Getting Ready for Kindergarten North Reading Public Schools

Kindergarten Philosophy Kindergarten Philosophy “Children are like tiny flowers; they are varied and need care, but each is beautiful alone and glorious when seen in the community of peers.” - Friedrich Froebel - Friedrich Froebel

Agenda  Kindergarten Programs   Timeline   Transportation   Developmental Considerations   Kindergarten Expectations   Curriculum Experiences   Kindergarten Screening

Kindergarten Programs n Half Day Kindergarten n A.M. and P.M. sessions n Mid-year switch n Full Day Kindergarten n Tuition-based n Payment schedule n Enrollment-based

Timeline n District Wide Kindergarten Orientation n Kindergarten Registration n Parent/Student Orientation

Transportation n A. M. Classes n Transported to school with school population n When possible, transported home on K bus door-to-door n P. M. Classes n When possible,transported to school on K bus (door-to-door pick-up) (door-to-door pick-up) n Transported home with school population n Full Day Classes n Transported to and from school with school population.

Developmental Considerations n Social n Cognitive n Emotional n Physical

Social Development n Tolerance n Turn-taking skills n Hurt feelings n Sharing information n Feelings of safety n Cooperative and dramatic play n Friendships

Emotional Development n Letting Go n Experiences without parents n Familiarity with school community n Attitude toward school

Cognitive Development n Games, rhymes, repetition n Manipulatives, blocks, paints, sand, water, concrete materials n Process, not product, oriented n Discovery learning- asking questions rather than giving answers

Physical Development n Gross Motor n Fine Motor n Perceptual Skills n Sensory Integration

Speech And Language n n Articulation n n Vocabulary Concepts n n Conversational skills

Health Information n Immunization n Physical Exams n Vision & Hearing n Vision Screen should be completed by pediatrician prior to the start of the school year. n Attendance n Emergency Forms n Allergy Information

Curriculum Experiences n Exploration and imagination n English / Language arts n Math n Science/ Technology n Social Studies

Kindergarten Expectations n Your child should come to school… n Well-rested n Healthy n Well-fed n On time n Your child will find school a happy, comfortable place to be.

Parent/Student Orientation n Summer Letter n Classroom Assignment & Time and Date for Parent/Student Orientation n 15 minute session n Parent and child only n Informal screening n Completion of parent forms

Kindergarten Screening All screening will take place in September 2011 n Purpose n Schedule n Results

Parent Involvement n Importance of home-school connection n Parent Teacher Organization

What You Can Do... n Read, Read, Read!!!! n It supports… n Listening n Vocabulary n Comprehension n Positive feelings about print

The End of the Day...

Kindergarten Registration Fast Facts n Children do not need to attend, but are more than welcome. n All necessary forms – you now have them! n Needed Documents: n Birth Certificate, Health Information, Residency Paperwork – (see packet ) n If interested in FDK - $250 Deposit made payable to North Reading Public Schools

Full Day Kindergarten: Tuition Payment Payments established by the School Committee each Spring. Payments established by the School Committee each Spring. Payments made by check or money order to North Reading Public Schools. Payments made by check or money order to North Reading Public Schools. Payment schedule: Payment schedule: Initial deposit ($250)due at kindergarten registration. Initial deposit ($250)due at kindergarten registration. Second payment ($2,000) due by June 1, Second payment ($2,000) due by June 1, Third payment ($2,000) due September 30, Third payment ($2,000) due September 30, 2011.

Full Day Kindergarten: Tuition Payment Late payments Payments must be received/postmarked by due date. Payments must be received/postmarked by due date. Extenuating circumstances: contact school principal in writing to request alternative payment arrangement. Extenuating circumstances: contact school principal in writing to request alternative payment arrangement. After consultation with parent/ guardian and administration, principal shall render decision. After consultation with parent/ guardian and administration, principal shall render decision.

Full Day Kindergarten Reduced rates School committee will establish a reduced rate for students who are eligible for reduced or free lunch. School committee will establish a reduced rate for students who are eligible for reduced or free lunch. Rate shall be 50% of the full rate as set by the School Committee. Rate shall be 50% of the full rate as set by the School Committee. Applications for free or reduced lunch are available in each school’s main office. Applications for free or reduced lunch are available in each school’s main office.

Full Day Kindergarten: Withdrawal Refund Policy Refund Policy Registration Fee: Not Refundable Registration Fee: Not Refundable June payment : 75% if withdrawn by 8/1 50% if withdrawn by 9/1 50% if withdrawn by 9/1 25% if withdrawn by 10/1 25% if withdrawn by 10/1 October payment 50% if withdrawn by 1/1 October payment 50% if withdrawn by 1/1 No refund after 1/1 No refund after 1/1

Before and After School Care n Before School Care n Coordinated by NRPS at each site n 7:30AM – Start of the school day n Forms and more information available at: AFTER SCHOOL CARE n Contracted by Burbank and Merrimack Valley YMCA n Hood School – Merrimack Valley YMCA n For More Information Call: n Little & Batchelder Schools – Burbank YMCA n For More Information Call :

Thank you for coming… REGISTRATION DATES Snow date: 2/10/11 All Schools Batchelder SchoolTuesday, February 8, 2011 (978) Park Street 9:30AM-11:00AMLast names beginning with A-K 12:30PM-2:30PMLast names beginning with L-Z Hood SchoolTuesday, February 8, 2011 (978) Haverhill Street 9:00AM-11:00AMLast Names beginning with A-K 12:30PM-2:30PMLast Names beginning with L-Z Little SchoolTuesday, February 8, 2011 (978) Barberry Road 9:00AM-11:00AMLast names beginning with A-K 12:00PM-2:30PMLast names beginning with L-Z