The Kindergarten Forum North Hills School District January 29, 2020

Welcome!

Mrs. Amy Mathieu Director of Elementary Education

Agenda

 Kindergarten Readiness Social and Emotional Academic
 Kindergarten Curriculum  The Kindergarten Day
 Health Information

 What’s Next for Kindergarten?  Community Resources
 Question and Answer

Social and Emotional Readiness

Ms. Amy Bialek Kindergarten Teacher

Social and Emotional Readiness

• Separate from caregiver/s • Identify emotions
• Regulate emotions • Persist on tasks
• Engage in social conversation and cooperative play • Accept boundaries and limits

Social and Emotional Readiness

Independence builds confidence!

• Zippers and buttons

• Shoes and boots

• Lunchboxes

• Bathroom

Kindergarten Readiness Screening

NHSD Board Policy #201 Admission of Students

Early Childhood Screen III for Kindergarten

• Physical Development (fine-motor and gross-motor) • Language Development
• Academic/Cognitive Development • Self-help & Social Emotional Scale

Kindergarten Readiness Screening

Screenings are best accomplished in May

• Preschool programs are completed

• Families can utilize resources during summer

• Families have time to consider options

• School can plan instruction

• School can balance class composition

Kindergarten Readiness Screening

May 2020

• Conducted by district teachers

• Parent/guardian feedback – valuable component

• Conferences immediately following

• Resources and tools

Kindergarten Curriculum

Mrs. Heather Evans Kindergarten Teacher

Kindergarten Curriculum

English Language Arts (ELA)

Reading:

Writing:

Printing:

Phonemic Awareness Phonics
Fluency

Communicating thoughts

Writing letters and numbers

Comprehension Vocabulary

Kindergarten Curriculum

• Wonders (McGraw Hill)

• Really Great Reading

• Interactive Read Alouds

• Units of Study (Lucy Calkins Writer’s Workshop)

• Handwriting Without Tears

Kindergarten Curriculum

Math

Math in Focus (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
Science

Foss (Delta Science)/Push Pull Go Social Studies
Social Studies Alive! (TCI)

Kindergarten Curriculum

• Health and Physical Education

• Art

• Music

• Library/Media

• Computer Literacy

The Kindergarten Day

Mrs. Tara Harvey Kindergarten Teacher

The Kindergarten Day

Morning Meeting/Calendar Math

ELA/ELA Centers

Writers’ Workshop

The Kindergarten Day

Math

Social Studies

Science

The Kindergarten Day

Lunch

Recess

Specials

Health Information

Ms. Stephanie Reif School Nurse

Health Information

Requirements

• Physical

• Dental Exam

• Immunizations

• Lead Screening

Health Information

Immunization Requirements:

• 4 doses of tetanus/diphtheria (DTaP) (1 dose after the 4th birthday)
• 3-4 doses of polio (1 dose after the 4th birthday)

• 2 doses of measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)

• 3 doses of hepatitis B

• 2 doses of varicella or written statement from physician

indicating month and year of disease

Health Information

Lead Screening

• Lead testing: done at 9-12 months and 24 months

• If not done should be completed before starting kindergarten

Health Information

Medication Policy

• Written permission from a physician and parent required (prescription and over-the-counter)

• Medication policy and form available in health office

• All medicine to Health Office immediately (in original prescription bottle or original package)

What’s Next for Kindergarten?

Mrs. Jessie Friedrich Kindergarten Teacher

What’s Next for Kindergarten?

February - Registration

(evening hours in April & daytime appointments as needed)

• Register online/schedule an appointment • Bring:
Completed “Home and Health Packet” Birth certificate
Immunization records, Three proofs of residency
Clearances/Driver’s License (optional – needed for volunteering)
• Please leave children at home for the registration appointments

What’s Next for Kindergarten?

April/May – Bridge Builders

• One event at each school

• Activities for children with teachers

• Sessions for parents/guardians

• Introduction to school’s parent organization

What’s Next for Kindergarten?

May – Kindergarten Readiness Screening

• Schedule date/time during kindergarten registration

appointment

• Prepare child to go with teachers independently

• Complete parent information form

• Bring clearances (if needed)

• Expect to spend at least 30 minutes at school

What’s Next for Kindergarten?

May-August – “Play school!”

• Practice lunch, bathroom, waiting turns, etc.

• Determine before and after school arrangements (if

needed)

• Obtain clearances to volunteer

• Schedule physical and dental appointments if needed

• Visit the school playground

What’s Next for Kindergarten?

August – Orientations

• Parent/Guardian Orientation

• Student Orientation

• Back-to-school events offered by parent organizations

Community Resources

• 211

• Northland Public Library

• Shaler North Hills Library

Question and Answer