Welcome to Kindergarten at Silver Creek Elementary! We are so happy to have you here.

The Kindergarten Team Alana Burrow: Half Day Kindergarten Angela Dean: Full Day Kindergarten Jennifer Kiefer: Full Day Kindergarten Brooke Keefe: Full Day Kindergarten Kathleen Good: Half Day Kindergarten

School Times Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Full day kindergarten: 7:45 - 2:30 Morning kindergarten: 7:45- 10:40 Afternoon kindergarten: 11:35 - 2:30 Wednesday (Early Release Day for continuing professional development.) Full day kindergarten: 7:45 - 1:15 Morning kindergarten: 7:45 - 10:00 Afternoon kindergarten: 11:00 - 1:15 Daily Gentle Start 7:35 - 7:45

Back to School Night Drop-in format Meet your child’s teacher Visit classroom Drop off supplies Fill out forms (student information, parent volunteers, classroom parties.) *** Date and time TBD

School Supplies All supplies will be shared (Please talk about this with your child in advance) Names only on backpacks, binders, lunch boxes and coats. Backpacks need to be large enough to hold a 3 ring binder and lunch box. You can preorder all supplies through PTO

Assessment Days September 8 , January 15 , May 16 Pre, mid, and post literacy assessment Pre, mid, and post math assessment Purpose: District required Lessons are then focused according to student needs/state standards

Drop off and Pick up Students can be dropped off outside the kindergarten doors outside the main entrance behind the school after the buses depart Students can be picked up (AM) – outside the west (bus) doors (PM and Full-Day) – outside the kindergarten doors

Specials Classes Computer, Art, Music, P.E. Library You will receive a monthly schedule.

Recess Fenced-in kindergarten playground Adult supervision at all times

When buying clothing, please consider . . . Spaghetti straps are not allowed Tennis shoes are required for P.E. class Clothing that students can independently zip and button are appreciated (this is something that can be practiced over the summer) Please remember, sometimes we can be messy in kindergarten ‘Rug Time’ is an important part of the day – shorts or tights are strongly recommended if skirts are worn

Preparing Your Child to be Part of a Group In kindergarten we begin to establish independence. Here are a few suggestions: putting own toys away throwing their own trash away develop good bathroom routines (wiping and washing appropriately) Participate in activities independently Play dates Sporting activities Swimming lessons Playing games to foster skills such as taking turns, being a good winner and loser Start to develop problem solving skills

The First Month. . . . Along with academics, we will have a strong focus on learning routines and building a social community. It is not uncommon for students to come home tired during the transition to Kindergarten. We are building stamina in a structured learning environment. Parent helpers will begin in October.

Preparing Your Child Academically Resource with tips: Preparing Your Child For Kindergarten Read with your child Visit your local library Name writing practice: One uppercase letter Ex: Johnny

Kindergarten Expectations . . . Building a Solid Foundation Beginning of the year: Identify 12 lowercase letters Identify and produce 4 letter sounds Beginning knowledge of rhyme Awareness of beginning sounds Number recognition to 10 Able to count to 20 or beyond (without skipping) End of the year: Sight word vocabulary (35+) Apply letter/sound knowledge and reading strategies to read kindergarten level texts independently. Apply letter/sound knowledge to write three or more expanded sentences independently.

Literary Units of Study Personal Narratives Pattern Texts Informational Explanatory Text Opinion Writing Author Study Poetry Research and Report Writing

Kindergarten Curriculum Information will be given through classroom newsletters, conferences, and handouts. For additional/updated district and school information, please access the following websites. School District: www.adams12.org Silver Creek: www.silvercreek.adams12.org

Administrative Pieces Immunization record Medication release forms Birth certificate Parent-teacher conferences - Twice a year Report cards – January and May

The First Day of School! All kindergarteners will meet by the main entrance and enter through the front of the school together as a class. Parents will say goodbyes before kids start walking in. Bring your camera, this will be a great photo opportunity.

Full Day Lunch Lunch will be early in the day. All students will be bringing home a lunch number the first day of school to be memorized. Please work with your child over the summer to eat their entire meal within 20 minutes. No microwave is available for students to warm up food.

We look forward to working with you and your child next year! Kindergarten Goals We want to create a classroom where Children are eager to learn and participate. Learning is social and academic. All children’s needs are met. Kids love learning and want to come to school. We look forward to working with you and your child next year!