Kindergarten Home Page

Hola. Welcome to Whittier! We look forward to a wonderful year with your kindergartners. We are excited to watch them grow throughout the year and want the transition into kindergarten to go smoothly for your children.

The following ideas should help children have a good start in kindergarten:

*A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast will help children succeed in school.

*School times for kindergarten:
A.M. 8:05-11:05
P.M. 11:45-2:45
It is important to arrive at school on time. It is difficult for children to walk in late once class has started. Children wait on the playground before school until the bell rings and then line up by the outside door to the classroom. Please don’t arrive earlier than 7:50, as there is no supervision until then. Likewise, it is important to pick your child up on time. We will always wait to be sure everyone is picked up. Children wait in the office if a parent is more than 10 minutes late.

*Children need to bring a backpack each day. The backpack needs to be large enough to carry a folder, jacket, and lunchbox. Please check your child’s backpack daily for projects and notes/reminders. It is helpful to practice using the backpack at home. Children need to be able to manage as independently as possible.

*Each Friday, children will bring home a “Friday Folder”. This folder will be an important part of home/school communication. Notes from the school and classroom will be in the folder along with completed work and occasional homework. Please return the folder to school on Monday. You may put notes and other papers that need to be returned to school into the folder, as well. The papers sent home in the folder are for you to keep.

*We will spend time outside each day (except in extreme conditions). Children need to be prepared for the weather. Children should bring a sweater or light jacket most days as the weather can change during the day. Sturdy shoes are a good idea because kindergarteners run and climb a lot! Sandals and clogs are convenient but often lead to injury on the playground. (Children will need to wear sneakers on P.E. days.)

*Snack time is provided each day. Children need to bring snacks from home. Please pack the snack(s) separately from the lunch. Children who attend K-Care need to bring two snacks each day. Children have about five minutes to eat their snacks. Therefore, snacks should be healthy and small (a few pretzels or crackers, a few grapes, some orange segments, a cereal bar, half a sandwich, string cheese, etc.). Snacks should be ready to eat (no peeling, etc.). Please do not send candy or “wet” snacks like juice or yogurt (due to spills). Please be aware and kindly avoid sending snacks containing nuts, or nut butters with your child to school. We have students in our classroom with severe allergies to nuts, so severe that they cannot be in the same room with other students eating nuts. Thank you in advance for being careful and helping us to make sure our classroom is safe for all of our kindergarten friends.Most days we will have snack at the start of recess. Children will eat and then play.

*Birthdays are special in kindergarten. We will honor your child on his/her special day with an in-class celebration and activity. This year we have students in Kindergarten with extreme allergies to nuts. Due to the fact that we have students with severe allergies and dietary restrictions we ask that families do not send treats into the classroom for birthdays. On planned party days (Halloween, Winter Break, Valentine’s Day, End of the Year) we will welcome specific, appropriate, and healthy treats.

*We will spend the first few weeks of school establishing routines. We will send a newsletter home once a week. Please read it to keep up with our kindergarten happenings.

*We value having parents volunteer in the classroom. There are many ways to help if you are not able to commit to a regular time in the classroom.

*Please label your child’s belongings. Jackets, sweaters, backpacks and lunchboxes are sometimes misplaced and a name helps us find the owner.

*Please feel free to call or send a note if you have any questions.

*P.E. days for the 2007-2008 school year are every Monday and Thursday. Please make sure your child is wearing tennis shoes on these days.

*For current and prospective parents, please read the Kindergarten Parents Page for more information about enrollment and what to expect in Kindergarten.

*We will have parent/teacher conferences twice a year to discuss your child's progress.

If you have any further questions, please contact us. We look forward to getting to know you.

Sincerely,

Briney Ferry

Maurie Marcil

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August - Kindergarten Social: This is a chance for families, children and teachers to meet before school starts.

October - Fall Conferences: This conference happens in the first trimester. Teachers and parents discuss assessments, curriculum, and questions.

November - Heritage Night: An evening where Whittier families celebrate their heritages through food, drink, and displays about their home countries.

February - Inquiry Fair: Come see what “Inquiry” looks like through individual and class projects.

February/March - Spring Conferences: Another chance for teachers and parents to get together and discuss assessments, curriculum, and questions.

March - Sock Hop: An evening event that happens in the winter and celebrates the dress, food, and dance of the fifties era. There is a DJ who plays music during the event and dinner is offered.

May - Mother’s Day “Tea” and musical presentation.