WELCOME TO KiNDERGARTEN
As I am sure you are aware, kindergarten is one of most important
and exciting years of your child’s school career. It is a year full
of opportunities for you and your child’s teacher to work together
in your child’s growth …socially and academically.
The following is one of the many letters we will be sending home
with your child to keep you informed of the procedures and
activities in our class. Please read each letter thoroughly for they
will be filled with announcements, requests, and suggestions for
becoming an active part in your child’s education.
OUR DAY- The morning students arrive and are allowed into the
classroom at 9:10 AM. Prior to that, the children wait outside or
inside the school lobby. School begins at 9:25 AM and concludes at
11:55 AM. The afternoon children arrive and are allowed into the
classrooms at 1:10 PM. Prior to that, the children wait inside the
school lobby. School concludes at 3:45 PM. Kindergarten Plus times
are 9:25-3:45. For your child’s safety, please observe the times
above. Teachers are not always available to supervise the children
before these designated times. Thank you!
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENTS- If at any time during the year a
change in transportation is requested, such as a neighbor or you
picking up your child instead of your child taking the bus or
walking; please send a note notifying your child’s teacher.
If you wish to pick your child up before class dismissal, please sign
the register at the office before coming to the classroom. If your
child is at a daycare provider during the day, please give the name
and phone number to the teacher for emergency purposes.
A REQUEST- After September 4th, please do not accompany your
child to school. There seems to be fewer tears if Mom and Dad
stay at home. It is also important for your child to get used to
where he/she meets the bus or his/her route to school, and how
he/she gets to the classroom.
DAY CARE INFORMATION- If your child is at a daycare,
please be sure that the school office/teacher has the name,
address, and phone number of that person. If this information
changes, be sure to notify the teacher immediately, if your child
will be transported to and/or from a location other than his/her
home, a special form must be completed and returned to the
transportation department. Forms may be picked up at the school.
This applies to children attending the SAC program.
ABSENCES- If your is child absent for any reason, please be
sure that you call the school to notify us of the absence. You may
call our voice mail number ANYTIME to report an absence. The
number is 651-683-6969 ext. 95095.
WALKERS- If your child is on the East side of Shannon Parkway,
please be advised that there will not be supervision between AM
and PM sessions. We strongly urge you to make arrangements for
your child to travel to and from school safely.
BIKING- In the interest of safety, we strongly discourage bike
riding without an adult accompanying the child. There are older
siblings and friends around at the beginning of the day and at the
end of the day, but the noon trip home and the early afternoon
arrival at school would be solo for the kindergarten child and we
feel it is unsafe. Thank you for your attention to this request.
BUS STOPS- We will stress safety and courtesy in school, on
the bus, at the bus stops, and on the street.
VOLUNTEERS- We are so indebted to our volunteers in our
kindergarten program. We would like to remind you that it is a
Shannon Park school policy not to have younger siblings accompany
you when you volunteer.
HEALTH RECORDS- Records of your child’s immunizations and
pre-school screening must be in the nurse’s office by the first day
of school. The nurse is in the office the entire school day. Please
feel free to call or stop to see her about any health concerns you
may have.
PROPER CLOTHING- Please have your child dressed
appropriately for the weather. We go outside almost everyday
during the fall and spring months. Your child should be able to
dress independently and tie his/her own shoes. If not, please
practice, practice, practice!!! Half-day kindergarteners do not go
outside during the winter months except for special occasions.
When this occurs, you will be notified beforehand so you are
aware of that date. Full-day students go outside everyday,
weather permitting. Please send appropriate clothing for outside
play.
LABELING- It is a must to label all of the items your child
brings to school. This includes clothing such as coats, mittens,
scarves, show and tell items, etc.
SCHOOL BAGS- Please have your child bring a school bag every
day. School bags are extremely helpful in making sure important
letters, projects, etc reach their destination. We expect that
each child can open and close their bags independently and that
the school bag is large enough to accommodate large projects.
NAME TAGS- Please leave your child’s nametag on their school
bag for the first two weeks of school. This should eliminate any
confusion. We suggest leaving the nametag securely on the bag all
year.
CONTRIBUTIONS- At various times during the year we will be
asking for certain items. We will let you know in the kindergarten
newsletters when these supplies are needed.
BIRTHDAY TREATS- Due to district policy, birthday treats and
tokens are not allowed to be distributed at school. Teachers will
continue to recognize children’s birthdays in the classroom.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND BIRTHDAY INVITATIONS TO SCHOOL AS
IT CAN CAUSE HURT FEELINGS.
LIBRARY- All kindergarten children will go to the library to
check out books to be taken home. Please help them to remember
to bring them back on time. Your child’s specific library day has
not yet been set. You will be informed of that day when it is
scheduled.
SHARING TIME- This is done to encourage verbal participation.
If there is a special topic for sharing you will be notified.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION- These activities will be held in the
gym, cafeteria, or outside. Tennis shoes with a non-marking sole
are required.
SUPPLIES- Student supplies will be provided for the
kindergarten child. First half-year costs will be $16.00. Costs for
end-of-year field trip, music program supplies, kindergarten
memory plate, etc will be assessed in February. Please plan to pay
on the first day of school. Thank you!
Additional supplies needed by all are:
Pocket folder (to travel in backpack)
A pair of non-marking soled tennis shoes worn on gym days
1 LARGE school bag (no wheels)
In addition, we request:
All Morning Kindergarten Students Bring:
1 box of Kleenex
1 Large container of Clorox Wipes
1 package of paper plates
All Afternoon Kindergarten Students Bring:
1 box of Kleenex
1 box of 5oz Dixie cups
1 box of kitchen sized garbage bags
Kindergarten Plus Students Bring:
1 Large container of Clorox wipes
1 box of Kleenex
1 box of large Ziploc bags
NAME WRITING- As mentioned in the material you received at
kindergarten registration, we have the children write their names
using a capital letter at the beginning and the remaining letters in
lower case. The children usually need lots of practice with this, so
we would greatly appreciate any help you can give them at home!
Please note the example below. A handwriting chart is included in
this booklet to help you with proper letter formation, as used with
our reading program.
Example:
___________________________
-----------------------------------___________________________
Let’s work together to make this a rewarding and successful year
for your child. Feel free to contact us at any time if you have any
questions or concerns. You may reach us by phone at 651-4237670 before or after school, or by writing a note and sending it
with your child.
Teacher_______________ Email:________________
Voice Mail# 651-683-6969
Ext. ______________
We are looking forward to a great year!
Sincerely,
The Kindergarten Teachers
Shannon Park Elementary