Can't believe we are already talking about Kindergarten Orientation! Wow, that summer vacay sure flew by. But I do have to admit, I miss my teacher friends. Yup, that's the kind of school that we work at. And our grade level is one of the reasons we have all remained at the same school for so long. We just work so well together!
Our kindergarten grade level is meeting tomorrow, Monday, to put the final touches on our Kindergarten Orientation presentation. This orientation happens on the first day of school. All new families to kindergarten and transitional kindergarten (TK) meet in the auditorium to listen to the principal's presentation about school rules, district mandates, etc. Then, the 5 K/TK teachers take turns explaining the classroom expectations. This is done with the help of a PowerPoint presentation.
Our kindergarten grade level is meeting tomorrow, Monday, to put the final touches on our Kindergarten Orientation presentation. This orientation happens on the first day of school. All new families to kindergarten and transitional kindergarten (TK) meet in the auditorium to listen to the principal's presentation about school rules, district mandates, etc. Then, the 5 K/TK teachers take turns explaining the classroom expectations. This is done with the help of a PowerPoint presentation.
I will share with you a few tid bits...
Above you see the slide pertaining to our Homework Folder. The Homework Folder is an important component of our academic program. We provide each child with their own homework folder. This folder is to last the student the entire school year and for the most part, it does. As you can see, the Homework Folder is full of resources that the students are encouraged to utilize during homework time.
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Above you see two examples from the Parent Handbook. We make a big deal about appropriate snacks and encourage healthy eating. So here you can see the page that addresses that. And next to it you see the explanation about Homework Folders.
 | An area that is sometimes overlooked is the "home homework procedure." We take the time to explain to parents what homework time should look like. As you know, completing homework begins to teach the students responsibility and organizational skills. Parents need to be reminded that the preferred homework environment is quiet, comfortable, and readily supplied. |
Class rosters are called out at the end of the presentation and everyone- teacher, students, and families walk back to the prospective classroom and say goodbye to their child then. If you have been doing this as long as I have,...you understand that you never know what might explode at that point (no tears in my TK class last year,...hooray!) We encourage, and sometimes have to demand, the quick hug and leave "goodbye." Sometimes I have to ask the students to simultaneously turn and blow one last kiss to their parents as I quickly close the door. However, if the child is sobbing uncontrollably, I simply ask that parent to stay for a bit, cuz you know that crying is contagious! Goodbyes are different every year.
We take the time to inform our new families about all aspects of their child's upcoming experience. It might be information overload, but a lot of it is reiterated at Back To School Night, which is just a few weeks later. It's an anxious time for a lot of these parents and they just want to know. Conducting the presentation this way also eliminates a lot of the individual questions you might get at drop-off or dismissal. Hope this helps.
Here's to tear-free first days!!!!
We take the time to inform our new families about all aspects of their child's upcoming experience. It might be information overload, but a lot of it is reiterated at Back To School Night, which is just a few weeks later. It's an anxious time for a lot of these parents and they just want to know. Conducting the presentation this way also eliminates a lot of the individual questions you might get at drop-off or dismissal. Hope this helps.
Here's to tear-free first days!!!!
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