ABC's of Kindergarten

 

 

 

 

Absence- If your child is ill, please call the office (253-571-2330) and inform us of your child’s absence and the reason for it. This is for your child’s safety. If a student must leave early for a doctor’s appointment, go to the office to sign him out and the secretary will call him to the office.

Attendance- A successful school experience is the responsibility of the child, the parent and the school.  Your child's progress, both academically and socially, is influenced to a great extent by daily participation.  Regular attendance without tardiness is a key.

Backpacks- To help your child carry messages and information to and from school, you are asked to provide a backpack. Most papers will be sent home every Friday in your child's Friday Folder, however occasionally notes need to go home during the week. Please look in your child's backpack everyday to be sure you are not missing out on important information.

Birthdays- Birthdays are special occasions for young children. If your child wishes, he/she may bring a treat for the class. We will celebrate summer birthdays during the last few weeks of school.

Book-It!- Beginning in October and ending in March, your child will bring home a monthly Book-It calendar to record the time each month they are read to. Bring the calendar back to school at the end of the month and your child will receive a coupon for a Free Personal Pan Pizza from Pizza Hut.

Book Orders- From time to time, your child will bring home a form to order books. If you wish to order, simply fill out the form and and send a check made out to Scholastic and put in an envelope. These orders are provided as a convenient way for parents to buy quality books for their child at a low price. You are never under any obligation to order.

Box Tops for Education!- DeLong collects box tops all year through. Each month the box tops are counted and the class with the most wins a popcorn party! So send them often!

Breakfast- A school breakfast is served every morning from 8:40-8:55 AM. We highly encourage all AM parents to have their child eat breakfast at school. Many times students do not each much for breakfast at home and then are hungry an hour into the school day. We also encourage parents to fill out the Free/Reduced Lunch form. The more students we have qualify for this program, the more Reading money the school receives.

Conferences- Parent/Teacher conferences are held three times a year, October, December, and March. We will discuss your child's accomplishments, strengths and overall progress and set academic goals for the school year.   Please feel free to schedule additional conferences at any time throughout the year if the need arises.
 

E-Mail- You can contact me via my email address: wmcconk@tacoma.k12.wa.us
I will check my email on a daily basis. 

Emergency closings- If schools are closed for a snow day or any emergency, radio station (KIRO 710) or the local TV stations (Channels 4, 5, or 7) will make an announcement, generally by 7:00 A.M.

Field Trips- We plan at least two field trips that are both fun and educational for the children. Parent drivers are not permitted, so buses will have to be used for transportation. We often need parent volunteers on the trip. Parents must be a registered volunteer with the school to accompany us on the trip.   Please return permission slips as soon as possible after they are sent home.

Friday Folders- Each Friday your child will bring home a folder, which contains the week’s work, school notices, and homework.  Please review the work with your child.  Your child receives extra praise on Monday mornings when turning in signed folders.

Gum- DeLong has a no gum policy. Please be sure your child is not bringing it to school in their packpacks.

Health- Please let me know of special circumstances which may affect your child. These could include medication that may make him sleepy, a death in the family, etc. Also, please let me know of any allergies your child may have, especially food allergies. We sometimes cook or do food activities to complement lessons in kindergarten and it would be helpful to know when I plan our recipes.

Help at home-

Your child is expected to know these readiness skills:
•Full name             •Address             •Telephone number
•Parents’ names     •Basic colors        •Counting to 10
•Printing first name beginning with a capital letter and the rest in lower case

When time permits, work on these skills also:
•Reciting the alphabet               •Shape names               
•Birthday (month & date)         •Identifying numbers to 10
•Identifying letter names           •Tying shoes


Your extra help at home really makes a difference!

Homework- Each Friday students bring home a homework sheet based on the letter we learned during the week. Please help your child to write, draw, or cut out pictures of words that begin with the letter. Occasionally there will be a math game/sheet sent home or "family homework" to do too.

Illness- The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning.  It is important, however, to keep your child home if he/she is ill. This helps to make them more comfortable and prevents others from becoming ill.  Children function more effectively in the classroom when they are healthy.
 
