All About Kindergarten

I am very glad to have your child in our full-day Kindergarten program.  I know what a big step this is for your child, both academically and socially.  For this reason, I have created a safe, positive, exciting and rewarding environment in which your child can grow and develop.

School Hours

Regular day schedule (M T TH F)
8:05–3:00

Wednesday Schedule:
Minimum Day 8:05-12:30
Early Dismissal 8:05-2:00

School Uniforms

A complete school uniform per the St. Martin handbook must be worn daily, including field trips.  Please label all clothing with your child’s name.

Snacks and Lunch

I would like to encourage parents to send a nutritious snack each day Lunch is at 11:30.  Kindergarteners can bring a bag lunch or purchase hot lunch.

Homework

Kindergarteners are required to bring their homework envelopes to school every day.  This facilitates communication between parents and the teacher/school.  Please send all correspondence to school in this envelope.  Mrs. Terhoff  (the Kindergarten aid) will processes the paperwork for you.

Birthdays

We love to celebrate birthdays and so do the children.  To celebrate a birthday, we suggest that the parents donate an item from the class wish list, or a book for the kindergartens library on behalf of the child.  The birthday child may present their gift to the class.  Additionally, parents are welcome to send a treat to school.  We recommend cookies and packaged drinks, it is fun and clean up is easy.  PLEASE no birthday cakes.

Star of the Week

Each week, a student is chosen to be “Star of the Week”.  A student will be picked for that job if he or she displayed nice manners, respect in the classroom and followed directions for that week.  In other words, if they make good choices.  A student will be chosen every Friday. (Everyone will get a chance to be “Star of the Week”)  Your child will be sent home with a special poster to be completed over the weekend, and returned to school on Monday.  Your child will get to share his/her poster in front of the class.  The poster will then be hung up on the “Star of the Week” board. 

Labeling

Please, Please, Please, make sure that your child’s belongings are properly labeled with their name in permanent ink!!!  Lost items can normally be found in the lost and found bins located in the school hall.

Classroom Rules

Kindergarteners are very eager to please.  These simple classroom rules help them to know what will be expected of them in class:

1. Be kind to your classmates through actions and words.

2. Keep your hands and feet to yourselves.

3. Keep your area neat.

4. Take turns, and play fair.

Positive behavior (making good choices) will be rewarded by giving the children smart dots to add to that’s weeks smart dot card.  Smart dot cards will go home every Friday.

Mathematics

The Kindergarten math textbook will be Progress in Mathematics with the addition of ‘Math Their Way’ activities to enhance the program.  Your child will be expected to master the following skills:

• name the basic colors and shapes
• recognize numbers to 100 in random order
• count objects to 100
• sort and classify objects
• identify and extend a pattern
• understand more/less, larger/smaller
• estimates
• print numerals correctly
• use manipulatives to problem solve
• do simple addition and subtraction
• understand money and time

Physical Education

Working with a whole class, skills will be taught through the use of balls, hoops, jump ropes, beanbags and aerobics.  The children will become aware of their bodies and movement while improving and developing better control of their large muscles.  We are fortunate to have Mrs. Eagleson as our PE instructor.  Physical Education class is held on Mondays.

Computers

Students will have the opportunity to use simple programs that familiarize them with the use of a computer.  Computer class is held on Tuesday and Thursday.

Art

Utilizing various media forms to expand skills and appreciation, art will be incorporated in all areas of work.  I will try to do messy art on P.E. day.

Music

Music will be taught in association with the various subject areas through singing and listening.  This enhances the subject area and provides an appreciation for music.  Our music teacher, Mrs. Veehan, provides 20 minutes of instruction per week.  (Tuesday)

Reading

St. Martin students will learn:

• Recognition of letters out of sequence
• Sound/letter relationships
• Blending skills
• Decoding and encoding simple words
• recognize memory words
• read and write simple sentences, rhyming words
• words and events that are opposite
• bookmaking

Handwriting

St. Martin students will learn:

• correct pencil position
• write from left to right and top to bottom
• correct formation of the letters of the alphabet

Literature

St. Martin students will learn to:

• describe simple objects
• express their thought orally using a complete sentence
• participation in class discussion
• predict the outcome of a story
• create and illustrate a story
• participate in the making of a class books

I look forward to an exciting and growth-filled year with the Kindergarten Class.  I will be happy to arrange a meeting with you if you have any questions or concerns throughout the school year.  Please contact the school office at (408) 736-5534 and I will return your call as soon as possible.

Thank You!

Mrs. Lesa Walters