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Important Kindergarten Information

Below you will find some important information about our kindergarten program.

A and C groups attend on Mondays from 8:00 to 10:55.  B and D groups attend on Mondays from 12:00 to 2:55.  Regular school hours are 8:00 to 2:55 on your child’s full days. 

ABSENCES:

  • Please let the school know if your child will be absent by calling the school (299-3416) between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.  Also, a note is required upon your child’s return to school.

BIRTHDAYS:

·        Children are recognized on their birthdays at school.  If your child’s birthday falls on a day that we are not in school, it will be celebrated before or after the actual birthday.  Summer birthdays will be celebrated the last month of school.

·        If you would like to send in a special treat for the students to share at snack, you may.  However, please do not send in drinks.

BOOK-IT:

  • Your child’s class participates in Pizza Hut’s Book-It program.  It takes place from October through March and we would like to see everyone participate in it.
  • Each month, a form will be sent home for you to list all books read with your child.  We ask that you read 15 books each month in order to get a coupon for a free Personal Pan Pizza.  When you have completed the form (or by the end of the month) please make sure your child’s name is on it and return it to school.
  • Students participating in the program at least 5 of the 6 months will get a special reward in April or May.

BOOK/SOFTWARE ORDERS:

  • At the beginning of most months, we will send home book or software offers from Scholastic.  These will be sent home on Mondays and must be returned by Thursday or Friday of the same week.
  • Please remember to write your child’s name on the order form and place it in an envelope with your payment.  Write the teacher’s name, your child’s name, and the words “book order” on the outside so that it does not get mixed up with lunch money.
  • Please pay for book orders with cash or a check made out to your child’s teacher.  The teacher will then pay for all orders with a single check in order to simplify record keeping.

BUSES:

  • Bus pick-up and drop-off is provided for most students.   If you have questions about approximate pick-up or drop-off time, check the Van Buren Website at www.vbschools.net.   Please note that the times may be slightly off the first couple of weeks of school as the students and drivers get used to the new routes.   Prepare to have your child ready early, just in case.

COMMUNICATION:

  • Please check your child’s backpack nightly for notes from school.
  • Look for homework sheets to come home on Mondays.
  • Watch for newsletters every other week.  These will keep you informed of what we’re doing in class and let you know about any special events that are coming up.  Newsletters and other important notes will be sent home on brightly colored paper.

CURRICULUM:

  • Reading, Math, Social Studies, Health, Science, Writing, Art, Physical Education, and Music are all part of the kindergarten curriculum.
  • Students will also go to the library once a week and are permitted to check out one or two books.  Books are due the following week on library day.  If a book is not returned, the student will not be allowed to check out a new book.
    • READING – We use the Letter People program to introduce the letters of the alphabet and their sounds.  We also do Guided Reading, in which students work in groups and read books at their level.  Students will have many opportunities to interact with books, create class or individual books, participate in group writing experiences, write in journals, etc.
    • MATH – We are using a program called Everyday Mathematics.  This program focuses on the everyday uses of numbers and math in our lives and it involves students in many hands-on activities.  Students will learn shapes, classification, one-to-one correspondence, numeral identification, counting, patterns,

logical thinking, measurement, graphing, addition, subtraction, fractions, tallying, money, time, and estimation.

    • SOCIAL STUDIES – Students will learn about the school, communities, our world, holidays, families, seasons, and safety.
    • HEALTH – We will discuss bus safety, personal safety, exercise, personal hygiene, and dental health.
    • WRITING – We will focus on the correct formation of letters and numerals (top to bottom), spacing, and placement on the line.
    • ART/MUSIC – Students will participate in music activities in the classroom, as well as with Mr. Eakin.  Students will visit Mrs. Ramlow  for Art. 
    • PHYSICAL EDUCATION – Students will participate in individual and team activities designed to teach students the importance of physical fitness, following directions, and cooperation.  Mrs. Ramlow teaches kindergarten PE.

FOG DELAY:

  • If we have a fog delay, it is usually for two hours.  In that case, we would start at 10:05 and dismiss at the regular time.
  • If we should have a fog delay on a Monday, the first group would attend from 10:00 to 11:55 and the second group would attend from 1:00 to 2:55.

GRADES:

  • Grades are sent home every 9 weeks.
  • Progress reports are sent after the first and third nine-week periods.
  • Report cards are sent at the end of the first semester and at the end of the school year.
  • No interim reports are sent home for kindergartners; however, we will contact you if we feel there is something your child is struggling with.

