1. http://www. teacherspayteachers
Mrs. Marcantonio

2. What is New in Kindergarten?
Kindergarten has changed dramatically over the past several years. It is no longer the kindergarten that you or I remember. The expectations and curriculum standards for a child in kindergarten are very high now. The curriculum assumes that upon entering kindergarten, most children already know their colors & shapes, can write their name correctly, use scissors correctly, recognize all or most of the letters of the alphabet and their sounds! For many children, it seems as if they enter kindergarten already behind! But don't worry! With your help, I am here to make sure that your child's educational experience will be not only successful, but fun and exciting also.

3. ttendance is very important
ttendance is very important! If your child misses school, please remember me or call the office to let us know he/she will be absent.  Most of our Kindergarten experiences are group oriented and involve interaction with classmates and hands-on materials. They may or may not have work to make up, depending on the day’s activities.
is for backpacks. Please send your child with his/her backpack each day and check them after school each day!

4. is for communication and conferences
is for communication and conferences. Throughout the year I will communicate with you through notes, , telephone calls, newsletters, progress reports, and parent teacher conferences. I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns at any time. There is no need to wait until parent conference day if you have a concern about your child's progress. Feel free to send me an , call me at school, or send a note to school in your child’s folder.
is for our Discipline Procedures. We use a Red Light system. Everyone starts on green everyday. Students move to yellow to “think it over” or red for “note home” for bad choices. You will find a Weekly Behavior Chart in their folder to see what color they were for the day. Please remove only on Friday.

5. is a reminder that in an emergency, it is important that we have current contact telephone numbers. Please inform us if address, home, work, or cell phone numbers change throughout the school year. This year you will need to log onto OnCourse to put in the information.
is for field trips and fire drills! We will take one field trip in May. Information will be sent home closer to time for the trip!
We have already practiced one fire drill!
is for gym class! We will have gym class twice per cycle. Day 2 and Day 5. Children should wear sneakers for gym class.

6. Be NVOLVED in your child's learning!
is for homework. I will send home a weekly homework schedule each Monday. I encourage you to work with your child a few minutes each night to review & reinforce the skills we are working on in school.
Be NVOLVED in your child's learning!
is for Journey’s. We will be learning how to read, with the Journey’s program. Each week we will begin a new lesson with a Big Idea and Essential Question. Each week will focus on new letters,
a new sight word or two and new comprehension strategies. We will meet in small groups to practice reading.

7. is for keeping up with folders
is for keeping up with folders! Folders are our primary means of communication. The folder will be our way of making sure things get to and from school. Anything you need me to see, including money, should be in the folder. These are checked each morning!
is for library books! We will be visiting our library each Day 4. Your child may check out one book each week as long as they have returned the previous week’s book.

8. is for money and math! Please be sure to send any in a sealed envelope with your child’s name.
We will be learning math this year from the “My Math” series. We will explore everything from counting to measuring. As part of each day’s lesson, your student MAY bring home a homework page.
is for Nurse! Mrs. Flasser is our school nurse. If your student requires medication to be taken at school please make sure that you fill out the necessary forms in the office. Our nurse handles all medication. Also, if there are any allergies that we need to be aware of please let us know.
is for office check-ins and check-outs! Please make sure to go to our office when you need to check-in or check-out your student.

9. is for PARTY! The room parents will organize these events and coordinate volunteers and donations.
Birthdays are also special occasions for young children. Although we are not permitted to have a "party" for each individual child, parents are welcome to send a “goodie” bag in for friends. No food items may be in the bag, but small items such as pencils, coloring books, etc. are fine. Please be sure there is a bag for each student in the class. The same is required of birthday party invitations.
is for questions! Please let me know if you have any questions! I am here to make this the best experience possible!

10. is for recess. We have a 20 minute recess following lunch
is for recess! We have a 20 minute recess following lunch. We will also be earning special outside rewards. Please make sure your child is properly dressed for the weather! We go out for recess until the temperature outside reaches 32 degrees.
is for snacks. We will have a classroom snack at 2:00 each afternoon. PLEASE be sure to mark the items for this time with your child’s name.
S is also for SchoolWide, our new writing series. It matches mentor texts together with writing skills to help the students learn how to write.
is for tying shoes! Unfortunately, this is very necessary skill that is no longer taught in school. Please work on this with your child at home. Once they become proficient at tying shoes, they will become one of my "Tying Teachers" and assist in teaching other students with learning to tie shoes.

11. Each child is UNIQUE and special
Each child is UNIQUE and special. They enter my classroom with different skills, personalities, experiences, backgrounds and learning styles. It is my aspiration to foster their individual strengths and help each child develop to his/her fullest potential; academically and socially. My goal is to teach them to fall in love with learning!
is for volunteers and visitors! We love having volunteers in our school! Please fill out the secret reader form and let me know if you are able to come read to us! All volunteers and visitors must check in at the office to receive a visitor’s pass.
is for web site and Words Their Way. We have a classroom website that you can access right from the school homepage. I will update our site each week so that you know what skills we will be concentrating on each week.
WTW is a new program to teach phonics and spelling.

12. is for eXtra reading at home
is for eXtra reading at home. As the year goes on and your student becomes an avid reader, they will want to share what they have learned with you. Remember that at this stage, your reader may want to “read” pictures to you.
is for YOU! Always remember you are a teacher too! There is no one who is more influential in your child’s life than you!
is for ZzZzZz...please make sure that your child gets plenty of rest each night. Setting and keeping a bedtime helps children to be alert and ready to learn each day!

13. Report Cards
Report Cards will look very different this year. You will no longer be seeing E, S, P,N. We need to shift our thinking away from what we are used to – A, B, C, D, F.
Report cards will now be STANDARDS BASED. The number grade you see will reflect if your child has MET the required kindergarten standard for the END of the year.

14. Standards Based Report Cards
District felt a need to create a communication tool to match standards of what is being taught in classroom
Regional sending districts have already adopted this format
This will provide parents more precise information about their child’s progress

15. Standards Based Report Cards
This is what parents can expect...
District will be implementing a new student data system - Oncourse
Scoring and feedback will show progress towards grade appropriate standards
Progress Indicators:      
5 ~ Exceeds Standard    
4 ~ Meets Standard
3 ~ Approaches Standard
2 ~ Partially Meets Standard
1 ~ Does Not Meet Standard