ABC's of Kindergarten

Mrs. Holcomb’s

ABC’s Of Kindergarten

Absences

Please be sure to send in a note when your child is absent. Even if you call or email me and let me know that they won’t be at school, I have to turn in something to the office that they keep on file. Make sure the note has your child’s first and last name, the date of the absence, why they were absent, and the date you wrote the note. After 14 absences, your child will need to stay after school to make up time. At the end of the year, if your child has more than 16 absences, they can be retained.

Alphabet

We do a lot of work with the alphabet. When I assess your child, they have to know the uppercase letters, lowercase letters, and the sound the letters make. We will go over all the letters. They not only need to know them, but know them out of order. That can be difficult for them.

Assessments

There are lots of assessments in kindergarten. Assessments are another way to “test” children. Most of these are done one on one. If a student does not understand a topic, they will be reassessed. You will find out about the assessments as soon as I finish them.

Attendance

Being at school everyday is very important for your child's academic, social, and emotional growth! Your child needs to be here between 7:20-8:00 everyday. If your child arrives after 8:00, they will be considered tardy and will need to sign in at the office. Please help your child be here each and every day!

Behavior plan

We use Class Dojo in our classroom. The students begin each day at 0 points. Depending on your child’s choices, they can earn and lose points or stay at 0. In order to earn points, your child will need to demonstrate behavior that goes beyond classroom expectations. If your child loses points, your child has the opportunity to correct their behavior and earn their point back. This is an important part of our system because it encourages children to accept the responsibility of their actions and shows them that they have control over their behavior choices and can make a better choice starting at any given moment. Please check the Clajo app daily to see what their behavior has been each day.

Birthdays

According to the school board, there can be no birthday celebrations at school. You may send in a store bought treat for the class to enjoy during snack time. Please let me know ahead of time if you plan to do that.

Class Dojo

The Class Dojo App is definitely the best way to get in contact with me. I try my best to check my email/Class Dojo App periodically throughout the day, but some days I am not able to check until the kids leave.

Class Expectations

The first week of school, we created a list of Class Expectations. These are things we promise to do every day at school. We go over our Class Expectations everyday together. The kids understand that if they do not follow these Class Expectations, they will be warned and then will lose points on dojo.

Communication

Please feel free to give me a call, send me an email, or send me a message on Class Dojo anytime. It is difficult to get me on the phone from 7:30-3:00. I am usually with students or getting ready for the day. Please understand that I may not be able to call you back during the school day. Some days I do not get to check my messages until after school. If it is something I need to know that day, please let the office know and they will get a message to me. If you have not heard from me within 24 hours, please try again. It is very busy here at school and sometimes things just get forgotten. The number at school is 336-764-0064 and my email is [email protected].

Communication Folder

Each day, your child will bring home a communication folder. Please check your child's folder each night. We will be sending home information about projects, homework, behavior, important school news, and much more! If you need to send money to school with your child, please make sure it is in a bag with their name on it and the purpose for the money. Also, if you have any notes, please send them in the folder. We also check the folder daily!

Conferences

After the first nine weeks, I will set up a conference with everyone. After that, I usually only conference with parents if your child’s behavior or academics have changed. I also set up conferences at the end of the year to show you how much your kindergartener has grown during the year! If you would like a conference at any time, please let me know and I will be happy to schedule one.

Dismissal

Our school day ends at 2:30 each day!

Donations

If you would like to donate things for the classroom, I can provide you a list of things that could be used. Also, sometimes during the year, I may ask for donations when we start to run low on items.

Enrichment

This year we will be having enrichment every week. The children go to media on Mondays, Music and PE on Tuesdays, and Art on Wednesdays.

Field trips

We are only allowed to take two field trips. If possible, we try to let parents go, but the number is usually limited. Sometimes we are not able to let you go because of space. If you go, young children are not allowed to go. This is a school policy. You will have to drive your car or car pool. Please remember that field trips are an extension of school and school rules and classroom rules are still enforced.

