1. Welcome To Cheatham Elementary
Cheatham Elementary Kindergarten Orientation

2. As a parent, you play the most important role in preparing your child for a successful beginning in Kindergarten.

4. Today's Kindergarten experience is not the same as it was even a few years ago.
Children will enter Kindergarten with a variety of skills and strengths. As Kindergarten teachers we will work with each student at his/her level
Children will work both independently and in small and large groups
Development in the young child is a continuous process. Kindergarten instruction is organized to provide for different developmental levels of all the children with special consideration given to their physical, social/emotional as well as their cognitive development.

5. Kindergarten Curriculum
The Kindergarten team plans units that integrate language & literacy development, math, social studies, and science. We collaboratively plan all subjects
Math
Writing
Literacy/Reading
Social Studies
Science
Technology

6. Math Curriculum -Concepts of numbers 0-20 -Graphing -Measurement
-2D & 3D shapes
-Addition & subtraction
-Rote counting to 100
-Estimation up to 20
-Understanding more, less, & equal to
-Money & personal finance

7. Science
Students will experience science through hands on exploration using the scientific process.
We will conduct experiments in the science lab throughout the school year.
Science safety & tools
Matter & energy
Weather
Space
Force and motion
Earth sciences
Living and non-living
Plants
Natural resources
Animals

8. English Language Arts Our ELA program consists of 4 units of study.
Reading
Writing
Word Work
Social Studies

9. Reading Our reading program consists of Daily 5
Read to self
Read to someone
Work on writing
Word work
The study of letters and sounds, nouns, verbs, rhyming, etc.
Listen to reading
We will focus on developing phonic awareness, decoding skills, word recognition comprehension and oral reading fluency

10. Writing
Building confidence in their ability to communicate in writing using pictures and words.
Students will practice the following skills
Starting sentences with a capital letter.
Ending a sentence with punctuation
Sounding out words
Putting spaces between words

11. Beginning, Middle and End of Year Examples of Writing

12. Social Studies
Students will gain the knowledge to help them become more aware of the world around them.
Units of study:
Rules
Similarities and differences in people/families
Community helpers
Fire safety
Basic needs and wants
Geography
Customs and traditions of holidays (Columbus day, Veteran’s day, winter holidays around the world, MLK, President’s day, Memorial day)
American and Texas symbols
Natural resources
Animal habitats
Technology
Problem solving

13. Policies and Procedures
Arrival
Please have your child at school no later than 7:45. The tardy bell will ring at 7:50. We will begin class promptly.
Dismissal
We will begin dismissal at 2:55. Car riders and walkers will dismiss in the front of the building. Bus riders and daycare students will be escorted to the appropriate area.
George we would like you to discuss this slide.

14. Policies and Procedures
Absence
If your child is absent from school, Texas State law requires that we have a hand written note from the parent or doctor explaining the absence. Vacations are not an approved absence.
Tardies
If your child arrives after the 7:50 tardy bell they will receive a tardy slip.
*Allen ISD does enforce the state of Texas attendance laws.
George please cover this slide.

15. Policies and Procedures
Back Packs
Your child works very hard on their school projects and is very proud of their work. Therefore, we would like each child to bring a backpack every day. This will ensure that you receive all of your child’s work, as well as any communication from his/her teacher.
Toys
Please do not let your child bring a toy to school unless the teacher specifies this as part of a learning unit.

16. Policies and Procedures
Dress
Please send your child to school in clothes which facilitate their being able to easily use the bathroom on their own. Also, refer to the AISD dress code policy.

17. Policies and Procedures
 Lunch
Your child may bring a lunch to school or purchase in the cafeteria.
You must pay for lunches in advance on their lunch account. Do not send cash daily.
If you send a lunch box, please make sure it contains items that your child can easily open.
We are unable to warm up or refrigerate items.
You are welcome to have lunch with your student on the stage on days that visitors are welcome.

18. Policies and Procedures
Snack
Each child may bring a snack for themselves daily.
Due to state nutrition laws, students/teachers cannot provide a snack to others.
Please put your child’s snack in a separate container from their lunch.
Be sure to choose something healthy.
Please do not send candy.
Only water is permitted in the class room.

19. Policies and Procedures
Take Home Folders
Red Daily Folders
Each child will bring home a red folder daily. 
It will contain your child’s behavior chart and any notes/communication or other important information from your child’s teacher.
Please make sure to empty this folder daily.

20. Policies and Procedures
Behavior Charts
Green= great day
Yellow= gentle reminder, thinking and or talking time with teacher about what we can do differently.                         
Orange= consequence was given/ parent contacted
Red=   consequence was given/Principal contacted/parent contacted
If your child has any color other than green you will also get a written explanation as to what occurred. Please check this folder daily. Please know that an occasional yellow in kindergarten is very normal, a gentle reminder, a learning opportunity for your child, an opportunity to discuss with, and support your child at home. 

21. Policies and Procedures
Birthdays
We know that celebrating your child’s birthday is very special, and each classroom recognizes that special day. We ask that if you choose to celebrate please follow a few guidelines:
No birthday treats (food) are allowed during the school day. Non-food goodie bags are welcome.
If you wish to pass out invitations to a birthday party, we ask that you provide one to either ALL the girls in the class or ALL the boys or the entire class.

22. Policies and Procedures
Star of the Week
Each child will be assigned a week to be our classroom “star.” Be looking for more information from your child’s teacher about when your child will be the star of the week and how they will be celebrated.

23. Communication Email Cheatham Website Student Daily folder
Kindergarten Newsletter
Cheatham Chatter
Follow us on Twitter!

24. Volunteering
Volunteers are always needed in Kindergarten. Volunteering is a wonderful way to get involved, whether it be cutting out items at home, or helping in the workroom.
If you are interested in becoming a volunteer, you must complete an online background check on the Allen ISD website
Joining PTA is another great way to support Cheatham students and staff.
WATCH D.O.G.S.®, a K-12 program, invites fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or other father figures to volunteer at least one day all day at their child’s/student's school during the school year