Welcome To Cheatham Elementary Kindergarten Orientation 2017 2018

Welcome To Cheatham Elementary Kindergarten Orientation 2017 -2018

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

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.

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

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

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

English Language Arts • Our ELA program consists of 4 units of study. 1. 2. 3. 4. Reading Writing Word Work Social Studies

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

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

Beginning, Middle and End of Year Examples of Writing

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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