Kindergarten News - August 18, 2008
August 18, 2008
Welcome to Kindergarten!
Dear Parents,
We are excited to welcome your child to Monica Ros Kindergarten. We are looking forward to a year of fun, wonderful, and magical kindergarten memories. Our goal is to assist children in developing and expanding their love of learning, their general knowledge, their ability to get along with others, and their interest in reaching out to the world. Alice_Fiore and Rychelle_Krout will be your child’s teachers. There are 19 children enrolled in the class. Below are a few details that will help get the year off to a smooth start
The kindergarten day begins at 8:45 with a whole group meeting time. The kids will enjoy playing outside on the ship from 8:30-8:45, something many of them have waited to do for a long time! After “ship time”, we will ring the bell to come into the class and begin our busy day. This is an ideal time to say good bye to your Kindergartener and wish them a great day! Please feel free to come early, or visit after school to look around the room and share experiences with your child. A complete Kindergarten schedule is included in your communication folder.
Separation: Despite previous experience in a preschool program, it is not unusual for kindergarten children to feel anxious about separating from their parents. We recognize that this can cause strong emotions, and can affect both children and their parents. Our teachers are ready to help you make this experience as easy as possible for your family. Early in the year, children’s concerns often arise from the child’s uncertainty about being reunited with the family. Therefore, it is important for the parents to tell the child when he/she will be picked up and by whom. It is also very important for the parent to be on time for pick up.
Field Trip: We will begin our year learning about ocean life. We will be exploring and researching many of the creatures and conditions that exist in the oceans that make up 70% of the earth’s surface. Much of our focus will be on whales and sharks. We will be going to the Ty Warner Sea Center in Santa Barbara. The Permission slip will follow.
Class routine: The kindergarten class begins the day with a whole-class meeting. After that, the students break into small groups for language arts or math experiences. At 10 a.m. the children consume a snack brought from home and enjoy recess on the upper yard. At 10:45 a.m. they return to the classroom for further small group instruction. Lunch is at noon and followed by a play period that lasts until 12:45 p.m. The last hour of the school day is typically spent with special subject teachers in art, music, music and movement class, Spanish or library depending on the day of the week.
Snacks: Snacks are provided from home. Please pack a modest, nutritional snack for your child each day. Possibilities include: half a sandwich, some cheese or fruit and a drink of milk or juice. Please remember that your child should be capable of consuming the snack in 5-10 minutes.
Lunch: Children also bring lunch from home each day. On Tuesdays, your child can sign up for burrito delivery from Ruben’s. On Thursdays they can sign up to receive pizza delivery from Ojai Pizza. The pizza lunch will include salad, milk and dessert. It is possible to do this on an occasional basis in which case you can stop by the office or call to place your order. Occasionally snacks and lunch will be supplemented by food prepared at school or by special treats provided by other children in the class (birthday celebrations, for instance). If your child has any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please alert the teachers. The school supports a zero waste lunch program. We recommend sending food and juice in plastic storage containers, using cloth napkins, reusable utensils and insulated lunch boxes/bags. Please do not send candy, sweets, or soda or anything in glass bottles.
Clothing: Children play actively and frequently get dirty. Please send your child to school in comfortable, washable play clothes. Children’s shoes must be safe and comfortable. Rubber-soled, closed toed shoes are most appropriate. Flip flops, thongs, and other types of backless shoes make it impossible to run or climb safely. Such footwear is not appropriate for school.
All kindergarten children should have an extra set of clothing at all times. These should be kept at school in a marked plastic bag in the classroom.
We ask that every child bring a water bottle from home and keep it in his/her cubby. We have some hot days and feel it is so important for the kids to stay hydrated.
Daily schedule: Kindergarten children attend school daily from 8:45 to 1:45 p.m. Following the Ojai school tradition of a shortened day on Wednesday, kindergarten children are dismissed at 1 p.m. each Wednesday.
Delivery and Pick-Up: It is important that you deliver and pick up your child on time. Young children are much more comfortable entering school before the program has begun so that they can settle into the routine easily with their classmates. Please be here before 8:45 a.m. When school is over, children are tired from an active day. If you are late they often become worried. Please call the office to let us know if you’re running late so that we can reassure your child. Please use After School Plans ledger outside Kindergarten to inform us of your daily plans. At pick-up time, please stay in your car or stand outside the gate and we will come out to meet you.
Daycare: We provide continuous care from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Kindergarten children being delivered to school before 8:15 a.m. should be walked into school by their parent and signed in. Children arriving from 8:15 a.m. on can check in at the gate and enter the playground directly. Parents may either choose to drive through the driveway and we will welcome your child at your car and escort them to the gate, or they may choose to park on the street and escort their child in to school themselves. Children not going home at dismissal time will participate in our kindergarten daycare program. Our daycare teachers supervise the children as they play and also organize games and activities for them. A snack is served at 3:15 p.m. each afternoon.
Communication/Homework- Each Monday, we will be sending home a communication/homework folder. We find this an efficient way to communicate with families. Please include any notes, comments you may have, field trips slips, after school schedules etc. (Homework begins the week of August 25th)
Book Orders: Please Return with a check made payable to the book club by that Friday.
Sharing: Kindergarten sharing is every
Please do not send toys on days other than sharing!
Birthdays: Birthdays are special and children enjoy celebrating birthdays at school. Please verify birthday plans with one of the kindergarten teachers a few days ahead of times so that she can give you an accurate count. We ask that you send simple nutritious treats to share with the class. Some successful suggestions: fruit kabobs, berries, apple slices, grape clusters, orange or tangerine segments, popcorn, vegetable sticks, crackers, cheese, fruit leathers, sunflower seeds (shelled), mini bagels and cream cheese, fruit smoothies, garlic bread….and your own creative ideas. We will be celebrating and serving these treats after snack or lunch. We want to encourage healthy food for healthy happy children.
Parent Participation: Parent involvement is welcomed at Monica Ros School. We know that when there are strong connections between home and school it is the best for the children, teachers and the parents. We will be talking at Open House about the many ways you can be involved. We appreciate your help and support. A parent sign up is posted outside the room on the parent’s board. Parents are encouraged to share their special talents and interests such as cooking, playing a musical instrument, singing songs with the children, reading a favorite book or playing games, you name it!
Getting to know you…please fill out this questionnaire to help us get better acquainted with your child.
We strive to create a warm, nurturing, stimulating environment for you and your child. If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us any time.
We are looking forward to a fun and rewarding school year. Please don’t hesitate to call the office for any further information you might require.
As your child embarks upon this important Kindergarten journey, we would like to know more about his or her likes and dislikes. You can help us to know your child better by giving us any information you feel relevant!
Your child’s name
What kinds of books she or he enjoys
What areas do you see as his/her strengths
Some topics that interest your child
What areas do you see as difficult or challenging
What is a goal you would like to set for your child this year
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