergartners should have a set of spare clothes that are seasonally appropriate in our classroom. Spare clothes should be labeled with your child’s name and in a bag with your child’s name written on it. These are kept in backpacks.

Tardy – Students are considered tardy if they arrive in the classroom after 8:30. If your child is tardy, he or she should go to the office for a late pass to give to the classroom teacher.

Underwear – Be sure to put an extra pair of underwear in your child’s spare clothes bag!

Vacations – If your family plans to be away on vacation during regular school days, please let your child’s teacher and the school nurse know ahead of time.

Walkers – Walkers meet in the cafeteria after school and are dismissed by a teacher after the school busses leave.

Website – Be sure to regularly check the Kent Center School website at kentcenterschool.org for up to date school information and the kindergarten web pages.

You – You are an important part of your child’s kindergarten experience. Your involvement is valuable and appreciated.

Zipping – Zipping clothing alone is an empowering skill for kindergartners and an important thing to be able to do during the winter months!