The ABC’s of Kindergarten

is for Attendance School Hours-9:15-4:15 Regular on time attendance is the key to your child’s success in school. First bell rings at 9:00. Your child is considered tardy if he/she is not in the classroom ready to begin by 9:15. If your child is absent from school, please send a note the next day explaining the reason.

is for Birthdays You can bring store bought healthy on your child’s birthday. They will need to be left in the office and will be given to the teacher to hand out at the very end of the day. Party invitations may not be distributed at school.

is for Communication Keeping in touch with parents and teachers is very important. Each child will bring home a folder daily. In the folder is their daily conduct grade and homework. Please look at this folder each night, sign it and return it the next day.

is for Dismissal No early checkouts before 3:15. No dismissal changes after 3:15. If the way your child gets home changes please send a note. If we do not receive a note your child will go home his/her usual way. Dismissal begins at 4:00 If your child is a walker or a car rider please be prompt in picking them up!

is for Emergencies Make sure you have up to date contact information in case the need ever arises. If schools are ever closed for emergency weather conditions, television and radio stations will begin announcing this at 6:00 a.m.

is for Field Trips We plan field trips that are both fun and educational for the children. Parent Chaperones must complete and clear a background check in the school office. Please return permission slip and money as soon as possible after it is sent home.

is for Guided Reading Groups It is our goal that all students will be reading by the time they finish Kindergarten. To accomplish this goal, we will teach reading on your child’s ability level. Books will be sent home to practice. It is expected that you read with your child 10 minutes each night.

is for Homework Kindergarten students should have an of average 15 minutes each night. This is in addition to the daily reading you do with your child each night.

is for Illness If your child develops a fever, diarrhea, vomiting, pink eye, ringworm, or a contagious rash, they must be free of that for 24 hours before returning to school. This is an excused absence. If you child becomes sick at school, someone in the office will contact you to come and pick your child up from school. We are not allowed to give any medication at school without an authorization form completed/signed by parents.

is for Journals One strategy that will be used to help convey the vital concept that “print conveys meaning” is the frequent use of journal writing. In this journal, the kindergartners combine their emergent writing skills with their drawing skills. As the children are exposed to more phonics and reading experiences, journal entries will move from drawing and “invented” spellings to more conventional writing.

is for Kindergarten Kids Kids come in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Everyone is special, unique, and accepted here at school. Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class as well as others with kindness and respect. Hitting, fighting, name-calling, and making fun of others will not be permitted or tolerated.

is for Lunch Breakfast & Lunch will be provided free to all students. If your child wants to purchase snacks in the cafeteria, you must put money in your child’s account online at NO money will be accepted in the cafeteria.

is for Money Pouch If you need to send money to school for any reason, please put it in a labeled white envelope inside the plastic zipper pouch designated for money. Please do not allow children to carry money in their pockets for any reason. Students do not need money for breakfast or lunch.

is for Naps We will take about minutes each day for some quiet music and rest time. Please make sure your child has a beach sized towel. The towel will be sent home every Friday to be washed.

is for Outside Time The children will be going out for a 30 minute activity period every day the weather permits except on days that P.E. class is scheduled.

is for Parent Involvement Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school! We encourage parents to help weekly in the classroom with activities such as reading a book to the class, preparing materials for lessons, helping out with center activities, etc. All Parent Volunteers must complete a background check on-line in the office.

is for Questions If you have any, please ask! There are no silly questions. We are here to help your child and you.

is for Registration Materials You must provide the school with your child’s birth certificate, social security card, shot record, and current physical exam on Tennessee’s health record form. Phone numbers must be updated when changed.

is for Snack Kindergarteners will have snack mid-afternoon. Please send snack packed separately from lunch. A list of acceptable healthy snacks will be sent home in the homework folder. These include:

is for Toys Bringing toys to school is not allowed for a number of reasons. – If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt. – Toys brought from home also cause distractions from our work. Books from home are fine to bring, just please make sure that they are clearly marked with your child’s name.

is for Uniforms Tops need to have a collar and be solid white, navy or light blue, with no visible logos. Bottoms should be khaki, navy blue, or black with no visible logos. Tights should match the color of the bottom the student is wearing. Skirts or shorts must be finger-tip length or longer. Play shoes are recommended every day because we will be going outside for physical activity each day the weather permits. Girls who wear skirts or dresses should wear shorts underneath for modesty’s sake. Sometimes the building can be a little chilly, so if your child wants to wear a light jacket or sweater during school hours, it needs to be a solid white, navy, light blue, black or tan with no visible logos.

is for Visitors Kate Bond Elementary, for safety reasons, requires that ALL GUESTS (including familiar faces) enter through the main doors, check in at the office, and wear a guest badge at all times. Kate Bond welcomes and encourages family involvement and the presence of a guest badge will help identify visitors to all faculty and staff. It is important to remember that while this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment. Teachers are not allowed to take time away from classes to hold unscheduled conferences while you are visiting. If you need to speak with a teacher about your child, please call or write a note requesting a conference.

is for Wish List Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our classroom materials (such as baby food jars, old magazines, toilet paper rolls, etc.) These needs will be posted in the class newsletter. Extra supply items such as copy paper (white or colored), pencils, crayons, Kleenex, baby wipes, and plastic baggies are always welcome!

is for eXtra Change of Clothes Your child needs one change of clothes, including shirt, pants, underwear, and socks. This is for accidents and spills in the cafeteria.

is for Younger Siblings It is in your child’s and the program’s best interests to have our parent volunteers available without younger children coming along. This not only allows your full attention to be focused on the class, but also allows for some special time between you and your kindergartener. Thank you in advance for making childcare arrangements for younger siblings.

is for getting plenty of ZZZZ’s Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!