Welcome to Countdown to Kindergarten!

Agenda 1.Introductions 2.District 308 Kindergarten Models 3.Common Core State Standards 4.Academics 5.Special Programs 6.Social/Emotional Learning 7.Upcoming Opportunities 8.Summer Suggestions

SD308 Kindergarten Models Full Day Kindergarten Full Elementary School Day (8:45am-3:35pm) 50 Minute Lunch/Recess Academics (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies) Specials (PE, Art, Music, Computers) Library Checkout Half Day Kindergarten Two and a half hour day (8:45am- 11:20am or 1:00pm-3:35pm) Academics (Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies) Library Checkout Dual Language Kindergarten Located at Hunt Club Full day Informational meeting to be scheduled Selection notification- May

Academics: Common Core State Standards The Common Core is a set of high-quality academic standards in Mathematics and English language Arts. These learning goals outline what a student should know and be able to do at the end of each grade. The standards were created to ensure that all students graduate from high school with the skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in college, career, and life, regardless of where they live. The standards are: Research- and evidence-based Clear, understandable, and consistent Aligned with college and career expectations Based on rigorous content and application of knowledge through higher-order thinking skills Built upon the strengths and lessons of current state standards Informed by other top performing countries in order to prepare all students for success in our global economy and society Learn more about the Common Core…

Academics: Mathematics Know number names and the count sequence. Count to tell the number of objects. Compare numbers. Understand addition as putting together, and subtraction as taking apart. Work with numbers to gain foundations for place value. Describe and compare measurable attributes. Analyze, compare, create, and compose shapes.

Academics: Mathematics Digging Dinosaurs You are swimming under water in a lake and you see dinosaur feet in the water. You don’t want to go to the surface in case they are not friendly dinosaurs. Below is a picture of what you see. How many dinosaurs are standing in the lake? Explain how you know. Use words and mathematical language to explain your solution.

Academics: Mathematics How can you help at home? Look for story problems in real life context. Make comparisons when looking at amount of objects. (Who has more books you or your brother? Who ate more cookies? How do you know?) Ask your child questions that require counting objects. (Practice counting objects in a collection.)

Academics: English Language Arts Recognize and name all letters of the alphabet. Retell familiar stories. Recognize and produce rhyming words. Count syllables. Read common high frequency words. Read text with understanding. Ask and answer questions about a story. Read and comprehend literature.

Academics: English Language Arts Writing: Phonetic based writing – The hors is buteefl. – The horse is beautiful. Types of Writing – Opinion – Informational – Narrative

Academics: English Language Arts How can you help at home? Read to your child daily. Retell stories. (Who, What, When, Where, Why) Speak in complete sentences. Help your child follow oral directions. Look for words all around. Go to the museum, park, library, zoo, etc. Write labels, lists, cards and notes

Kindergarten EL Department English Language Learners: Development Bilingual Education (Dual Language) Sheltered English Instruction Spanish Language Support English as a Second Language Support **Specific questions about these programs contact Theresa Ulrich

Kindergarten Special Programs for Special Education IDEA (Individuals with Disability Education Act) Students with disabilities have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) written based off the child’s educational needs. Students may receive services in their general education class, a resource class, an instructional class or a separate school. This is determined based on the level the needs of the individual student.

Kindergarten Special Programs for Special Education What to do if you have concerns about your child? Discuss your concerns with your child’s teacher. Early intervention is important but we also want to let children develop in their own time. In the younger grades, we want to provide support prior to evaluating and determining if a child has a disability.

Kindergarten Social/Emotional Learning Separation: Leave child with family, friends, and/or sitter – Gradually lengthen time away – Develop assurance that you will come back – Matter-of-fact approach Situations and Skills: Ask permission to use something Use good manners Listen while someone is talking Follow directions Concentrate on a task Following routines Sharing

Kindergarten Health Examination Requirements A physical examination that has taken place within one year of the first day of school. The examination must be signed by a physician and be recorded on the Certificate of Child Health Examination Form. The physical examination must be on file with the child’s school prior to October 15, 2015 or the child will face exclusion from school until the examination is received. An eye examination. This examination is due by October 15, 2015 and must have taken place within the last year. A dental examination that is due by May 15, 2016 that must have taken place within the last 18 months (on or after November 15, 2014).

Upcoming Kindergarten Opportunities Kindergarten Spring Screening: May 19 th, 20 th, and 21 st from 9:00am-6:30pm at Oswego East High School. (May 13 th -15 th at Brokaw and Old Post for half day pre- kindergarten students currently attending SD308.) Individually administered measure given to all incoming kindergarten students to gauge the development of skills prior to the start of the kindergarten year. District Transportation, Food Services, Nurse will be present for parent questions.

Upcoming Kindergarten Opportunities Preview Night: August 13 th East View 4:00-6:00pm All Other Elementary Schools 5:00-7:00pm Students and families may visit their school to explore and meet staff members. Kindergarten Round Up: August 17 th /18th East View August 18 th All Other Schools Parents join their children for the first day of kindergarten attendance; parent program to share building specific routines and procedures. Drop off school supplies.

Additional Dates to Know Classroom Assignments: August 11 th at 4:00pm in Home Access First Day of Kindergarten: August 19 th Full and Half Day Curriculum Night (More Information to Come) : August 26 th Southbury August 27 th Boulder Hill, Churchill, East View August 31 st Lakewood Creek September 1 st Homestead, Hunt Club September 2 nd Wolf’s Crossing September 3 rd Fox Chase, Grande Park, Old Post September 10 th Long Beach, Prairie Point, The Wheatlands September 22 nd Brokaw

Thank you!