Welcome to
Kindergarten!
East Penn School District
Welcome!
This is the beginning of an exciting journey into the
world of elementary school. In this brochure, you will
find information about the Kindergarten program and
ways we can work together to help your child have a
wonderful school experience!
Kindergarten Philosophy
Kindergarten makes a unique contribution to the education of children
in East Penn because it is the first year of a child’s formal public school
educational experience. Basic procedures that will be used in
succeeding levels of school are introduced as part of the kindergarten
program. Equal emphases are placed on the academic, social,
emotional and physical growth of the child.
We recognize that children come to kindergarten with a wide variety of
abilities in these four areas. Therefore, large-group, small-group and
individual activities are planned by teachers for specific purposes
throughout the kindergarten year.
The curriculum is designed to provide educational experiences
appropriate for the developmental level of kindergarten children and to
prepare each child for first grade. An emphasis is placed on promoting
inquisitiveness, capitalizing on the natural curiosity of children and
fostering a love of learning.
Registration
Registration of a child for assignment to an East Penn kindergarten
is complete when the following items have been verified:
Proof of the child’s birth date (State Birth Certificate). To be
registered, the child must be 5 on or before September 12.
Verification of immunization for diphtheria, tetanus, polio, German
measles (rubella), measles, mumps, chicken pox (varicella) and
Hepatitis B.
Two proofs of residency (see registration forms).
Proof of identification – Valid Parent Photo ID.
Completed registration packet.
East Penn Elementary Schools
Alburtis Elementary
610-965-1633
Jefferson Elementary
610-965-1645
Lincoln Elementary
610- 965-1636
Macungie Elementary
610-965-1617
Shoemaker Elementary
610-965-1626
Wescosville Elementary
610-395-5851
Willow Lane Elementary
484-519-3300
Assignment
Your child will attend one session, either morning or afternoon.
Several factors, including transportation schedules and enrollment
equalization, are taken into consideration in making assignments.
For special reasons (parent’s work schedules, daycare situations,
home emergencies, etc.) you may request assignment to a
particular session and we will make every effort to accommodate
you.
Assignment letters and transportation information will be mailed
home in August.
The Kindergarten Program
The kindergarten program provides opportunities for your child
to learn to relate to others and build respect for the teacher
and his/her classmates.
Experiences are provided which increase knowledge and
improve skills, develop good habits and attitudes, and build
understandings of responsibility to self and the group.
A good classroom atmosphere helps a child develop a sense
of security and belonging. Natural curiosity is directed into a
zest for learning.
Weekly Time Allotment
Kindergarten programs must be flexible. Each teacher sets up a schedule
that best suits the needs of the class and the school. The weekly time
allotment of approximately 800 minutes per week is a basis on which
teachers build daily programs that include:
Opening, closing activities
Language Arts
Mathematics
Social Studies
Science
Health, Safety
Music, Art
Library
Physical Education
Please visit our East Penn website under Curriculum at
www.eastpennsd.org to access the curriculum for Kindergarten.
Language Arts
The kindergarten Language Arts curriculum is centered around
reading and writing activities that help children progress on
their journey toward literacy. Developmentally appropriate
learning opportunities enable children to explore oral and
written language through active learning that incorporates
reading and writing experiences.
Reading to children, with children and by children are all
integral parts of the kindergarten day. The relationship between
sounds, letters and words is explored as the children learn
about reading and writing.
Content areas are integrated into the kindergarten program
through the inclusion of a wide selection of children’s literature.
Language Arts
Through kindergarten experiences your child develops:
Auditory Abilities
Hearing sounds
Discriminating between sounds
Visual Abilities
Likenesses-differences
Memory
Left-to-right and top-to-bottom
Listening Skills
Stories
Directions
Vocabulary and Word Meaning
Experiences
Class interest and activities
Reasoning
Solving simple problems
Planning
Sequence of Ideas
In stories
In experiences
In classroom activities
Love of Literature
Storytelling
Listening to stories
Poetry
Mathematics
In kindergarten there are many opportunities for children to use
numbers and hands-on math materials.
Children participate in activities that provide experiences in the
following areas:
Problem Solving and Reasoning
Look for patterns
Use a graph
Classify objects
Use manipulatives
Use calculators and computers
Mathematics
Number Sense
Recognize, read and write numbers
Label sets of objects
Identify whole numbers
Counts in sequence
Mental Math/Estimation
Estimate number of objects
Estimate measurements
Estimate various time components
Money/Consumer Skills
Recognize penny
Recognize nickel
Recognize dime
Use coins to solve problems
Geometry/Spatial Sense
Recognize circle
Recognize triangle
Recognize rectangle
Recognize square
Recognize diamond
Recognize 3-D objects
Social Studies
One aspect of the kindergarten program is that of social living. It is
designed to help your child acquire knowledge, habits and skills that result
in understanding how people live and work together.
Responsibility – Member of a
Family
A family group
Living together
Working together
The family community
School
Government
People & Places
Community helpers
Heroes and leaders
Housing
Geography
Responsibility – Member of a
Kindergarten Class
Working together
Care of room and materials
Learning about school
Learning about the playground
Long Ago & Today
Our country
Transportation
Communication
Holidays
Science
The kindergarten child is curious and eager to watch, touch and
question. The science program provides daily exposure to scientific
concepts. Some of the areas that may be explored are listed below:
Natural Phenomena
Weather
Seasons
Mechanical Processes
Transportation
Construction
Tools & technology
Living Things
Animal babies
Animals & the environment
Creativity and Play
Creative Expression
Children learn to work creatively with paints, chalks, blocks, crayons and
clay. Through music, they gain pleasure and skill in group singing.
