ENTERING PRESCHOOL AND KINDERGARTEN
As your child takes his/her first steps into the school building and begins their educational journey, they are entering a wonderful, exciting world where each new day is a new adventure. Whether your child is a seasoned preschool student or new to the classroom experience, the Summit Public Schools preschool and kindergarten programs provide a balanced, developmentally respectful combination of learning and play activities to promote social, emotional and academic development. Every instructional period is a component of a planned curriculum designed to develop individual skills in literacy, math, science and social studies which support not only academic but social and emotional learning.
While students build relationships with others, they will also grow in their understanding and application of number sense, letter sounds, and a multitude of additional foundational skills. They will encounter new ideas and thought processes. Your student will be encouraged to think, listen, be creative and ask questions while exhibiting stamina and grit evidenced by sustained supported and independent engagement. Early childhood education is a time of growth: physically - as the children's fine and gross motor skills improve; emotionally - as they become more independent and accept more responsibility; and socially - as they work and play confronting challenges, engage in problem solving and work through conflicts developing skills that will support lifelong learning and growth. Preschool and kindergarten are fun, too! They will also meet new friends and begin a journey into learning that will last a lifetime.
HELPING YOUR CHILD LEARN
Education does not start when children begin formal schooling and it does not take a break when they return home from school. You, as parents, are your children’s first and most enduring teachers. When you encourage them to try something new, share with them a favorite story, work with them to compose a grocery list or answer their many questions about the world, you are their teacher.
Parents strive constantly to expand their children's knowledge and work to help them understand not only themselves but also the world around them. While the schools contribute to student learning, parents share in supporting their child’s ability to reach their full potential ensuring that they grow into independent, responsible adults.
Before your child enters the Primary Center, you have an opportunity to ensure that the new experience will be a happy one. If you have a positive attitude about school and learning, your child will too.
Throughout the year, we encourage you to reinforce positive attitudes toward learning. Some suggestions include:
• Read to your child daily. If you can't, be sure someone else does.
• Play math and number games with your child.
• Spend time looking at pictures, books, magazines and newspapers identifying objects.
• Spend time being present with your child. Take a walk, go to a museum or a ball game or simply sit and talk – conversation is the foundation for language and literacy development!
• Regulate and supervise ALL screen time.
• Encourage your child's increasing independence.
• See that your child gets the proper nutrition, exercise, and sleep.
• Show an interest in each school experience.
• Accept your child as an individual who progresses at a personal rate; avoid making comparisons with siblings or peers.
• Assure your child of your love daily.
• Be a good listener.
CURRICULUM & ASSESSMENT
As a parent, you are aware that all children are different. Individualization and differentiation are the mainstays of education in Summit schools.
Language development is essential to the foundation for all learning and social interaction. A typical day in an early childhood class includes meaningful concept and skill activities designed to expand language and vocabulary supporting the foundation for reading, writing and mathematics. Literacy, mathematics, social studies and science instruction is designed to encourage thought, confront challenges, engage in problems as possibilities, and grow logical reasoning. Teachers support growth through guiding questions encouraging sustained effort. Social and emotional learning opportunities are authentically included throughout the school day as well as taught through our guidance curriculum.
Our young scholars are quite busy, engaging with the established curriculum. All curriculum aligns with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards. Please click the link below, then click “Kindergarten” (you will then select Reading, Writing, Math, Science, or Social Studies) to learn more about what our young scholars will learn and be able to do by the end of Kindergarten.
COMMUNICATION, SCHOOL CONFERENCES & REPORT CARDS
Your child's school experience will be supported and enhanced through home to school communication. Parents may contact their child's teacher at any time, throughout the year, to discuss their child or arrange an individual conference. Parents are also encouraged to volunteer at school activities and participate in the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization). The Primary Centers send a Weekly Newsletter on Wednesdays with pertinent information, dates, and other news.
We encourage parents to start building effective communication by attending Back-to-School Night at your Primary Center (JPC is scheduled for September 16, 2025 and WPC is scheduled for September 17, 2025). This is an adult-only event. In addition, your child's teacher will also be glad to speak with you on the telephone or set up a personal appointment to answer questions, share thoughts or provide information that may support your child in their early days of school. Your child’s teacher(s) will share their preferred method of communication, whether it be email or calling the school to arrange an appointment to talk/meet. They will respond as soon as possible. If your message is not returned within 24 hours (with the exception of weekends and holidays/school vacations) please try again - your message may not have been received. Email and voicemail are NOT to be used to communicate time sensitive (same day) information. Staff may not be able to check these accounts during the instructional day.
You can email any staff member as follows: first initial, last name @summit.k12.nj.us. An example: to reach Susan Smith, the email would be ssmith@summit.k12.nj.us.
PLEASE do not use email to communicate a change in dismissal procedure for your child. A signed note, written by the parent, is required in order to allow a change. In case of an emergency, please contact the school secretary by phone to inform them of the change.
IMPORTANT DATES TO NOTE: Preschool students receive two report cards per year. Preschool parents will also have one scheduled parent teacher conference in November. Please note: these days will be regular school days for our PreK students.
Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten parents will have teacher conferences, November 3-5, 2025 and Kindergarten will also hold conferences March 25-27 2026. Report cards will be issued in late January/early February and June. On a Single Session Day, dismissal is at 12:00 for all Kindergarten students. If you have concerns regarding your child, please do not wait for a formal report of their progress but reach out to your child’s teacher as outlined above.
Although we have transitioned to a digital format, there are still occasions when you will receive important information in your child’s backpack including samples of their work, documents that require a parent signature or forms that need to be completed. Please be sure to check your child’s backpack every day. Your child’s teacher may also offer additional avenues to strengthen a home-school connection that will be reviewed at Back to School night.