ABCs of Kindergarten
Absences: If your child will be absent from school, please call the office (708-366-7340) by 8:20 a.m. for A.M. “K” Kids and 12:25 p.m. for P.M. “K” Kids.
Arrival: K students should enter through the Park Avenue door at 8:15 a.m. or 12:20 p.m. All Kindergarten students must remain outside till 8:15 a.m.or 12:20 p.m. with an adult. Afternoon Kindergarten parents, please ring the doorbell at 12:20 p.m. (or when you hear the lunch bell). Children should not be in the building without adult supervision before the bell. Classroom instruction begins promptly at 8:25 a.m. and 12:25 p.m. If your child arrives late, an adult MUST go with your child to the nurse’s office for a late slip before coming to the classroom.
Attendance: A successful school experience is the responsibility of the children, the parents, 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: All children should bring a standard size backpack. Please choose one that is roomy and easy for your child to zip. Please have your child share the contents of the backpack with you daily. (Please, no toys or water bottles in the backpacks.)
“Big Cheese”: Each child will have opportunities to be the Big Cheese. This person is given special responsibilities (line leader, help pass out materials, etc.). See The Big Cheese for more information.
Birthdays: Your child will have his/her very own Special Day on or near his/her birthday. Your child may bring special items (no more than five) to share with our class. On your child’s Special Day, he/she may have guest(s) visit our room to read your child’s favorite story to the class. Your child may also bring a non-edible birthday treat. Stickers or pencils are a great way to celebrate your child’s special day! If your child brings a non-edible treat, please be sure that there are enough for everyone!
If you plan to participate in your child’s birthday celebration, please contact me one week prior to schedule a convenient time.
Book Orders: Once a month we will send home order forms from Scholastic Book Club. This is a great opportunity to purchase quality books at reasonable prices. Please return the orders and money by the due date. Checks should be made out to Scholastic.
Reader's/Writer's Workshop: Mrs. Burns's class participates in Reading and Writing Workshop, which consists of differentiated literacy building stations and stations to meet the needs of all students in our classroom.
Clothes: Please send your child to school in clothes appropriate for learning. Do not send your child to school so dressed up that you might be concerned about her or him getting dirty. Becoming involved in Kindergarten activities often means that the students will get a little messy.
Computers: We are fortunate enough to have computers and iPads in our classroom. We use a variety of age-appropriate programs that reinforce math and pre-reading/reading skills. We will also use iPads to write and publish work and to work on skill-building applications.
Conferences: Parent/Teacher conferences are held twice a year when you receive your child’s report card. At these conferences, we will be discussing your child’s accomplishments, strengths, and overall progress as it pertains to our Kindergarten curriculum.
Contact Information: Please feel free to contact either Mrs. Bruzek or Mrs. Burns at anytime!
Mrs. Kim Bruzek: telephone (708-366-7340x8149) or e-mail ([email protected])
Mrs. Karrin Burns: telephone (708-366-7340x8150) or e-mail ([email protected])
Differentiation: Because all children are unique and special, individuals may be at many different instructional levels. Since it is our responsibility to take each child from where he/she is to a higher level, students may be learning concepts different from his/her peers. With this type of teaching in the classroom, you can be sure that your child’s individual needs will be met. We differentiate through varied content, process, and product based upon your child's needs.
Discipline: Our philosophy of discipline is based on the belief that children need affectionate care and firm guidelines within a flexible structure. To establish good order and help the children learn self-control, the children will be guided to respect themselves and their companions through specific directions and positive reinforcement.
Fire Drills: Fire drills are held periodically throughout the year. All students will participate and are expected to walk quickly and quietly to the designated exit. We will practice and become familiar with procedures before our first scheduled drill.
Guided Reading: The definition of guided reading encompasses a wide variety of behaviors. For example, some children may be working on alphabet recognition, some may require teacher support to read stories with predictable text, and others may read simple texts independently. Guided reading provides an opportunity to teach children the variety of reading strategies they need in order to become fluent, independent readers. During guided reading, the teacher monitors and evaluates each child’s progress.
Gym: Our class will have gym once a week with Mrs. Paneque. Children must wear sneakers and comfortable clothing.
Burns AM Kindergarten: Friday
Burns PM Kindergarten: Thursday
Hands-on Learning: We feel the best way to help children learn is to make learning fun. Important concepts can be learned by doing meaningful hands-on activities. There are times when seat work is required and necessary, but a good amount of our classroom time will incorporate an active learning environment.
Homework: Homework will be given occasionally and serve as a review for something that we are working on in class. On a monthly basis, your child will bring home a monthly activity calendar listing fun learning activities to do with you. These activities are optional, though they are an excellent way to extend the learning process at home. In addition to assigned homework, an adult or older sibling should read to your child EVERY NIGHT. Studies show that beginning readers benefit from many reading experiences. Children who have been read to are more likely to understand that print contains a message. **READ, READ, READ!**
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. Children must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. Please call the office at (708)366-7340 or our nurse, Erin Godellas at (708)366-7340 x 8146 to report an illness.
Independent Reading: Because children learn to read by reading, they need plenty of opportunities to read independently. Sufficient time and appropriate materials are necessary to develop and strengthen reading abilities. By giving the children time to read both at school and at home, we can work together to provide a literature-rich environment and life-long love of reading. Reading bags will come home soon for each child.
