Orientation Information

Link to document. 



KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION

       Pine Glen Room 103



      Our kindergarten program is designed to help children learn to enjoy school and feel positive about themselves and their abilities.  The program is largely a hands-on experience.  Play and socialization are an integral part of the learning process at this level.

We follow the Common Core State Standards. The standards are designed to be robust and relevant to the real world.  We have goals in all curriculum areas including; reading, writing, math, motor skills, communication, life skills, social studies and science.  Music and art are also part of our daily program.


Parents are a child’s first most important teacher.  You are needed to make your child’s school experience a success.  COVID 19 makes it all the more important.  We look forward to a partnership with you. 


Let’s all be sure to give one another a lot of grace - to try things out and acknowledge we are all doing our best.  Let’s support one another as we fail and succeed and learn and grow. Covid 19 taught us that whether we work to educate your child in the building, remotely or a combination of both, we will do it together.


We are looking forward to working closely with you to ensure a successful year for your child.


Karen Hoyt & Kim Kerr






We have attempted to answer some questions we anticipate you may have. 


Note:This information will be shared on the class blog and will remain there throughout the school year as a resource.


General School Information



How can I contact my child’s teacher?


Email and phone messages are checked at least once a day but in general I am not available while with students. The best time to reach me is 7:30 - 7:50 A.M. or after 2:30.  My email address is khoyt@bpsk12.org. I check my e-mail at least once a day. Generally, messages received after 4:30 will be responded to the next business day. 

  Please feel free to email and if a phone call is needed we will set up a time to speak.


Who will work with my child?


Each class has a teacher and an instructional assistant.  Teachers and assistants will be responsible for academics and will integrate art, music and movement.  The full day Kindergarten program will have a daily special. We will follow the following schedule:


Monday- Library with Ms. Small 

Tuesday- Cooperative Play with Adjustment Counselor,

Mrs. Nelson

Wednesday- Music with Mrs. Agati

Thursday- Art with Ms. Fallon (Be ready to get messy - You are

welcome to send a smock(with name on it) to school to leave for the year.)

Friday- Gym with Ms. Govoni (sneakers required for gym)



Classes may also work with:


Guidance Counselor - Ms. Kendall

School psychologist - Mrs. Perry

ELL Teacher-  Mrs. Leslie, Mrs. Castro and Ms. Leary


Additionally, other teachers and specialists will help us including staff from the Science Center, occupational therapists and physical therapists, speech pathologists, technology integration specialists and instructors, RtI Literacy and Math tutors, special education teachers and staff from the Developmental Skills Classroom.  We are very lucky to work in a school district that enables us to have lots of collaboration.



Communication


Ways we communicate with parents:



We love to share all that is happening in school.  Our blog will be updated as frequently as time allows.





When should parents write notes to the teacher?


Communication is critical for safety and success! 

Your child needs a note whenever he/she is going to be doing something different than what has been communicated to the homeroom teacher. If there is going to be a change in your child’s routine, send an email the night before (if possible), or by 7:50 a.m. to khoyt@bpsk12.org. Important messages regarding last minute dismissal changes should be called into the office directly, preferably by 9:30a.m.  Please call the office at 781-270-1712.


What about birthdays?


We will have a simple acknowledgement of each child’s day.  Summer birthdays are celebrated before we leave for the summer break.  We do not distribute party invitations in class.  However, we will share a class list with addresses and phone numbers for parents to contact each other directly.  Please confirm when completing forms if you would like your contact information to be included. 

Note: Due to school department policy, we do not allow food to be sent in to celebrate birthdays.

 

How will I be informed of my child’s progress?


Progress reports will be posted to your child’s Aspen account in January and at the end of the year. The District has set aside December 1 for Fall elementary conferences and an evening in March for Spring conferences.  Information to schedule conferences will be available closer to these dates. Please know that we value open communication and are available to talk on the phone or set up a Google Meet if at any time clarification or questions arise. It is not too late to request a listening conference. Please contact Mrs. Hoyt to schedule.



What can parents do when projects and creations are brought home?


Your child will be creating, writing and illustrating many projects.  We suggest designating a special spot to keep these treasures on hand.  Students will take great pride in their work and will look back at their books over and over again.  They will memorize and eventually read these texts.  Many of the projects will become treasures that you may want to keep for years.  We recommend purchasing a Rubbermaid tote to store these items in.  (Mrs. Hoyt still has the totes that her children filled 20 + years ago!)



Will my child have homework?


     The Kindergarten News will be sent home on Fridays. Additional enrichment opportunities and suggestions for students will be sent home occasionally. This will include math facts and sight word practice tools along with books to support our reading instruction. Participation is encouraged. 


Can I be a classroom volunteer?


We welcome and NEED parent assistance in the kindergarten program. Please fill out the form in the packet if you would like to be a volunteer. Opportunities include room parents who coordinate communicating with other parents to gather supplies from time to time, at-home prep work, special event assistance, serving as a classroom helper or surprise mystery reader.  


Note: All in school classroom helpers must fill out a CORI form and attend a principal-led confidentiality meeting before volunteering. 


