Before School Starts

We always get asked, "What does my child need to know before Kindergarten/EK starts...ABCs, letter sounds, reading, addition?" Students arrive at Kindergarten & EK with various academic skills. Our curriculum allows for our K-Team to personalize and differentiate to further support your child's skills from where they stand. Instead of focusing on specific academics, we suggest the following to help us and your family prepare for either Kindergarten program.

Here are suggestions to help get ready for the first day of school:

Please assist us in building a love for learning! Read together daily to build your child's vocabulary while spending quality time together!
Have your child practice eating their lunch in 25 minutes. They will be eating in the cafeteria and will have the option to buy school lunch or bring a lunch from home. Your child should know how to open and repack their lunch independently.

Practice self-help skills such as washing hands, dressing (all clothing including shoes, coats & snow gear), and using the restroom independently.
While we love the cute, little backpacks, please make sure your child has an adequate-sized backpack that can fit a Friday Folder, lunch box, change of clothes, and other fun school activities to travel safely back and forth to school.
Develop and practice routines a week or two before school starts. Routines include bedtime and morning routines. (Example of a morning routine: breakfast, helping or packing their own lunch, and packing their own backpack.)
Model and support social-emotional and communication skills. This includes sharing, taking turns, listening and following directions, and talking intentionally about strategies to help manage/regulate emotions.

More Information For Your Family!

If you have a question or concern before the first day of school, you can reach to your child's teacher via email!

We are looking forward to meeting you and spending this year together!

A few notes for a successful year in Kindergarten & EK:

There will be an Open House to visit the classroom and meet me before the start of school! Check the SCS school website for the date!
A kindergarten newsletter will be posted on Seesaw along with additional information to inform you and your family of our school events. Once school begins, you will receive an email explaining how to sign up for this home/school communication tool.
Please check the Salisbury Central School website for school news on the Families Weekly E-news and homepage.
We have a rest time during the day. Children do not have to nap. This is more of an opportunity for your child to have a little quiet time after a vigorous morning of learning. Your child will be provided a rest mat that will be sent home for cleaning once a month. Your child may bring in a small, lap blanket.
Our rooms fluctuate with temperature. Please ensure your child is always dressed in layers or has access to a sweater/sweatshirt.
Parent Teacher Conferences will be held twice a year, in the Fall and Spring.
Report Cards will go home twice a year, at the beginning of February and in June. Parents and teachers are welcome to request a meeting outside of these dates.
Communication is KEY to your child's academic success! Sometimes, small things to adults are big things to your child. If they had a hard night's sleep, there are changes in the home, or a parent is traveling, please let us know. We do not need to know details, you can simply email us saying, "My child might need a little extra love today/this week". Also, if a child mentions something that is bothering them or their share might seem concerning, please share it with us. We might be able to provide some insight or assist in solving their problem! No reason to feel you are bothering us, we would rather know to best support your child!

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