A - Attendance:Regular attendance is necessary for success in school. However, we know that children do get sick. According to school policy your child must be free from fever (lower than 100 without the aid of meds) for 24 hours before returning to school. When your child does return to school, please send a note/email the NEXT DAY explaining the reason for the absence.
B - Book Bag: Your child will need a book bag large enough to fit their daily folder, library book, and other school materials. Book bags with a zipper closure work best for Kindergarten hands. Please avoid rolling bags. They are often very difficult for little ones to manipulate.
C - Centers:Centers are an integral part of learning in Kindergarten. Each week children will be expected to complete center activities that focus on our current literacy and math units. Through the use of centers, children learn to make choices, discover through free-exploration, develop responsibility, and communicate with others. Examples of centers include: math, science, social studies language, computer, art, reading, and writing. The activities and materials vary at the centers, depending on our theme or unit.
D - Discipline:You will receive a copy of your teachers discipline plan at the beginning of the year. Your support at home is essential to help keep our school environment safe.
E - Extra Clothes:We ask that each child have a change of clothes at school. Please write your child's name on the tags and send them to school in a large zip-lock bag. Children will be able to keep these clothes at school just in case! Kindergarten tends to lend itself to all kinds of spills and accidents!
Reminder: PLEASE be sure to send clean ones back to replace those that were needed for an accident. Also remember to change his/her clothes out according to the season (We don't want to send a child home in shorts in the middle of winter!)
F - Folders:Each day your child will bring home a daily folder. It will contain school work, school information, PTA information, etc. You will also find your child’s behavior calendar, a pocket for money, and a sight word list. Keep and review the contents, fill out and sign any items that need to be returned and place them back in the folder. The folder needs to be returned to school each school day. This is also a great place to put notes to the teacher so they don't get lost!
G - Going Home:If your child is to go home in a different manner (other than his/her normal way) please send in a SIGNED note explaining the change and for how long before 12:00 to notify the school of any change. WE CANNOT CHANGE TRANSPORTATION WITHOUT A SIGNED NOTE. PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!
H - Homework:Your child's first homework is to learn to recognize/write his/her first name, their lunch number, and how he/she goes home (carpool, bus #/slot #, daycare, walker). Throughout the year your child's daily homework is to have someone read to/with him/her each night. We will also send home unit projects for your family to work on together.
I - Information Cards:Please make sure that we have current phone numbers and addresses throughout the year. If at any time these things change, please notify your teacher and the main office. We need to be able to reach you in case of emergency!
J - Just Look at me Grow:As we are learning and growing, the next few weeks will be very exciting, but sensitive ones. We would like to ask that parents look at how your child is growing from a distance and NOT come to school to visit our classroom just YET (unless you have already been given an assigned time to volunteer in the room). This will allow the children time to adjust to school and all the new experiences. After this adjustment period our door will always be open to you. Your teacher will let you know when we are ready for visitors and lunch buddies.
K - Kindergarten Newsletter:We will be sending home a monthly newsletter that will keep you informed about our activities and upcoming events. It is very important that you read over the newsletters and discuss them with your child. They can serve as a springboard to open the lines of communication with your child and with us as well. The updates will help "refresh" your child's memory of all the wonderful things that are occurring in our classroom/school. Also, we want you to be aware of everything that is going on because you are an important factor in determining our success.
L - Lunch/Lunch Money:The easiest way to make sure your child's lunch is paid for on time is by setting up an account on PayPams, which you can find a link to on our Kindergarten Wiki page. If your child brings their lunch, please make sure it is a full lunch, and not only "snack" items. We learn best on a full stomach!
M - Medication:All medication must be turned into the office to be given to the nurse. Teachers are not allowed to administer medication to students in the classroom.
N - Nighttime Routines:Since nights can often be rushed with dinner, baths, and other siblings, we hope that you will try to establish an evening routine as quickly as possible. We always ask that parents and students try to set aside at least 15 minutes each night to read together (you reading to your child or your child "reading" to you). Please know that your child will be VERY tired for several days/weeks as they become accustomed to the routine of school. If they are tired, they become cranky and overactive. Please help us out (and yourself, too!) by ensuring that your child gets to bed early and gets plenty of rest.
O - Office Notification:If your child arrives at school after 7:45a.m., he/she must check-in at the office. Also, if your child must leave before 2:45p.m., please stop by the office to check your child out. We are not allowed to release your child to you unless we have the "go ahead" from the front office. Your child's safety is our priority!
P - PTA (Parent Teacher Association): Mallard Creek is pleased to say that we have an outstanding PTA Board. The PTA sponsors several fundraisers each year. Are you interested in deciding how PTA funds are spent? If so, please join our school's PTA. Membership is $5.
