Georgia PreK Program Orientation at Hains Elementary School

Georgia Pre-K Program Orientation at Hains Elementary School 2020 -2021

Please complete the survey on the last page so your child can receive a special treat. Thanks in advance for your help in this matter. You rock !!!!!!

3 Ms. Blaylock Lead Teacher I will be teaching pre-k this year! This will be my first year teaching at Hains Elementary School! I have been in Early Childhood Educator for 5 years. I have taught at Wheeler Pines Preschool and daycare, Lexington Head start and Aiken Head start serving as the Lead teacher. I love teaching and have a strong passion for building relationships with children and their families. I believe that working together and having a strong support for the child they will be successful in anything they do. I have a bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Psychology and Education from Lander University. Your child will be very special and important to me! Can’t wait to start the New school year! My Favorite Things: In my spare time I enjoy spending quality time with my family, shopping, and sharing lots of laughs with everyone I come in contact with! Every day I wake up, I love having the opportunity to help shape the lives of the next generation. Contact Me: Blaylas@boe. richmond. k 12. ga. us

4 Ms. Cheatham Co-teacher I am Ms. Cheatham I am so grateful to be assisting Ms. Blaylock to know your child and helping your child to succeed in his/her education in Pre-K class for the school year 20 -21. I have provided many children with great education for fifteen years in the Richmond County Schools. My favorite colors are blue and fuchsia. My hobbies are reading, church activities, listening to peaceful music, sewing, and helping in my community. Thank you for the opportunity to serve your child. Let us have a WONDERFUL year of learning!

5 Required Documentation All students are REQUIRED to have Birth Certificate, Registration Form, Roster Form, Social Security Card, Shot Records, and Ear/Eye/Dental Records. ✘ Form 3231 (Immunization) is due 30 days after the first day of school if not provided during registration. ✘ Form 3300 (Ear, Eye & Dental) is due 90 days after the first day of school if not provided during registration.

School Hours & Classroom Schedule School hours are 7: 30 am-2: 30 pm Students are permitted to enter the school at 7: 00 am Students are tardy at 7: 31 am Students will have breakfast in the classroom from 7: 00 am-7: 30 am Students will eat lunch in the cafeteria from 10: 00 am-10: 30 am

7 ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ 07: 00 -07: 30 Breakfast 07: 30 -07: 45 Opening Activity/Morning Announcements 07: 45 -08: 00 Math Activity or Manipulatives at Tables 08: 00 -08: 20 Large Group Literacy 08: 20 -08: 40 Large Group Circle/Story Time 08: 40 -9: 40 Center Activities 9: 40 -10: 00 Clean Up/Hand-washing/Story Time (DEAR) 10: 00 -10: 30 Lunch 10: 30 -10: 50 Hand-washing/Group Potty-Time 10: 50 -11: 00 Small Groups ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ ✘ 11: 00 -11: 30 Phonological Awareness/Music(Mon)/Library(Fri) 11: 30 -11: 45 Story Time 11: 45 -12: 15 Gym/Recess (Music Mondays) 12: 15 -12: 25 Music & Movement/Calming Activity 12: 25 -12: 30 Clean Up/Potty/Prepare for Nap 12: 30 -1: 30 Nap Time 1: 30 -1: 45 Wake Up/Prepare for Snack 1: 45 -2: 15 Snack 2: 15 -2: 25 Closing Activity 2: 25 -2: 230 Afternoon Announcements/Dismissal

8 Absenteeism & Tardiness Chronic tardiness is defined as late arrival or early departure more than once per week. Chronic absenteeism is defined as missing more than two days per month without medical or other reasonable explanation. Chronic tardiness or absenteeism may also be defined by an established regular attendance pattern(s), e. g. , if a child is late every Monday or absent every Tuesday or leaves early every Friday. After 5 tardy days and/or 5 absences, students will be reported to Assistant Principal. A meeting with parent/guardian will occur to determine the reason(s) for attendance issues and identify ways to resolve the problem. If a parent/guardian does not resolve the problem after documented interventions, student will be referred to Bright from the Start for disenrollment consideration. Children who do not attend class for 10 consecutive days without a medical or other reasonable explanation must be removed from the roster. A student whose parent or legal guardian is in military service in the Armed Forces of the United States or the National Guard shall be granted up to a maximum of five additional school days per school year excused absences

9 Category One Documents ✘ If you listed any services on the Roster Information Form, you need to provide documentation of the service immediately. (CAPS, Food Stamps, SSI, Medicaid, TANF)

10 2020 -2021 School Calendar ✘ The school calendar lists all important holidays, early release days, and teacher professional development days. You will also receive reminders and monthly newsletters.

Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS) In 2013, Georgia introduced its latest set of high-quality, research-based early learning standards for children birth to age five called the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS). The purpose of the GELDS is to promote quality learning experiences for children and address the question, “What should children from birth to age five know and be able to do? ” The standards are written as a continuum of skills, behaviors, and concepts that children develop throughout this time of life. They are divided into age groups for convenience and serve as a framework for learning. The GELDS are aligned with the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework, the CCGPS for K-12, the Work Sampling System Assessment. They are divided into 5 domains: Physical Development & Motor Skills, Social & Emotional Development, Approaches to Play & Learning, Communication, Language& Literacy, and Cognitive Development & General Knowledge. For more information, visit www. gelds. decal. ga. gov. 11

Georgia’s Pre-K Child Assessment Program (Work Sampling Online) ✘ ✘ ✘ All Georgia Pre-K classrooms use a formative assessment called Work Sampling System to measure children’s progress across 69 indicators in seven domains of learning. ✘ In addition, DECAL and the Georgia Department of Education have partnered to make sure the assessment data is transferred at the end of the Pre-K year and is available to the child’s teacher at the beginning of Kindergarten. ✘ Teachers meet with parents to discuss the data in December & May. All indicators are aligned with the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS). Teachers assess children throughout the year and use the data to individualize instruction and provide guidance to families. 12

13 Inclusion & Behavior Support ✘ ✘ Inclusion of children with disabilities in supportive early childhood settings has been shown to benefit children with and without disabilities, families and the community. Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning offers supports for inclusion through a team of regionally based Specialists. Inclusion and Behavior Support Specialists provide a variety of resources, strategies and supports to programs, classrooms, and the community. Early intervention is the first step in the referral process when a student is suspected of being special needs (speech, behavior, developmental delay). ✘ ✘ ✘ Parents have access to several programs who can provide assistance once a referral is begun. Babies Can’t Wait (https: //dph. georgia. gov/Babies. Cant-Wait) Parent to Parent of Georgia (https: //www. p 2 pga. org) Georgia Department of Early Care & Learning (inclusion@decal. ga. gov) Head Start Center for Inclusion (http: //headstartinclusion

14 Parental Involvement ✘ ✘ Communicate. Know what’s on the lesson plan and do some of the same activities at home. Inform teacher of any important information concerning your child or their home environment. Ask questions. Find out what areas your child is struggling with and what areas they need extra help in. Ask what things your child needs to know to be Kindergarten ready. Collaborate. Mirror some of the same rules and expectations at home that your child has in the classroom. Work with teacher to control behavior and support teacher when necessary. Be involved. Read all newsletters, complete all paperwork, volunteer when possible, and join PTO

15 Family Handbook ✘ ✘ The Pre-K Family Handbook provides information to families of children who are enrolled in Georgia's Pre-K Program. This is also a valuable resource for families who will be enrolling children in Georgia's Pre-K Programs in the future. The handbook includes information on enrollment, documents required for enrollment, Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards (GELDS), instruction and assessment. Family Handbook can be found at: http: //www. decal. ga. gov/documents/attachments/Pre. KFa mily. Handbook. pdf

16 Kindergarten Transition ✘ ✘ Kindergarten transition begins on day one of Pre-K. Students are taught high level instruction based on GA Bright from the Start guidelines, and given the tools to be Kindergarten ready by the last day of school. Our classroom instruction is from Creative Curriculum and GA Bright from the Start standards. These standards and curriculum will help students gain the knowledge they need to be Kindergarten ready. Students will have a few weeks in May to tour Kindergarten classrooms and explore what its like being in Kindergarten. Students will be given Kindergarten packets to take home for the summer. ✘ ✘ ✘ We promote Math through the use of GELDS to teach students Math skills in a vigorously engaging way using manipulatives, small group interaction, and online learning tools. We promote Language and Reading through the use of GELDS to teach students Language and Reading skills in a vigorously engaging way using phonological awareness, rhyming, letter recognition, syllables, large group literacy, story time, handwriting, and online learning tools. We promote Art through the use of GELDS to teach students Art skills in a vigorously engaging way by creating artwork that communicates ideas, meanings, and/or purposes.

