Welcome to Kindergarten! 2015-2016

GCS Mission Statement Greenwich Catholic School provides students Rooted in Faith – Surrounded by Community – Committed to Excellence Greenwich Catholic School provides students with a life-long intellectual and spiritual foundation through a rigorous and innovative curriculum focused on faith, critical thinking, responsibility, and service.

“ Take Home” Folder There is no homework in kindergarten, except for some special assignments throughout the year. The folder comes to school every morning and goes home every night. In the folder you will find corrected work, student mail, and artwork. Most school/parent communication can be found/sent in the folder.

Daily Schedule Morning Work and Morning Meeting ELA/Phonics/Handwriting Snack Math Lunch Rest/Meditation Recess Religion Writers Workshop Science/Social Studies Wrap up

Language Arts Curriculum Open Court Reading Program * Exposed to a variety of prints * Critical thinking skills * Foundational skills in phonics *Journal writing and illustrating * Proper letter formation *Standard rules of English grammar

Daily 5 Model (Language Arts)

Math Curriculum Scott Foresman Mathematics Program teaches beginning skills in: Counting Operations & Algebraic Thinking Measurement and Data Place Value Geometry

Math Centers

Science Curriculum Scott Foresman Science Program * 5 Senses * Properties of Matter * Weather * Animal Habitats * Shelters and Materials * Living and Non-living things * Science Fair (3rd Quarter) *Scholastic Magazine: Let’s Find Out

Social Studies Curriculum Scott Foresman Social Studies Program * Customs and traditions *Maps and globes * Communities and people who help in them * Government * Symbols of our Country * Holidays around the world

Classroom Management We use a positive behavior management system in both classrooms. The classroom behavior expectations were set on the first day of school and the children receive reminders on a daily basis. Both teachers have a classroom management system in place that holds each child accountable for their actions

Prayer Table Both classrooms have a designated prayer table. Anytime throughout the day when there is not a lesson, students are allowed to come to the prayer table to pray and look through our religious books We hold a prayer circle each day. The children are encouraged to either pray to themselves or share a prayer request with the circle.

Father Ian and Father Mruphy Prayers Our class Family Father Ian and Father Mruphy Mrs. Kopas Pets Friends Our School The World

Birthdays Birthdays are celebrated in the classroom! The children that have summer birthday are invited to celebrate their half birthday. Please let us know if/when you plan on sending in a treat. Please send in treats that are individual servings (Cupcakes, brownies, cookies, etc…) Birthday celebrations with be held at the end of the day. We sing to the birthday boy or girl and then share the treat! No goodie bags, please!

Field Trips We are in the process of planning field trips! Information will be sent home directly from the teachers in your child’s folder. Parents volunteers are going to be on a first come basis. Sign ups will be found at the bottom of the permission slip.

Mystery Reader Mystery reader will be held on the days of the teachers choice. If you have any questions, please contact your child’s teacher directly! We have a lot of children, so please only sign up once. Email us the Wednesday before with 3 clues about yourself. Try to keep the date a secret from your own child. It is fun to see their surprised faces when you walk through the door!

Dismissal * If you child has a change in dismissal plans (ie. Someone different is picking them up, they should be sent to aftercare, or they are riding the bus) please notify the office as well as the teacher. * Please don’t rely on your child to tell us what their dismissal plans are for that day. We don’t want any miscommunication! Please send it in note form. We don’t always have time to check e-mails before dismissal each day.

Contact Us! We have a 24 hour reply policy at GCS. We typically answer emails before the students arrive and after they are dismissed on M-F. We do not typically answer emails during the day because we are teaching your children. Teachers will not be available via e-mail during the weekends. If you prefer a phone conversation, you can also call us at (203) 869-4000 and ask the office to transfer you to our voicemail.

Miscellaneous * Most communication from us will be through the school’s website. Please subscribe to your child’s teacher’s page for updates, pictures, and reminders! * We want to stay hydrated throughout the day! Please send your child in with a labeled water bottle.

Activity for YOU! Please find your child’s seat and write 1 word that describes them on each sheet of paper (ie: bright, creative, funny, caring) You should have 6 strips of paper with 1 word on each. We will be making a special project with them on Thursday!

Thank you for coming! We look forward to a great year with you and your children! Together, we will have a successful year filled with learning and discovery!