O.M Roberts Elementary

1. O.M Roberts Elementary Kindergarten Parent Meeting September 12, 2013

2. Welcome! Mrs. Arizmendi, Mrs. Crow, Miss Finch, Mrs. Murray

3. Reading Program • State adoption (Houghton Mifflin Journeys) • Introduces 40 high frequency words throughout the year- see report card for district spelling/sight words • Independent Readers and Phonic Take Home Readers- highlights high frequency words, print concepts and reading skills.

4. Phonemic Awareness • The conscious awareness that words are made up of sounds. • Develops through a series of stages, which explore and manipulate sounds.

5. Guided Reading • Allows the teacher to work with small groups or individual students on instructional reading that provides an appropriate and successful challenge to the students. • Focuses on specific print awareness and beginning reading skills.

6. Strengthens skills/concepts learned in class Sharing knowledge through discussion and demonstration Development of good work habits Responsibility Independent and cooperative problem solving Work Stations

7. Letter Recognition and Sounds • We will introduce a letter a day for 26 days. • Letters will be reviewed in more detail every three to five days for the rest of the year. • Name, recognition, formation, and sound/symbol relationship • Blending letter sounds to create words – jewel words

8. HandwritingBall and Stick Kindergarten • Please stress pencil grasp and see handouts for formation of letters.

9. Math Program • Harcourt School Publishers is a state adopted series used for math • All skills are introduced using manipulatives, then students transfer the knowledge gained to workbook activities. • http://www.thinkcentral.com/

10. Weekly homework folders Sent home on Monday Returned on Friday (will NOT accept early) Introduces routine of homework Focuses on previous week’s objectives Spend 10 – 15 minutes a night on homework Students that have completed homework each week will receive a shining star Take home reader Sight word practice Will be sent home 9/16/13 Return on 9/20/13 Homework

11. Cafeteria Rules and Procedures • Cafeteria rules are listed on-line @ http://ww2.brazosportisd.net/roberts/ • Students will receive a dot in the cafeteria for inappropriate cafeteria behavior. • Student will walk for part of recess or miss center time for that day. • Students receiving more than one dot will sit at the no-talking table for five days.

12. Classroom Rules • Classroom Rules • 1.Students will listen attentively. • 2.Students will use quiet voices. • 3.Students will walk in the school building. • 4.Students will accept correction appropriately. • 5.Students will keep hands and feet to themselves. • 6.Students will follow directions.

13. Classroom Rules and Procedures • Conduct cards will be used to monitor classroom behavior. • A yellow card is a happy day card, orange card is a loss of privilege, blue card is a loss of privilege and removal from the group and red card is a possible visit to the principal. • If your child ended their day with a turned card, they will be sent home with a note that needs to be signed and returned.

14. Report Cards • 9 week grading period • 8/26/13 – 10/18/13 • 10/21/13 – 12/20/13 • 1/7/14 – 3/21/14 • 3/24/14 – 6/5/14 • Academics - 1=Consistently, 2=Sometimes, 3=Unable to do at this time, • Conduct – E,S, I, U • We will send home a list of objectives in each report card folder for the next nine weeks

15. ASSESSMENT • Individual assessment of each child implemented district wide • Computer assessment administered by classroom teachers • Assesses reading and math skills • Beginning, Middle, and End of Year • Parents notified after assessment of their results

16. Attendance/Tardies • It is important for your child to be here daily, however please do not send a sick child to school • If they do miss school, please send a note. 48 hrs • You will receive a phone call on your child’s first day of absence • If your child misses too much school, you will receive a letter from Mrs. Roy (3 tardies = 1 absence) • A student is counted tardy at 8:00am and will need to go to the office for a tardy slip if they arrive after 8:15am. (see the Student/Parent Guide online @ http://ww2.brazosportisd.net/roberts/ )

17. SEARCH • Serves gifted students • Identified through intellectual ability and creative thinking • All Kindergartners will be tested in October • Identified early Spring • Served in the classroom • Meeting September 26th, at 5:30

18. Book Orders • Sent home occasionally • Make checks payable to Scholastic • Optional, but an excellent source for concept books and other learning materials.

19. Birthdays • Celebrated monthly • Teacher will supply birthday prizes at the end of the month! • Invitations are only passed out if the entire class is invited. • Personal information may be passed out if prior written permission is given.

20. Nutritional Guidelines • Texas Public School Nutrition Policy • The purpose is to promote a healthy environment. • Foods of minimal nutritional value may not be provided. • Exemptions are allotted for three school wide events • Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and End of School

21. Monthly Calendar • Refer to for daily information and skills to reinforce at home • Kindergarten weekly concepts • Grade level activities • School activities • Holidays

22. Pick up/Drop off • If you drop your child off before 7:25, please be aware there are no adults on duty until this time. • Students that are not picked up before 3:15 will be taken to the office to wait. • Students that are going home in a different way need to have a note. • You must use the visor signs, or you will have to sign your child out in the office.

23. Parent/Teacher Conferences • May be requested by teacher or parent • Meet student needs • Personal or phone • Tuesday - Thursday 3:15 – 3:45 • Please do not expect to meet with the teachers when they are on dismissal duty. • Parent conference is required if child is performing below grade level.

24. Website Brazosport I.S.D. • www.brazosportisd.net O. M. Roberts Elementary • http://ww2.brazosportisd.net/roberts/

25. Change of Clothes • Please place a change of clothes in your child’s backpack for accidents. • Make sure clothing is seasonally appropriate and replace clothing if your child has an accident. • If child does not have change of clothes parents will be called to bring some to school.

26. Volunteers • Please fill out Criminal History Form • Criminal History Forms available at: • O.M. Roberts front office • www.brazosportisd.net • 3 months for approval • Volunteers are needed as workroom helpers and for various other PTO related activities. If interested, please contact teacher.

27. Resources for Home Enrichment • Homework • Brazoria County Library System- - http://bcls.lib.tx.us/index.asp • Story time (Tuesdays at 4:00) • Sea Center Texas • Story time (Every Saturday and third Friday) • http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/visitorcenters/seacenter • Letters/Reading Website -www.starfall.com - http://www.thekcrew.net/centersphilosophy.html - www.squaremeals.org

28. Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule. Working together we can help each child reach his or her potential!