Parents Night

1. Parents Night Kindergarten 2014

2. Welcome Mrs. Bernhardt Graduated from National Louis University with Masters Degree in 2003 Teaching for 16 years (first, multi-age, second) Kindergarten (2nd year) Family Married Three children (9,8 & 6) Busy!!!

3. Kindergarten Philosophy In District 47 we believe that the foundation of successful schooling is formed during the kindergarten year through the development of positive attitudes and learning habits. We recognize that each child enters kindergarten with a unique background of experiences. Therefore, the child’s kindergarten experience should be the cooperative effort of the child, parent and teacher. The curriculum is designed to support the academic, social, emotional and physical growth of the child. The instructional program is activity and language oriented, providing a secure and accepting environment, which motivates each child to use skills when developmentally ready. School personal and parents working together will provide for the individual development of the whole child.

4. Kindergarten Core Instruction • http://www.corestandards.org/what-parents-should-know • Language Arts • Increase Reading of Informational Text • There will be a greater emphasis on Informational texts • Text Complexity • In addition to having opportunities to read at their independent and instructional reading levels, all students will be exposed to grade-level texts • Academic Vocabulary • Tier 1: Social Language • Tier 2: Literature Based (synonyms, etc.) • Tier 3: Content-Specific • Text-Based Answers • Close Reading/Referring to text for answers, analyzing the text, having to synthesize text before answering questions, etc. • Increase Writing from Sources • Argumentative/Persuasive • Informative/Expository • Literacy Instruction in all Content Areas • Integrating Social Studies into Units of Study • Integrating Spelling into ALL content areas (rather than a separate block of time) • Handwriting

5. Kindergarten Core Instruction • Math • Currently aligning standards • Science • Next Generation Science Standards

6. Language Arts • Reading • Your Character and Your Community, Ecosystems, Cultural Movement, Forces and Interactions, Weather and Climate and Life Cycles • Shared Reading • Mini-Lesson • Guided Reading • Stations • Writing • 6+1 Writing Traits Program • Modeled Writing • Interactive Writing • Independent Writing • Technology • www.Raz-kids.com (passwords will be sent home) • Please see my website for additional links

7. Handwriting • Sunform • D’Nealian • Workbook • Additional Worksheets • Stations

8. Math • Everyday Math • Whole Class Instruction • Small Group Work • Math Explorations • Independent Tasks • Homework • Few times a week • Requires parent support • Technology • www.everydaymathonline.com (Students will be sent home with passwords) • Please see my website for additional links

9. Science • Wood and Paper • Spring • Technology • http://www.fossweb.com • Please see my website for direct link

10. Character Counts • Six Pillars of Character • Responsibility • Duty, Accountability, Pursue Excellence, Self-Control • Trustworthiness • Integrity, Honesty, Reliability, Loyalty • Citizenship • Do Your Share, Respect Authority and Law • Caring • Concern for Others, Charity • Fairness • Fairness and Justice, Openness • Respect • Golden Rule, Tolerance and Acceptance, Nonviolence, Courtesy

11. Lunch • Lunch Time 11:30-12:20 • Students have the option of bringing or buying their lunch. • Menus are sent home monthly • Parents are encouraged to purchase a lunch ticket if their child will be buying lunch. • A 10 day ticket is $26.00 and a 20 day ticket is $52. • Cash or checks are accepted. • Checks must be made out to School District 47. • Milk may be purchased for $0.55 • If you would like to send in cash, $2.60, for your child to buy lunch please send it in an envelope or Ziploc bag with their name written on the front.

12. Encores Students that will be staying all day will need to have gym shoes to participate in P.E. and an art shirt. The encore schedule is as follows; Monday - Art Tuesday- STEM Wednesday- Library Thursday- Gym Friday- Music

13. Snack/Rest Time • Each afternoon we will be resting • Rest time could include; • Reading • Writing • Resting • Snack time will occur during rest time. Snacks are optional and are provided by parents. • Small and Manageable • Healthy • Peanut Free

14. Behavior Management System Classroom behavior will be tracked on a behavior ladder. The children will have the opportunity to be recognized for good behavior by climbing up the ladder. The ladder will also serve as a redirection system for inappropriate behavior As students are learning the rules reminders will be given about behavior. Students will be given a stamp on their calendar if they had a good day. If a child requires multiple reminders they will not receive a stamp for the day. Please check your child’s calendar every day.

15. Report Cards Standards are established by the District for each grade level in Reading, Writing & Math Reports reflect student progress as a whole  Learner Characteristics Academic Progress over time (4,3,2,1) Student Work, Assessments, and Portfolios Students Assessed three times a year MAP test

16. Daily Routine Reminders • Attendance • Please call the office and notify them of your child’s absence. • Drop-Off • Front of the school by the cross-walk • Pick-Up • Parents must park their car and walk to front of building to pick up their child. • If there is a change in your child’s end of the day routine please call or send a note with your child. E-Mail notifications are unreliable.

17. Folders • Red Folder • Needs to be brought to school “cleaned-out” every day • Behavior Calendar – Stamped daily for good behavior • Homework – Please return the next day • Reading Folder • Reading Log • Please sign the log each night your child reads/or is read to (log will begin in October) • Guided Reading Books • Books will be sent home periodically • Please read them with your child and send them back the next day

18. Celebrations • Birthdays • When your child’s special day arrives they can bring in a non-food item to share with the class. • Donate a book to the class for all to enjoy • Special pencils/erasers for each student • Stickers • Please remember bringing in a “treat” is certainly not a requirement for birthday recognition. • Birthday invitations are not allowed at school and cannot be distributed to friends and classmates. • PTA is putting together a directory of students. • Class Parties • Last hour of the day • Halloween • Winter • Valentines Day (Card Exchange only)

19. Volunteer Opportunities • Project Story Boost • Reading to various Kindergarteners • Classroom Parties • Sign Up Sheet (2 Parents per party) • Halloween • Winter • Valentines Day (Card Exchange only) • No Photographs Please

20. Helpful Hints • Sleep • A good night’s sleep is important (10-12 hours) • Consistent Bedtime • Breakfast • Be sure your child has a good meal before school to give them energy to take on their day • Label Clothes • Winter Gear • Proper Name • Capital letter only for the first letter • Lowercase for the rest of their name

21. Upcoming Events • Picture Day- Monday, September 23rd • Parent Teacher Conferences • Wednesday, October 23rd 5-8pm • Thursday, October 24th 12-8pm • Friday, October 25th 8-11am • Early Release Days • There are several throughout the year and the student hours are 9-2pm.

22. Contact Information • Newsletters • Sent home weekly • Electronic or hard copy available • Follow me @mrsbkindy • Phone • 815-459-4231 • Before school, Lunch, Fine Arts • E-Mail • cmbernhardt@d47.org • Website • home.d47.org/cov/cmbernhardt

23. Questions • Note cards • Questions • Phone Number • Best time to call