2015

Overview of the evening What is the purpose of kindergarten? Who are the district staff members ready to support my child and family? What do the next eight months look like as we prepare for kindergarten? How do I enroll my child? What school is my homeschool?

Penny Yantis- Executive Director 16 Member Board from the Community Breakfast of Champions- April 28 Fall Phone-a-thon

MISD PTA Council Mercer Island High School Islander Middle School West Mercer Elementary Island Park Elementary Lakeridge Elementary

MISD Mission: Successfully preparing students for the cognitive, global, and digital world. Kindergarten Goal: Foster an environment for success in Kindergarten and beyond Develop a community of learners and thinkers who work together to solve problems, support each other, and love school.

Academically establish foundational skills, think, and love school Socially Listen, follow directions, play, solve problems, honor differences, and make friends Emotionally develop skills to self-regulate and monitor self

Different than 20 years ago but certainly still important Academic component Common Core Standards Point of Emphasis Solidify foundations rather than race to the next target Students enter at various ages and with a spectrum of skills Build toward first grade but part of the K-12 continuum

Visitor Check In Cameras, Doors, and Fencing Recess and campus supervision Parent-Teacher Communication Drills Emergency Contacts Internet

School bus transportation is available for all on-island students living beyond one walking mile of their school or who do not live in designated walk zones Transportation is also available to/from many pre and post school centers You will need to fill out the non-home stop request form (available online in March) Most eligible students ride the school bus Approximately 1800 per day each way In August, you will receive a letter with bus assignment information And about 4000 rides later…graduation!

District policy is all Kindergarteners (but only kindergarteners) must be met at the stop by an adult You may sign a waiver to override the policy No sibling exceptions Kindergarteners have transportation tags they wear or attach to backpacks Kindergarteners normally sit up front, 5 th graders in the back ½ day Kindergarteners ride buses home exclusively with other kindergarteners

Rules List is on the district website under Transportation We train early in the year and it is ongoing Safety, safety, safety Crossing in front of the bus Schedule changes, playdates Don’t forget early dismissal Wednesdays! Lost and found

Early Enrollment- January 27- February 13 Full-day or Half-day guarantee Ongoing Enrollment- February 14 and beyond School Placement Notification April May June August Teacher Placement Late August September 3- New Family and Kindergarten Open House September 8/9- First day of school!!!

MISD Website School Websites School Mailings Schools Open Until June 30 PTA Websites

Can your child attend to his/her own self-care? Toiletting Eating Handwashing Dressing How does your child do with separation? Has your child been to the school to see the playground? Stamina for school

Develop oral language skills by talking to your child and encouraging precise language Play games Read Exposure to numbers, letters, and words Attend to pencil grip Share your school experiences Love them!

Staggered Start Half of the students come on September 8 Hall of the students come on September 9 All students come on September 10 School Supplies Kindergarten ID Tags Lunch Transportation Parent Role Photographer, encourager, supporter Crying? Separation

Half-Day Same Core Curriculum No Lunch No Tuition AM (PM?) Extension to curriculum Lunch Tuition Regular school hours 9:00-3:30 Full-Day

Turn into your homeschool attendance area according to boundaries (next slide) Must show proof of residency Health Forms

Proposed Boundaries