Welcome to Kindergarten! We Are Looking Forward to an Exciting Year
Kindergarten
2013-2014
Parent Handbook
Dear Parents/Guardians:
Welcome to Kindergarten! We are looking forward to an exciting year.
We are thrilled about working together to make this year a success. Please use this Parent Handbook as a reference for what will be happening this year. Keep it handy, since it can answer most questions.
For information on School District policies and procedures, please refer to the district website at
You can reach us at Davis at any time. The main office phone number is: (215) 364-5970 ext. 15010. Should you have a message that is time sensitive, (i.e. “My son will be picked up today. Please do not put him on the bus.”), please leave a message with Mrs. Stotsenburgh our school secretary
Sincerely,
The Kindergarten Teachers
Extension Numbers:
Miss McKevitt (EDK) x 11340
Mrs. Avery (AM & PM Kindergarten) x 11254
Mr. Rothman (AM & PM Kindergarten) x 11336
Mrs. Markowski (PM ELL Kindergarten) x 11293
Table of Contents
Daily Routine…………………………………………………………...…1-2
Curriculum………………………………………………………………...3-4
Goals……………………………………………………………………….4
Parent/Teacher Communications………………………………………….5-6
Early Dismissals/Late Openings……………………………………………6
Homework…………………………………………………………………6-7
Snack Procedure……………………………………………………………7
Birthday Procedures………………………………………………………...7
Field Trips………………………………………………………………….8
Home and School…………………………………………………………..8
Bedtime…………………………………………………………………….8
Dress Code……...…………………………………………………...……..9
Picture Day…………………………………………………………………9
Elementary School Staff……………………………………………………10
Daily Routine
Bus Duty
*Any parent who drops off a child should do so at the main doorsfrom 8:20 – 8:45for AM and EDKchildren, or between 12:40-12:45 for the PM children. Davis opens its doors at 8:20AM.
*There is no need for parents to wait with children at the time of drop off. This is
your child’s time to learn how to socialize appropriately with his/her peers. Due to traffic flow and security reasons, parents are asked tokeep good-byes brief.
*For security purposes, all doors close at 8:45. Anyone who wishes to enter after
that time may do so by entering the main office.
*For Dismissal guidelines, please refer to the Davis Student Handbook
Opening Activities
*To avoid lost documents, children should keep all notes from parents in their everyday
folders/back and forth envelopes. These are checked daily.
*Morning/Afternoon Meeting (circle time) includes, but is not limited to,
announcements, calendar, weather, pledge, sharing, songs and other Everyday
Math routines.
Specials
*Physical Education (P.E.) – All students who attend P. E. class must have proper
footwear (sneakers) to participate on P.E. days. Those who wear boots, sandals, or other inappropriate footwear may be asked to sit out for the entire period.
PLEASE NOTE:
Avery AM – Day A1/B1 Avery PM – Day A4/B4
McKevitt – Day A3/B3
Rothman AM – Day A6/B6 Rothman PM – Day A2/B2
*Library – Children are encouraged to exchange their library books. On library
day all students will pick out a book; however, only those students who return a book that day will take one home that night. Please keep books in your child’s backpack. (We use them at school all the time)
PLEASE NOTE:
Avery AM – Day A3/B3 Avery PM – Day A5/B5
McKevitt – Day A2/B2
Rothman AM – Day A2/B2 Rothman PM – Day A4/B4
*Health - Our majorunits of study are problems and emotions, dental health,
nutrition, drug awareness and dangers.
PLEASE NOTE:
Avery AM – Day A2 Avery PM – Day B6
McKevitt – Day B1
Rothman AM – Day A3 Rothman PM – Day B5
*Guidance - Our majorunits of study are interpersonal relationships with others.
PLEASE NOTE:
Avery AM – Day B2 Avery PM – Day A5
McKevitt – Day A1
Rothman AM – Day B3 Rothman PM – Day A5
*Technology – material covered includes but is not limited to – components of
the computer and their use, logging on/off, finding favorite websites, and
printing.
