Welcome to Kindergarten Mrs Eubanks Funky Flamingos Murdock

Welcome to Kindergarten! Mrs. Eubanks’ Funky Flamingos Murdock Elementary School

“Collaborative Conversations: Sharing Ideas by Understanding, Listening, and Speaking”

The New Common Core • Rationale is to make all students college/career ready by grade 12 • Emphasis on student-centered learning where the teacher is serving as the facilitator • Deeper understanding which sets a firm foundation for students (It may seem slow at times, however, every step of learning is essential to proper development. In the past, students have had gaps in their learning due to a weak foundation. ) • Stressed importance on listening/speaking by having meaningful conversations

All About Mrs. Eubanks: • Born in Cobb County • Graduated from Wheeler High School • Earned Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees from Georgia State University • Married to husband Joe for 28 years • Has 3 daughters- Caroline, Sammi, and Rachel • Has 1 chocolate lab- Libby • 22 years in teaching, 14 years at Murdock

All About Mrs. Moulds: • Born and raised in Chicago, Illinois • Married to Bruce for 29 years • Has 3 children & a daughter-in-law: Steven, Lauren, Rae Lynn & Ashley • Has 1 Bassett Hound - Lola • Has taught at Murdock for 17 years

Our Goals • To provide a safe, comfortable learning environment • Students will grow socially, emotionally, and academically • To have fun while learning!

Philosophy • • All children can learn. Children learn differently. Teachers facilitate learning. During instructional time, students are the priority.

Murdock Goals • Reading and Writing Achievement • Math Achievement • School Performance Goal: School, Family and Community Involvement

What we believe… • Everyone can learn. • Learning is our priority. • Our job is to make our classroom a safe and happy environment that is conducive to learning. • Everyone is special and will be treated with compassion and respect. • Educational excellence is everyone’s responsibility.

Flamingo Schedule • • • 7: 25 – 7: 55 – 8: 00 – 8: 15 – 9: 00 – 10: 28 – 10: 58 – 11: 05 – 11: 15 – 11: 35 – 12: 30 – 1: 15 • • 1: 15 – 1: 30 – 2: 00 – 2: 25 Morning Routines Announcements Calendar Shared Reading & Guided Writing Centers/Guided Reading Author’s Chair/Prepare for lunch Lunch Restroom Break Read Aloud Recess Math Specials: Mon: P. E. , Tues: P. E. , Wed: Art, Thurs: P. E. , Fri: Music Snack & Pack Rest and Individual Assessment Math Journals Dismissal *Science, Health and Social Studies standards are embedded within Writing, Centers, and Read Alouds.

Flamingo Class Rules • • • Follow directions. Keep hands, feet and objects to yourself. Raise your hand before you talk during lessons. Ask an adult before leaving the classroom. Always do your best.

Attendance Policy: • Funky Flamingos should be here before 7: 50 a. m. This is when our morning announcements and Pledge of Allegiance begin. • If your favorite Funky Flamingo is absent, please send in a written excuse. • The more they are here, the more they will learn!!

Emergency Information • Please let the school office know if any of your contact information changes. • If your little one has any allergies, please let us know on the emergency card. • Any medication needs to be brought to school by you and given to Nurse Jeannie.

When Visiting Us • Please enter at the front office and sign in. • Please wear your visitor’s sticker. • When picking your little one up early, please sign him/her our through the front office. • When eating lunch with your little one, please sign in and you both may sit at the visitor’s table in the lunchroom.

Transportation • Please, please make sure that your little one knows how he/she is going home each day. • If you ever need to make any changes, please put them in writing ~ signed/dated in your daily folder. A form can be printed from Murdock’s webpage.

Funky Flamingos Birthdays • We love to celebrate birthdays! • Please let me know a couple of days ahead of time when you would like to send in treats for your little one’s birthday celebration. • Mini cupcakes, brownies, cookies or ice cream sandwiches, etc. are easy to serve and eat. • Please remember that we are not allowed to distribute invitations to parties at school.

Dress Code • Please do not send your child to school in flip flops, clogs or crocs. We go out to the playground every day and these shoes are dangerous. • Girls who wear skirts or dresses must wear shorts underneath every day. • Please label all coats and jackets.

F. L. A. M. I. N. G. O. Books Fantastic Lists And Materials I Need to Get Organized • • • *Behavior Calendar – Please sign and discuss behavior with your child daily. *Zippered Pouch – This is where lunch money or notes from home should be placed. PLEASE label any money with your child’s name. *News From School (left pocket of red folder) – All of our important information will be in this pocket. *Super Duper Work to Keep at Home – This is where you will find your child’s wonderful work Please empty daily. *Popcorn Words – Beginning in September, students will be assessed on popcorn words once a week. Students must know all of the words on one list before being given the next list. There are 30 lists in all. It is important to check your child’s backpack and F. L. A. M. I. N. G. O. binder daily for classroom and school information. It may be helpful to set up a daily routine for your child to share the information. F. L. A. M. I. N. G. O. binders should be returned to school each day. Please help your child to keep his/her backpack clean as well. Thank you for your support and for doing your part to stay informed about your child’s school experience.

Snacks • Please send in a healthy snack with your child each day. Place it in a bag that is separate from the lunchbox. • We have a peanut allergy in the class so please refrain from bringing peanut products to school. • Students may bring water to drink. No colored liquids please.

Homework • We ask that you read with your child 15 minutes a day. Reading logs will be sent home each month. • Family Art Projects are assigned most months and can be completed by the entire family!

Popcorn Words • Students will be assessed on popcorn words each Friday. A new list will be given when they know every word on their current list.

How to Contact Me • • Email: amy. eubanks@cobbk 12. org Blog: http: //murdock 10. typepad. com/eubanks/ Phone: (770) 509 – 5071 Note in F. L. A. M. I. N. G. O. book

How Can You Help? • Volunteer at centers. • Volunteer in the Science Lab. • Send in wish list items and/or cooking supplies. • Volunteer to color, cut and assemble learning materials at home. Information regarding volunteer opportunities for this year will be sent home in the FLAMINGO binders. .

How can you help your little one get ready for kindergarten? • Read to your child every day! You might also let your child look at the pictures in a book and make up a story about it. • Read a story to your child and stop in the middle. Let your child tell you how the story will end, then finish the story. • Read a story and let them draw a picture of their favorite part or their favorite character. • Ask your child to retell the story to you. Work on sequencing ~ what happened first, next and last.