Please find your child’s seat 2017 - 2018 Please find your child’s seat and write them a letter!

About Me Issaquah born & raised Product of ISD & Challenger Youngest child (1 older brother) Undergraduate degree: Early Childhood & Family Studies from University of Washington Masters in Teaching Elementary Education from University of Washington LOVE teaching, spending time with friends/family & hiking

My Beliefs Kindergarten is the best! Instill a love of learning, respect for others and a belief that everyone is important High Expectations Classroom should be a place where children feel safe, comfortable and confident. Parent/teacher communication is key!

Behavior Expectations Positive/proactive, independence Warm Demander Positive reinforcement Problem solving Second Step- NEW Social-Emotional learning curriculum Expected and Unexpected Behavior Behavior system

Specialists Our Schedule Monday: PE – Mr. Nakamichi 9:05 – First bell 9:10 - School begins 10:20-10:50 - Specialists 10:50 - 11:10 Snack 12:10-12:55 Lunch/Recess 1:25 EARLY DISMISSAL WEDNESDAY 3:35 - Dismissal (M, T, Th, F) Specialists Monday: PE – Mr. Nakamichi Tuesday: Music – Mr. Klein Wednesday: Library – Ms. McDowell Thursday: .Music – Mr. Klein Friday: PE – Mr. Nakamichi

Challenger Elementary Procedures Drop off table – bring forgotten items Lost and found – main atrium label garments/lunch box All family vacations must be pre-arranged Change in dismissal plan? Email me and CC office

First Days Making new friends/names School routines (unpacking/packing up, walking in a line, following directions quickly and quietly etc.) Learning school language Working with others (listening to others, taking turns) Working as a team

Phonics Fall focus – names, letter knowledge: shape, name, sound(s), uppercase, lowercase, alone or with other letters, Winter focus – rhyming, syllables, CVC words (cat, net, fig etc.) long & short vowels Spring focus – Digraphs (th, sh etc.), L&R blends (sl, fr etc.), word patterns

Reading Making Meaning Reading Workshop-mini lesson, independent & partner reading , share & guided reading Read aloud, shared reading Sight Words – words we read & write by heart Reading habits, comprehension, print concepts, decoding strategies

Take Home Books Starts around January Student selected book from classroom/ “Just Right” Books Return daily/frequently Lost books? Send in replacement!

Scholastic Orders Monthly book orders ! - due Sept. 30th Finding books of interest/choice to read at home We are readers!

Writing Writing Workshop: (mini lesson, independent practice, share) Genres: Narrative, Information, Opinion Handwriting Without Tears - letter formation (Uppercase, Lowercase & Numbers)

Stages of writing development Celebrate independent writing!

Eureka Math A comprehensive curriculum preparing students to understand advanced math Meet the math standards adopted by our state Connects math to the real world in ways that take the fear out of math and build student confidence This approach can be unfamiliar to those of us who grew up memorizing mathematical facts and formulas

Math Units of Study Numbers 1-10 2 Dimensional and 3 Dimensional shapes Comparison with Length, Weight, Capacity, and Numbers to 10 Number pairs, addition and subtraction to 10 Numbers 10-20 and counting to 100 Analyzing, comparing and composing shapes

Eureka Math Number Bond Number Path

Social Studies & Health Cooperation and Respecting Differences Myself & My Family Friendship & School Classroom & School Rules Health- Friendship, community helpers, healthy foods, family differences/similarities, Wanted/Unwanted touch, 5 senses, exercise and healthy habits.

Social Emotional Learning The Second Step program promotes the development of self-regulation skills and improved participation in learning through its focus on skills for learning. Unit 1: Skills for Learning focus, following directions, self talk, being assertive Unit 2: Empathy Feelings, identifying anger, accidents, same or different Unit 3: Emotion management Calming down strong feelings, managing frustration, waiting, disappointment Unit 4: Problem solving Name calling, sharing, identify problem & generate solution

Communication Please check folders DAILY!!! Have your child practice taking folder & papers in/out of folder and backpack. Monthly newsletter Email is the best way to get ahold of me during the school day! If emergency or change in dismissal plan, please contact the office ASAP!

