1. Welcome to Kindergarten!
Ms. Witherell and
Ms. Short

2. Anticipated Expenses/Contributions
Agenda
About Ms. Witherell
A Day in Kindergarten
Curriculum
Discipline
Communication
Anticipated Expenses/Contributions
Parent Volunteers
Questions

3. Bobbie Witherell Grew up in Arlington, VA
Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Longwood University
Masters in Special Education from George Mason University
Third Year teaching Kindergarten at ASFS

4. Goals for Students Independence Love of learning/life-long learners
Readers
Problem solvers
Creative and critical thinkers

5. A Day in Kindergarten Daily Schedule: Calendar/Morning Meeting Writing
ELA Rotations: Handwriting, Word Study, Phonemic Awareness, Guided Reading
Lunch/Recess
Reading Comprehension
Specials
Snack
Science/SS
Recess
Math
Dismissal
Specials:
Monday: FlES and Music
Tuesday: Library
Wednesday: Science City, FLES and Art
Thursday: PE
Friday: Health and PE
Investigation Station is once a day for a full week each unit

6. Curriculum
Language Arts: Lucy Calkins Writing Units of Study, Words Their Way, guided reading, M.A.R.s, read aloud/shared reading
Science: ASFS science curriculum map, Virginia SOLs
Math: Math Workshop
Social Studies: Virginia SOLs
Report cards twice a year (January/June)

7. Responsive Classroom Approach
Discipline
Responsive Classroom Approach
Intrinsic motivation
Community building
Positive reinforcement
Focus on students feeling a sense of belonging, significance, and fun.

8. Snapshot of the Year October 29th: MARS Bags begin
October: Guided Reading Groups begin
October & March: Parent-Teacher Conferences
January & June: K Report Cards
February: Homework begins (M-F weekly packet)

9. Anticipated Expenses/Contributions
$16 Field Trips
October- field trip to Cox Farm $10 per student and chaperone; Bus is $6 per student
May- field trip to the National Zoo-Free
June- field trip to the APS planetarium-Free
$14 Party Donation (paper products, food, drinks, crafts, etc.)
October: Halloween party
December: Global Holiday Celebration
February: Valentine’s Day Party
June: End of Year Party
If any balance from the party donation remains, it will be allocated to an end of year celebration, seasonal projects. (Cannot be used towards gifts for staff, teachers, etc.)
A New Book - Holiday Book Exchange (December)
Contributions of snack; Friday Fresh (as needed)
The total cost for the year is $30.00 per child in the class, which will cover all the year’s expenses. Cash/check in the attached envelope, return by Monday, Sept. 18th. Checks made out to ASFS.

10. Conferences Thursday, October 25th 12:00pm - 4pm
Friday, October 26th 8:30am - 4pm
Conferences will not be held on any other day.
If you are unable to attend in person, a phone conference will be scheduled during conference days.
No childcare provided
One conference per family
Coming soon: Electronic sign-up via

11. Snacks Individual snack time Friday Fresh
Please send a healthy snack with your child each day
Friday Fresh
Parent sign-ups to provide a healthy snack of fruit or vegetables for the whole class on Fridays
Suggestion 23 zip-lock bags

12. Other Special Events Star Student: One student per week
Class Line Leader
Bring in photos for the bulletin board & 3-5 special objects for show-and-tell on the first day that must fit in backpack.
Birthdays:
Birthday crown
Song
Parents are welcome to come to Lunch (11:20) for their child’s birthday and morning meeting
Summer and Weekend Birthdays - Please me to schedule

13. How I will communicate with you: How you can communicate with me:
Communication
How I will communicate with you: s
Newsletters
Monthly Calendar
How you can communicate with me:
Notes with child
Please be sure to include both Teresa and myself in any communications.

14. Reminders:
Dismissal changes must be made via phone call, , or written note.
Changes must be received by 12pm on the day of the change.
If I receive your change via , I will reply. If you do not get a reply, I have likely not yet received/seen the change. Please follow up by calling the office.

15. Parent Volunteers Room Parents Friday Fresh Chaperones for Field Trips
Arranging parties and
other class events
Friday Fresh
Chaperones for Field Trips
New this year: all parents who would like to be chaperones must pass a background check

16. Thank you for coming!