Grading

Please know that your child will receive grades based on a numbering system. Below is the numbering system:

3 - Your child is consistently applying the skills

2 - Your child is inconsistently applying the skill

1 - Your child is not meeting grade level expectations; interventions and/or modified assignments needed

Homework

Your child has put in a lot of hard work during the school day and I understand that they need time to be a kid! I encourage you to allow your child to participate in extracurricular activities, build friendships, and play! There will be times when your child brings home some math and reading activities. The purpose of these assignments is to give your child additional practice with important skills they need to be successful. This will also give you a chance to help your child with what we are learning in school! This year will be a very important year for your child in reading. Please read with your child every night to help them grow as readers as well as help foster a love for reading!

Home Tools

Here is a list of things you may want to have on hand for your child to use during homework: pencils, paper, crayons, scissors, glue sticks, and various craft supplies for projects.

Ice Cream

Students may get ice cream in the lunchroom. It is important that students know that this is a dessert and they must still eat their lunch first before enjoying their ice cream.

Items from Home

Please make sure your children keep items from home at home unless I send a note saying otherwise. Toys, trinkets, etc. should be left at home or in the car. These items may take up valuable space in their backpack and cause distractions for students.

Jobs

I LOVE having classroom helpers!! I choose classroom helpers throughout the day based on behavior and following directions.

Kindergarten

Kindergarten is a place where children are encouraged to learn through visual, auditory, and kinesthetic experiences. Kindergarten is a year filled with all sorts of memorable experiences!

Library

We go to the library for class every week. Please keep the book in their book bag so they can have the chance to get a new book every week. You are welcome to read your child’s library book with them every night.

Lunch

Our lunch is at 10:55.

Medication

If you must send in medication, please send it in the original bottle with a medication form whether it is prescription or over the counter. That form is on the school website.

Money

If you send money in for anything, please put it in the ziploc bag in their folder. Please put the child’s name and what the money's for. If it is not labeled, it will be used for lunch money.

Newsletter

I will send a newsletter once a week on ClassDojo to let you know what is going on in the classroom. It will have important information about what is going on in class. I know sometimes students seem to forget what we do at school by the time they get home. Please make sure you read this!

Notes

I will try, just like phone calls, to answer notes the day I receive them, but please understand if it takes a day or so to answer your note. Please make sure you date the note. Since my assistant is not with me all day, sometimes I do not get a chance to answer notes during the day and need to do it after school.

Outside Recess

We go outside everyday for recess unless it is raining or extremely cold. Our recess time is after lunch around 11:25. Please remember that when weather starts to become colder, your child may need a jacket or a coat. Your child must go out and participate unless you write a note/send me a message specifying that they cannot.

Parties

We have two parties a year, one at Christmas and one at the end of the year. They can be only 30 minutes long and after 1:15.

Questions

I am partnering with you in the education of your child. Questions are ALWAYS welcome! I will respond to them within 24 hours through emails, notes in their folders, phone calls, or messages on Class Dojo.

Reading

Each night your child should be reading! At the beginning of the year, you can read to them, but they should begin to read some of the words themselves as the year progresses.

Rest

We don’t have a “rest time” anymore but when we come in from outside, we have snack and spend a little time getting refocused for the rest of the day.

Snack

Please send in a healthy snack for your child to eat. We will have snack every afternoon.

Sickness

According to school policy, I cannot let a child go home for “not feeling good”. I try to monitor a child who complains to see if the conditions worsen or how they act during their free time. If a child continually comes to me and looks like they don’t feel good, I’ll let you know. If they feel warm, I will send them to the office to check their temperature. If your child is sick, please keep them home.

Transportation

Please make sure that if your child changes the way they go home, that you send a written note about how they will get home. This goes to the office. I know emergencies come up and you may have to change it. Please, call the office, tell them what you want to do. Do not just leave it on my voicemail. I may not get to the voicemail before school is out.

Unique

Every child arrives with unique individual talents, skills, learning styles, and modes of intelligence. I promise to celebrate your children and nurture their growth in ways that help them shine!!

Volunteers

If you would like to volunteer in our room, please let me know. I have children who could use some extra help with learning things. You will not be able to work with your child and you would be taking the child to the library to work with them. These are rules set up by the school. Also, all volunteers must fill out a paper for a background check.

Website

Our class has a website. You can go to the Midway Elementary Website, click on Departments, grade level, and then find my name. There is a lot of information about the class on this site.

X, Y, Z

I am very eXcited to work with all of you and your children this Year! Make sure your child gets plenty of Zzzzz’s each night because we will have busy, happy, and fulfilling days this year!