2. THE ABC’S OF KINDERGARTEN

3. A If your child is absent, please call the school (416-2148) to let me know. A note stating the reason for the absence must be brought to school as soon as possible to avoid an unexcused absence. Art class with Mr. Farris is every ______ and _______ from 2:15 to 3:10

4. B Breakfast will be served at school everyday from 7:.45-8:05 B.E.E. BINDERS (“Bring Everything Everyday”) help keep us organized. The three-ring 1 ½ in. binder houses newsletters, take home papers, snack calendars, homework and other items that assist with communication between home and school. The Titles for Tomorrow program is a great way to celebrate your child’s birthday. Your child can bring a special snack on his/her birthday, but please remember to keep the snacks healthy. Please do not send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school unless all children receive an invitation. I will send home book order forms for you and your child to look over periodically. Book clubs offer books at reduced prices. It's a great way to build your child's home library!

5. Parent and Teacher conferences will be held in the Fall and the Spring. If you receive an invitation form me please reply ASAP. If you do not receive an invitation, but would like to set up a conference feel free to contact me. Conferences will be held on September 17 th from 3:15-6:15 and Feb. 11 th from 3:15-6:15. Communication is important. Feel free to contact me whenever you have a question or concern. The best way to contact me is by text (229-1271). You can also reach me by email ( beckwithld@scsk12.org) or written note. Calendar-Please refer to the SCS calendar for important dates.Also check website regularly to be informed about upcoming events.

6. D Discipline is simple. We work hard as a class to make the classroom a positive and safe place for all. A calendar will be in the B.E.E. Binder each day to show your child’s behavior. Please initial the calendar daily. Donor’s Choose is a nonprofit organization that allows teachers to write proposals for their classroom that get funded by generous donors. We have acquired several items (iPads, iPods, a nook, a printer etc.) that have been used in our classroom and I plan on writing another one. Please make sure you sign and return your child’s permission slip.

7. E My school email address is beckwithld@scsk12.org I check email daily. Please write down your email address clearly so that I can add you to our Newsletter and Announcement Page. Please make me aware of any emergency changes promptly. If your home or work phone number changes, please inform the office and me.

8. F Information about field trips will come home in the B.E.E. Binders. Please send in any money and the per mission slip together by the date given. Fundraising at Richland this year will be done through donations.

9. G Our class will have a 30 minute gym (P.E.) class with Coach Gambino on _______ and ________ from 2:15 to 3:10. The children are asked to wear athletic shoes on gym days. The girls may want to wear shorts on P.E. days. If you are willing to donate any items to our classroom, please take a look at the “Giving Tree.”You are welcome to continue giving all year long! Thank you very much!

10. H Students will have some homework in Kindergarten. Homework assignments will be given in the first week of each month. Please keep packets in the B.E.E. Binder. All papers needed to be completed and returned at the end of the month. Please keep packets at the back of the binders and return them to the front at the end of the month. School hours are from 8:15 to 3:15. Your child is allowed in the building at 8:05 a.m. If you pick up your child, please wait in front of the classroom windows by 3:15. You may walk your child to the classroom from August 17th - 21 st. Beginning August 24th, please say your good-byes at the red double doors.

11. I Independence is a goal for students because it builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Kindergarteners are very capable of doing many things on their own and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom. Please work on the following skills at home with your child: zipping their pants, tying their shoes, dressing, and reciting personal information.

12. J Writing takes place every day in kindergarten. One way we accomplish this is through free writing in our journals and through a thirty minute, explicit writing block each and everyday. Encourage your child to write at home for a variety or purposes. Math journals also take place everyday. This is a time to reinforce and review math concepts in a creative way.

