Kindergarten Orientation 2014 Heritage Elementary Home of the Hawks Mrs. Wallace- Principal Mrs. Spaugh-Asst. Principal " Making a World of Difference. Every Child, Every Day!"

Welcome to the Kindergarten Class of 2026!

Meet the Teachers:  Mrs. Carter  Mrs. Wilson  Mrs. West  Ms. LeVrier  Mrs. Arrona

The Support Team :  Mrs. Herrera – Counselor  Coach Hatfield – P.E.  Mrs. Garza – Computers  Mrs. Adams– Librarian  Mr. Jones - Music

Kindergarten Academics/Curriculum  Balanced Literacy  Shared Reading  Guided Reading  Independent Reading  Journal Writing  CSCOPE Math  CSCOPE/Exploratory Science  CSCOPE Social Studies

Related Academics:  Physical Education  Art  Music  Media  Technology Integration  Guidance

A Day in the Life of a Kindergartener

 Opening Activities (Lunch count, Morning work, Journals, Calendar Math, Oral Language skills)  Language Arts Block (Phonics, Vocabulary, Writing, and Reading)  Mathematics Block (Hands-on activities and instruction)  Centers/Workstations (Small group instruction, Individualized student support, Enrichment and Individualized instructional time)  Lunch (Good nutrition, health, and daily focus on table manners)  Recess (Fine and gross motor skill development)  Story time (Listening to stories and music/ Book and print awareness activities)  Social Studies/Science (Discovery time/ SS and Science Units)  PE/Art/Music/Computers  Daily Reflections (Review concepts/skills learned today)

Attendance  Attendance and being at school on time is very important!  There is a positive correlation between student attendance and student achievement.  When you get your child to school on time, it sends a strong message that you value education.

HRE’s Behavior Expectations SOAR S - self control O - on task A - attentive to directions R - respectful and ready to work Discipline procedures are as follows (K-2):  Verbal Warning  Clip moved and 5 minutes of lost privileges.  Clip moved and 10 minutes of lost privileges.  Clip moved and loss of all privileges with a call home.  Clip moved and an Office Referral

LPISD Dress Code  Collared shirt  Socks must be worn  No open-toed shoes  No faux-hawks (or any other kinds of distracting hair)  Shirts must be tucked in.  Shorts and dresses must be below fingertips

Preparing Your Child for Kindergarten  Promote a love of Reading  You are your child’s first teacher!  You are a powerful role model  Read to your child  Read with your child  Talk about the story and pictures  Have fun with words- rhythm and rhyme of the language

Benefits of Reading with Your Child  Development of larger vocabulary  Development of longer attention spans  Promotes a greater understanding of book and print  Value reading and learning  Opportunities to spend quality time with your child

Think Beyond Books:  Environmental Print: Words and phrases that surround us  Billboards  Restaurant signs  Menus  Grocery store  Traffic signs  Cereal boxes  Magazines

Communication Communication  Model for your child  Oral language  Written language  Nonverbal communication  Listening skills  Speaking skills

Readiness  Playing games  Categorizing/grouping items  Help with preparing snacks/meals  Putting things away  Getting along with others  Learning to listen  Sticking to a schedule

How Can I Help My Child This Summer?  Demonstrate how to hold and turn pages of a book  Help them begin to recognize and know their first and last name  Practice writing their first name (capital letter at the beginning, lower case letters throughout)  Practice saying the alphabet (not singing)  Practice counting to 25  Help them learn to recognize colors and basic shapes  Learn their address and phone number

 Enroll your child in the Summer Reading Program at the local Library  Practice buttoning, snapping, and tucking in shirts  Practice tying shoes  Teach your child proper restroom etiquette How Can I Help My Child This Summer? (con’t)

Is My Child Ready for Kindergarten?  Texas Law states that: For the school year, children entering kindergarten for the first time must be five years old on or before September 1, Due to Texas state law on age requirements, no exceptions will be made. But:  Not all children are ready for Kindergarten.  Academic knowledge is only part of the picture.

How to Prepare for the School Year:  Make sure you child gets plenty of rest- It is a great idea to establish a school routine one week before school starts (going to bed early and waking up early).  Serve nutritious and unhurried meals.  Encourage your child to be polite and to state feelings instead of acting them out.  Provide numerous opportunities for experiences with books.

How Do I Know?  Kindergarten Readiness Checklist- see attachment

Kinder Kamp  You will receive a letter from HRE at the beginning of August to invite you to Kinder Kamp.  Your child will listen to stories, sing songs, and do some activities with the kindergarten teachers.  While the children are with the teachers, the parents will visit with the principal and make a game to take home.

Plan to be Active:  Join the PTO!  Volunteer to help your school.  Attend school events, parent conferences, and meetings.  Contact your child’s teacher if you have questions or concerns.

Beginning of the School Year  You will receive a postcard from your child’s classroom teacher in August.  Meet the Teacher will be held at HRE (times TBA)  First day of school is Monday, August,  School day is 7:40 am – 3:10 pm  Tardy bell rings at 7:50 am  Open House in the Fall

Contact Person:  Do you still need to register?  Do you have registration questions?  Do you have questions about the school supply list?  Do you have questions about a Heritage Spirit shirt? Please See Mrs. Carreon in the Front Office

Questions/Comments  General questions?  Specific questions?

Conclusion  Thank you for taking the time to attend HRE’s Kindergarten Orientation.  We look forward to our partnership with you, which will ensure a quality educational experience for your child.