1. Walter Stillman Elementary School
Kindergarten Orientation
June 5, 2017
Principal: Gayle Lander
Vice Principal: Jodie Craft

2. We Believe…
In providing your child with a safe and stimulating learning environment in which he/she can flourish.
In educating the whole child by addressing social, emotional, and academic growth.
In the importance of preparing your child to be an educated, active, contributing member of our global society.

3. School Climate: What is it?
“The beliefs, perceptions, relationships, attitudes, and written and unwritten rules that shape and influence every aspect of how a school functions. This encompasses the physical and emotional safety of students and the degree to which a school embraces and celebrates cultural diversity.” Hidden Curriculum (2014, Aug. 26). In S. Abbott (Ed.), The glossary of education reform.
Traditions and shared experiences weave a school of individual students, staff and families to maintain a positive school climate and a strong community.

4. School Climate: Stillman’s G.P.S. Club Guiding. Positive. Safety
Students proactively working to maintain a positive school climate. .

5. Zippy & K-Friends Zippy K-Friends Banana Splits
A character education program composed of stories that are presented on a weekly basis that help children with their social and emotional development. The lessons and activities cover topics such as communication, feelings, friendship, coping with change and loss, and resolving conflicts.
K-Friends
A six week small group social skills program that will assist children in establishing strong connections with their peers. Lessons that are introduced include: sharing, participation, problem solving, friendship, listening and positive self-esteem.
Banana Splits
A social group for students who have experienced parental divorce or death. We provide a safe place to express and normalize feelings through sharing and activities which allow students to increase their ability to problem solve and to increase their self esteem in a comfortable setting with peers experiencing similar situations.

6. Stillman School Values

7. Stillman Values At a Glance:
School wide program recognizing students demonstrating exemplary character through identified character traits / values
Familiarity with character traits / values gained through:
Whole group guidance lessons in the classroom (monthly)
Lessons taught by the classroom teacher (daily)
School-wide assemblies (as scheduled)
Individual recognition of students in the classroom by the teacher and principal
Community-wide recognition through inclusion in the “Hall of Fame” displaying student pictures and synopsis of each award for all to see

8. Stillman School Declaration of Values
Love of Learning
Consideration
Respect
Open Mindedness
Involvement
Honesty

9. Wall of Fame
The objective is to create a comfortable, productive learning community which allows us to learn and live in an environment of mutual respect, compassion and understanding of others.

10. Ted Talks on Grit

11. Your Teacher
Teachers assignments are available through the Genesis Parent Portal in late August.
Maximum 20 students per class
HSA will organize a summer get together
Early dismissal days for the first week of school.

12. Our Terrific Teachers First Grade Preschool Third Grade Dr. Benz
Ms. Kushner
Kindergarten
Ms. Pita
Ms. Wellman
Ms. Lee
Ms. Schwartz
Fourth Grade
Ms. DeWitt
Ms. Bailey
First Grade
Ms. Warshaw
Ms. Berg
Ms. Shenloogian
Ms. Nowak
Fifth Grade
Ms. Zawadzki
Ms. Eisenberg
Second Grade
Ms. Lynch
Ms. Emma
Mr. Nissenbaum
Ms. Friedman
Ms. Harris

13. Our Spectacular Specialists
Physical Education
Special Education
Mr. Gansel
Ms. Agner
Mr. McIntosh
Ms. Sussman
Art
Ms. DiTursi
Ms. Slezak
English Language Learning
Vocal Music
Ms. Grady
Ms. Cassidy
Ms. Yi
Mr. DeJoseph
Basic Skills Instruction
Instrumental Music
Ms. Lyons
Mr. Carolan
Ms. Brave
Library
Guidance Counselor
Ms. Shaffer
Ms. Stark
Spanish (2-5)
Child Study Team
Ms. Mayz
Ms. Sutton
School Nurse
Ms. Hess

14. Meet the Specialists Alycin Slezak, Art Lorraine Cassidy, Music
Bobby Gansel/David McIntosh, P.E.
Charlotte Shaffer, Library

15. Bobby Gansel, P.E.
In Physical Education class your child will experience a wide variety of exciting and challenging physical skill development activities. There is always an emphasis on fitness and nutrition. Most importantly I want your child to have fun in P.E. and constantly be on the move. On P.E. Day make sure your child wears sneakers and appropriate clothes for moving!

