Welcome To Cheatham Elementary Cheatham Elementary Kindergarten Orientation 2016-2017

ENCOURAGE SMALL MOTOR DEVELOPMENT As a parent, you play the most important role in a successful Kindergarten year. ENCOURAGE SMALL MOTOR DEVELOPMENT Let your child color and cut pictures, coupons, coloring book pages (coloring and cutting are skills, which will help your child’s coordination and letter writing). Teach your child to button, zip, or snap his/her clothing and to take care of his/her toilet needs behind a closed door. Start teaching your child how to tie his/her own shoes. Opening containers and lunch items. Packing and unpacking backpack.

Begin Practicing Writing first and last name (with 1st letter being upper case and the rest lower case) Birthday (month, day, year) Saying the alphabet (not singing the song) Identifying letters of the alphabet- both upper and lower case letters randomly Identifying numerals 0-20 Counting orally Identifying shapes Identifying colors Taking care of personal needs ( zipping, buttoning, tying shoes etc.)

Today's Kindergarten experience is not the same as it was even a few years ago. Children will enter Kindergarten with a variety of skills and strengths. As Kindergarten teachers we will work with each student at his/her level Children will work both independently and in small and large groups Development in the young child is a continuous process. Kindergarten instruction is organized to provide for different developmental levels of all the children with special consideration given to their physical, social/emotional as well as their cognitive development.

Kindergarten Curriculum The Kindergarten team plans units that integrate language & literacy development, math, social studies, and science. All kindergarten classes have the same goals and objectives. We share and plan together but may chose to do different activities in order to accomplish these goals and objectives.

Kindergarten Daily Schedule (Sample of our day!) 7:45-7:50 -Pick up in the cafeteria 8:00-9:40 -ELA integrated with Social Studies/ Daily 5/Draft book 9:40-10:00- Recess 10:10-10:15-Restroom breaks/ read aloud 10:15-10:45 Recharge 10:50-11:30- Lunch Block 11:30-12:30- Math 12:30- 1:15- Specials P.E, Music and Art 1:15-2:00- Science/Technology 2:00-2:30- Small group rotation 2:30-2:45- Clean up 2:45-2:55- Dismissal

Policies and Procedures Arrival and Dismissal Arrival Please have your child at school no later than 7:50. The tardy bell rings at 7:55 and we begin class promptly. If your child arrives early they will need to go to the cafeteria until their teacher picks them up between 7:45-7:50. Please drop off your student in front of the building. Dismissal Afternoon dismissal is at 2:50. Kindergarten will dismiss a few minutes early . Car ridders and walkers will dismiss in the front of the building. Bus ridders and daycare students will be escorted to the appropriate area.

Policies and Procedures Absence If your child is absent from school, Texas State law requires that we have a written note from the parent or doctor explaining the absence. Vacations are not an approved absence. Tardy Please have your child at school no later than 7:50. The tardy bell rings at 7:55 and we begin class promptly.

Policies and Procedures Back Packs Your child works very hard on their school projects and is very proud of their work. Therefore, we would like each child to bring a backpack every day. This will ensure that you receive all of your child’s work, as well as any communication from his/her teacher. Toys Please do not let your child bring a toy to school unless the teacher specifies this as part of a learning unit.

Policies and Procedures Dress Please send your child to school in clothes which facilitate their being able to easily use the bathroom on their own. Also, refer to the AISD dress code policy. If your child wears sandals, please send socks and tennis shoes in their backpacks for physical education class.

Policies and Procedures  Lunch Your child may bring a lunch to school or purchase in the cafeteria. You must pay for lunches in advance on their lunch account. Do not send cash daily. If you send a lunch box, please make sure it contains items that your child can easily open. We are unable to warm up or refrigerate items. You are welcome to have lunch with your student on the stage. Please check with your child’s teacher for their lunch time. At the end of your child’s lunch time they are expected to return to class with their teacher. Parents can not walk them to class. Students are expected to clean up their own lunch trash. On Friday’s kindergarten students are able to purchase ice cream from the cafeteria with parent permission. We encourage parents to put money in their child’s account ahead of time.

Policies and Procedures Snack Each child may bring a snack for themselves daily. Due to state nutrition laws, students/teachers cannot provide a snack to others. Please put your child’s snack in a separate container from their lunch. Be sure to choose something healthy. Please do not send candy. A sports type water bottle is acceptable. Please be sure to only fill with water, and use a leak/spill proof container.

Policies and Procedures Cheatham Chatter The school communicates weekly via email, titled Cheatham Chatter. This is how the school/district will communicate upcoming events and community/school activities. Please be sure to read this thoroughly! Red Daily Folders Each child will bring home a red folder daily.  It will contain your child’s behavior chart and any notes or other important information from your child’s teacher. There will be a small oval for each day that will be colored one of 4 colors.  There will be a key at the bottom of the daily folder page to explain the color codes.  Please make sure to empty this folder daily.

Policies and Procedures Behavior Charts Green= great day Yellow= gentle reminders, thinking and or talking time with teacher about what we can do differently.                          Orange= consequence was given/ parent contacted Red=   consequence was given/Principal contacted/parent contacted If your child has any color other than green you will also get a written explanation as to what occurred. Please check this folder daily. Please know that an occasional yellow in kindergarten is very normal, a gentle reminder, a learning opportunity for your child, an opportunity to discuss with, and support your child at home. 

Policies and Procedures Report Cards Report cards will be sent home each 9 weeks in a manila envelope. You will need to sign envelope on the signature line for the correct nine weeks and return only the envelope to school with your child. The report card is yours to keep.

Policies and Procedures Birthdays We know that celebrating your child’s birthday is very special, and each classroom recognizes that special day. We ask that if you choose to celebrate please follow a few guidelines: No birthday treats (food) are allowed during the school day. Non-food goodie bags are welcome. If you wish to pass out invitations to a birthday party, we ask that you provide one to either ALL the girls in the class or ALL the boys or the entire class.

Policies and Procedures Star of the Week Each child will be assigned a week to be our classroom “star.” Be looking for more information from your child’s teacher about when your child will be the star of the week and how they will be celebrated.

Communication Email Cheatham Website Student Daily folder Kindergarten Newsletter Cheatham Chatter Follow us on Twitter!

Volunteering Volunteers are always needed in Kindergarten. Volunteering is a wonderful way to get involved, whether it be cutting out items at home, or helping in the workroom. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you must complete an online background check on the Allen ISD website Joining PTA is another great way to support Cheatham students and staff. WATCH D.O.G.S.®, a K-12 program, invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other father figures to volunteer at least one day all day at their child’s/student's school during the school year

Reminders Fill out online Family Access forms Bring your student to Meet the Teacher Night on Thursday from 4:30-6:00 August 22th ( first day of school) Boo Hoo and Yahoo Breakfast from 7:50- 8:30 for parents only