Welcome to Kindergarten! Ms. Withere and Ms. Short 2019-2020

Anticipated Expenses/Contributions Agenda About Ms. Witherell Goals for Students A Day in Kindergarten Curriculum Discipline Communication Anticipated Expenses/Contributions Parent Volunteers Questions

Bobbie Witherell Grew up in Arlington, VA Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Longwood University Masters in Special Education from George Mason University Fourth Year teaching Kindergarten at ASFS

Goals for Students Independence Love of learning/life-long learners Readers Problem solvers Creative and critical thinkers

A Day in Kindergarten Daily Schedule: Calendar/Morning Meeting Writing ELA Workshop: Handwriting, Phonics, Guided Reading Lunch/Recess Reading Comprehension Phonemic awareness (Heggerty) Specials Snack Science/SS Extra Recess Math Dismissal Specials: Monday: FlES and Art Tuesday: FLES and Library Wednesday: Science City, Health and PE Thursday: Music Friday: PE Investigation Station is once a day for a full week each unit

Curriculum Language Arts: Lucy Calkins Reading and Writing Units of Study, TC Phonics, guided reading, M.A.R.s, read aloud/shared reading, Heggerty Phonemic awareness Science: Virginia SOLs Math: Math Workshop Social Studies: Virginia SOLs Report cards twice a year (January/June)

Responsive Classroom Approach Discipline Responsive Classroom Approach Intrinsic motivation Community building Positive reinforcement Focus on students feeling a sense of belonging, significance, and fun.

Snapshot of the Year October: Guided Reading Groups begin November:MARS Bags begin October & March: Parent-Teacher Conferences January & June: K Report Cards February: Homework begins (M-F weekly packet)

Anticipated Expenses/Contributions $17 Field Trips October- field trip to Cox Farm $11 per student and chaperone; Bus is $6 per student May- field trip to the National Zoo-Free $13 Party Donation (paper products, food, drinks, crafts, etc.) October: Halloween party December: Global Holiday Celebration February: Valentine’s Day Party June: End of Year Party If any balance from the party donation remains, it will be allocated to an end of year celebration, seasonal projects. (Cannot be used towards gifts for staff, teachers, etc.) A New Book - Holiday Book Exchange (December) Contributions of snack; Friday Fresh (as needed) The total cost for the year is $30.00 per child in the class, which will cover all the year’s expenses. Cash/check in the attached envelope, return by Monday, Sept. 16th. Checks made out to ASFS.

Conferences Thursday, October 24th Friday, October 25th Conferences will not be held on any other day. If you are unable to attend in person, a phone conference will be scheduled during conference days. No childcare provided One conference per family Coming soon: Electronic sign-up via email

Snacks Individual snack time Friday Fresh Please send a healthy snack with your child each day Friday Fresh Parent sign-ups to provide a healthy snack of fruit or vegetables for the whole class on Fridays Suggestion 24 zip-lock bags

Other Special Events Star Student: One student per week Class Line Leader Bring in photos for the bulletin board & 3-5 special objects for show-and-tell on the first day that must fit in backpack. Birthdays: Birthday crown Song Parents are welcome to come to Lunch (11:20) for their child’s birthday and morning meeting Summer and Weekend Birthdays - Please email me to schedule

How I will communicate with you: How you can communicate with me: Communication How I will communicate with you: Emails Monthly Newsletters Monthly Calendar How you can communicate with me: Notes with child Email: bobbie.witherell@apsva.us teresa.short@apsva.us Please be sure to include both Teresa and myself in any communications.

Reminders: Dismissal changes must be made via phone call, email, or written note. Changes must be received by 12pm on the day of the change. If I receive your change via email, I will reply. If you do not get a reply, I have likely not yet received/seen the change. Please follow up by calling the office.

Parent Volunteers Room Parents Visiting School Arranging parties and other class events Visiting School All parents need to come get registered with Loren in the front office.  APS has a brand-new visitor management system this year that requires all visitors to check in at the main office with a valid ID.  Anyone wishing to go past the main office must register and get a sticker badge with their photo and name.  Parents only coming to the office or the clinic do not need to register each time.

Parent Volunteers Field Trips The volunteer application system is upgrading this year and will be unveiled in the coming weeks.  The office will send out a SchoolTalk message with the details for prospective volunteers as soon as possible. 

Thank you for coming!