Q - Quick Kiss at the Door:For the first few days of school, your child may need the assurance of you walking with them to class. At the beginning of our first full day of school (August 31), if you are still walking with your child, we ask that you give a "quick kiss at the door" of the classroom, and let them continue into the room to unpack their things, and get the feel of how the classroom works. It's important for your little one to gain the independence of walking into the classroom by themselves.
R - Realize:Please realize that we are here to do everything possible to ensure that Kindergarten is a wonderful experience for your child and your family. We understand what an important role Kindergarten plays on setting your child's expectations and feelings toward school. We will do our best to make sure that your child leaves each day feeling good about himself/herself and excited to be coming back the next day!
S - Snack:Each afternoon we will have time for a healthy snack. We work hard and need the boost! Please send a snack every day for your child. Fruit, granola bars, crackers, or raw vegetables (carrots, celery, etc.) are wonderful choices. Please do not send candy or snack cakes. You may also send in a bottle of water for snack! No juice boxes will be allowed during snack time.
"Birthday snacks"- If you would like to send in a special snack for your child’s birthday, please notify your child’s teacher at least 24 hours ahead of time. All snacks much be store-bought...no home-baked goodies. You may send the snack to school first thing in the morning, or bring it at the time you have scheduled with the teacher. Please check with your teacher regarding possible food allergies. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this.
T - Tying Shoes:Please work with your child for a few minutes each day to master the wonderful task of tying shoes! We understand that this is a lengthy process, but an important one. We don't mind tying a shoe here or there, but it gets time-consuming if we have to help every child with his/her shoelaces.
U - Units:Our center activities and other experiences revolve around our current Literacy unit. Refer to the "Kindergarten Newsletter" to see the current topic. Also, if you have books or materials related to a unit, please share with us!
V - Volunteer:The difference between a good year and a great year is the level of parental involvement. Please volunteer! You must first register online and be cleared to work in the classroom. If you would like to chaperone field trips, please make sure you mark this on the website! If you are not cleared at that level, you cannot go on a field trip as a chaperone!
W - Wish List:A "Wish List" is printed at the bottom of each newsletter. Feel free to choose anything on the list that you can provide. Any donations are greatly appreciated.
X - Xtras:If your company or business has excess paper or supplies, please remember us!
Y - You:You are always welcome and needed in our classroom. Remember, you the parent/guardian are your child's first and most important teacher! Your teacher will let you know when we are ready for your involvement in our classroom.
Z - Zippers and Buttons:Zipping, buttoning, snapping, tying, and putting on/taking off sweaters, etc. are important skills to practice at home to encourage your child's independence (what Kindergarten is all about). We want your child to be able to "operate" his/her clothing, especially in the bathroom!
B - Book Bag: Your child will need a book bag large enough to fit their daily folder, library book, and other school materials. Book bags with a zipper closure work best for Kindergarten hands. Please avoid rolling bags. They are often very difficult for little ones to manipulate.
C - Centers:Centers are an integral part of learning in Kindergarten. Each week children will be expected to complete center activities that focus on our current literacy and math units. Through the use of centers, children learn to make choices, discover through free-exploration, develop responsibility, and communicate with others. Examples of centers include: math, science, social studies language, computer, art, reading, and writing. The activities and materials vary at the centers, depending on our theme or unit.
D - Discipline:You will receive a copy of your teachers discipline plan at the beginning of the year. Your support at home is essential to help keep our school environment safe.
E - Extra Clothes:We ask that each child have a change of clothes at school. Please write your child's name on the tags and send them to school in a large zip-lock bag. Children will be able to keep these clothes at school just in case! Kindergarten tends to lend itself to all kinds of spills and accidents!
Reminder: PLEASE be sure to send clean ones back to replace those that were needed for an accident. Also remember to change his/her clothes out according to the season (We don't want to send a child home in shorts in the middle of winter!)
F - Folders:Each day your child will bring home a daily folder. It will contain school work, school information, PTA information, etc. You will also find your child’s behavior calendar, a pocket for money, and a sight word list. Keep and review the contents, fill out and sign any items that need to be returned and place them back in the folder. The folder needs to be returned to school each school day. This is also a great place to put notes to the teacher so they don't get lost!
G - Going Home:If your child is to go home in a different manner (other than his/her normal way) please send in a SIGNED note explaining the change and for how long before 12:00 to notify the school of any change. WE CANNOT CHANGE TRANSPORTATION WITHOUT A SIGNED NOTE. PHONE CALLS AND EMAILS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED!!
H - Homework:Your child's first homework is to learn to recognize/write his/her first name, their lunch number, and how he/she goes home (carpool, bus #/slot #, daycare, walker). Throughout the year your child's daily homework is to have someone read to/with him/her each night. We will also send home unit projects for your family to work on together.
I - Information Cards:Please make sure that we have current phone numbers and addresses throughout the year. If at any time these things change, please notify your teacher and the main office. We need to be able to reach you in case of emergency!
