Walter Stillman Elementary School Kindergarten Orientation June 5, 2017 Principal: Gayle Lander Vice Principal: Jodie Craft

We Believe… In providing your child with a safe and stimulating learning environment in which he/she can flourish. In educating the whole child by addressing social, emotional, and academic growth. In the importance of preparing your child to be an educated, active, contributing member of our global society.

School Climate: What is it? “The beliefs, perceptions, relationships, attitudes, and written and unwritten rules that shape and influence every aspect of how a school functions. This encompasses the physical and emotional safety of students and the degree to which a school embraces and celebrates cultural diversity.” Hidden Curriculum (2014, Aug. 26). In S. Abbott (Ed.), The glossary of education reform. Traditions and shared experiences weave a school of individual students, staff and families to maintain a positive school climate and a strong community.

School Climate: Stillman’s G.P.S. Club Guiding. Positive. Safety Students proactively working to maintain a positive school climate. .

Zippy & K-Friends Zippy K-Friends Banana Splits A character education program composed of stories that are presented on a weekly basis that help children with their social and emotional development. The lessons and activities cover topics such as communication, feelings, friendship, coping with change and loss, and resolving conflicts. K-Friends A six week small group social skills program that will assist children in establishing strong connections with their peers. Lessons that are introduced include: sharing, participation, problem solving, friendship, listening and positive self-esteem. Banana Splits A social group for students who have experienced parental divorce or death. We provide a safe place to express and normalize feelings through sharing and activities which allow students to increase their ability to problem solve and to increase their self esteem in a comfortable setting with peers experiencing similar situations.

Stillman School Values

Stillman Values At a Glance: School wide program recognizing students demonstrating exemplary character through identified character traits / values Familiarity with character traits / values gained through: Whole group guidance lessons in the classroom (monthly) Lessons taught by the classroom teacher (daily) School-wide assemblies (as scheduled) Individual recognition of students in the classroom by the teacher and principal Community-wide recognition through inclusion in the “Hall of Fame” displaying student pictures and synopsis of each award for all to see

Stillman School Declaration of Values Love of Learning Consideration Respect Open Mindedness Involvement Honesty

Wall of Fame The objective is to create a comfortable, productive learning community which allows us to learn and live in an environment of mutual respect, compassion and understanding of others.

Ted Talks on Grit

Your Teacher Teachers assignments are available through the Genesis Parent Portal in late August. Maximum 20 students per class HSA will organize a summer get together Early dismissal days for the first week of school.

Our Terrific Teachers First Grade Preschool Third Grade Dr. Benz Ms. Kushner Kindergarten Ms. Pita Ms. Wellman Ms. Lee Ms. Schwartz Fourth Grade Ms. DeWitt Ms. Bailey First Grade Ms. Warshaw Ms. Berg Ms. Shenloogian Ms. Nowak Fifth Grade Ms. Zawadzki Ms. Eisenberg Second Grade Ms. Lynch Ms. Emma Mr. Nissenbaum Ms. Friedman Ms. Harris

Our Spectacular Specialists Physical Education Special Education Mr. Gansel Ms. Agner Mr. McIntosh Ms. Sussman Art Ms. DiTursi Ms. Slezak English Language Learning Vocal Music Ms. Grady Ms. Cassidy Ms. Yi Mr. DeJoseph Basic Skills Instruction Instrumental Music Ms. Lyons Mr. Carolan Ms. Brave Library Guidance Counselor Ms. Shaffer Ms. Stark Spanish (2-5) Child Study Team Ms. Mayz Ms. Sutton School Nurse Ms. Hess

Meet the Specialists Alycin Slezak, Art Lorraine Cassidy, Music Bobby Gansel/David McIntosh, P.E. Charlotte Shaffer, Library

Bobby Gansel, P.E. In Physical Education class your child will experience a wide variety of exciting and challenging physical skill development activities. There is always an emphasis on fitness and nutrition. Most importantly I want your child to have fun in P.E. and constantly be on the move. On P.E. Day make sure your child wears sneakers and appropriate clothes for moving!

Andrew DeJoseph, Lorraine Cassidy Music In Music your child will move, create, and sing all while having fun!

