Kindergarten Rocks!
Welcome to Kindergarten!
We are getting into the swing of things this week. Kindergarten focuses on routine and structured activities. The children will be going over the class rules several times a day. Together we made our top 6 classroom rules. Please go over them nightly with your child, stressing the importance of each one.
Please have your child meet us on the whitetop between 745-755 am each day. If you are dropping your child off in a car, please wait in line in the parking lot. No parking in the lot. Kindergartners can NOT be walked to their classrooms. This is a school policy. They are to walk in with their class and we will take them upstairs. If there is inclement weather, children should simply go right upstairs to the classroom. If your child arrives after 805, you will need to sign in at the office and they will be marked tardy for the day.
Uniforms
Kindergartners are expected to wear and abide by the school uniform policy. The home page has exact and specific information regarding uniforms. Students are expected to wear a belt (know matter how difficult) with a tucked in shirt. Encourage children to tie their own shoes and dress themselves. Please label all sweatshirts and sweaters. Consistent breakage of uniform policy will result in a write up slip and be sent to Mrs. Malone.
Discipline Policy
In kindergarten we aim to reward positive behavior as much as possible. We will be using a ticket system each day. Students are given tickets when teachers catch them performing a good deed or following school rules. Students are responsible for their own tickets and can then cash 5 in for a prize. Tickets will not be taken away. We love prize box donations!
Homework
We will have not have homework in Kindergarten. There may be some family projects over the school year. Parents are encouraged to read with your child nightly. Letter, sound and words of the week will be sent home weekly.
Snack/Lunch
We have a morning snack lasting approximately 10 minutes. Please pack 1 small food item for your child. They are to use their water bottles, so we are asking for no juice at snack time. Please do not over pack food for your child at snack. We do not provide any snacks for those who forget their own.
Written Work
Please see your child’s white St. Francis folder each day. It will have any graded or completed work from the day. Empty out the side that says “keep at home”, please return any marked items on the side that says “return to school.” You may also send home any notes or important papers for teachers on that side.
Dreambox
Dreambox is an online math website that is used at St. Francis. More information can be found on the home page. Each student will have his or her own password. We do use Dreambox in class, but it will be expected that each child complete a certain number of minutes on dreambox per week. I will check student progress and usage each week.
Mass/Prayer time
We have school mass once a month. Kindergartners are expected to act appropriately. Mass is usually 45 minutes in length. During music class, Ms. Jean will be teaching the hymms and prayers. We do pray 2-3 times per day. Students will be asked to remember and recite a few prayers throughout the year at home. We also have 5th grade prayer partners this year. Each Kindergartner will have a "buddy" in 4th grade that we will get together with once a month. We will attend mass together as well. The students just love their prayer partners!
Rest time
We do have rest time each day for about 45 minutes. Students are asked to bring a towel or small blanket that is easy to roll up. Children do not have to sleep, but they must have quiet time. Rest time is an important part of the day that allows everyone to regroup for the rest of the day. Quiet music or stories are played in the classroom during this time.
Dismissal
Please help us at dismissal by encouraging your young child to shake the hand of one of their teachers before leaving for the day. This solidifies that we have seen one of the parents and it is safe for them to leave. Any changes in dismissal need to be in writing or they cannot be honored. Thank you for helping us enforce this policy.
Volunteers
Kindergarten loves parent volunteers! Please keep in mind that to volunteer or accompany the class on a field trip you must be STAND trained. We cannot allow anyone who isn’t trained to work with us. I will be sending out a volunteer schedule in a month or so for anyone willing to come and help out. I would also like to start “Mystery Reader” Fridays with the class, where you may come in and read, cook and share a special interest/activity with us. More details to come!
Field Trips
We will be going on at least 3 trips this year. They will correspond to our theme. We will send out information as it becomes available with dates to follow. You must be STAND trained (background check included) to be a chaperone. Field trip cost is NOT included in tuition.
Communication
Email is the best way to contact teachers. We will respond once the children leave for the day. In an emergency, please call the school. Please make sure I have the current email addresses for your family. You may email me or Ms. Lana anytime at [email protected] or [email protected]. You may also communicate through the app called "Bloomz." I will be posting pictures, student work and sending home alerts via Bloomz this year. School communication will be handled in your child's white envelope, going home on Wednesdays. Please empty contents, sign and return envelope to school Thursdays.