PLEASE NOTE:
Avery – NO SPECIFIC TIME AND DAY BUT WILL BE INTEGRATED
INTO THE CURRICULUM THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
McKevitt – Day A4/B4
Rothman NO SPECIFIC TIME AND DAY BUT WILL BE INTEGRATED
INTO THE CURRICULUM THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
*Art – Students will be exposed to a variety of artists and materials.
PLEASE NOTE:
Avery – NO SPECIFIC TIME AND DAY BUT WILL BE INTEGRATED
INTO THE CURRICULUM THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
McKevitt – Day A6/B6 (Art smock/old shirt is required)
Rothman NO SPECIFIC TIME AND DAY BUT WILL BE INTEGRATED
INTO THE CURRICULUM THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
*Music – Students will be exposed to a variety of musical elements,
instruments, and dramatization.
Avery – NO SPECIFIC TIME AND DAY BUT WILL BE INTEGRATED
INTO THE CURRICULUM THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
McKevitt – Day A5/B5
Rothman NO SPECIFIC TIME AND DAY BUT WILL BE INTEGRATED
INTO THE CURRICULUM THROUGHOUT THE SCHOOL YEAR.
Curriculum
Math
*The Everyday Mathematics Program will be implemented again this year.
*Everyday Math has repeated exposure to key mathematical ideas over a period
of time. Ideas are integrated into their learning experiences. The ideas
begin at a simple level and increase with complexity. They will be
exposed to numbers 0 to 100, counting, measurement, geometry, operations,
number stories, patterns, money, clocks, calendars and problem solving.
*These skills are reinforced at home with monthly math calendars for homework. Please
initial each task as they are completed. Home Link booklets will be sent
home periodically throughout the year. These are for additional practice.
Language Arts
*We will be implementing the following components of Rigby’s Literacy by Design:
1. Oral Language – shared reading, concepts and vocabulary
development, and retelling activities.
- Book and Print Awareness – understanding that print is speech written
down, the understanding of concepts of print (spacing, capitalization,
capital and lower case letters, etc.), and the development of book
handling skills.
- Literature – reading in a variety of classic and contemporary works,
developing literary concepts such as character and setting, modeling
reading strategies, and responding to literature in ways that show
interpretation and appreciation
- Vocabulary – using a vocabulary journal to practice writing new
vocabulary words and illustrate their meanings
5. Sight Words or High Frequency Words – words that children are
expected to read and write readily (64 sight words will be presented
over the year.)
- Guided Reading – working in small groups (4-6 children)
reading and discussing books at his/her instructional reading level
*Small copies of emergent reading level books will be sent home periodically to
be read over and over for practice.
* “Kid Writing” is a program that encourages some form of writing every day. Children
make use of sound spelling techniques torecord ideas in a journal called a
writer’s notebook. Beginning writing may be in the form of pictures only. By
the end of the year, students will be encouraged to draw a picture and sound
out words to the best of their ability.
*We will also be implementing the Wilson “Fundations” Program to teach the
children phonics skills, phonological awareness and handwriting.
*Fundations is a carefully structured phonics and spelling curriculum using
engaging, multisensory techniques.
*Please refer to the “Fundations” packet for a more thorough explanation of this exciting
program
Handwriting
*While students are expected to write in the Zaner –Bloser or “Fundations” form,
they will be exposed to various fonts throughout the school year.
*The Prewriting skills to be covered are:
-position
-line
-shape
-pencil grip and control.
*The writing skills to be covered are:
-all upper and lower case letters
-numbers
-first and last GIVEN name.
*Practice, Practice, Practice…
-your child’s name
-color words in the crayon or marker of that color
-the alphabet
*It is imperative that children start letters in the appropriate place and continue
with strokes in the directions in which the arrows point (see Fundations
packet for appropriate pencil grips and formation).
Social Studies
*We stress basic social skills and problem solving daily.
*Our major units of study are:
-All About Me (September –June)
-Holidays in their original historical context (ongoing)
-Antarctica (January-February)
-Current Events (ongoing)
Science
*The Elementary Science Program that is used consists of hands on activities that
develop awareness through the use of our five senses: hearing, touching,
tasting, smelling, and seeing.
