Kindergarten Handbook

Mrs. Toni Thomas

WCES
2004-2005
Si usted quisiera esto traducida a español, déjeme por favor saber.

   
All Children will Learn.

  Another school year has arrived with great anticipation.  Every year I look forward to meeting new children and working with new parents.  I have put together this handbook as a reference for you.  I hope you will save it and refer back to it as needed.  The headings are in alphabetical order, and not necessarily in order of importance.  Or click on the index below to jump to a topic.

  ARRIVAL/DISMISSAL School begins promptly at 7:50 a.m.  If your child arrives before that time, they will need to report to the gym.  If he/she arrives after 8:00,  please be sure to sign them in at the front desk so that they are not counted absent.

      Dismissal is at 2:51 p.m.   If your child is a pick-up, he/she will be waiting in the classroom until the 2nd bell (2:56).  At that time, parents will be allowed to go up to get their child.  An adult must pick up your child.  See Changes in Transportation

ATTENDANCE  Your child's regular and prompt attendance at school is a must! This is crucial to his/her success. Please notify me with a note to let me know if your child will be absent. If your child was absent because of an illness, and a doctors visit was made, please send a doctor's excuse. Patterns for school attendance are set at an early age.

BACKGROUND CHECKS  These are required by law.  Anyone who is working directly with children, either as a volunteer or a chaperone, must have a background check.  This is a very simple process -- you will just need to fill out a form with your name, address, and social security number.  It takes about a month for it to return, and you will be notified by mail to let you know when it has been received.  top

  BOOK ORDERS/READING Monthly book orders will be sent off to allow parents to buy quality educationally appropriate books. There is a wide price range for the books (.95+). If you wish to order, fill out the form and send the correct amount of money or a check made out to Scholastic Book Clubs in an envelope.

          We will also be participating in the Book It program, sponsored by Pizza Hut.  Students will be given a goal to read a given number of books each month.  Each student who meets his/her goal will receive a coupon for a free personal pan pizza at Pizza Hut for that month. 

          Try to expose your child to many different educational books to expand their imagination and creativity. Reading is not only essential to your child's success, but it is also fun!!  top

CHANGES IN TRANSPORTATION  If your child normally rides the bus, but you plan to pick him/her up, you must send a written note or call the school. Do not rely on your child to tell me this information, because children may become confused and relay the message incorrectly.  If a note or message from the office is not received, your child will be sent home by his/her usual method of transportation. If at all possible, please try to notify the school before 2:00 p.m. so that Ms. Jackie or Mrs. Shelley can relay the message to us.  top

Students picked up before 2:40 will be considered tardy.

CLOTHING/UNIFORM  Please follow dress code guidelines.  Students have the choice of red, blue, or white polo shirt.  Bottoms must be navy or khaki.  Students may wear pants or shorts -- no cargo pockets or carpenter loop.  Girls may also wear navy or khaki skirt, skort, or jumper. Students who are in violation of dress code will bring home a note regarding the violation, and what they need in order to be compliant.

  On those days that we have P.E., students should dress accordingly (comfortable shoes).  Girls may not want to wear skirts on these days, or may wish to wear shorts underneath.  We go outside for recess every day that the teachers can endure the weather.  If it is not raining or snowing, we will be outside, so please be sure your child wears appropriate outer clothing.  top        

CONFERENCES  Our school usually has one parent-teacher conference after the first nine weeks.  However, if you ever have any concerns, or would like to meet to discuss your child’s progress, I am always willing to talk with you.  I can meet most days after school, and during my planning ( 12:00 - 12:30 ).  Just call ahead or send me a note to schedule a time. 

DISCIPLINE  Each Friday, students who have displayed appropriate behavior for the week will get to choose something from the Treasure Chest!

We have baseballs and bats to help students keep a check on their behavior. Each child has a bat with his or her name on it.  When a rule is broken, verbal warning is given.  If the child continues with the behavior, his/her bat will be moved to the 1st ball:

    Strike One - This is another warning.  The student will have a sticker (or stamp) on the behavior calendar for the day, and does not lose Treasure Chest privilege.

