Welcome to Kindergarten Information Night! January 27, 2016

1. Welcome to Kindergarten Information Night!January 27, 2016

2. WSD Board of Trustees Mary Mangold President Jamison Power Vice President Amy Walsh Clerk Penny Loomer Member Khanh Nguyen Member

3. WSD Administration Dr. Marian Kim Phelps Superintendent Dr. Cyndi Paik Assistant Superintendent Educational Services Dr. Tony Wold Assistant Superintendent Business Services James Jimenez Assistant Superintendent Human Resources

4. Westminster School District • 1:1 Chromebooks for 2nd through 8th grade students • ST Math – All sites • WSD Students surpassed the state average on CAASPP in ELA & Math • Pathways to Biliteracy Awards – Pre-K—8 • 1st Vietnamese Dual Immersion Program in CA • White House recognizes WSD as a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education

5. Eastwood Elementary School • Chromebook TK – 6 • “Looping” in TK – K • Blended Learning • CA Distinguished School • Top test scores in the WSD • 550 students TK – 6 • ESP before and after school • Strong PTA • Family Nights • Committed Staff • “Dolphin” expectations • Maturation Assessment in May/June for July 1 and Sept 1 Bdays.

14. California! Changes to the Academic Kindergarten Start Date In 2010, the Kindergarten Readiness Act was passed in California to change the age when children can begin Academic Kindergarten. Under this law, children must turn five years old on or before September 1 to enroll in Academic Kindergarten. Children with a birthday between September 2 and December 2 will go into Transitional Kindergarten, which is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program. Birthday on or before September 1 Attends Academic Kindergarten Attends 1st Grade Birthday between September 2 – December 2 Attends Transitional Kindergarten during first year Attends Academic Kindergarten during second year

16. Academic Kindergarten: the traditional one-year Kindergarten program Transitional Kindergarten: a two-year Kindergarten program for students with birthdays between September 2nd and December 2nd Transitional Kindergarten was formerly known as Preppie Kindergarten, or Preppie K in WSD WSD Offers Two All-Day Kindergarten Programs

17. A Typical Day in Kindergarten Both kindergarten programs in WSD are full-day, with early release days on Wednesdays. • 150 minutes of Language Arts/Reading • 60 minutes of Math • 30 minutes of English Language Development • Remaining instructional time spent learning about Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, Art, and Music

18. Expectations of Academic Kindergarten Students will: recognize and write all letters of the alphabet blend sounds into words read more than 30 simple words and sight words spell words using sounds and letters comprehend stories, make predictions and answer questions about the story write opinion, informative, and narrative pieces retell stories with beginning, middle, and end name and write numbers to 20, count to 100 add and subtract numbers using concrete objects solve math problems and explain problem-solving strategies

19. Are they Dolphin Ready? • Begin printing the letters of the alphabet at the top • Printing first  name using an uppercase for the first letter; all the rest lowercase letters • Recognize,  count,  and demonstrate one – to – one correspondence numbers 1 to 5. • Practice keeping self to self • Practice proper restroom behavior • Label all personal items brought to school; i.e.  lunch pails, sweaters, jackets, water bottles, etc.

20. Transitional Kindergarten Goal of Transitional Kindergarten Provide the youngest kindergarteners with a readiness year that is developmentally appropriate and will better prepare them for success once they enter Academic Kindergarten. Benefits • Social and emotional development • Academic Readiness for the rigors of kindergarten • Proficient readers at 3rd grade • Higher achievement in school • It gives young students the gift of time • This all-day program follows the current kindergarten schedule at each site

21. B Transition Kindergarten Families and Staff… Building the Bridge In Transitional Kindergarten Transitional Kindergarten is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. California Early Learning Foundations (Birth – 5) California State Kindergarten Standards TK Help Kids Succeed

22. Special Education If your child already qualifies for and is receiving special education services, kindergarten placement and school location is determined by your child’s IEP Team The ABCs of Kindergarten Information Please refer to this guide for general information about kindergarten This includes: frequently asked questions, what you need to register, kindergarten standards, and kindergarten readiness information School Of Attendance • Open Enrollment • Interdistrict Transfers • Additional information is available at the registration information table

23. Registration Reminders • Preschool and Kindergarten Registration begins on February 3rd • Register all children who will be five on or before December 2nd for Academic Kindergarten • Children with birthdays between September 2nd and December 2nd will be placed in Transitional Kindergarten Bring the following items with you to register for kindergarten: • Completed kindergarten registration packet • Original birth certificate • Proof of residency (such as a utility bill or car registration) • Immunization records If you, or anyone you know, is interested in preschool, pick up a flyer at your school site or call the Early Education Program at (714)898-8389

24. Immunizations California schools are required to check immunization records for all new students admissions at Kindergarten/TK through 12th grade. Parents must show their child's Immunization Record as proof of immunization. These immunization requirements also apply to students entering Transitional Kindergarten. Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten are subject to the same immunization requirements. The ABCs of Kindergarten Requirements

25. Dental Check-Up Kindergarten students must have dental check-up by May 31st of their Kindergarten year Dental check-ups done 12 months before starting Kindergarten will be accepted Special form must be signed by a licensed dental professional The ABCs of Kindergarten Requirements Physical Exam for 1st Grade • California law requires a child to have a physical exam, which must be completed by Dec. 1st of their 1st grade year • Exams completed up to 18 months prior to beginning of 1st grade will be accepted • Special form must be signed by a physician

26. Meal Applications will be on-line at www.wsdnutrition.com by July 1st, 2016 Meal Applications (hard copies) will be mailed home on July, 1st, 2016 Complete & return to Nutrition Services We will determine eligibility for Free or Reduced Price lunches Children on TANF or SNAP are automatically eligible for Free school meals (siblings too!) Find breakfast & lunch menus on our website at www.wsdnutrition.com Set up lunch accounts & pre-pay for meals using a credit card on-line @ myschoolbucks.com Questions? Call Nutrition Services at 714-893-3865 School Meals • Healthy Breakfast and Lunch are provided at all Elementary & Middle School sites • Breakfast is priced at $1.50, Lunch at $2.25 • Free and Reduced Priced Meals are available to students based upon family qualification • Applications are not available for the new school year until July 1st For further information call the Nutrition Services Department at (714)893-3865

27. Questions?