School Goals
*One incentive our district has adopted is“Character Counts.” It is an educational framework that teaches the six universal values, called the Six Pillars of Character ― trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness,caring, and citizenship.
Parent/Teacher Communication
Teacher to parent
*Projects are sent home regularly.
*Those activities that are not sent home promptly are held only to be reviewed at
the time of conferences. This includes items for a writing portfolio.
*We will conference about progress at the end of the First Report Period with allparents. (NO REPORT CARD GIVEN TO KINDERGARTEN THIS MARKING PERIOD)
*At the end of the Second Report Period, we will conference on request/needsbasisonly.
*Newsletters and special announcements will be sent home regularly either by e-mail or
paper form.
*Phone calls concerning behavior may be made when necessary.
Parent To Teacher
*If a child is going home in a different manner than his/her usual routine, a note
with parent/guardian signature must be provided in the everyday folder/back and
forth envelope.
*If your child is to be picked up by an adult that does not normally pick him/her
up, this must be explained in writing with a parent/guardian signature. THIS PERSON MUST PROVIDE SOME FORM OF IDENTIFICATION beforeyour child will be released into their care.
*When children are absent for any reason an explanation of the absence
accompanied by parent/guardian signatureMUST be provided on the day of their return to school. Emails will not be accepted per district policy. If a note is not
brought in within 3 days, the absence is considered unexcused/unlawful.
*If you know ahead of time that your child will be absent, please send in a note
stating the date and reason for absence (i.e. trip, etc.). Extended absent days MUST be approved by the principal in order to be excused. Please review your Davis Handbook.
*It is suggested that a short note to explain a possible alteration in behavior (i.e.
“My child is on cough medicine and may be sleepy today” or “My child’s grandmother passed away and he/she may be withdrawn today,” be provided when appropriate.
*All allergies must be reported to the school nurse and should be brought to the
attention of the classroom teacher in writing.
PLEASE NOTE:No child is permitted to transport any medication.
Prescriptions should be delivered directly to the school nurse in its original
container. Any other medication should be delivered to the school nurse
with a note and parent/guardian signature.
*All money should be in an envelope that is to be labeled with the name of the child, the name and room number of the teacher, the amount which iscontained in the envelope and its use. For example:
Early Dismissal/Late Openings
Scheduled Early Dismissals
*MORE INFORMATION WILL FOLLOW AS IT BECOMES AVAILIBLE
Snow Days (Inclement Weather)
*Our school closing number is 753.
*If school is let out early due to inclement weather, AM Kindergartenis
dismissed at11:30 AM even though the rest of the school leaves later. EDK is dismissed at 11:45 on these days and will receive lunch.PM Kindergarten in cancelled.
*If school opens two hours late, EDK will have school from 10:45-3:30. AM
Kindergarten will have school from 10:45- 12:45 and PM Kindergarten
will have school from 1:30-3:30
Parents should develop an emergency plan for impending bad weather. Children become anxious if they think they are going home to an empty house. Prepare your children in the event you cannot be reached or are not at home when bad weather strikes and school is dismissed. They should know what to do and where to go in order to be safe until you arrive. The phone numbers on file in the office become very important on these days. Please be sure to update your phone numbers (home, work, cell phones, and pagers).
Homework
Homework Policy
*Homework is an important way in which learning continues outside of the
classroom. In Kindergarten, homework is used mainly to reinforce skills taught during the day or as an enrichment activity to help develop responsibility. District Policy states that Kindergarten may receive up to 15 minutes of homework a night. This does not mean children will have homework each night. It means the Kindergarten teachers may give this much if their students need this amount nightly.
*Homework must be done in pencil unless otherwise noted.
*It is requested that parents sit and work with their children.
*Please check work for neatness and accuracy.
Homework Helpful Hints
*Start a homework routine with your child. For example, right after dinner your
child does homework.
*Designate a quiet spot where yourchild can do homework (desk, dining room
table, etc.).
*Provide all needed materials in this “homework spot” such as pencils, erasers,
crayons, scissors, glue, etc.
