Kindergarten Orientation

1. Kindergarten Orientation April 1, 2009

2. Welcome to Orchard Hill! • Our school motto - “High Standards and Good Will” • We strive to uphold these principles every day for all students • It starts with our exceptional teachers - Mrs. Smagacz and Mrs. Parent! • Our philosophy is that children learn and grow at different rates and with a strong home/school partnership, each child will succeed!

3. Tribes Four Agreements • Mutual Respect • Attentive Listening • Appreciations/No Put Downs • Participation/Right to Pass

4. Literacy • The South Windsor School District’s goal is to increase student literacy achievement • Literacy development includes acquisition of oral language, listening skills and the ability to read and write • Emphasis on reading • Early intervention programs • Assessments • Why is it so important? • “Nationally, there is growing recognition among educators of the importance of children reading at grade level by the end of third grade. This recognition is the result of research over the past 20 years showing the correlation between students’ reading ability at the end of third grade and their subsequent academic success.” http://www.k12.wa.us/earlylearning/earlylearningtoolkit/developingstrategies/thirdgradereadinggoal.pdf

5. How can you help your child’s literacy development? • Read with your child • “Reading aloud to children has been called the single most important activity for building the knowledge required for success in reading” – National Institute for Literacy • “Research tells us that for children to become readers, they should listen and talk a lot” – National Institute for Literacy • Ask questions/Discuss stories • What do you think is going to happen? • Why do you think the character did that? • Nursery rhymes • Act out stories • If possible, expose your child to different experiences/places

6. What does the research say about literacy development? • “Children learn about language through everyday experiences. Songs, at mealtimes or while riding in the car; conversations with adults, and listening and imagining during story time all contribute to literacy development.” • “Background knowledge is a key predictor for successful reading comprehension. Opportunities to hear and practice sophisticated vocabulary are key to strengthening background knowledge.” • CT State Department of Education’s Guide to Early Childhood Program Development

7. Kindergarten Visits/Bus Ride • Kindergarten visits • May 6th,7th,8th • Times for each day are 9:00, 10:45, and 1:15 (except on the 8th) • First come, first serve – when you hand in your completed paperwork you can sign up for a time (10 students/group) • Visits are not a screening – just to get to know your child • PTO provides tour for parents • Kindergarten bus ride • June 5th at 10:00 a.m. • Meet & Greet • August 31st • 8:30-9:00 a.m.

8. Kindergarten hours and the first day • Morning • 8:45-11:30 • Afternoon • 12:35 – 3:20 • Session is determined by the bus company based on your home address and cannot be changed • Inform you by letter in June • Arrival/dismissal • Id tag - 1st two weeks with name, home address, bus number • 1st day PTO provides a “Boo Hoo” breakfast for kindergarten parents

10. Notes to School • For early pick up • Send in a note to school or call before 3:00 p.m. • Can be printed from our website – click on School forms • http://www.southwindsorschools.org/page.cfm?p=2486

11. Transportation • In August,bus routes will be published in the newspaper • Pick-up/Drop-off locations • Not door to door • Adult must be present – if not, child is returned to school • The district does not provide transportation to daycares that are outside of a student’s designated elementary school district • In our district – Imagination Station • Special transportation request forms must be completed if child is going to address other than home

12. Health/sicknesses • Hand in blue physical form as soon as possible and definitely before the first day of school as your child will not be allowed to come without it • Physical appointment – make now because they fill up fast • During the summer either mail it or drop it in my mail box, the school office is open  during the summer. • Also, page 10 of the Orchard Hill handbook lists the guidelines for re-admittance to school  for various conditions • http://www.southwindsorschools.org/uploaded/documents/StudentHandbooks/OH_Handbook_2008-09.pdf

13. Wellness Policy • The South Windsor Board of Education recognizes the importance of promoting healthful lifestyle practices and has adopted a Wellness Policy. • Wellness practices in the classroom include: • Healthful snacks in appropriate portions will be encouraged • Healthful party menus and nonfood alternatives for celebrations will be encouraged (reading to the class on your child’s birthday) • Physical activity will be encouraged in classroom routines • Students and staff will be encouraged to wash their hands prior to snack • Awareness of students with food allergies

14. Information/Communication • http://www.southwindsorschools.org/page.cfm?p=2475 • http://new.schoolnotes.com/xpages/view/5635 • Page I maintain that you can sign up for • Emails you every time I change the page • Notify you of upcoming events, school closing/delay, etc… • SchoolMessenger system – calls you in case of emergencies

15. Thoughts about kindergarten…