KINDERGARTEN
Handbook
Dana Regg
Kindergarten Teacher
Snow Hill Elementary
mrsregg@hotmail.com
Behavior Colors
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GOOD TO GO
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COOL DOWN
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THINK ABOUT IT
(10 MINUTES OF RECESS)
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CONSEQUENCE
(20 MINUTES OF RECESS
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PARENT NOTE
(30 MINUTES OF RECESS
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BEHAVIOR CLIPCHART
This is a small version of our behavior chart. Please use this as a reference at home.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
All students begin the day on green. Students should arrive at school ready to learn. This means that they have all their supplies and are ready to listen and interact with their peers.
If a student is making incorrect choices, then they move their clip down the chart, or “clip down.”
Students can move back up the chart throughout the day if they make positive changes in their behavior.
Your child will record the color they received for the day on the behavior log in their Hoot Notebook. You are to sign it every night.
If they have 4 days of blue or better for the week, then they can go to the treasure box on Friday.
Colors to strive for: green and blue.
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Aa Absences/ Attendance
Your child should be at school every day unless he or she is sick (or for religious holidays). Do NOT send your child to school until 24 hours after fever, vomiting, or diarrhea. If your child is sick, please send a doctor’s note the first day they return. After 5 unexcused absences a social worker will automatically contact you regarding your child’s attendance. Please try to refrain from taking your child out of school to go on family trips.
Allergies
Please let me know if your child has any allergies, especially to foods.
Arrival
You may drop your child off at the school anytime between 8:15 and 8:40. The tardy bell rings at 8:45. Please make every effort to be on time! You may drop your child off in the back, or park and walk them in the front. You may NOT drop your child off in the front. All students will wait in the cafeteria until the first bell rings. Parents are not permitted to walk children to their classrooms.
Bb Backpacks
Please make sure your child’s backpack is large enough to hold a 1” binder. Also, no backpacks with wheels are allowed.
Behavior Policy
We keep up with our daily behavior on a clip chart. Each student has a clothespin with his or her name on it. All students begin the day on green because they should arrive ready to learn. This means they have all of their supplies and are ready to listen and interact with their peers appropriately. If a student is seen making incorrect choices then they move their clip down the chart. Students can move back up the chart if they make positive changes in their behavior throughout the day. Your child will record the color they received for the day on their behavior log in their Hoot Notebook. You are to sign it every night. If they have 4 days of blue or better for the week, then they can go to the treasure box on Friday.
Birthdays
You may bring cupcakes/cookies during lunch for your child’s birthday. You must be able to bring them AT lunchtime (not before) and be present to hand them out. Please do not send invitations to school for distribution unless you are inviting the entire class.
Blog
We do have a class blog. You will find links to kid-friendly websites, class announcements, and classroom needs. Please let me know if you do NOT want your child’s picture on the blog. The address is www.mrsregg.blogspot.com. The school has its own blog, as well. It has links to the lunch menu, important school dates, PTA, and grade level information. Its address is www.snowhillhawks.blogspot.com.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Please make sure that your child eats before coming to school or arrives at school early enough to buy breakfast in the cafeteria.
Cc Class List
You can find an updated class list on our classroom blog.
Change of Clothes
It is very important that you keep a change of clothes in your child’s backpack. The change of clothes is not only for bathroom accidents, but also for lunchroom accidents (food) and playground accidents (mud).
Common Core Standards
Hamilton County Schools are now using the Common Core Standards for classrooms. For more information please refer to www.corestandards.org.
Communication
Check your child’s HOOT Notebook DAILY for their behavior report and notes from me. The best way to contact me is by sending a note in your child’s notebook or e-mailing me. My e-mail address is mrsregg@hotmail.com. You may also call the school and leave a message for me, but I’m not always able to return phone calls as quickly as e-mails. The school phone number is 344-1456.
Computer
Your child will visit the Computer Lab on Wednesday mornings. The computer teacher is Mrs. Whitlow. They will learn basic operation skills of the computer and play educational games. They will also work on beginning typing skills. We also have computers in our classroom that students will use during our literacy and math blocks.
