Kindergarten ABC's

Mrs. Pohlmeyer's Kindergarten ABC's

Absences-Excessive absences hinder a child’s progress. If your child is absent, you must send a note to the school when he/she returns. Please include your child’s name, teacher’s name, date of absence, and the reason for the absence. These notes are kept in the student’s permanent folder in the office.

Attendance-Regular school attendance is essential for your child to make the most of his/her education. Please make every effort to have your child at school everyday.

Alphabet Knowledge-We will learn the letters of the alphabet and the sounds that the letters make in Kindergarten. I will do an alphabet knowledge assessment on your child each six-weeks.

Assessment-We use several instruments to assess students in Kindergarten. Early Prevention of School Failure (EPSF) is used two times a year to determine the strengths and weaknesses of your child. We give the Texas Primary Reading Inventory in January and in May. This assessment helps identify children at-risk for reading difficulties and helps set learning objectives and develop instructional plans for these at-risk children. The Iowa Test of Basic Skills is given in April. Report card assessment is done every six weeks.

Arrival-Your child should come to school no earlier than 7:15 A.M. Your child should be dropped off at the front of the school and then he/she walks to the cafeteria. Kindergarten students will be held in the cafeteria until 7:45 A.M. Teachers on duty will dismiss the students from the cafeteria and they walk with their classmates to the classroom.

Awards Assemblies-Kindergarten classes will have two awards assemblies this year. The first semester awards will be held in January and the second semester awards will be held in May. I will let you know by parent letter the date and the time of the assemblies.

Bus-Students are eligible to ride the bus if you live two miles from school. Bus registration forms must be filled out completely and signed by the parents. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED TO RIDE THE BUS. Riding the school bus is a privilege and improper behavior will not be tolerated.

Birthdays-Birthdays are very important to children. If you would like to bring treats for the class on your child’s birthday, you may pass them out at lunch. Please do not send birthday invitations to school to be passed out.

Book Orders-I will send home Scholastic book orders each month for you and your child to look over. If you want to place an order, please make checks payable to Tracie L. Pohlmeyer. I place all orders online. It takes about a week for the orders to come in.

Backpacks-Your child’s backpack should be big enough to hold a pocket folder. Backpacks help your child carry folders, notes, projects, and books to and from school. Please check your child’s backpack DAILY. Rolling backpacks do not fit in our cubbies, so they will not be allowed.

Book It-The Pizza Hut Book-It program begins in October and ends in March. Your child must read six books a month in order to receive the pizza coupon. A letter will be sent out in October explaining the program.

Breakfast-Breakfast is served beginning at 7:15 A.M. each morning. The cost of breakfast is $0.60 and reduced breakfast is $0.30. Parents are encouraged to pre-pay their meals by sending a check or money to the cafeteria.

Clothing-Please dress your child in comfortable clothing that is appropriate for Kindergarten. B.C.I.S.D. has a dress code that will be enforced. It is a good idea to label all coats and sweaters.

Conferences-I will be scheduling several conferences throughout the school year. If you feel the need to contact me at any time, please call the school, send a note, or email me to make arrangements for scheduling a conference. My conference period is 2:55 P.M. - 3:45 P.M.

Computers-We have six computers in our classroom. Four of the computers have Internet access. Your child will be taught the proper way to use a computer and then be taught to use the educational software in our classroom. Your child will have daily computer time in Kindergarten.

Calendar-A monthly calendar will be sent home to let you know the activities that will take place during the month.

Classroom Website- Our class has a classroom website. We can be found at www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com. Please tell all of your family and friends so that they can see what we are doing in class.

Communication- Communication between home and school is very important. If you feel the need to talk to me, please call the school, send me a note, or email me. I will get back with you as soon as I can.

Dress Code-Students should be dressed in accordance to the B.C.I.S.D. dress code.

Discipline Folder-Discipline folders will be sent home each Friday. You should sign and return them to school on Monday.

Dismissal-Dismissal is at 2:55 P.M. Please do not come to the classroom to pick your child up. Your child will be dismissed by me and will go to the designated pick up locations with a teacher. Two Kindergarten teachers will go to the cafeteria with the bus students, two Kindergarten teachers go to the front of the school with the day care van riders and two Kindergarten teachers walk with the car riders to the gym for car pick-up.