HOMEWORK:

  • We will be assigning homework each Monday.  Any tasks that are underlined and in bold type are due the following Monday.
  • On the homework sheet, we will provide suggestions of additional activities you can do with your child at home.  These items are in regular type and do not need to be turned in, however we hope that you will take the time to complete these activities, as we feel they are beneficial to your child.
  • We expect all students to complete the homework that is assigned, but if there is a problem, please write us a note so we understand why an assignment was not turned in.
  • If you need handwriting paper or tips for letter or number formation, please go to the “Homework” page on Mrs. Cavera’s website, www.cavera.com/angie.

LUNCH:

  • Children may buy or pack their lunch.  A hot lunch is $1.75 including milk. If you wish to purchase milk only (when your child packs a lunch), it is 40 cents.
  • The school cafeteria asks that you send in money to be placed on your child’s lunch account.  This may be cash or a check made out to Van Buren School in any amount you wish.  The cafeteria will not be accepting cash in the lunch line.  Students have a code, which they enter every time they buy a lunch item.  The money is then automatically deducted from the child’s account.  You will receive a notice when your child is running low on money.
  • When sending lunch or milk money, please put it in an envelope or a plastic baggie and include your child’s teacher’s name, your child’s name, and the words “lunch money” or “milk money.”
  • Please try to pack items your child can handle independently.
  • Snacks are not available to the kindergartners.

MEDICATION:

  • If your child requires medication during school hours, a form must be filled out.  Mrs. Murphy, our school secretary, will dispense the medication.

NOTES TO THE TEACHER:

  • Please send any notes in an envelope with your child’s teacher’s name, the child’s name, and a few words describing what is in the envelope.  Let your child know that he or she should turn it in first thing upon arrival at school.
  • It is helpful if you and your child pack their backpack together so that they know what is in it and what needs to be turned in.  Eventually, they should be responsible for packing their own homework, library books, etc.

PARTIES:

  • We will be having three parties during the school year.  We would like for each parent to help with at least one party by coming in or by sending in supplies such as refreshments, paper products, or items for a goody bag.
  • Parties are generally held the last hour of the school day.  We usually have a craft activity and/or a game, refreshments, and a goody bag to take home.
  • As parties approach, we will provide you with more information.  We will select two moms or dads to be chairs for each party.  They will be contacted about 2 weeks before the party and will be responsible for planning party activities and contacting parents to help with the party.

RECESS:

  • Students go outside nearly every day.  Please send the appropriate clothing for the weather, even if you think the students won’t be going out for recess. 
  • In the winter, students not wearing snowsuits, boots, and mittens/gloves will not be allowed to play in the snow.  However, they will be sent outside to play on the blacktop.
  • Students are not permitted to bring toys, sports equipment, trading cards, etc. for recess.  The school provides balls, jump ropes, etc.

SCHOOL DAY:

·        School begins at 8:00 a.m. and is dismissed at 2:55 p.m.  Students may enter the building after 7:50 a.m.

·        If you will be picking up your child early for an appointment or after school, we need a note that is signed and dated.

·        For early pick-ups, you may pick up your child at the office.  

·        If you are picking up your child on a Monday morning, please meet us near the main entrance.  If you are picking up your child at the end of the school day, please wait outside the building near the second grade hallway.  If you do not normally pick up your child, please write us a note so that we are looking for you.  It is also polite to let your child’s bus driver know if your child will not be riding in the a.m. or p.m.

·        If your child will be doing something different than usual at the end of the school day, you must write a note or call the school.  If we do not have a note, we will send your child home the way he/she usually goes home.

SHARING BAG:

  • Your child will be bringing home a bag that we call the “Sharing Bag.”  Inside the bag, you will find a form to fill out with your child.  On it, you and your child will list 3 clues about what is in the sharing bag. 
  • Please be sure your child can read or memorize the clues so that he or she may share them with the class and allow the students to try to guess what is in the bag.
  • We recommend that, rather than a toy, your child selects one of the following:  a souvenir from a vacation, a prize/award they’ve won, a craft they’ve made, an item relating to something we’re working on in class, or a favorite book.
  • Your child may also bring home a Rhyming Bag or a bag with a stuffed animal and book inside.

SNACKS:

  • We will provide a snack for students every day.  The whole class will share one or two types of snack.  If your child does not like the snack or is not hungry, the snack may be skipped.
  • On your child’s first day of school, please send in a snack that will feed approximately 20 students.  We recommend pretzels, Ritz Bits, Cheese Nips, Goldfish, Fruit Roll-ups, Fun Fruits, granola bars, animal crackers, cheese or peanut butter sandwich crackers, cereal, or cookies.

VACATIONS:

  • Vacations should be planned for times when school is not in session.  If you must take your vacation during school, you will need to fill out a vacation form.  These may be requested from the teacher.

 


 

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