Conferences
The county has scheduled conferences twice during the year, once in the fall and once in the spring. I will send home sign-ups for these two weeks in advance. If you feel the need for a conference at another time, please feel free to contact me.
Dd Discipline
Students that move their name during the day for misbehavior or not completing their work will not be allowed to play with friends on the playground for a small amount of time. They will walk laps on the top playground.
Dismissal
Dismissal is at 3:40. Please make every effort to be on time. If your child has not been picked up in a timely manner, they will be sent to aftercare and you must pay the charge before signing them out. Also, you MUST have your car tag in order to pick up your child in the school and through the car line. Please work diligently to help your child memorize their number as it will make the whole dismissal process faster. Remember, numbers are called “nine, nine” not “ninety-nine.”
Dress Code
Due to safety reasons, students may only wear tennis shoes. Refer to the Dress Code Policy handout for other requirements.
Ee Early Dismissal Days
The county has early dismissal days scheduled on the calendar. Notices will be sent home by the school reminding you prior to these dates. On these days school will be dismissed at 12:05. Lunch will not be served.
Emergency Dismissal Days
In the event of inclement weather or other county emergencies, school may be dismissed early. If this happens, you will receive a phone call from Hamilton County explaining the details. Due to this, please make sure your contact information on the Connect-Ed form you filled out is accurate, and inform the school of any changes in phone numbers. On these days, your child will either need to go home on the bus or be a car rider. Please make sure I am aware of your transportation plan for these days as they are extremely hectic and I will not be able to call you to see what you want to do.
Ff Field Trips
There are many field trips planned for the year. Permission slips and price information will be sent home prior to each trip. Field trips are rewards for good behavior. You will have the opportunity to volunteer as a chaperone. Please take this responsibility seriously and set a good example for the children. Also, please do not purchase souvenirs, extra activities, food, drinks, etc. for your child or any other in your group unless you intend to purchase it for every member of the class. Thanks for your understanding.
Gg Guidance
Our school guidance counselor is Mrs. Ward. She will meet with our class once a month. She will also pull small groups periodically to work on study skills, time management, behavior, etc.
Guided Reading
Your child will be placed in a guided reading group. This group will be flexible depending on skill levels. I will meet with the children daily and assess their progress periodically. During this time we will read stories, work on word skills, and practice reading strategies. You can help your child with this by consistently practicing sight words and skills at home.
Hh Hands-on Learning
I believe children learn best through hands-on activities and experiences. For this reason, do not expect to see tons of “graded work” coming home. We will do paper assignment occasionally (especially in the beginning as we work on cutting), but not as many as the year progresses.
Help at Home
You are your child’s first teacher, and you and I will work together as a team to ensure a positive and meaningful school year. Please take time daily to work on skills with your child, especially sight words as knowledge of them produces reading readiness. Your child will not be as successful without your help at home.
Homework
Homework will be sent home on Friday and will be due the following Friday.
HOOT Notebook
Your child will have their own HOOT Notebook. This is the primary line of communication between school and home. They are to bring it to school every day, and you are to check it nightly! Every night you must sign their behavior log and check for any notes or announcements I might have sent home. Money and notes are to be sent to me in the notebook. Treat the notebook well because it has to last all year!
Ii Independence
I will be working hard on helping your child to become independent on many skills and would love your help and support! Encourage your child to learn to unbutton their pants for bathroom breaks, tie their own shoes, pick up their trash, open packages of food, etc. I think you will be surprised how independent your child becomes throughout the year!
Jj Journals
We will write in our journals daily. We start the year with labeling a simple picture with only a beginning sound and will progress to writing multiple sentences and stories by the end of the year- Wow!
Kk Kindergarten
The most important year in your child’s education! Everything you did in 1st or 2nd grade is what your child is now doing in kindergarten! Not only are we learning social skills, but we are laying a foundation of learning for the years to come!