Rhythmic activities help develop muscular coordination and poise.
Play Activities
Play activities contribute to your child’s whole development – physical,
mental, emotional and social. Through play (directed and supervised),
physical ability and control are gained. The physical education program
includes the following activities:
Choosing
Body Control
Senses
Gymnastics
Dramatics
Imitation
If there is need, special physical activities can be provided.
Getting Ready for Kindergarten
Be consistent and reasonable in the behavior you require.
Share experiences and places of interest; explain what is seen.
Listen as experiences are being shared with you.
Offer experiences that teach your child to share and take turns.
Give encouragement freely. Be enthusiastic about schoolwork, but do not
expect perfection.
Never make comparisons with other children in the family or neighborhood,
because every child is different.
Help your child to accept corrections when needed without becoming upset.
Help your child develop self-confidence. Praise your child’s strengths and
discuss ways to solve problems.
If your child tells you a disturbing story, talk it over with the teacher immediately
rather than simply attributing it to a vivid imagination.
Getting Ready for Kindergarten
Label all clothing or anything else your child takes to school.
Work with your child to learn the following:
To say first and last name, address and phone number
How to get to and from school safely
To recognize own possessions
To tie own shoe strings
To button, snap and zip
To put on and remove outer clothing and hang it up
Set aside a daily time to read to your child.
Involve your child in family outing and learning experiences.
Encourage appropriate speech in sentences, without baby talk.
Make opportunities available for play with other children of the same age.
Assign simple duties at home and expect them to be carried out.
Before School Starts
We will:
Make sure that each kindergarten classroom has a warm,
understanding and serious teacher who will help your child make a
good start.
Prepare materials and equipment.
Set-up the transportation schedule. Not all children will be transported.
The same rules for transporting other elementary children apply to
kindergarten.
Prepare for Kindergarten Orientation before the start of school.
Prepare for the Parent-Teacher Conferences in fall and spring.
The First Day of School
If your child will be transported by bus, wait at the bus stop until the bus
arrives. Make certain the bus tag, which will contain valuable information
for the bus driver and teacher, is worn for the first few days of school.
Help your child learn the number of his/her bus.
If you accompany your child to school, follow specific drop-off procedures
for your school. Give a cheerful, but firm, farewell. The teacher will call
you in case you are needed.
Attendance
The kindergarten child should abide by the same rules and attendance
regulations as other children in the elementary school. Each child should be
present unless absence can be classified as excused.
Excused Absences:
Illness, death of close relative, quarantine, impassable roads,
inclement weather, exceptionally urgent reasons.
Unexcused Absences:
Visiting, away from home, or overslept.
Notify the teacher when your child is going to be absent for three or
more days.
Coming to school every day, on time, is very important. It will help develop
good habits and aid progress in schoolwork. Appointments with physicians
and dentists should be made for after school hours.
If you have a question…
When you have a question:
Classroom teachers, IST teachers, guidance counselors and
building principals are responsible for the workings of each
building. If you have a question or problem, it can be best
answered or solved by speaking to the person or persons
responsible for that area.
Classroom Situation:
The best person to talk to about your child’s academic
progress, classroom behavior or daily concerns is your child’s
teacher. You can contact the teacher easily by sending a note,
emailing or calling the building to schedule a personal or phone
conference.
If you have a question…
Building Assignment
Bus Assignment or Stop
Elementary Academic Progress
Parent Volunteer
School Closings
Elementary Classroom Assignment
Special Medication
Elementary Assignments During Illness
Family Vacations on School Days
Communicable Diseases
Special Education Services
Asst. Superintendent (610) 966-8321
Transportation Office (610) 421-6039
Classroom Teacher or Support Teacher
Building Principal
Building Administrative Assistant
School Parent Group
Community Liaison (610) 966-8335
Channel 69
Local Radio Stations
District Website (www.eastpennsd.org)
Autocall
Building Principal
Classroom Teacher
Nurse
School Administrative Assistant
Classroom Teacher
Principal
School Nurse
Student Services Office (610) 966-8355
Thank you!
Have a great year!
We are glad you are with us!
EPSD Board of School Directors
Alan C. Earnshaw, President
Kenneth Bacher, Vice President
Charles Ballard
Lynn Donches
Francee Fuller
Rebecca Heid
Ziad Munson
Samuel Rhodes, III
Rev. Waldemar Vinovskis
Janine Allen, Board Secretary
Debra Surdoval, Treasurer
Marc S. Fisher, Esq., Solicitor
Dr. J. Michael Schilder, Superintendent of Schools
The East Penn School District is an equal opportunity education institution and will not discriminate in its educational programs, activities, or employment
practices on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion ancestry, disability, union membership, or other legally protected classification.
Announcement of this policy is in accordance with state and federal laws, including Title VI, Title IX, Section 504 and the Americans with Disabilities Act. For
information regarding 1) civil rights, 2) grievance procedures, 3) services, activities and facilities that are accessible to and useable by disabled persons, or 4)
employee or participant complaints harassment or discrimination, contact Personnel Office, Compliance Officer, 800 Pine St., Emmaus, PA 18049 (610) 9668330.
EPSD 1/2015
Vision: The East Penn School District will empower students to maximize their
potential and become lifelong learners and contributors to society.
Mission: The East Penn School District will provide a learning environment in
which students become problem solvers, collaborators, and critical thinkers.
Administrative Offices
800 Pine Street
Emmaus, PA 18049
(610) 966-8300
24-hour Information Line (610) 966-8480