What classroom donations are needed?


All classrooms are provided supplies for the year.  However, we never turn down additional donations and seek your help for a few special items. 

To start off our school year we would love donations of: 


*WET WIPES- antibacterial hand wipes- lots

Bounty paper towels 

hand sanitizer 

Plastic Grocery Store bags (any left lying around?)                                      

       Chalk

Leftover small birthday party favors for our prize bin

24 packs of small water bottles (just to have extra on hand.)


Books - Consider sponsoring a book purchase for each member of our class community! - see information below.


Additionally - We have a few other items such as books for the class, special learning materials, etc that we post about on the blog. 


* Before COVID we found that if we wash hands often our classroom environment and members stay healthier. We continue this practice.


At various times of the year our Room Parents (volunteer opportunity) may ask for donations for school events, classroom celebrations or creative learning opportunities.  We thank you in advance for your kindness and generosity.  


Check our class blog wishlist page for updates.


Book Sponsorship Opportunities

We are big supporters of putting books in the hands of our students to have and keep as their own.  Throughout the year we will be giving books to the children.


As a loyal supporter of the Scholastic book clubs, our classroom is given the opportunity to purchase books on sale for about $1 per book. 


We would welcome your support.  If you would like to sponsor, we will purchase a book for the class (approx. $20 - per book sponsored).  When the book arrives we will place a sticker on the inside noting your gift and will award it to the entire class.


If you would like to participate, please reach out to Mrs. Hoyt or see the form included with today’s materials.


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In School Learning Information


What are the school hours?

Note: School hours

                   Arrival 7:55 - 8:10a.m.

                   Dismissal 2:15p.m.


How will my child get to and from school?

Please inform us about your child’s transportation schedule. Complete the Transportation form so we are aware of how your child will be arriving and departing from school daily. 


Parent drop off is through the side parking lot and around the horseshoe.  Teachers are on car duty at 7:55 a.m. Parents need to wait in the car with their child until teachers are on duty and the door is open.  Parents should pull all the way up to the top of the horseshoe and wait for the cars behind them to stop before allowing their child out of the car.  Having your child exit the car from behind the driver is the safest for your child. Please have your child exit the car on the sidewalk side of the car. (Please avoid having students cross in front of other vehicles to enter the building). 


Dismissal will follow the same procedures but in reverse.


NOTE: Please attach the button we made for your child that asks staff to deliver your child to our classroom. Also, be sure to put the bus tag on your child’s backpack so it can be returned to your child if it becomes misplaced.


Bus questions:  www.burlingtonpublicschools.org/parents/transportation

Dispatcher  781-222-5522


Tips fo preparing kindergartners to attend school during pandemic.


These ideas are intended to help students be more independent.


  • Practice shoe tying or wear shoes without laces.

  • Practice opening snacks, food and drink containers. 

  • Practice hand washing.

  • Practice using a tissue to blow your nose.

  • Practice toileting independently - Teachers do not go into the bathroom with students.

  • Practice with buttons, belts, etc for toileting and

dressing for out of doors



What should my child wear to school?


“Play clothes” and comfortable shoes are appropriate attire for kindergarten.  Your child should feel comfortable working on art projects, sitting on the floor, playing outdoors and in the gym. Pants and belts they can manage themselves are also important so they can be independent in the bathroom. We discourage flip flops and sandals as it is difficult for the students to manipulate play structures and mulch areas while wearing them. You are welcome to pack a spare outfit to leave at school just in case there is a toileting accident.



What supplies does my child need at school?


Your child will need a school bag or backpack. Your child will use the backpack to bring home important notices, home assignments and school projects. Full-size backpacks, not toddler sized, are best as they should be big enough to hold your child’s snack and communication folders.


Water bottles are strongly recommended. We recommend students have a water bottle at school every day so they may easily and quickly access a drink as needed. **We will solicit donations of spare water bottles to have on hand in case students occasionally forget theirs at home.


We go outside every day unless it is raining.(And maybe even then too!) The playground and fields may have little to no shade. You may want to apply sunscreen to your child before he/she leaves for school. Sunscreen should not be brought to school.


We ask that toys and school supplies stay home. Our classroom is full of great materials! This will prevent special items from getting lost or broken.  Also, please remember to send your child’s GREEN communication folder to school every day- even on field trip days! 


Snack


We will have snack time each day. A healthy, quick and disposable snacks that require minimal clean-up is best.  Be sure to include appropriate utensils and napkins if needed and pack SEPARATE from student lunch. Students will have access to their water bottles during snack time.  


Kindly note, per BPS Allergy Policy., snacks need to be peanut and tree nut free. Snacks suggestions include crackers, fruit, string cheese, raisins, etc.


Lunch

FREE lunch is offered to ALL students in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts this year. Students may bring lunch from home if they prefer.  


What if my child needs to take medication during the school day?


The school nurse must administer any medication that needs to be taken during the school day. Please contact Alex Laverty at 781-270-1713. Also, health forms need to be turned in by the first day of school.


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