ABCs of Kindergarten in Room 4

If your child is absent, please call the school office (760) 632-5892 to let us know.   

If your child is late getting to school, even 5 minutes, please check in at the school office before coming to class.

Our classroom aide is Mrs. Chenard. 

Please provide your child with a backpack that can hold a standard folder. 

Birthdays are a big deal in Kindergarten!  Our school offers some great non-food suggestions to help your child celebrate their special day.  You can find some suggestions here.  OR, some parents have wrapped a special book for their child, which he or she can unwrap in front of the class.  The student, their family member(s) or I can then read the book in front of the class.  Some families choose to write a dedication in the book to their child and donate it to our classroom library, where their birthday will be remembered throughout the year.

I will send home book order forms for you and your child to look over every few months.  Book clubs offer books at reduced prices.  It's a great way to build your child's home library!

Breakfast is available to any student at 8:00 a.m. in the School Cafeteria.
           

Parent and Teacher conferences are held at the end of the first and second trimester; November 18-22 and March 17-21.  I will send sign-ups a few weeks prior for you to choose a time to meet that works for you. 

Closed-toe shoes (with back straps) are required at school because of the active nature of playground time and other activities at school.  Please dress children appropriately for the school setting/learning. Visibly and clearly label sweatshirts, jackets, and back packs, with first and last name and room number.  No hats are allowed in Room 4, but encouraged for outdoor time.

Cardio Club:  On Friday Mornings we will be participating in Cardio Club, when we run on the Cardio Club Track.  Please send proper running shoes on Mondays and Fridays (for P.E. and Cardio Club).

  Drop-off for Kindergarten starts at 8:05 at the Kindergarten playground.  School begins at 8:15.

Discipline is simple. We work hard as a class to make the classroom a positive and safe place for all. Our Cardiff Way rules are as easy as following the ABC's:

          1.  Act Responsibly

          2.  Be Honest

          3.  Care for Others

          4.  Show Respect
           

  If anything changes for the school emergency card, please inform the office and me.

 Full Day Kindergarten starts after Fall Break!  I will update you on how our Full Day schedule will change as we get closer to November. 

  We have weekly Garden lessons with Ms. Karen Selander on Thursdays.

               We are excited to celebrate Grandparents Day on March 27 when we invite grandparents to come learn and eat lunch with us.

We will not have daily or weekly Homework this year.  I will send occasional at-home activities that I feel will enhance or support what we are learning in the classroom.  I do strongly believe that it is important for children to read or be read to on a regular basis, and encourage families to build 10-20 minutes into their daily routines to support our students with this gift.  An optional Math Homework book is available at Back-to School Night - I will provide suggested pacing in weekly newsletters.

Independence is a goal for students because it builds self-esteem and confidence.  Kindergartners are very capable of doing many things on their own and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves.  Please do NOT feel tempted to do your child's work for them.  Your child's best is best to me.  

Writing takes place every day in kindergarten.  One way we accomplish this is through writing in our journals.  Encourage your child to write at home for a variety of purposes.

 Keep updated by reading the classroom newsletter online and checking the communication folder every day for other notes and information.  The newsletter & other information can be found on our website at cardiffschools.com -> Cardiff School ->Classroom websites -> Stone, Christa

Our class will visit the LRC (library) on Fridays with Mrs. Hagen. 

Students have the option of getting a lunch from school. The school website has more information, including a new menu each month.   

Please visibly and clearly label lunch/snack boxes on the outside with student's name and room number. 

The children will have music class with Ms. Zapata every Tuesday. 

The kindergarten math curriculum provides students with a variety of mathematical experiences that help them develop number sense and a positive attitude towards mathematics that will continue throughout their school career and lives.  Many of our math concepts are also covered through our regular calendar routine.
           

A newsletter will be sent home weekly (usually on Mondays) through email, and is always available to view online. If you would rather receive a paper copy, please let me know and be sure to check the communication folder regularly.

Open House will take place on Thursday, May 15 at 6:00.            

Our class will have P.E. class every Monday with Mrs. Jones.  Please have appropriate shoes.

When picking up (and dropping off) your child, please be prompt, and never leave your car parked in the drop off/pick-up lane.   You are welcome to meet us in the drop-off/pick-up lane in front of the school in your car or walk up to our dismissal gate. 

Questions? Please feel free to call, stop in, email, or send a note.
           

Kindergarten report cards will be sent home 3 times during the year. 

Kindergartners have recess daily.  We have Snack Recess at 10:15  When we go full day, we will have more recesses.

Our kindergarten day starts at 8:15.  Students are allowed on the playground starting at 8:05.

            At dismissal time, 12:15 (2:35 Full-day) , you may meet your child in front of the kindergarten gate or pick-up zone in your car.  Daycare students will be picked up at the classroom.  Please let us know if your method of pickup changes.

            Students/Siblings are not allowed to play on the playground before or after school.  

We have a short snack /recess daily. Please send a small, easy to access/open, healthy snack to school with your child.  Please note that snacks are NOT provided by the school.

If your child has any changes in their transportation (new people picking-up) please let me know in writing, or by email.

Volunteers and Visitors - If you would like to help our class, you may submit a volunteer form with the school office.  We also love volunteers as Class Parent/s (to create a parent roster/facilitate communication between families in our class) or as a Room Rep/s for Cardiff SEA.

We encourage each family to join SEA, our Parent-Staff Organization, whether you plan to attend meetings, or simply like to have the school address book.

**I miss your students when they are not at school!  Please consider that your child may be missing important activities/new skills if he or she is on vacation on school days.  Please take a look at the school calendar and plan your vacation to align with our days off.  If your family has to take a vacation during school time, please be sure to let us know.

Our school website is cardiffschools.com.  It is a great resource.  Our class website can be found under 'Cardiff School', 'classrooms', then my name.
           

During school hours, perimeter gates are locked.  Parents and family members may eXit and enter via the main school office entry.   Please don't forget to check in with office staff.
           

Your ideas and suggestions are welcome!
           

 Zzzzzzzz- Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest.  Setting and keeping a regular bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give your child.