Stillman School Kindergarten Orientation Alycin Slezak, Art In Art class students will have the opportunity to use their creativity, problem solve, and express their emotions, in producing original works of art.  All lessons will also focus on learning about a variety of artists' masterworks as well as developing an understanding of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Be sure to send in a smock for art days.

Charlotte Shaffer, Library One of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Seuss: “The more you read, the more you know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go”

Sharon Hess, Nurse I provide classroom instruction on health and safety as well as taking care of all medical needs. Please make sure to submit all required health documents to the nurse’s office in a timely fashion.

Barbara Barzelatto, Secretary Taras Fedak, Head Custodian

Arrival and Dismissal School begins at 8:30. Those who arrive after 8:40 are considered late and need to report to the office. Students enter school through the library door. They will be dismissed from Mrs.Wellman’s door at 3:10. Safety First! Please adhere to the carpool procedures. SACC in the Library in the morning—Gym in the afternoon

Lunch and Recess Students can purchase lunch or bring in a “ready to eat” lunch from home. School lunch is offered through the H.S.A. and must be pre-ordered. Organized by trimester There are two student lunch periods. Each period is divided so that 20 minutes is devoted to recess. The first lunch period is 11:30-12:15 Kindergarten classes eat lunch and then have recess during the second lunch period: 12:20-1:05

Odds and Ends… Any changes in arrival or dismissal needs to be communicated to the office staff. Forgotten items may be dropped off in the main lobby cubbies. Call in all absences before 8:30AM Discipline, Code of Conduct, and Support Your support creates the TEAM

All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum - an excerpt from the book, All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten  All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten. ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW about how to live and what to do  and how to be I learned in kindergarten… Share everything.  Play fair.  Don't hit people.  Put things back where you found them.  Clean up your own mess.  Don't take things that aren't yours.  Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.  Wash your hands before you eat.  Flush.  Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. 

Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play  and work every day some.  When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic,  hold hands, and stick together.  Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup:  The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody  really knows how or why, but we are all like that.  Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even  the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die.  So do we.  And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books  and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK. 

Everything you need to know is in there somewhere Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.  The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.  Take any of those items and extrapolate it into  sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your  family life or your work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm.  Think what a better world it would be if  all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about  three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments  had a basic policy to always put thing back where  they found them and to clean up their own mess.  And it is still true, no matter how old you are - when you go out into the world, it is best  to hold hands and stick together.

And also… Technology: Ipads for each student Reading: Mondo/Schoolwide Reading and Writing Program Phonic instruction: Whole Class Guided instruction Independent exploration and practice RTI Everyday Math: Computation Exploration Application Science and Social Studies: Units which emphasize real life connections and inquiry Community building: Develop a love of learning Workshop approach 5th Grade Buddies

The Home School Association The H.S.A. is an organization comprised of dedicated parents who work tirelessly to help our school and enrich the Stillman experience! The Lunch Program Clubs Cultural Arts Programming Guest Speakers to support curriculum School Directory Student Planners School Supply Packs Class parents Family Day/Field Day Book Fairs International Week And much, much, more!

H.S.A. Meetings The H.S.A. open meetings are held at Stillman. Meetings are held in the morning and evening to accommodate as many people as possible. Meeting dates will be posted on the Stillman website.

After School Activities School Aged After Care (SAAC) This program is available before school and after school. Specific information is located on our website under the “district” tab. Clubs! The H.S.A. sponsors and organizes a variety of clubs in which your child can participate. Clubs are offered Monday through Friday and take place immediately after school. Pick up time is 4:10. More information will follow regarding club offerings.

Communication is Key You can request a meeting with your child’s teacher or principal at any time during the year. Fall Conferences in December Spring Conferences in March Speak to your child’s teacher about their preferred method of communication.

The Race… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQ4GjqNT-l4

Contact Information School Office: 201-816-7711 Email glander@tenafly.k12.nj.us jcraft@tenafly.k12.nj.us (Firstinitiallastname)@ tenafly.k12.nj.us Website www.tenafly.k12.nj.us/st/index.htm Honeywell Sign up for the Honeywell alert system and Genesis parent portal by going to the district website and clicking on the tab for “Web Resources.”