Discovery Bottles- Discovery bottles encourage the development of observation skills, predictability, scientific concepts, and thinking skills. We use discovery bottles in our science center during learning centers. You can see our discovery bottles here: http://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/discoverybottles.htm

Email-I can be reached by email at my school address tpohlmeyer@bcblackcats.net.

Early Dismissal-Several times a year we will have an early dismissal. You will be notified by a note letting you know the specific day and time of the dismissal.

Emergency Cards-Your child will have an emergency card on file in the Nurse’s clinic. At least two working phone numbers are required in order to contact parents in case of illness or emergency.

Field Trips-We take several educational field trips during the year. A permission slip will be required anytime that we will be taking a bus for a field trip. If we do not receive a permission slip, your child will not be allowed to go with the class.

Fire Drills-Your child will participate in frequent fire drills throughout the year. We will practice the procedures before our first fire drill so that your child will be prepared.

Fund Raisers-Our school participates in several fund raisers throughout the year to raise money for various things for our school. We hope that everyone can participate, but it is not required.

Guidance-Our school counselor will conduct classroom guidance every other week.

Homework-Your child will have Workshop Way homework every night and additional home projects. Homework procedures will be explained at Meet the Teacher night.

Handwriting-We use D’Nealian handwriting at Tenie Holmes Elementary. You will receive a handout of D'Nealian handwriting at Meet the Teacher Night. Please practice the correct strokes with your child.

Instructional Assistant-We have a wonderful instructional assistant in our classroom. Mrs. Rivera will be in the classroom for half of the school day. She is also available for parent conferences.

Immunizations-All students must be immunized against certain diseases or must present a statement that the student should not be immunized. Proof of immunizations must be presented to the school within 30 days of enrollment.

Illness-Please do not send your child to school if he/she has a temperature. If your child becomes ill at school, you will be called to come and get your child. We need at least two working phone numbers at all times in order to contact you in case of illness or emergency.

Internet Projects-We will participate in several Internet projects during the year. I will inform you of the specific projects throughout the year in my weekly newsletters. You can find our present and past Internet projects here: http://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/internetprojects.htm

Journal Writing-We spend 20 minutes everyday writing in our journals. Journal writing is a process that begins with scribbles. You should see a growth in your child’s writing throughout the year.

Kindergarten Kids-Kindergarten is a special time for your child. I want to make this experience the best possible. “Kids come first!”

Library-We have a scheduled library time every other week. Kindergarten students do not check out books from the library because we have classrooms readers that are checked out to them.

Lunch-The cost of lunch is $1.25 and $0.40 for reduced lunch. If you would like to purchase a lunch and eat with your child, the cost is $3.00. Our lunchtime is 10:40 A.M. - 11:10 A.M. You are welcome to come and eat with your child or bring a lunch to him/her. Please sign in at the office and wait for us in the cafeteria.

Learning Centers-We use learning centers in the classroom for active play. When we are in learning centers, we are learning to cooperate with others. This page explains my learning centers: http ://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/centers.htm

Literacy Stations-Literacy stations are where students work while I meet with small groups of children for guided reading. This page explains my literacy stations: http ://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/stations.htm

Math Tubs-We use math tubs in addition to our state adopted math curriculum. Free exploration in math tubs is an excellent way to stimulate creativity.

Newsletter-A weekly newsletter will be sent home each Monday. It will contain information about our thematic unit, classroom activities, announcements, and upcoming school events. Here are my weekly newsletters: http://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/newsletter.htm

Notes-Look for notes from the office and from me to come home in your child’s blue take-home folder.

Nurse’s Clinic-Nurse Koester is our school nurse. She will take care of your child until you can be reached to pick him/her up from school. She also administers all medications to students during school hours.

Outside-Your child will have outside time daily, weather permitting. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather.

Pledge of Allegiance and Moment of Silence-Each morning we will recite the pledge of allegiance to the United States and Texas flags and observe one minute of silence.

Physical Education-We have a scheduled 30 minute Physical Education class daily.