     Strike Two - The student will miss 10 minutes of recess, but has not yet lost Treasure Chest.  However, if a student has two strikes on another day that week, he/she will lose Treasure Chest privileges.  The student will have a sticker on the behavior calendar, but "2 strikes" will be written on that day. 

      Strike Three - (Rare) Student will miss 15 minutes of recess (they will be allowed to run off some steam during the last 5 minutes).  He/she will lose Treasure Chest privileges for the week.  A sad face will be in the folder instead of a sticker, and a note will be sent home regarding the behavior.

      Strike Four - (VERY rare!) The child will remain in our room, but will separated from the other students for the rest of the day.   A phone call will be made to the parents.
       Strike Five - (Almost never!) Student will be sent to office -- usually detention.

      Anytime students lose recess time, before they are allowed to go play they must talk to me about what rule was broken, and what they could have done differently.  Your child's behavior will be recorded daily in his/her red folder.  Please review this daily with your child, and sign or initial so that we know that it was reviewed.   top

FIELD TRIPS  The Kindergarten classes usually take 2-3 field trips throughout the year.  We love for parents to go as chaperones.  However, to be a chaperone, state law requires you to have a background check.  This must be completed every year.  The form for this can be picked up here at school from Ms. Jackie, our receptionist.  It usually takes at least a month for this to return from Frankfort, so the sooner you have this completed, the better. top

HOMEWORK   PLEASE CHECK YOUR CHILD'S RED FOLDER EACH DAY FOR NOTES!  I am planning to send home weekly homework.  This will be sent on Monday to be completed through the week, and returned on Friday.   These will be simple, fun activities that will help your child practice what we are doing at school. 
When your child knows all his/her letters and most of their sounds, they will be bringing home Early Literacy books on Thursday nights.  They are to read these to you, and return them to school on Friday. 
Poetry folders will come home on Fridays.  We will also be sending home flashcards with letters or sight words as needed.  If you have any concerns over problems you feel your child is having, please write a little note and we can go over it in class.
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LUNCH MONEY  Please send money at the beginning of the week if at all possible and put it in an envelope with your child's name, my name, and what the money is for.  We have milk break every afternoon.  If your child participates in the free lunch program, they will still need to pay for milk break. 

Lunch prices are as follows:

          Breakfast     .75 
          Lunch        $1.25 
          Milk             .25

The weekly cost for lunch and milk for full price would be $7.50.

The weekly cost for just milk break for those with free or reduced lunch would be $1.25. top

MEDICATION POLICY  When your child needs medication at school, the following guidelines must be met:

1. No prescription medication will be given unless authorization has been signed by a parent and the student's doctor.  A parent's signature is required for authorization to give over-the-counter medicines.  If an over-the-counter drug is given for over three (3) consecutive days, the doctor must also sign authorization form.

2. Parent or other adult must bring medication to school and pick up medicine.  No child is to transport medication.

3. Medication must be in its original container.  If medication needs to be given at both school and home, ask your pharmacist to put the prescription in two separate bottles -- one for home, and one for school.

4. A child who needs to carry emergency medications (Epipen or inhaler) may carry it with them as long as we have parent and physician permission.

5. Discontinued medication will be disposed of by school nurse if not picked up by parent or other adult within two weeks of discontinued date.

If you have any questions, please contact Jill P. Clements, R.N., School Nurse.

PARENT PARTICIPATION  Stress the importance of school to your child. Throughout the school year, there will be a variety of special school activities and celebrations. I encourage you to attend these functions when possible and support them by sending needed supplies or treats. Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school.  top

PARENT/TEACHER RELATIONSHIP In order to achieve maximum success, a good parent-teacher relationship is necessary. Throughout the year, I will communicate through notes, telephone calls, letters, and conferences. I encourage you to contact me with any questions or concerns. You can write a note and put it in your child's folder or call me at the school (336-5490) and I will return your call.  If you prefer email, my email address is
tthomas-575@washington.k12.ky.us.                                        top

 SNACKS  The calendar in your child's red folder is also our snack calendar.  Please note which day your child is to bring snacks for the class.  You do not need to send anything fancy or homemade.  There is no need to send drinks as we share snacks during our milk break time.  If sending snacks is a problem for you, please let me know.   top

  Again, I am looking forward to working with you and your child to make this a fun and successful year!  

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