17 Roles & Responsibilities Ms. Blaylock- Teacher ✘ Teacher duties and responsibilities can be found on the district’s website at: https: //www. rcboe. org//cm s/lib/GA 01903614/Centrici ty/Domain/82/Employee% 20 Handbook%2020182019%20 FINAL%20 v 4. pd f Ms. Cheatham- Assistant Teacher ✘ Assist teacher with classroom duties & management. Other duties as necessary.

Teaching Strategies: The Creative Curriculum ✘ As a comprehensive, research-based curriculum, it features exploration and discovery as a way of learning. ✘ Thirty-eight research-based objectives for development and learning provide teachers with insight into the 10 areas of children’s development and learning along a progression that spans birth through third grade. These objectives focus on the whole child and are aligned to the Georgia Early Learning and Development Standards. ✘ The included daily resources provide support and strategies to seamlessly individualize instruction for all children. ✘ All of the included resources contain embedded support for teachers at all levels. From best practices and strategies to the foundational theory and research, teachers have resources to help them in their day-today teaching. 18

19 Policies & Procedures ✘ ✘ ✘ Student Handbook & Code of Conduct can be found on the district’s website at: https: //www. rcboe. org/cms/lib/GA 01903 614/Centricity/Domain/4/20202021%20 Code%20 of%20 Conduct-Final--KFB%205 -14 -20. pdf Information about Inclement Weather & school closures can be found on the district’s website at: https: //www. rcboe. org/cms/lib/GA 01903 614/Centricity/Domain/77/Procedure%2 0 for%20 Inclement%20 Weather%20 Clo sing. pdf The attendance policy can be found in the student handbook as well as on the district’s website at: https: //www. rcboe. org/Domain/8968

20 Home/School Partnership ✘ Parents build the foundation for helping children develop skills, habits, and attitudes for becoming life long learners; therefore, they are encouraged to strengthen their role as their child's first and most important teacher. ✘ Many opportunities will be available for parents to participate in Pre-K program activities because parents and teachers working together make a positive difference in a child's development. ✘ Strong family engagement is central to promoting children's healthy intellectual, physical, and social-emotional development; preparing children for school; and supporting academic achievement. ✘ Resources to assist parents in working with their child are available at decal. ga. gov and can be provided upon request from teacher. Virtual learning can be supported at: http: //www. decal. ga. gov/Pre. K/Welcome. To. GAPre. KAt. Home. aspx ✘ Additional resources can be found under the Family Engagement & Resources document tab at: http: //www. decal. ga. gov/Prek/Teachers. aspx

21 What to send to school? **Required ✘ ✘ ✘ **Not required, highly encouraged ✘ Non Perishable Snack donations for 20 students Face Mask Personal Bottle filled with WATER Standard Size Book Bag (Labeled with first and last name) Extra Clothes (2 Weather Appropriate Outfits in gallon Ziploc bag labeled with first and last name) ✘ ✘ 2 Beginner Pencils 4 Dry Erase Markers 1 Elmer’s liquid Glue 8 color Crayola brand washable watercolor paint set Family Pictures*** Antibacterial Hand Wipes or Wet Wipes (2) **No Baby Wipes ✘ ✘ ✘ BOYS ONLY 1 box quart size Ziploc bags GIRLS ONLY 1 box gallon Ziploc bags 24 pack of Crayola crayons GIRLS ONLY Foam Soap BOYS ONLY Hand Sanitizer

22 Questions? ? ?

23 Additional information on Georgia’s Pre-K Program can be found on the Bright From the Start website……. http: //decal. ga. gov/Prek/Families. aspx

24 Thank you for reading the Power. Point! We know that your child is going to have a great year. We look forward to working with you to help your child gain both academic and social skills that will be vital to their future.

25 ✘ Please complete the survey below so we know that you completed the Power. Point and your child will receive a special treat.