Mrs. Graham’s Curriculum Night

1. Mrs. Graham’sCurriculum Night *Welcome Green Trails Parents!!!

2. ALL ABOUT ME * I am a Parkway Alumni * I went to Hanna Woods Elementary and graduated from Parkway South high school. * I graduated in 2005 from the University of Central Missouri with my Bachelor’s degree in Early Childhood Education. *My husband’s name is Steve and we will celebrate our 5th wedding anniversary on Friday. We have a crazy dog named Muzzy!

3. MY FAMILY

5. DAILY SCHEDULE • 8:15-8:30-free play • 8:30-9:00-morning meeting, calendar • activities, (*Mondays-news *Fridays-“show and tell”) • 9:00-9:30- math • 9:30-10:00-social studies/science • 10:00-10:30-reading • 10:30-10:45-restroom break-snack • 10:45-11:00 read aloud/shared reading • 11:00-11:50-specials (P.E, art/Music) • Library/Enrichment-(Mondays from 12:50-1:50) • 12:00-12:35-lunch/recess • 12:35-12:45-restroom break/read aloud • 12:45-1:45-Writer’s workshop • 1:45-2:00-author’s chair • 2:00-2:40- centers • 2:40-3:00-afternoon snack, pack up • 3:00-Dismissal

6. Special Classes • Everyday students go to special classes at 11:00. They rotate music and art every other day and have P.E everyday. We have library and enrichment 1x a week for 1 hour on Mondays. • Please make sure your child has the appropriate shoes for P.E • *It also important to label any jackets so they do not end up in the lost and found.

7. HOMEWORK • Bring “take home” folders every day to school. • Homework in kindergarten is to Read, Read, Read! I can’t stress enough how important it is to read with your child or have them read to you each day.

8. ABSENCES • Please call the office when your child will be absent. 314-415-6250 • If your child has a fever they need to be fever free for 24 hours before coming back to school. Please let me and/or our school nurse know when your child has any kind of temporary or ongoing health need. If a student must leave early for a doctor’s appointment, go to the office and sign them out and the secretary will call them to the office. • There is usually no make up work to send home if your child is out.

9. Monday Morning Assemblies • On Monday mornings all staff and students at Green Trails gather in the gym to celebrate our student’s successes. • Weekly announcements are made, students read their writing and many are recognized for their accomplishments. • Parents are always welcome to join us for this celebration.

10. BOOK ORDERS • These are sent home about every other month. • PLEASE DO NOT SEND CASH….CHECKS ONLY… payable to Scholastic Book Clubs. • Send only one check even if ordering from more than one club. • Your book order gets our classroom FREE BOOKS!

11. BIRTHDAY TREATS • New school wide policy implemented… • ONLY pre-packaged and individually wrapped items allowed. No homemade items. • NO cakes or cookie cakes allowed. No treats with nuts/peanuts please!!! • Treats will be passed out during afternoon snack at the end of the day. • Our learning time is important therefore, if you • would like to celebrate with your child, lunch time is a great opportunity! • There are 19 children in the class. Student’s are not allowed to deliver treats to other classes.

12. TRANSPORTATION • A note must be sent if your child is going home a different way other than the usual…I will not let them leave unless they have a note. • Call the office if plans change during the day, as I may not check email and phone messages. • This is for your child’s safety.

13. CONFERENCES • Conference dates are the evenings of November 18, 2010 and March 2nd, 2010. • If you are not able to attend on those evenings I will try to set up another conference time with you preferably during my plan time (11:00-11:50) during the school day.

14. CURRICULUM • Math– Investigations • Counting/comparing • Measurement • Geometry • Addition/subtraction • Sorting/surveys • Literacy– Shared Reading, Read Alouds, Guided Reading, Independent Reading, Writer's Workshop, • Science – Units include… Exploring with the Senses Pushes & Pulls Living Things / Weather and Seasons Looking at Earth & Sky • Social Studies – Units include… • History of Me- • Children from Other Lands • Wants and Needs • This Is My Country • Me on the Map

15. Important People • Dr. Sommers – Principal • Mrs. Henderson – Asst. Principal • Mrs. Hansen – Music * Mr. Darr – Art • Mr. W. (subbing for Mrs. Seger)-P.E *Mrs. – Knight-P.E • Mrs. Carol Lawrence-EIS * Mrs. Winkler – Counselor • Mrs. Helms-1/2-day kindergarten* Mrs. Jacobs-kdg teacher • Mrs. Stafford – Librarian * Mrs. Polzin – Nurse

16. GREEN TRAILS NORMS • We will respect ourselves and value the differences of others. • We will respect our own property, the property of others, and the school. • We will work to resolve conflicts in a peaceful manner. • We will do the right thing even if no one is watching.

17. CONTACT INFORMATION • Classroom phone number: 314-415-4264 • Office phone number: 314-415-6250 • Email: sgraham@parkwayschools.net…. This is the best way to get a hold of me!

18. Snacks • Please send 2 healthy snacks with your child each day. This snack should be something they can eat in about 5-10 minutes. • Please assist your child in packing this snack each day. • You may also purchase milk/juice for the year as a part of your child’s afternoon snack. • 1st Trimester-$28.00 • 2nd Trimester-$28.50 • 3rd Trimester-$32.50 • total $89.00

19. Friday Newsletters • Your child will have a classroom newsletter sent home and/or emailed to you. This newsletter will contain dates, events and any other information. Please read it carefully for details about our classroom. • Please let me know if you do not receive the newsletter by e-mail after the first few weeks of school. • Green Trails is working on using less paper to help the environment!

20. Outside • We go outside everyday for recess and many times for P.E. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. - If you would like your child to wear sunscreen please apply it before your child comes to school. -When it becomes colder, please make sure your child’s coat, gloves, hats, etc. have their name written inside. Our lost and found becomes very full with missing clothing.

21. Rest Time • Each day after lunch we will have a rest time/writer’s workshop. Students will use their beach towels during this time to sit and relax on as they write and rest. • I will do my best to send home the towels with the students every other Friday to be washed. • *Please send the towels back with your child on Monday.

22. Parties • Our class will have many celebrations throughout the year. • The class room parents will be in charge of the parties. Please sign up if you would like to be a room parent. • *We appreciate if you do not bring younger siblings to our classroom parties.This not only allows your full attention to be focused on the class, but also allows for some special time between you and your kindergartner. Thank you for making childcare arrangements for younger siblings.

23. Website • Our classroom website can be accessed from our school website. (Click on classrooms and then KDGN) • http://www.pkwy.k12.mo.us/greentrails/index.cfm • You will find our newsletter,curriculum information, pictures and updates on our learning.

24. Standardized Testing in Kindergarten • Students will be given the Naglieri standardized test within the next few weeks. • The test is used as a first step for identifying students that may possibly be in the gifted program. • It is a non-verbal test that includes many puzzles. There is no way to study for the test. • When you receive your child’s test scores please do not be alarmed by their score. If you have questions about your child’s score please contact Nancy Winkler school counselor at 314-415-4267 • *Most gifted students are not identified or put into the program until 1st grade.

25. Thank you! • Thank you for your support this year as we work together as learning partners in your child’s education! • Shannon Graham