of Kindergarten

If your child is absent, please the office (806)326-5500 to let them know. A note stating the reason for the absence must be brought to school as soon as possible to avoid an unexcused absence. Arrival & Dismissal: Students should not arrive before 7:30 am. School begins promptly at 8:00 a.m. and afternoon dismissal begins at 1:00 p.m. Please pick up your child promptly!

BEE BOOKS help keep us organized. The three-ring binder houses a homework folder, newsletter/take home papers folder, and other items that assist with communication between home and school. Birthdays are recognized during our calendar routine. We will recognize summer birthdays at the end of the school year. Please do not send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school. You may distribute them yourself at dismissal to all children. I will send home book order forms for you and your child to look over every month. Book clubs offer books at reduced prices. It's a great way to build your child's home library! Breakfast is universal and is served in the classroom from 8:00 8:15am.

Parent and Teacher conferences are held in October. Watch for information and reply accordingly. Communication is important. Feel free to contact me whenever you have a question, comment, or concern. You can reach me by phone (806)326-7088, in person, by email kaci.medley@amaisd.org or by note.

Discipline is simple. We work hard as a class to make the classroom a positive and safe place for all. rules are: 1. 2. 3. 4. I am Respectful I am Responsible I am Ready to Learn I am an Awesome Aviator!

Our Aviator

My school email address is kaci.medley@amaisd.org. I check email daily. If you have an email address that youd like me to be aware of, please let me know! Early Release Days will take place on 10-07-11, 12-22-11, 5-18-12, and 06-01-12. eat lunch and then are dismissed at 12:00 P.M. On Early Release days, students

Information about field trips will come home in the BEE book and will be detailed in the field trip permission slip and monthly newsletter. Tradewind kindergarten students will enjoy field trips this kindergarten school year that are both fun and educational for the children. Buses will be used for transportation.

Kindergarten students will be divided into Guided Reading groups based upon their current reading ability and skills. Guided Reading is small group reading instruction where the teacher focuses on individual student needs.

Guided Reading groups are not set in stone and are extremely flexible. Children can change groups throughout the school year as to receive appropriate scaffolding on their reading level. Guided Reading books will be sent home in students Book Bag one or two times per week. Please listen to your child read his/her book multiple times.

Hands on Learning - I feel that the best way to help children learn is to make learning fun. Important concepts can be learned by doing meaningful hands-on activities. There are times when seatwork is required and necessary, but for the most part, our classroom will be an active learning environment.

Independence is a goal for students because it builds self-esteem and self-confidence. Kindergarteners are very capable of doing many things on their own and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom. Please work on the following self-help skills at home with your child:

zipping, tying, dressing, etc.

Writing takes place every day in kindergarten. One way we accomplish this is through writing stories in our journals during writers workshop. Encourage your child to write at home for a variety or purposes.

Keep updated by reading the classroom newsletter every month and checking the Bee book every day for other notes and information.

Our class will visit the library once a week. Our librarian is Mrs. Zeeck. Your child will check out a book when we visit the library and return it within the following week. If your child forgets to return the book, they will not be allowed to check out a new book until it is returned. Our class eats lunch at 10:40. If lunch money is sent to school, please send it in the BEE book. pocket pouch for this purpose that is located in the front of the BEE book. There is a pencil

The kindergarten math curriculum provides students with mathematical experiences that help them develop number sense and a positive attitude towards mathematics that will continue throughout their school career and lives. Many of our math concepts are covered through our daily calendar routine. Every morning students will work with math bins while I meet with small groups of children for guided math. These math groups will be fluid and flexible, changing from day to day or week to week, based on the needs of students. We will also keep a math journal to show our math thinking.

A weekly newsletter will be sent home on Fridays or Mondays to keep you informed about what is happening in our class. There will be no school on the following days: September: 5; November: 23, 24, 25; December: 23 - 31; January: 1 8; March: 12 - 16; April: 6; and May: 28.

Organization - Not only does our kindergarten curriculum teach children about reading, math, science, social studies, and health, but also how to build responsibility and independence. Each day, kindergarten students will be expected to hang backpacks and coats up in their cubbies, turn in BEE book, put away their lunch box, and be prepared for an exciting day of hands-on learning! Students must take care of their work space and their school supplies. Lets promote student organization in both the home and school environment!

When picking up your child, please use the parent and visitor parking lots.

Questions? Please feel free to call, stop in, email, or send a note.

Kindergarten report cards will be sent home every 12 weeks during the year. Kindergarteners have lunch recess from 11:00 11:20.

The focus of the kindergarten science curriculum is on developing an awareness of the world in which we live. Science concepts and skills will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach. The kindergarten social studies curriculum focuses on the students and how they relate to others in their families, classroom, school, and community. Social Studies concepts and skills will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach.

If your child has any changes in their transportation you must let me know in writing, in person, by email, or by voice mail. Photo ID is required when a new person picks up your child and first few weeks of school. Bringing toys to school is discouraged for a number of reasons. If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt. A favorite book is permitted to share with our class; however, please make sure that all books are clearly marked with your child's first and last name.

Tradewind Elementary School students are to wear a school uniform each day. The uniform requirements for kindergarten through fifth grade students, which will begin on the first day of the school year can be found in your Tradewind Elementary School Handbook.

Volunteers and visitors must register in the office and pick up a badge. Tradewind Elementary School has a policy that ALL GUESTS (including familiar faces) are required to check in at the school office. Tradewind welcomes and encourages family involvement. It is important to remember that while this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment.

Wish List - Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our classroom materials. These needs will be posted in the class newsletter. Extra items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome! Our writing program builds on what each child already knows. Writing begins with scribbles and proceeds to lines and circles, random strings of letters, words and spaces, and eventually sentences. Your children will be encouraged and praised for all attempts and accomplishments in writing. Providing a risk-free environment is paramount to your child's progress in writing. If possible, please provide your child with writing tools, such as pencils, crayons, markers and paper at home. Encourage writing within your home environment!

Parents and family members may eXit and enter via the main school entry.

Your ideasand suggestions are welcome!

Zzzzzzz - Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give your child.