Welcome To PreK The Goals of PreK To

Welcome To Pre-K!

The Goals of Pre-K • To provide a rich, childcentered, literacy-focused learning environment. • To ensure that all children in Mecklenburg County enter kindergarten ready to learn. • To offer experiences that ensure children's learning of the academic, personal and interpersonal skills essential to school success.

History of Pre-K Programs The program offers the following: • Academic Curriculum • Certified Teachers • Parent involvement and commitment Currently Pre-K is offered in a variety of settings: • Bright Beginnings: 48 Elementary Schools (175 Classrooms) • North Carolina Pre-K: Child care centers (52 Classrooms)

The First Days of School • The Pre-Kindergarten Program begins on August 25 -30, 2011, with home visits. • Pre-K children begin school on a staggered schedule from August 31 - September 2, 2011. • The first full day of Pre. K is September 6, 2011.

Our School Program • School hours • Children need to attend a full day of school each day. • Regular attendance is expected. • Following an absence, the parent sends a written note stating the reason for the absence. • If a child is tardy, they will need to check in at the office to get a tardy slip. Parents will walk their children to class. • Pre-K follows the CMS calendar, including bad weather days and student holidays.

Our Curriculum • Opening the World of Learning, O. W. L. , is our curriculum. • The day consists of numerous activities designed with purposeful play. Activities include centers, small group instruction, large group instruction. • We will have special celebrations throughout the year that relate to the books your child is reading in class but we do not put special emphasis on celebrating holidays.

Pre-Kindergarten Behavior Plan • The Pre-Kindergarten Program is based on the belief that children learn self-discipline and behaviors that will result in cooperation, sharing, following directions, listening and showing respect for themselves and others. • In Pre-K classrooms, this is accomplished by providing activities that encourage the development of these skills, and by modeling these skills for the children. • Keeping children actively engaged in learning, combined with consistent rules and consequences for behavior helps to prevent discipline problems.

What About Food? • Children can bring lunch from home or purchase lunch from school. • If a parent wishes to celebrate a child’s birthday, they can send store- purchased items that can be given out during the lunch time.

Clothing • Parents are asked to send a complete change of clothes to school, i. e. , bottom, top, socks, and underclothes. • During the year, please provide a different outfit to reflect the changing season.

Student Health • Emergency Procedures and First Aid • Medication • Illness or Sickness

Transportation • Students who come to school by car must be walked to the classroom. Parents must make contact with the teacher or assistant. • Children will only be released to the parent(s) or other persons authorized by the parent. • A designated adult must wait for the child at the bus stop. If no one is there to receive the child, the driver will finish the bus route and then take the child back to the school to wait for their parents. • The assistant principal can assist you with further bus transportation questions should you have any concerns.

Parent Involvement Requirements 1. Home visits 2. Home Reading - 100 books 3. Parent Visits – at least 4 per year 4. Parent & Teacher Conference 5. All student information kept up-to-date 6. Immunization 7. Daily check of child’s book bag

Other Important Information • Pre-K After School Program

Questions, Concerns?

Thank you for coming! 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.