*Participate with your child as he/she does homework by offering advice and
support. Many little hands take time to get it right. A positive attitude will do wonders!
Snack Procedure
Options
*Students may bring a small, healthy snack and drink from home.
*Parents can pay for a school snack including milk from the cafeteria. Parents
may pay for the whole year or half of the year at a time. If you choose to buy, please pay in full or for the first half of the year ASAP. All students were welcome to take a snack free of charge for the first three days of school; however, anyone who is receiving snack now and has not paid will no longer receive a snack.
*Snack time is a short break. Please be sure you send only ONE small snack and
drink.
PLEASE NOTE: Juice will only be substituted for milk when a doctor’s note
has been presented or is currently on file in the cafeteria.
*DUE TO MANY ALLERGIES, OUR CLASSROOMS ARE NUT
FREE!!!!!
Birthday Procedure
Celebrations
*If your child has a birthday during the school year and you plan on sending a
small party favor, you may do so, provided you notify your child’s teacher prior to sending it in. This will allow the teachers to plan accordingly.
*If your child has a summer birthday please discuss with your child’s teacher
about his/her personal policy.
*PLEASE NOTE: Birthday invitations will not be handed out in school unless
ALLstudents in your child’s class are invited. Under the privacy act, we
are not permitted to provide addresses or phone numbers of classmates.
We may; however, provide a class list of the names of your child’s classmates.
Field Trips
Fall
*We will visit the pumpkin patch at Solly Brothers Farm inOctober to enrich the
children in the five senses.ONLY homeroom parents will be attending this
fall trip. Each class trip will take place during the regularly scheduled
school day. Miss McKevitt’s trip time is to be determined.
Spring
*We will visit the circus! One adult must accompany each child to the circus.
*Another trip may be added which will be determined according to our
unit of study at that time.
Home and School
Participation and Benefits
*It is strongly recommended that each family join the Home and School
Association. This has been a great source of educational benefit for all the students at Davis.
*Thanks to the help of the Home and School, Kindergarten will attend at least one
field trip a year.
*The home and school helps organize two scheduled parties each year. They are
the Halloween and Valentine’s Day Parties.
*Plus many other exciting events and activities.
Bedtime
Things to Know
*Research shows that young children need between 9 ½ and 11 hours of sleep a
night.
*Tired children are NOT always seen as sluggish.
*MOST tired children are seen as agitated and fidgety.
*The saying, “He can stay up late and have more energy than he knows what to
do with all day” may dictate he is staying up too late.
Dress Code
Dress Code
*Please consider the weather when preparing your child for the day. We do have
outdoor recess as long as the temperature and/or wind chill is above freezing.
*No flip flops please! Sneakers are kindergartener’s best friend!
Picture Day
Class Pictures
*All students will have their picture taken. One picture is kept on file in our
office for security reasons. Every student will be in their class picture regardless of whether or not they have ordered pictures. PLEASE HAVE YOUR CHILD DRESSED APPROPRIATELY!
*This year’s Picture Day will beOctober 3rd
Elementary School Staff
Below are some of the names of staff members your child will be in contact with this year. There are many more important names that could be added to this list, but not all apply to this grade level.
Principal: Mrs. Voshell Vice Principal: Dr. Devitt
Secretary: Mrs. Stotsenburgh
Nurses: Mrs. Breiner & Mrs. Byer
Guidance Counselor: Mrs. Ward & Mr. Immerman
Librarian: Mrs. Shepper & Mrs. B.
Music Teachers: Mrs. Finley/Mrs. McCaffery
Art Teacher: Mrs. Foran
Phys. Ed./Health Teacher: Mr. Lauch
Technology: Mr. Neft
Kindergarten Teachers: Miss McKevitt,Mrs. Avery, Mr. Rothman& Mrs. Markowski
Tot Time Teacher: Mrs. Egan
Custodian: Mr. Noll
Cafeteria Manager: Mrs. McElroy
Reading Specialist: Mrs. McArdle & Mrs. Miehle
Learning Support: Mr. Gold & Mrs. Cashman
Autistic Support: Mrs. Vassallo & Mr. Cahill