16. Andrew DeJoseph, Lorraine Cassidy Music
In Music your child will move, create, and sing all while having fun!

17. Stillman School Kindergarten Orientation
Alycin Slezak, Art
In Art class students will have the opportunity to use their creativity, problem solve, and express their emotions, in producing original works of art.  All lessons will also focus on learning about a variety of artists' masterworks as well as developing an understanding of the Elements of Art and Principles of Design. Be sure to send in a smock for art days.

18. Charlotte Shaffer, Library
One of my favorite quotes is from Dr. Seuss:
“The more you read, the more you know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go”

19. Sharon Hess, Nurse
I provide classroom instruction on health and safety as well as taking care of all medical needs. Please make sure to submit all required health documents to the nurse’s office in a timely fashion.

20. Barbara Barzelatto, Secretary Taras Fedak, Head Custodian

21. Arrival and Dismissal
School begins at 8:30. Those who arrive after 8:40 are considered late and need to report to the office.
Students enter school through the library door. They will be dismissed from Mrs.Wellman’s door at 3:10.
Safety First! Please adhere to the carpool procedures.
SACC in the Library in the morning—Gym in the afternoon

22. Lunch and Recess
Students can purchase lunch or bring in a “ready to eat” lunch from home.
School lunch is offered through the H.S.A. and must be pre-ordered.
Organized by trimester
There are two student lunch periods. Each period is divided so that 20 minutes is devoted to recess.
The first lunch period is 11:30-12:15
Kindergarten classes eat lunch and then have recess during the second lunch period:
12:20-1:05

23. Odds and Ends…
Any changes in arrival or dismissal needs to be communicated to the office staff.
Forgotten items may be dropped off in the main lobby cubbies.
Call in all absences before 8:30AM
Discipline, Code of Conduct, and Support
Your support creates the TEAM

24. All I Really Need To Know I Learned In Kindergarten by Robert Fulghum - an excerpt from the book, All I Really Need To Know I Learned in Kindergarten  All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten. ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW about how to live and what to do  and how to be I learned in kindergarten… Share everything.  Play fair.  Don't hit people.  Put things back where you found them.  Clean up your own mess.  Don't take things that aren't yours.  Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.  Wash your hands before you eat.  Flush.  Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you. 

25. Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play  and work every day some.  When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic,  hold hands, and stick together.  Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the styrofoam cup:  The roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody  really knows how or why, but we are all like that.  Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even  the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die.  So do we.  And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books  and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK. 

26. Everything you need to know is in there somewhere
Everything you need to know is in there somewhere.  The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation. Ecology and politics and equality and sane living.  Take any of those items and extrapolate it into  sophisticated adult terms and apply it to your  family life or your work or your government or your world and it holds true and clear and firm.  Think what a better world it would be if  all - the whole world - had cookies and milk about  three o'clock every afternoon and then lay down with our blankies for a nap. Or if all governments  had a basic policy to always put thing back where  they found them and to clean up their own mess.  And it is still true, no matter how old you are - when you go out into the world, it is best  to hold hands and stick together.

27. And also… Technology: Ipads for each student
Reading: Mondo/Schoolwide Reading and Writing Program Phonic instruction:
Whole Class
Guided instruction
Independent exploration and practice
RTI
Everyday Math:
Computation
Exploration
Application
Science and Social Studies:
Units which emphasize real life connections and inquiry
Community building:
Develop a love of learning
Workshop approach
5th Grade Buddies

28. The Home School Association
The H.S.A. is an organization comprised of dedicated parents who work tirelessly to help our school and enrich the Stillman experience!
The Lunch Program
Clubs
Cultural Arts Programming
Guest Speakers to support curriculum
School Directory
Student Planners
School Supply Packs
Class parents
Family Day/Field Day
Book Fairs
International Week
And much, much, more!

29. H.S.A. Meetings The H.S.A. open meetings are held at Stillman.
Meetings are held in the morning and evening to accommodate as many people as possible.
Meeting dates will be posted on the Stillman website.

30. After School Activities
School Aged After Care (SAAC)
This program is available before school and after school. Specific information is located on our website under the “district” tab.
Clubs!
The H.S.A. sponsors and organizes a variety of clubs in which your child can participate. Clubs are offered Monday through Friday and take place immediately after school. Pick up time is 4:10. More information will follow regarding club offerings.

31. Communication is Key
You can request a meeting with your child’s teacher or principal at any time during the year.
Fall Conferences in December
Spring Conferences in March
Speak to your child’s teacher about their preferred method of communication.

32. The Race…

33. Contact Information
School Office:
tenafly.k12.nj.us
Website
Honeywell
Sign up for the Honeywell alert system and Genesis parent portal by going to the district website and clicking on the tab for “Web Resources.”