Welcome to Kindergarten!

1. Welcome to Kindergarten! Miss Steele Room 204

2. About Me My name is Morgan Steele. I grew up in Springfield and graduated from the University of Missouri. This will be my third year teaching Kindergarten at High Pointe! I have many interests but the two that inspire me most are teaching and traveling!

3. Building Info & School Hours Principal: Mrs. Marilyn Hanna Assistant Principal: Dr. Kelly Rogers School Nurse: Linda Rogers Office Manager: Mrs. Sandra School Hours Monday-Thursday: 8:45-3:45 Friday: 8:45-2:45

4. Mystery Reader Mystery Readers usually read a book of their choice to the class on Fridays. If that does not work for you please let me know and we can schedule another day. This usually takes only 10-15 minutes. I welcome any person that is special or close to your child to come and share their favorite book! This is a super fun thing that the kids always get excited about. They love to see their loved ones come into the classroom and share their book. I will be passing a sign up sheet around. If you are interested in reading please sign your name and I will contact you at a later date to set up a time! 

5. Attendance Please do not drop off your child until 8:15 am. There is no one on duty to watch them until this time. If they eat breakfast at school make sure to drop them off in time to be FINISHED at 8:40. If you are running late and arrive after 8:45 you must walk in and check your child in at the front office. Do not drop them off. The doors of the school lock at 8:45. If your child will be absent please contact me or call Mrs. Sandra at 225.1600 District Attendance Protocol: 3 absences- First letter 5 absences- Second letter 8 absences- Attendance contract made with Ms. Hanna

6. General Information XLT is a fun before and after school program available. More information is located online. When in doubt label it! We have so many items in the lost and found that are never claimed. Make sure to check there if you are missing something and always label it to ensure it gets back to you if misplaced. The student handbook is located online. It is very important that you review this!

7. Student Safety • Routine Drills & Procedure Reminders • Fire • Tornado • Intruder • Playground • Visitors • Check in at the office • Picture ID required per district CSIP (comprehensive school improvement plan) • All visitors must wear a visitor’s badge provided by office personnel • Visitor badges must be removed and given to office personnel before exiting building

8. Counselor’s Notes • Bi-weekly classroom lessons • Small group interactions • Individual Assistance • Community Resources

9. Nurse’s Notes • Immunizations • Fever free for 24 hours • Symptom free for 24 hours • Medications must be supplied and hand delivered by parents. • Keep contact information updated.

10. Red Folders & Backpacks John’s Red Folder 2013-2014 Mrs. Pollack Kindergarten John • Send a backpack EACH day • Extra change of clothes in a zip lock baggie with your child’s name on it incase of accident • Name on the outside of backpack • Red Friday Folders will be sent home every Friday. These will have very important information in them. Please check them thoroughly and send them back to school the following Monday.

11. Specials Schedule Monday: Music Tuesday: Computer Lab Wednesday: Library Thursday: Art Friday: P.E

12. Birthdays & Special Snacks Only send invites to school that invite entire class (This way no ones feelings get hurt  Snacks MUST meet NPS Health & Wellness Policy

13. Lunch & Milk Information Lunch and snack milk money should be sent to school weekly or monthly in a labeled envelope. You can also pay using a PayPam account. This allows you to easily check your balance as well! DO NOT send in money each day Kindergarteners only get Choice #1 Menus can be found on the Nixa website. You are more than welcome to come eat lunch with your child. Make sure to check in at the front office! Our lunch is from 12:18-12:43.This is a pretty late lunch. Make sure to feed your child a big breakfast before school! Snack milk is $0.40

14. Snacks Your child is encouraged to bring a water bottle to school. Make sure it is a kid friendly bottle that has their name written on it. Prepackaged snacks work best Enough for 22 students Send in at the beginning of each month. I will write it in the newsletter to remind everyone! MUST meet Health & Wellness Policy Examples: crackers, cheese, yogurt, pretzels, Goldfish

15. Wacky Snack Wednesday If you would like to donate money for the wacky snacks send it to school or give it directly to me in a labeled envelope. Every Wednesday we will be trying a sample of a healthy wacky snack. Please let me know if your child has a special diet or allergies. Please make sure to write “Wacky Snack Wednesday” on the envelope! Don’t forget to ask your child what wacky snack they got to try! 

16. Recess Go out if it is 25 degrees or above (including wind chill!) NO flip flops-Kids have a hard time playing in them

17. Transportation & Yellow Tags • MUSThave a note or call office to make a change in normal transportation or they will be sent home normal way. We cannot accept verbal permission from any child. If changes are made the day of please call the front office. • Car pick up and day care will be escorted to the gym. You may pick up your child by walking into the building or picking them up through the carline. • Yellow tags need to be displayed on rearview mirror • Write in black marker John Smith

18. Just a Heads Up • One day each quarter all parents are invited • to come into the classroom for lunch. More • Information to come on dates. • I would love to cheer your child on at an • outside of school activity or sport. I will be • contacting you to set up a day if this is • something you are comfortable with. • Newsletters will be emailed and posted on • the website. If you would like a paper copy • let me know by checking the appropriate box • on the form and returning it to me.

19. Extra Supplies Please send these extra supplies… Girls: 1 can of non-scented Lysol Boys: sandwich sized Zip Lock Baggies All: 1 orange PLASTIC folder with brads

20. Volunteering We LOVE help in Kindergarten! -Fill out Volunteer Form -Times you are available -Include phone number & e-mail address

21. PTA! Join PTA TONIGH! T-Shirts for each child will be provided by PTA and other donors. Additional shirts are available for purchase for $10.00. Bash Friday, Aug. 15 from 6-8 @ McCaully Park FREE Hotdogs & Chips Swim @ Nixa Pool from 8:30-10:00 (Donations accepted)

22. 2015-16 PTA Officers Secretaries: Angel Lapaglia & Danielle Gibson 3rd VP Kim O’Connell 2nd VP Becca Murdaugh President Shelly McMasters Wyatt 3rd VP Christine Collins 1st VP Kerri Hopkins Treasurer Amy Carr

23. Read, Read, Read! Research studies indicate that daily reading correlates with your child’s academic success! Read with your child at least 15 minutes DAILY

24. Return By Friday Complete Cubby Buddy by 1st week of school Fill out All About Me Form(s) Volunteer Sheet (if applicable)

25. Questions?

26. Apps, Apps, Apps There are two apps that I would love for you to download (if your phone allows it) before you leave today. Remind App I will be using this app to communicate and send reminders throughout the year! Make sure to turn your push notifications on if you would like to be notified when I post something. First download the app then…. Text @hpesteele to 81010 Nixa Public Schools App This app has a lot of really great information about the district! It is very user friendly. To receive notifications and updates make sure your push notifications is turned on for this app!

27. I’m so excited to start the year off with you and your kiddo! See you on Wednesday!

28. Before You Leave… I must have the purple information form!