We are getting into the swing of things this week. Kindergarten focuses on routine and structured activities. The children will be going over the class rules several times a day. Together we made our top 6 classroom rules. Please go over them nightly with your child, stressing the importance of each one.
- Raise a quiet hand to speak.
- Use walking feet in the school.
- Clean up your mess.
- Keep hands and feet to ourselves.
- Be respectful to classmates and teachers by using manners and listening ears.
- Do your very best each day. Don't worry about everyone else - just do your own personal best.
Please have your child meet us on the whitetop between 745-755 am each day. If you are dropping your child off in a car, please wait in line in the parking lot. No parking in the lot. Kindergartners can NOT be walked to their classrooms. This is a school policy. They are to walk in with their class and we will take them upstairs. If there is inclement weather, children should simply go right upstairs to the classroom. If your child arrives after 805, you will need to sign in at the office and they will be marked tardy for the day.
Uniforms
Kindergartners are expected to wear and abide by the school uniform policy. The home page has exact and specific information regarding uniforms. Students are expected to wear a belt (know matter how difficult) with a tucked in shirt. Encourage children to tie their own shoes and dress themselves. Please label all sweatshirts and sweaters. Consistent breakage of uniform policy will result in a write up slip and be sent to Mrs. Malone.
Discipline Policy
In kindergarten we aim to reward positive behavior as much as possible. We will be using a ticket system each day. Students are given tickets when teachers catch them performing a good deed or following school rules. Students are responsible for their own tickets and can then cash 5 in for a prize. Tickets will not be taken away. We love prize box donations!
Homework
We will have not have homework in Kindergarten. There may be some family projects over the school year. Parents are encouraged to read with your child nightly. Letter, sound and words of the week will be sent home weekly.
Snack/Lunch
We have a morning snack lasting approximately 10 minutes. Please pack 1 small food item for your child. They are to use their water bottles, so we are asking for no juice at snack time. Please do not over pack food for your child at snack. We do not provide any snacks for those who forget their own.
Written Work
Please see your child’s white St. Francis folder each day. It will have any graded or completed work from the day. Empty out the side that says “keep at home”, please return any marked items on the side that says “return to school.” You may also send home any notes or important papers for teachers on that side.
Dreambox
Dreambox is an online math website that is used at St. Francis. More information can be found on the home page. Each student will have his or her own password. We do use Dreambox in class, but it will be expected that each child complete a certain number of minutes on dreambox per week. I will check student progress and usage each week.
Mass/Prayer time
We have school mass once a month. Kindergartners are expected to act appropriately. Mass is usually 45 minutes in length. During music class, Ms. Jean will be teaching the hymms and prayers. We do pray 2-3 times per day. Students will be asked to remember and recite a few prayers throughout the year at home. We also have 5th grade prayer partners this year. Each Kindergartner will have a "buddy" in 4th grade that we will get together with once a month. We will attend mass together as well. The students just love their prayer partners!
Rest time
We do have rest time each day for about 45 minutes. Students are asked to bring a towel or small blanket that is easy to roll up. Children do not have to sleep, but they must have quiet time. Rest time is an important part of the day that allows everyone to regroup for the rest of the day. Quiet music or stories are played in the classroom during this time.
Dismissal
Please help us at dismissal by encouraging your young child to shake the hand of one of their teachers before leaving for the day. This solidifies that we have seen one of the parents and it is safe for them to leave. Any changes in dismissal need to be in writing or they cannot be honored. Thank you for helping us enforce this policy.
Volunteers
Kindergarten loves parent volunteers! Please keep in mind that to volunteer or accompany the class on a field trip you must be STAND trained. We cannot allow anyone who isn’t trained to work with us. I will be sending out a volunteer schedule in a month or so for anyone willing to come and help out. I would also like to start “Mystery Reader” Fridays with the class, where you may come in and read, cook and share a special interest/activity with us. More details to come!
Field Trips
We will be going on at least 3 trips this year. They will correspond to our theme. We will send out information as it becomes available with dates to follow. You must be STAND trained (background check included) to be a chaperone. Field trip cost is NOT included in tuition.
Communication
Email is the best way to contact teachers. We will respond once the children leave for the day. In an emergency, please call the school. Please make sure I have the current email addresses for your family. You may email me or Ms. Lana anytime at [email protected] or [email protected]. You may also communicate through the app called "Bloomz." I will be posting pictures, student work and sending home alerts via Bloomz this year. School communication will be handled in your child's white envelope, going home on Wednesdays. Please empty contents, sign and return envelope to school Thursdays.