Ll Library
Your child will visit the school library on Monday mornings. The librarian is Mrs. Billings. After the first few weeks of school they will begin checking out books. These books are to be kept in their backpack at all times. I encourage you to take them out to read often, just make sure they are immediately put back in their backpack when you are finished. This prevents your child from forgetting to bring them on Tuesdays and being unable to check out more books. Also, if a library book is not returned, your child’s report card will be held until you return it or pay for it. So keep them in the backpack!
Literacy
In Kindergarten we use Fountas and Pinnell. In the beginning of the year we cover letters. Once we have gone over letters we begin guided reading groups. During guided reading we will be doing the Daily 5. The Daily 5 are: Work on Writing, Read to Self, Read to Someone, Listen to Read, and Word Work.
Lost and Found
We do have a lost and found located in the cafeteria. Please check it regularly for lost lunchboxes, coats, and gloves! All items left in lost and found at Christmas and the end of the year are donated to goodwill.
Lunch
The cost of a child’s lunch is $2.25. if at all possible, please prepay your child’s lunch account at https://www12.mealpayplus.com/default.aspx. If you must send money to school, please send it in the form of a check payable to Hamilton County Food Services. Place it in an envelope labeled with your child’s first and last name, my name, their lunch account number, and the words lunch money. Menus are available online at http://www.schoolmenu.com/menu/tn/hamilton-county-schooldistrict/snow-hill-elementary-school. You are welcome to come eat with your child after Labor Day, just make sure you sign-in in the office and wait for us in the cafeteria. Our lunchtime is 11:25-11:55.
Lunch Codes
Each child will have their own individual lunch code. Students must memorize their lunch code in order to pay for their lunch. Good ways to practice are on the computer keyboard or a calculator.
Mm Math
This year we will be using the program Envision Math. We are really excited to see what it has in store for us! More information is located on the internet at http://www.pearsonschool.com/index.cfm?locator-PSZuQp.
Money
There will be many times that your child will need to bring money to school for field trips, lunches, etc. When sending money to school, put it in an envelope or Ziploc bag clearly marked with your child’s name, what the money is for, and the amount enclosed. Please send exact change when paying for field trips as I am often unable to make change. Then put the money in the “money” pouch of your child’s HOOT Notebook. I will NOT look for money in a child’s backpack or pockets.
Music
Your child will go to music on Tuesday morning. Mrs. Visage is the music teacher. We will also have an additional music class on Wednesday afternoons with Mrs. Burgess.
Nn Notes
Please place all notes to me in the Parent/Teacher Communication section of your child’s HOOT Notebook.
Nurse
Our school nurse is Nurse Mullins. If your child needs to take any medication during the school year you must sign the necessary forms in her clinic. The medication must be accompanied by a doctor’s note. Do NOT send medication to school with your child! You must be the one to drop it off in the office or clinic.
Oo Office
Our principal is Ms. Barnwell and our office staff is comprised of Mrs. Smith, Mrs. Moser, and Mrs. Cooper. The number to contact the office is 344-1456.
Pp PE
Your child will go to P.E. on Thursday mornings. The P.E. teacher is Mr. Panni (or Coach Panni). Students must wear tennis shoes to P.E. Also, if your child does not participate in P.E. then they opt out of playing with their friends at recess. Instead, they will walk laps on the playground.
Playground
We will play outside daily unless it is raining or the wind chill is below 32 degrees. Therefore, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately for the weather! Coats MUST be sent to school daily during the winter.
Qq Questions
Your questions are always welcome and no question is silly!
Rr Report Cards
Report Cards are sent home every 9 weeks. Please see the school calendar for the dates. We have a new report card this year. It is very detailed and aligned with Common Core Standards.
Rest Time
Kindergarteners are busy and need time to re-energize! If we have time in the afternoons we will try to rest for about 30 minutes. Your child does not have to go to sleep, but they must lie down and rest quietly. Please send in a standard sized beach towel if you have not done so already. Do not send in blankets or stuffed animals.
Room Needs
You will find a list of room needs on our class blog. Please feel free to check it out if you would like to make any donations to our classroom!