Handwriting: We will use a handwriting program at school entitled 'Handwriting Without Tears' to teach proper letter formation and pencil grip.
Kindness: Children are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our school community with kindness and respect. Hitting, fighting, name-calling, and making fun of others will not be tolerated. We are happy to say that this occurs very rarely in the kindergarten classroom.
LLC (Library Learning Center): Our class will visit the LLC once a week. Our librarian, Mrs. Fitzgerald will read and have activities for children to do. Children will also be checking out one book each week. They will need to return the library book by the next week so a new library book can be checked out. If the book is not returned on time, a new book may not be checked out. If a library book is lost, a replacement fee notice will be sent home. Library days are as follows:
Burns AM Kindergarten: Tuesday
Burns PM Kindergarten: Monday
Lost & Found: We have a 'Lost & Found' table in Lincoln School. We encourage you to check the 'Lost & Found' collection for any missing items. We encourage you to label clothing items worn to school by your child (especially outerwear). This will help us return a lost article to its owner.
Math: The Kindergarten mathematics curriculum focuses on problem-solving and provides students with mathematical experiences that help to develop number sense and a positive attitude towards mathematics.
Music: Our class will have music with Mrs. Halter twice a week. Children will learn the basics of music education and will share many wonderful songs!
Newsletter: I will be e-mailing a newsletter every Friday to keep you informed of the happenings in our kindergarten classrooms. This is a great way to stay abreast of our curriculum, classroom news, special activities, and events. The newsletter will also be posted on this website, so check here often!
Notes: Notes from home should be placed in the 'To Mrs. Burns' basket as your child enters the classroom. I check e-mail regularly, but not during school teaching hours. If a parent needs to contact me during the school day, please call the school office at 708-366-7340.
Nurse: Mrs. Godellas is our school nurse. We take care of minor hurts in the classroom, such as scratches and scrapes, but send the children to the nurse for more serious injuries and illnesses. Please be sure to send in any change of contact numbers in case the nurse needs to get in touch with you. Please make sure that we know of any food allergies your child may have.
Organized Kids: Our classroom community makes an effort to reduce paper usage! Much of our work will be completed in iPads and sent home electronically. However, some student work and notes from the office will be sent home weekly. At the end of the week, be sure to check your child’s Friday Folder. Please remember to check your child’s backpack each and every day.
Parent Involvement: Your participation is important to us and your child. I encourage you to visit our class regularly and will provide opportunities for you to volunteer both in and outside of the classroom.
Parties and Celebrations: We will have class parties for special occasions. Our room parents will organize these events and coordinate volunteers and donations.
Pictures: I take lots of photos of our activities! Please let me know if you do not have access to e-mail or the Internet, or if you prefer that your child’s picture is not included.
Report Cards: Report cards are issued three times a year. These reports reflect the progress your child has made toward various Kindergarten objectives and uses a grading system that reflects the developmental nature of Kindergarten learning.
Room Parents: The room parents’ job is to be available to help coordinate parties and activities, to seek volunteers for events, and to be a sounding board about new ideas. Being a room parent is a great way to be involved in your child’s life. If you are interested, please contact the P.T.O.
Science: The focus of the Kindergarten curriculum is an awareness of the world in which we live. Through scientific inquiry, concepts will be presented in the life, physical, and earth sciences.
Transportation: When your child came to school for Kindergarten screening, you were asked to fill out a dismissal form asking how your child will get picked up each day. If changes occur, a written note should be sent to the teacher. (Ex. – child is going home with a friend instead of parent pick-up or van pick-up.) Please do not rely on your child to tell me this information, because we only change the usual procedure from a parent note or call.
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.
Valentine’s Day Concert: Be sure to mark your calendars for the biggest event in Kindergarten! The date for the 2016 Kindergarten Valentine Concert will be forthcoming. All Kindergarten students will perform on that date at 10:00 a.m. THERE WILL BE NO AFTERNOON KINDERGARTEN ON THAT DATE. After the concert, there will be a reception for the performers and their guests.
Visitors: Lincoln School has a policy that ALL GUESTS (including familiar faces) are required to check in at the office and wear a guest badge. Lincoln welcomes and encourages family involvement and the presence of a guest badge will help identify visitors to all faculty and staff. 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.
Writing Workshop: Our writing program builds on what each child already knows. Writing begins with scribbles and proceeds to lines and circles, random strings of letters, words and spaces, and eventually sentences. Your children will be encouraged and praised for all attempts and accomplishments in writing. Providing a risk-free environment is paramount to your child’s progress in writing. If possible, please provide your child with writing tools such as pencils, crayons, markers, and paper at home.
eXtra Special and eXpectations: Every member of our class is EXTRA SPECIAL! We have high expectations for all the children in our classes. We expect them to learn, to try their best, and to always act like Kindergartners. Children who get lots of encouragement in a supportive environment, feel secure to try new things and take risks in new learning. Kindergarten should be a fun place where all children grow and develop at their own rate and become the best that they can be.
Younger Siblings: It is in your child’s and the program’s best interest to have our parent volunteers available without younger children. This not only allows your full attention to be focused on the class, but also allows for some special time between you and your Kindergartner. Thank you for making childcare arrangements for younger siblings.
ZZZZZZZZs: Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day! Don’t forget to read a book before bedtime!!