What you need to know

This information is the first of much you will read during the school year to help you understand our kindergarten program.  It is our hope we will be able to provide a happy place for meaningful learning experiences for your child!

School Hours

A.M. Kindergarten    8:00 A.M. – 10:45 A.M.

P.M. Kindergarten    12:25 P.M. – 3:10 P.M.

Both classes enter by the door at the end of the wing, facing the parking lot.  They will line up according to class and  enter into the building.  They also leave through that door.  Children are not permitted in classrooms before the above starting times.  During the first week of school, school staff will be present to greet your child outside.

Transportation

If your child’s routine or situation changes, we need to have a note.  Because we are concerned for your child’s safety, we cannot send your child home with anybody that we have not been informed of in advance.  If we do not have written or verbal permission from the parent, the child must go home as usual.

Bus Tags                           

A bus tag will be provided for every child.  It is very important that this tag be attached to your child’s backpack shoulder strap for at least 2 weeks!  If it breaks, please help us by trying to repair it at home.

Attendance

Whenever a child is absent or tardy, please call the school office.  If you are planning a vacation or know of an extended absence ahead of time, please notify the teacher prior to the child’s absence in writing.  Any work missed will be sent home with your child after their return.  Daily attendance at school is very important for school success.

School Messages

Many messages will be sent home with your child.  Please look in their school bag each day for letters from us or the office.  Please return the folder to school every day.  We will also be sending home completed work.  Going over your child’s papers will show your interest and reinforce the concepts that are being taught in class.  If there is a non-custodial parent who would like to receive letters and calendars, please sign up at Orientation/Open House.

Classroom Rules

Classroom rules will coincide with Greenville Elementary citizenship themes:

Caring

Respect

Honesty

Responsibility

Supplies                                       

All supplies should be brought in on the first day your child attends school.  Please be sure to label all boxes of crayons and markers, glue sticks (out of packaging), scissors, etc. and have them in a large Ziploc bag. 

Birthdays

Your child’s birthday is a special event so we will try to make his/her birthday a special one.  We acknowledge each child’s birthday with a crown if birthdays are celebrated in the child’s home.  Summer birthdays will be celebrated in May.  You are more than welcome to send a simple birthday treat if you’d like. 

When planning your child’s birthday party, please keep in mind the feelings of all children at school.  Unless all the boys or all of the girls are invited to a party, please do not have your child pass out invitations to parties at school.  The school directory will list almost all of the addresses of friends to mail the invites.  It would also be helpful to not pick up all the “party kids” after school, so those not invited do not feel left out.  Special balloons, cakes, and cupcakes are best left for home celebrations.  Thank you!

Room Parents and Parties

Room parents help out with room parties during the year.  They do the snack preparation for 2 parties, and the activities for the end of year picnic.  If you wish to participate as a room parent there will be a sign up at Orientation/Open House.

Volunteers

Parents are always welcome!  Volunteers are needed to assist with hanging projects, parent centers, and field trips.  If you plan to volunteer, please sign up at Orientation/Open House.  You will also need to fill out a background check if you are a first time volunteer at Greenville Elementary.  We really do count on you coming in to help!  You will enjoy it!

Monthly Calendar

At the beginning of each month, we will be sending home a calendar about what is going on in our classrooms.  Please note the special events and important activities.  If you find a special place to hang the calendar and then remind your child each morning to cross out the correct day, it will help him/her become more familiar with numerals, days of the week, months of the year, and concepts concerning time.

Book Orders                                            

Please watch the monthly calendar for when the book order will be coming home, and when they are due.    Send back the completed order and money by the due date.  Unfortunately, we cannot take any orders after the due date!  Checks can be made out to Scholastic.  Book orders are a great way to get some wonderful, nicely priced books for your child.  Thank you!

Readiness

Here are some helpful things for your child to know at the beginning of kindergarten.

-   tying, zipping, buttoning and snapping

-   see that your child learns the way home from his/her bus stop as soon as possible

-    counting 1 – 20 and naming numerals 1 – 10

-    recognizing the eight basic colors and the four basic shapes

-    recognizing his/her formal name in print

-    printing his/her name. All children are taught to print their name using a capital letter only at the beginning.

-    recite the alphabet

-    knows phone number and address

Let us conclude by saying that we are looking forward to working with your child and you in the coming school year.  Your reinforcement of what he/she is experiencing will lead to a more complete learning situation. 

This is a lot of information and we truly appreciate you taking time to read it!  It’s going to be a great year!!

Go gently and remember to take time to enjoy your little one!

Warmly,

The Kindergarten Teachers

Back to GES Kindergarten Web