J - Just Look at me Grow:As we are learning and growing, the next few weeks will be very exciting, but sensitive ones. We would like to ask that parents look at how your child is growing from a distance and NOT come to school to visit our classroom just YET (unless you have already been given an assigned time to volunteer in the room). This will allow the children time to adjust to school and all the new experiences. After this adjustment period our door will always be open to you. Your teacher will let you know when we are ready for visitors and lunch buddies.
K - Kindergarten Newsletter:We will be sending home a monthly newsletter that will keep you informed about our activities and upcoming events. It is very important that you read over the newsletters and discuss them with your child. They can serve as a springboard to open the lines of communication with your child and with us as well. The updates will help "refresh" your child's memory of all the wonderful things that are occurring in our classroom/school. Also, we want you to be aware of everything that is going on because you are an important factor in determining our success.
L - Lunch/Lunch Money:The easiest way to make sure your child's lunch is paid for on time is by setting up an account on PayPams, which you can find a link to on our Kindergarten Wiki page. If your child brings their lunch, please make sure it is a full lunch, and not only "snack" items. We learn best on a full stomach!
M - Medication:All medication must be turned into the office to be given to the nurse. Teachers are not allowed to administer medication to students in the classroom.
N - Nighttime Routines:Since nights can often be rushed with dinner, baths, and other siblings, we hope that you will try to establish an evening routine as quickly as possible. We always ask that parents and students try to set aside at least 15 minutes each night to read together (you reading to your child or your child "reading" to you). Please know that your child will be VERY tired for several days/weeks as they become accustomed to the routine of school. If they are tired, they become cranky and overactive. Please help us out (and yourself, too!) by ensuring that your child gets to bed early and gets plenty of rest.
O - Office Notification:If your child arrives at school after 7:45a.m., he/she must check-in at the office. Also, if your child must leave before 2:45p.m., please stop by the office to check your child out. We are not allowed to release your child to you unless we have the "go ahead" from the front office. Your child's safety is our priority!
P - PTA (Parent Teacher Association): Mallard Creek is pleased to say that we have an outstanding PTA Board. The PTA sponsors several fundraisers each year. Are you interested in deciding how PTA funds are spent? If so, please join our school's PTA. Membership is $5.
Q - Quick Kiss at the Door:For the first few days of school, your child may need the assurance of you walking with them to class. At the beginning of our first full day of school (August 31), if you are still walking with your child, we ask that you give a "quick kiss at the door" of the classroom, and let them continue into the room to unpack their things, and get the feel of how the classroom works. It's important for your little one to gain the independence of walking into the classroom by themselves.
R - Realize:Please realize that we are here to do everything possible to ensure that Kindergarten is a wonderful experience for your child and your family. We understand what an important role Kindergarten plays on setting your child's expectations and feelings toward school. We will do our best to make sure that your child leaves each day feeling good about himself/herself and excited to be coming back the next day!
S - Snack:Each afternoon we will have time for a healthy snack. We work hard and need the boost! Please send a snack every day for your child. Fruit, granola bars, crackers, or raw vegetables (carrots, celery, etc.) are wonderful choices. Please do not send candy or snack cakes. You may also send in a bottle of water for snack! No juice boxes will be allowed during snack time.
"Birthday snacks"- If you would like to send in a special snack for your child’s birthday, please notify your child’s teacher at least 24 hours ahead of time. All snacks much be store-bought...no home-baked goodies. You may send the snack to school first thing in the morning, or bring it at the time you have scheduled with the teacher. Please check with your teacher regarding possible food allergies. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding this.
T - Tying Shoes:Please work with your child for a few minutes each day to master the wonderful task of tying shoes! We understand that this is a lengthy process, but an important one. We don't mind tying a shoe here or there, but it gets time-consuming if we have to help every child with his/her shoelaces.
U - Units:Our center activities and other experiences revolve around our current Literacy unit. Refer to the "Kindergarten Newsletter" to see the current topic. Also, if you have books or materials related to a unit, please share with us!
V - Volunteer:The difference between a good year and a great year is the level of parental involvement. Please volunteer! You must first register online and be cleared to work in the classroom. If you would like to chaperone field trips, please make sure you mark this on the website! If you are not cleared at that level, you cannot go on a field trip as a chaperone!
W - Wish List:A "Wish List" is printed at the bottom of each newsletter. Feel free to choose anything on the list that you can provide. Any donations are greatly appreciated.
X - Xtras:If your company or business has excess paper or supplies, please remember us!
Y - You:You are always welcome and needed in our classroom. Remember, you the parent/guardian are your child's first and most important teacher! Your teacher will let you know when we are ready for your involvement in our classroom.
Z - Zippers and Buttons:Zipping, buttoning, snapping, tying, and putting on/taking off sweaters, etc. are important skills to practice at home to encourage your child's independence (what Kindergarten is all about). We want your child to be able to "operate" his/her clothing, especially in the bathroom!