BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT Brandi Thomas, M.Ed. & Yan He Kindergarten Chinese Immersion Program

A little bit about Mrs. Thomas  Hello, I’m so excited to be your child’s teacher this year!  I have been teaching for 21 years and moved here from Oklahoma City three years ago. I taught in Deer Creek, Edmond, and Putnam City Public Schools before becoming a Jenks Trojan.  I attended Oklahoma State University and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Child Development. I also received a Master’s degree in education from UCO.  I enjoy being outdoors, running, reading, and being with friends and family.

A little bit about He Laoshi  Nihao! 你好！ I’m very excited to be your child’s Laoshi.  I have been teaching Chinese as a second language for one year and a half. I moved here from Oklahoma City last October. I am proud to become a Jenks Trojan!  I attended Tianjin Foreign Studies University in China and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Teaching Chinese as a Second Language. I also received a Master’s degree in Teaching English as a Second Language (TESOL) from Oklahoma City University.  I enjoy jogging, cooking, traveling, watching movies and hanging with my friends and family.

General School Information  Site Principal - Lindy Risenhoover  Building Principal - Lynette Talkington  Our Classroom Early Childhood Assistants - Joy Niles & Song Laoshi

School Safety is our FIRST Priority  Campus Police  School Emergency Response Team (SERT)  Video Surveillance systems covering areas inside/outside all student buildings and parking areas  Random drug/explosive K-9 sweeps at all school sites  Anonymous , text or number to report any school threat or concern  School Safety Training and Compliance Officer  Pandemic Influenza Plan  Safe Schools Committee at every school site  LobbyGuard  Commercial two-way radio system for Administrators and duty staff  If you see something, hear something, SAY SOMETHING  Anti-bullying programs incorporated into the curriculum at all grade levels  Emergency Procedure Guide endorsed by all emergency response agencies that could respond to JPS  District Emergency Operations and Continuity of Services Plans

Curriculum – National Standards Oklahoma State Standards Primary Teaching Tools Jenks Curricula Continua

Language Arts  Writer’s Workshop  Reader’s Workshop  Phonemic Awareness & Phonics  Handwriting

Reading The Comprehension Toolkit  Focuses on “Reading as Thinking”  Builds key thinking strategies for increased comprehension  Supports time for shared reading, guided reading groups, small groups, independent reading, and collaborative discussions.  Students read a variety of genres.  Matches students with “just right” reading texts. Fountas & Pinnell Word Study  Builds word knowledge through instruction in phonological awareness, phonics, spelling patterns, high frequency word knowledge, vocabulary development, and word-solving actions.

Mathematics Everyday Mathematics:  Emphasizes conceptual understanding while building a mastery of basic skills.  Relates math to real life situations.  Hands-on activities  Practice through Games  Cooperative learning through partner and small-group activities  Home and School partnership

Social Studies  TCI  Me and My World  The Pre-Kindergarten - Twelfth grade social studies curriculum is to develop responsible, action-oriented citizens with a personal, global, and historical understanding of cultural diversity and community.

Science and Health  Science and Technology for Children:  explore the structures, needs, and life cycles of plants and animals  plant seeds and watch them grow  use their senses and the tools of meteorologists to explore temperature, precipitation, wind, and cloud cover  bring motion to a personal level as they consider their daily activities and the motions that accompany them STC/Carolina:  Units of study 1. Exploring with Plants and Animals 2. Exploring My Weather 3. Exploring Forces and Motion

Technology  Integrated into the daily routine of the classroom through:  Delivery of lessons  Smart Board  Audio Enhancers  Document Camera  Learnpads  Laptops  Weekly visit to computer lab

Character Education  Character Education  Compassion  Honesty/integrity  Respect  Self-discipline  Courage  Perseverance  Responsibility and Accountability  Teamwork

 HOME READING: Please read with your child every evening. This will help your child grow tremendously as a reader! Practice, practice, practice!  RazKids  Math: Students will have one math home link a week. (We will send home in Red/Yellow folders on Thursdays and you have a week to finish and return on the following Friday.) Homework

Thursday Folders  WEEKLY FOLDER: Every Thursday a folder will come home in your child’s backpack. The folder will contain notes from the school and completed student work. Please send the folder back to the classroom on Friday for use the following week of school.

All About… Birthday Celebrations – Last Friday of the Month Illness – 24 hours fever & vomit free Brain Break Quiet Time– Small Bath Towel Snacks - Sign-up for 1-2 weeks

Volunteer Opportunities  Thursday Readers  Computer Lab  Thursday Folders  Center Volunteers (helping kids during centers)  Class Parties

Introductions… Homeroom Moms Tara Saylors Emily Wiltshire Angela Ellis Jessica Zimmerman

PTA  PTA – Please support Southeast’s PTA. They have provided so many wonderful additions to our school.  Auction Basket - Each class will have a basket this year at the Jenks Foundation Auction. If you work at a business or own a business that would be willing to donate for our basket this year please let us know.  PTA Volunteers - Can you help with – Teacher Appreciation Day, Dynamic Dads, Book Fair, Parties, etc.

Together We Can!  Thank you for being here tonight!