Rules
Our classroom rules are:
- Walk and speak quietly
- Be nice to each other
- Look, listen, and learn
Ss Scholastic Book Orders
You will have the opportunity to purchase books at a hugely discounted price through Scholastic Book Club each month. This provides parents with an inexpensive way to add books to their home (or schoolJ) library at a low cost. Also, with each order placed online, our classroom receives a free book! To look through the catalogs or place an order, go to www.scholastic.com/bookclubs. Our class activation code is GM6KQ.
School Wide Positive Behavior (SWPB)
This year our school is starting a program called School-Wide Positive Behavior. As you walk through the halls you will notice signs that tell you what do in that area of the building. We are excited to try this new program and would like your full support!
Sight Words (Popcorn Words)
You will probably hear your child use the term “popcorn words.” These are the same as sight words. They are the words found most often in written language that children cannot decode because they do not always follow sound patterns. Therefore, children must learn to recognize them by sight. We call them popcorn words because they should “pop” into our minds quickly as we read them. These will need to be practiced daily with your child! You will find that the more time you spend practicing them; the quicker your child will become a reader!
Snack
We will have about ten minutes for snack in the afternoon after recess. You are responsible for your child’s own snack. If you do not pack one then they will do without. A separate lunch box is not needed for snack; simply place it in a Ziploc bag in their backpack. Make sure the bag is labeled with their name and that the snack does not require a spoon. Also, please pack only one nutritious snack- no cookies, cupcakes, Little Debbies, fruit snacks, etc.
Tt Tardies/ Leaving Early
Your child will be considered late if they arrive after the second bell has rung at 8:45. Students begin working as soon as they arrive, so when tardy they miss learning opportunities. If your child is not IN the classroom when the tardy bell rings, they must go to the office to sign in before coming to the room. Keep in mind that 3 tardies equals 1 absence, and that with 5 unexcused absences you will receive a call from a social worker for truancy. Please refrain from dismissing your child early. We will be working on math at the end of the day and it is important for students to be present.
Teachers
All teachers in the building have your child’s best interest in mind!
Toys
Toys, including Silly Bands, are not allowed at school. Please do not allow your child to keep any toys in their backpack. Bracelets, necklaces and other jewelry that may be a distraction are asked to stay at home as well.
Transportation
Please notify me in writing of any changes in the way your child will be going home for the day. Without written instruction from you, I am required to send your child home in the usual manner. Please do not email me transportation changes, as I cannot guarantee that I will have time to check my email during the day. If a last minute change occurs, you may call the office and they will relay the message, but please do not make this a routine. I suggest coming in this first week to pick up your child, and go though the car line after this week.
Uu “U” are your child’s first and most important teacher! J
Vv Visitors
If you visit the school for any reason you must sign-in in the office first. You are required to wear a visitor’s pass for security reasons.
Volunteers
I will have several volunteer opportunities throughout the year. These will include helping with centers, field trips, and creating learning materials. If you are volunteering to help get materials ready (copying, laminating, cutting, etc), please be aware that you will be working in the Workroom and not in the classroom, as it causes too many distractions for the students.
Ww Writing
We love learning to write in kindergarten! Encourage your child to write you little notes or label pictures he or she has drawn. We do not expect perfect spelling, as this sometimes discourages a child to write. Instead, we use phonetic spelling, which means that we write a word as we hear it. For example, apple might look like “apl.” Your child needs to learn to do this independently, so when they ask you how to spell a word do not tell them the letters simply stretch out the word to help them hear the sounds.
Xx eXciting
Kindergarten is such an exciting year in your child’s academic career!
Yy Younger Siblings
If at all possible, please do not bring younger siblings when you come to volunteer for centers. Your attention will need to be focused on the group you are working with. Thanks for your understanding. J However, if you are coming to work in the parent workroom feel free to bring them with you.
Zz Zzzzz’s
Sleep is extremely important for your growing kindergartener, as is routine! Please set a bedtime and do your best to abide by it. It will make your mornings and our days run much more smoothly!
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