Jefferson Elementary School Preschool 321 West Broadway Blvd. Jefferson City, TN 37760 Welcome to Pre-K

You are your child’s first teacher! You are vitally important to your child and you will be with him/her throughout his school years, and beyond I want to work with you to make this a successful experience for you and your child

What you can do to ensure your child will be successful in Pre K? Make sure your child gets plenty of rest each night Preschoolers sleep about 10 to 12 hours during each 24-hour period. Establish a bedtime routine, so that your child knows what to expect This is an excellent time to read together.

READ, SING, and TALK with your child EVERY SINGLE DAY! The Most Important Indicator for Reading Success throughout school…language. READ, SING, and TALK with your child EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Pre-K Hours and Transportation Transportation is not provided for Pre K students All Pre K students must be signed in and out by an adult each day. Program hours are (8:30-2:00pm) Excessive Tardies (arriving late) are discouraged. Be mindful of our pick up time. Late pick-ups can cause undue worry and stress for your child. (If an emergency arises, and you are delayed, please call the school so that we may reassure your child) Remember: All children under the age of 9 years old, must be in a car seat.

Pre-K Weather and Closing Information Pre K follows the Jefferson County school calendar (a copy has been provided) If Jefferson County Schools are closed, Pre K is also closed If Jefferson County Schools are dismissed early, Pre K students should be picked up 1 hour prior to the dismissal time. BREAKFAST WILL NOT BE SERVED if school is on a delayed schedule If Jefferson County Schools are delayed due to weather, Pre K will also be delayed - 1 hour delay = Pre K begins at 9:30. - 2 hour delay = Pre K begins at 10:30.

Pre K Dress Code NO FLIP FLOPS PLEASE Wear comfortable clothing that he/she can manage by him/herself NO FLIP FLOPS PLEASE Wear tennis shoes or sports sandals Girls should wear shorts under dresses or skirts A change of clothes will be kept in the classroom in case of accidents.

Remember…. Label all coats, jackets, and lunch boxes with your child’s name Also label any extra clothing you may send.

Remember….. No backpacks needed. Do NOT allow your child to bring toys from home These could become lost, stolen, or broken No backpacks needed. We will make a tote bag in the fall for the students.

Attendance Policy TN Volunteer Pre K is a voluntary program and attendance is not mandatory, but…if you choose to enroll, attendance is expected. If your child has 5 unexcused absences -You will receive a letter from the county. 7 unexcused absences -You will be contacted by the Family Resource Center 10 unexcused absences Possible Dismissal from Pre K Program

Attendance Policy Excused Absences include: Doctor Visits Dentist Visits WIC appointments Funerals Court Appearances Please provide a written excuse from these appointments so that the absences can be excused by the school office.

Morning Drop-Off Please do not enter the school parking lot before 8:15a.m. At 8:30 a.m. drive into the back traffic circle Stay in your car until I open the door at 8:30 a.m. Students will enter the building at the back door, and this is where you will be signing in for daily attendance. This is also where you will pick up in the afternoon.

How Families can be involved in Pre K Parent Meetings (Monthly) Classroom Volunteers Field Trips Examples of Parent Meetings PTO Open House Family Readers Night 2 Parent/Teacher Conferences 5 Parenting workshops End of Year Celebration Thanksgiving Luncheon Christmas Get Together Registration Breakfast

Daily Pre K Schedule 8:30 GATHER STUDENTS AT THE BACK DOOR AND TAKE A BATHROOM BREAK 8:50 GET OUR BREAKFAST 9:20 MORNING GROUP AND CALENDAR TIME 9:50 SMALL GROUP TIME: EACH TEACHER LEADS AN ACTIVITY WITH 6-7 KIDS 10:30 CLEAN-UP AND BATHROOM BREAK 10:45 RECESS 11:15 2ND GROUP AND MUSIC TIME 11:45 LUNCH TIME 12:15 CLEAN-UP AND QUIET TIME 12:30 FREE CHOICE LESSONS 1:30 SNACK AND GET READY TO GO HOME 1:50 MEET PARENTS AT THE BACK DOOR

What happens at Pre K… It’s MORE than just play! Creative Curriculum Developmentally Appropriate Practice for 4 year old children Pre K classrooms are set up with Learning Centers where your child will have opportunities to: Work with letters, numbers, and writing Complete science experiments and explore nature Use the computer Work with math concepts, such as measurement, patterns, shapes, and sorting Work on fine motor skills by using scissors, painting, & writing Listen to books or music Develop interpersonal skills Develop conflict resolution and problem solving skills We also follow a list of goals called the TN-ELDS. These can be found on the following website: http://www.tennessee.gov/education/ci/earlychildhood/index.shtml

What happens at Pre K… It’s MORE than just play! Story Time allows children to: Develop receptive language skills (listening) Develop expressive language skills (expressing thoughts or ideas about the story) Develop critical thinking skills as they learn to relate the story to their own life or to another story

What happens at Pre K… It’s MORE than just play! Small Group time allows children to Receive instruction in literacy, math, science and social studies, as well as art, music, and drama Instruction is delivered to a small group of children so that children can be better focused and the teacher can become more aware of where each child is in his/her learning

What happens at Pre K… It’s MORE than just play! Outdoor Play Allows children to develop gross motor skills like: Hopping Galloping Skipping Jumping Climbing Running Helps develop healthy habits (exercise)

What happens at Pre K… It’s MORE than just play! Large Group Time allows children to Develop receptive (listening) language and expressive language skills Discuss theme topics Discuss what is happening in their world Such as weather, upcoming events or holidays Learn to have empathy for others through class meetings Learn through music and movement Learn to wait for their turn

MUST HAVE before August 5, 2014 Immunization and Physical Examination This is REQUIRED. State law does not permit children to attend school without this form. Birth Certificate Custody Documents (if this pertains to your child) Proof of residency- (ex: electric, water, home phone bill)

Fall Registration Day August 5, 2014 Free/Reduced Meals If you receive a letter during the summer, please bring it to Fall Registration Complete the Free/Reduced Meal form on August 5, 2014 If you have a SNAP or EBT case number, please bring it on August 5, 2014 Verify all Phone Numbers, including emergency contact information and work phone numbers All phone numbers must be working numbers Verify current address

During the Summer… You will receive a letter explaining: Home Visits Staggered Enrollment