Otsego Elementary Kindergarten Open House Welcome Class of 2031 Parents & Students!

ISD 728 Core Values 1 We Believe That.... 2 3 4 5 6 7 ALL people have value. 2 Valuing and respecting differences strengthens the individual and the community. 3 People thrive when they feel connected, supported and affirmed. 4 Everyone can learn. 5 Hope inspires and empowers. 6 Lifelong learning is essential for personal growth. 7 Change is an opportunity for growth.

Our Kindergarten Team We have a sincere passion for working with all of our Kindergarten students. Our core belief is all students can learn at high levels. Every day, we enjoy adapting our lessons to meet our students' needs and learning preferences. Otsego Elementary is a school that promotes family involvement and works hard for the success of every child. *

Parent Engagement Our District’s technology won’t benefit just students. You will be able to access your child’s records through our easy-to-use Infinite Campus Parent Portal. The Campus Parent Portal is a tool that provides real- time, secure online access to your student’s school information, including online report cards. You will also have the ability to engage regularilly with your child’s learning and growth with our Seesaw platform. SeeSaw will be the primary tool used to communicate class information, resources and announcements.

Busing ISD 728 contracts with Vision of Elk River to provide transportation services for ISD 728 students. They are committed to providing the highest degree of safe and efficient transportation to and from each of our schools. If your child will be riding a bus, Vision will send you the route information by mid-August.

Meals Our food service provider, Southwest Foodservice Excellence, provides federally-approved nutritious meals each school day. Our healthy school menus include food produced locally in Minnesota. Meals are divided into grain, meat, fruit, vegetables and milk. We even have an online system, PayPams that allows you to make payments easily anytime or anywhere. The meal prices, while federally mandated, are affordable for most and include a payment plan. Families can also confidentially apply online for free and reduced meals.

EdVenture Club ISD728 Enrichment Childcare Thanks to our award winning Community Education department, your family can take advantage of EdVenture Club, our district’s before and after-school child care program. EdVenture Club combines fun enrichment activities with extended hours for your convenience right at your child’s school! Morning Program: 6:00 am- Start of School Afternoon Program: End of School- 6:00 pm Non-School Days: grades K-5 EdVenture Club Summer: grades K-5, June-Aug. Inclement Weather Care: grades K-5, on days school is canceled by ISD728) For rates and more information visit www.728communityed.com

ISD 728 Community Education As part of ISD 728 for more than 40 years, Community Education promotes citizen involvement and lifelong learning through classes, programs and services. Community Education offers a variety of youth enrichment, academic, arts, sports, fitness, safety and aquatic classes for your soon-to-be kindergartner or your whole family. Visit www.728communityed.org for a list of classes and offerings!

School Specific Highlights -Building-wide PBIS -Minnesota Reading Corps -Minnesota Math Corps -Title I Teachers and Assistants -Counselor and Social Workers -Fun and educational field trips

School Specific Highlights -School Carnival -Walk-a-thon -PAC -Student Council -Girls on the Run -School Spirit Days -Watch D.O.G.S.

Ready for K Newsletter Starting in March you will be receiving a monthly newsletter that will include: Important dates. Information on your parent portal and seesaw accounts. Tips and at home lessons to help your child be K- Ready. Highlights on District events.

How do I know if my child is Kindergarten Ready?

How do I know if my child is Kindergarten Ready? 5 How do I know if my child is Kindergarten Ready? years old ON BEFORE or

Emotional & Social Skills Gets along with others, shares, plays and takes turns Takes care of toilet needs independently Demonstrates self-help skills (buttons and zippers) Can dress for outside Plays independently Pays attention to a short story Remembers directions Separates easily from parent

Cognitive Skills Repeats simple rhymes or songs Uses 5-6 word sentences Can express needs and be understood Recognizes some letters of the alphabet Can recognize numerals 0-10 Can count out loud to 20 Can recognize 8 basic colors Understands terms such as: big and little and up and down

Motor Skills Alternates feet walking down stairs Can run, jump and hop Can throw and catch a ball Draws/colors, beyond a simple scribble Uses scissors, pencils, crayons, glue and glue sticks carefully Can name and copy a square, circle, triangle and rectangle Can cut out simple shapes

Work Skills For a full list, visit: www.isd728.org/Kindergarten Keeps hands, arms and feet to self playing with others Waits appropriately Uses materials and toys respectfully, purposefully and appropriately Stays on task Work Skills For a full list, visit: www.isd728.org/Kindergarten

The kindergarten timeline Here’s a recommended schedule your family can follow to make sure your child is ready for their first day of school: 1 After your child’s 3rd birthday, schedule an appointment with Early Childhood Screening. 2 In January, attend a Kindergarten Information Night and register your child using the online registration application available now at www.isd728.org/Kindergarten. 3 4 On May 10th from 5:30-6:30, attend Dive Into Kindergarten! In June, have your child immunized. 5 In July, fill out the daycare transportation form. 6 In August, you will receive your teacher, class and school bus information. Register for our extended day program and attend your school’s open house! 7 In September, the adventure begins!