Parent Involvement-We love Parent Involvement! Please be involved in your child’s Kindergarten year as much as you can.

Parties-We will have various parties throughout the year. Our room parent will contact you to help with our celebrations.

PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization)-All parents are encouraged to join the school’s PTO.

Questions-Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child’s education. I will make every effort to meet with you and discuss your concerns.

Report Cards-We are on a six-week grading period. Your child will receive a report card each six-weeks, except for the first six-weeks. At that time, I will have a scheduled conference to discuss your child’s strengths and weaknesses.

Recess-Your child will have recess everyday after lunch.

Rules-We have six rules in Kindergarten.

We are always good listeners.

We are helpers, not hurters.

We are walkers, not runners.

We are builders, not breakers.

We are talkers, not shouters.

We are quiet workers, not players.

Room Parents-If you would like to be a room parent, please let me know.

Read-Read to your child daily and let your children see you reading daily.

Restrooms-We have restrooms in our classroom and your child is allowed to go when needed. Unfortunately accidents will happen and we will make sure that your child is sent to the nurse’s clinic for a change of clothes.

Rest Time-We will rest after recess for the first six-weeks of school. Your child needs to bring a large towel to rest on. Towels will be sent home on Fridays to be washed. Don’t forget to bring it back on Mondays.

Safety-Your child’s safety is top priority. I take every precaution when your child is in my care. Please send a note with your child or call the school if he/she is to go home a different way.

Snacks-We do not have a daily snack schedule. If you would like to send snacks for the entire class, I encourage you to do so. Please only send healthy snacks. Some examples are: Goldfish, animal crackers, fruit, yogurt, and cheese crackers.

School Supplies-You can find our school supply list here: http://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/schoolsupplies.htm

Sometimes we run out of certain items and I may ask you to replace supplies during the year.

Schedule-This is our schedule:

http://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/kinderschedule.htm

Show & Tell-Throughout the year, we will have show and tell. I will let you know in my weekly newsletter what to bring. Please let your child practice telling you about the item, because he/she will be in front of the class telling the class about the item.

Shoes-It is very important to wear comfortable shoes. I suggest closed toed sneakers for all of our Kindergarten activities.

Super Star-Starting the second six-weeks of school, we will have a super star each week. A note will be sent home on the Friday before your child is to be the super star. Please fill out and return the note letting us know when you will visit the class.

Sight Words-There are 40 basic sight words that students in B.C.I.S.D. are required to know before leaving Kindergarten. You can find them here: http://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/sightwords.htm

Transportation-If your child will be going home a different way than what I have in my files, you MUST call the school or send me a note. I will not let your child go with another adult or a different way unless you have notified me.

Take-Home Folders-Our take-home folders are blue. Notes from the school or from me will come home in these folders. If we do not have any notes to send home, your child’s blue folder will not be in his/her backpack.

Tardies-Students late to school (after 7:55 A.M.) are considered tardy. I keep a record of these tardies and will document them on your child’s report card.

Toys-Toys from home are not allowed unless they are brought for Show and Tell or Super Star activities.

Units and Themes-These are the units and themes that we will study this year:

http://www.mrspohlmeyerskinderpage.com/unitsandthemes.htm

Visitors-We encourage visitors in our classroom. Please make sure that you sign in at the office before you come to the classroom. I will be looking for your sticker when you enter the classroom.

Volunteers-We always need volunteers. Our volunteer program is called CARES. If you are interested in volunteering at our school, please contact me or the office staff. We would love to have you!

Water Bottles-Water bottles are needed at the beginning of school when it is so hot outside. I want your child to stay hydrated during the day and water bottles are a convenient way to get water quickly. Water bottles will be sent home everyday to be washed. Don’t forget to send them back each day.

Yearbook-You will have a chance to buy a yearbook in the spring. What better way to capture those elementary years than with a T.H.E. yearbook.

ZZZZ’s-Your child should get plenty of rest each night. Kindergarten students require 10-12 hours of sleep a day. It is so important for your child to be alert and ready to learn each day. Set a bedtime and be consistent.

Zero the Hero and Zerona-Zero the Hero or Zerona will come and visit us every 10th day of school. Temporarily off line

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Last Updated 12/14/2006