Kindness- Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class as well as others with kindness and respect. Bothering others, bullying and interrupting learning will not be permitted.

Library- The children go to the library one day a week. In the library Mrs. Brackett will read them a story or a watch a video. Later in the year the children will have a chance to select a book to borrow for a week. (For Kindergarten- Library books stay at school.)

Literacy Centers- During literacy centers, children practice reading and writing skills while the teacher works with small guided reading groups.  The center activities are designed to strengthen letter/sound knowledge, listening skills, oral language expression, rhyme, letter formation and cooperation.

Math- The kindergarten mathematics curriculum provides students with mathematical experiences that help them develop number sense and a positive attitude towards mathematics that will continue through their school career and their lives.  We employ a hands-on, problem solving approach.

Music- Our music teacher will be teaching the children the basics of music education and will be sharing many wonderful songs!  We are scheduled to have music for one 20 minute period weekly. Of course, I will be singing and enjoying music with the children daily.
Newsletter- Our weekly newsletter, Kindergarten Klubhouse, is generally sent home on Friday's and will be attached to your child's weekly work. This will keep you informed about what is happening in our class---the skills we are learning, vocabulary words, poems or songs to practice, special activities and upcoming events.
 
Parent Volunteers- Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school!  We are always happy to have your help for special activities in the classroom. I will try to let you know at least a week ahead of time if I need help. Requests for help will be published in our weekly newsletter. I hope that you can come and join in the fun! Also, any parents who wish to volunteer on a regular basis and help out with our reading program, please contact me!

Questions- Since so many of you are new to DeLong School this year, I’m sure that you may still have some unanswered questions.  Please feel free to call me at school (between 7:45-8:30 a.m. or between 3:30-4:30p.m.). Or you can always write a note or email me at:  wmcconk@tacoma.k12.wa.us

If you call during school hours I most likely will not be able to answer the phone. If you need to get a message to me before the school day is over, please call the office and they will transfer you or relay the message to me. (253-571-2330)
Recess- The children will be going out for recess everyday unless it is raining or extremely cold. Please keep this is in mind when helping your child to select clothing for the day. Also, we are fortunate to have a variety of playground equipment, including several pieces for climbing. Please keep this in mind when selecting shoes. Cowboy boots and sandals are less than ideal if your child chooses to play on this equipment. Also, these shoes can tend to be slippery on days when the blacktop is wet.

Schedule-View our daily schedule!

Science- The focus of the kindergarten science curriculum is on developing an awareness of the world in which we live. Through scientific inquiry, concepts will be presented in the life and earth sciences, including the study of animals and plants, general health, and wood and paper. These areas will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach.

Shared Reading- Shared reading is an interactive process used with the whole class. As the teacher reads a story, children join in on phrases or words that they know. During subsequent re-readings, children read more and more of the text, until they are able to read the story independently. Shared reading is an opportunity for the teacher to model conventions of print and the use of reading strategies.

Snack- Your children generally get hungry by mid-morning so we try to have a quick snack everyday. We ask that parents send in snacks, enough for their child's class. This should be a healthy snack that is quickly eaten, such as a box of crackers, cookies, fruit roll-ups, raisins, apples, etc. We will get a drink of water after our snack, so no drinks are necessary.

Toys- Bringing toys to school is discouraged because they distract the children from learning. If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt. Books are okay to bring in, but please make sure that they are clearly marked with your child's name.

TRY Star & Character Counts-

Unique- Kindergartners learn that they are special and unique.
Kindergartners have opportunities to describe how they are alike as well as different from others. They share their culture and learn about different cultures within the class.
Visitors- DeLong has a policy that ALL GUESTS (including familiar faces) are required to check in at the school office. DeLong welcomes and encourages family involvement. It is important to remember that while this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment.

Website- Check in regularly to find information about curriculum, special events and school news. I will be featuring photos of our weekly activities--it's the next best thing to being in our classroom each day! Please promptly return the web permission form, which permits me to include your child's photo and first name on our website.

Wish list- Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our classroom materials (such as baby food jars or toilet paper rolls.)  These needs will be posted in the class newsletter.  Extras items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome!
Zzz's- Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child.   It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!