13. K Kindergarten Curriculum Social Studies- (Social Studies is integrated into the reading block) - seeks to enhance students awareness of family, classroom, community and culture. - concepts and skills will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach Science- (Science is integrated into the ELA block) -focuses on the developing awareness of the world in which we live -science concepts and skills will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach. English Language Arts Journal Writing Morning Message Whole Group Lessons Small Group Lessons (Guided Reading) Literacy Workstations Writing Block Modeled Writing Shared Writing Independent Writing Math Calendar Math Whole Group Lessons Math Journal Math Small Groups Math Workstations

14. L Our class will visit the library each ___________ from 2:15-3:10. Our library teacher is Mrs.Ferkin. Your child will check out a book when we visit the library and return it within the following week. If your child forgets to return the book or loses it, they will not be allowed to check out a new book until it is returned and will be responsible for paying for it. Our class eats lunch from 11:00-11:30 Literacy Workstations is a time for your child to experience opportunities to work independently. Literacy Workstations will take place most days. Literacy Workstations allow children to practice new skills taught. During Literacy Workstations, I will be working with small reading groups. Children learn through play and this is an important time, integral to the growth and development of your child.

15. M The children will have music class with Mrs. Hall on ________ and _________ from 2:15-3:10. If your child is to be given medication during school hours, it must be brought to the office by the parent.

16. N Please visit http://teacherweb.com/TN/RichlandEle mentary/LisaBeckwith/newsflash1.aspx This is the site I will use to update our weekly newsletter. I try to update it each Friday to keep you informed about what is happening in our class.

17. o Open House at our school allows for many family fun events. During the school year we will have family science and math night, family reading night, Chik- fil-a Night, Skating Night, Dominos Pizza Night as well as many other family oriented activities.

18. P When picking up your child, please wait in front of the double red doors by 3:15. We will have the following parties: -Thanksgiving Feast -Winter Party -End-of-Year Party We will need a room parent to help organize parties and special events that come up during the year. If you would like to volunteer, please let me know. Thank you very much!

19. Q Questions? Please feel free to call, email, send a note or see me after school. Email: beckwithld@scsk12.org School phone-416-2148 Cell phone 229-1271

20. R K report cards will be sent home 4 times during the school year. Please sign and return to school the next day. Skills on the report cards will be graded as Mastered or Non-Mastered. Kindergarteners have recess from 11:35-12:05 each day.

21. S Schedule Journal Writing Welcome songs, Morning Message, Calendar Math English Language Arts Block (8:30-11:00) This block includes whole group lessons, small group instruction, independent workstations and writing. (Social Studies and Science are integrated within the reading block) Lunch (11:00-11:30) Recess (11:35-12:05) Math Block (12:10-1:10) (Whole group math instruction/Math journals/Calendar Math) Math intervention/Math workstations (1:10-1:40) Quiet Time/Snack/Prepare to go home (1:40-2:15) ELA Intervention (1:40-2:15) Encore classes (2:15-3:10) Afternoon Meeting/Dismissal (3:15) Each child is asked to bring the snack once each month for the entire class. A monthly snack calendar will be sent out at the beginning of each month. It will also be posted on my web-page. Only healthy foods are allowed in the classroom. Examples are in handbook.

22. T If your child has any changes in their transportation please let me know in writing or by email. Tardies-If you are late, please escort your child to the office to receive a late slip. In order to have perfect attendance for a nine week period, your child may not have more than 2 tardies and zero days absent. Testing-Formal testing is done several times a year. Children are given the Kindergarten Readiness Indicator during staggered entry and a computerized math and reading assessment three times a year. Informal Assessments are done daily.

23. U Please refer to the Richland Handbook. Uniforms are worn each day. Uniform Policy from PTO Website Uniforms

24. V Volunteers and visitors must register in the office and pick up a badge.

25. W Wet and/or dirty clothes can be uncomfortable. Please send an extra set of clothing (shirt, pants, socks, underclothes) in a Ziploc baggie marked with your child’s name on the outside of the bag. Wish List –The Giving Tree is up in the classroom full of items needed for the classroom. Any item you can donate would be greatly appreciated. Web Page-The weekly newsletter is available on-line. Just visit the Richland web-site or teacherweb.com. You can also stay connected with our school by visiting our PTO website at www.richlandpto.wordpress.com. www.richlandpto.wordpress.com Weekly Readers- Readers will be sent home weekly. Please read them with your child and return them to the plastic bag in their backpacks.

26. X Parents and family members may eXit and enter via the main school entry. eXtra supplies needed We would like to create t-shirts for Zoo Field Trip so we will need $4 from each student. We also need $4 for a blank brown t-shirt for the Thanksgiving Feast.

27. Y Your ideas are important!

28. Z Zzzzzzz - Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime routine is a wonderful gift you can give your child.