Science Life science – plant and animal parts Physical science – solids and liquids Earth Science – properties and change (rocks, minerals) Science to Go Lessons In–house: “Science to Go” hands-on investigation lessons Thank you to PTA and ISF for funding our Science!

Technology Classroom Laptops: Code.org Starfall Tumble Books Brainpop Jr. Raz Kids IXL – passwords coming soon

Full Day Kindergarten in Issaquah All elementary schools in Issaquah offer state funded full day kindergarten. The Issaquah School District has adopted WaKIDS.

The Washington Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (WaKIDS) is a transition process that helps to ensure a successful start to the K-12 experience and connect the key adults in a child’s life. A key component: Learning Centers: Based on children’s interests Variety of carefully selected hands-on materials Are engaging Promote independence and autonomy Integrated across the curriculum and include multiple standards and goals Building social skills Utilizes play and provides choice

Homework Showing content of folder to parents Reading, reading, reading!!! (10-15 minutes daily) Practice- tying shoes, putting lunchbox/folder in backpack, zipping/ unzipping coats…

Report Cards & Conferences Report cards go home Dec. 4, Mar. 19, and June 20 Parent-teacher conferences Dec 6-7 Sign-ups will be online Children do not come to school on conference days Kindergarten standards are online on the Issaquah School District Website

Volunteering Classroom volunteering will begin in November. Look for online volunteer survey coming soon! Fill out annual Washington State Patrol Form Application found on the Challenger Website

Art Docent No visual arts program in the district Puts on age-appropriate art lessons Arranges a time with teacher (monthly) DO NOT NEED ART BACKGROUND PTSA provides supplies and lessons More than one art docent per class is welcomed! ART WALK (display art projects) Questions: Rachelle Roberts

Room Parent(s) Organizing classroom events Help to plan/run 2 class “parties” (October – autumn celebration & February- friendship celebration) Communicate PTA info. to families The more the merrier! Let me know if you’re interested!

Emergency Supply Bags Please put together your child’s Emergency Supply Bag by late September. -Non perishable food -MUST BE in provided bag * School appropriate

Field Trips 2 field trips (Fall & Spring) Where & when to be determined!

Reminders! ONLINE WA state patrol/volunteer application Emergency kit for 2017-2018

Parent Checklist Attendance Policies Letter/Form Demographic Form (make any corrections- leave on table)

WHAT is the Issaquah Schools Foundation? 30 year-old, community powered nonprofit. Helps students build academic foundations, explore opportunities and launch successfully into their future. Has channeled more than $10 million dollars into our schools to benefit students. Raises over $1.7 million annually with the help of 4,000 plus families. Benefits all students … every school, every grade, every year.

How do we fuel success for your student at Challenger? Math, Reading and Science Curriculum Adoptions Professional Development for teachers Healthy Youth Initiative supporting anti-bullying and basic student needs like food, dental care and school supplies Elementary Scratch Coding Club 36 VOICE Mentors at our school last year! Highly Capable (SAGE) funding Challenger Pre-K Summer School Special Services Funding Math Club at CH last year at 4th grade, this year at 4th and 5th grade Books in other languages in our school library Take Home Book Program

How do we raise money? All in for Kids Annual Fund Campaign August through November Nourish Every Mind Luncheon May 10th, 2018 & Breakfast May 2018 Date TBD Employee Giving Campaigns Microsoft, Boeing, United Way Grants and Corporate Support

Every gift matters every year For those who already donate … Continue to donate (average family donates $33.92/month) Tell your friends about the Foundation For the 80% who haven’t donated, please join us! We Need Everyone to Go All in for Kids!

Thank you for coming!