The ABC’s of Mrs. Rippel’s Kindergarten Class
A
All- All children can learn!
Allergies – Please be mindful of our school family as some have allergies!
Alphabet- We will be working with letters and sounds all year!
Attendance- Attendance is very important. Your child will have a successful year if he or she attends school every day! If your child has 10 or more unexcused absences, he or she will repeat Kindergarten.
B
Bedtime- Bedtime is important. Please keep a consistent bedtime with your child and make sure he/she gets enough rest. This will help greatly in establishing a routine those first few weeks and the rest of the year. Studies show a 5 or 6-year-old requires approximately 10-11 hours of sleep a night.
Birthdays- We do celebrate birthdays! You are invited to send your child’s favorite book and a special snack (cupcakes, cookies, donuts, etc.). **These MUST be “store-bought.” We will also be celebrating summer birthdays. I’ll plan these “Un-Birthdays” for the end of the school year.
Book Sack- Each child will need a book sack to carry his/her daily folder and other projects throughout the year. Make sure their name is on it somewhere and they bring it to school every day.
C
Calendars- A calendar will be stapled in your child’s daily folder at the beginning of every month. It will show our snack schedule and any other dates that I may need to inform you about. This will also serve as a behavior chart.
Conferences- Conferences may be scheduled at any time throughout the year. I am most readily available for conferences on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday mornings from 7:30-8:00. Please call the office to schedule a conference
(664-9711).
D
Discipline- Our class expectations are posted in the classroom. We use a behavior clip system. Your child may move his/her clip up or down throughout the day depending on their behavior. Please see the attached note for more details.
E
E-mails- You may email me at school . . . [email protected]
F
Field Trips- As of now, we plan to have 2 fieldtrips this year (Dates TBA). Supply fees must be paid to attend fieldtrips. More information on the fieldtrips will be provided closer to the date of the trip. Chaperones are needed and welcome!
Folders- Your child will have a take home folder (Daily Folder). The folder will be our best way to maintain daily communication between home and school. A monthly calendar/behavior chart, notes from me, school information, book orders, etc. will be sent home in this folder. Please be sure to check the folder daily, take out work from the day, and make sure the folder is returned in your child’s book sack. The behavior chart is an easy way for you to monitor your child’s behavior at school. Please be sure to initial the appropriate day on the chart to show that you have seen it. You may send fees, signed behavior notes, or any information you would like to share with me in the folder. I will check folders each morning, not book sacks.
G
Grow- You will be amazed to see how much your child grows (both physically and academically) this year!
H
Homework- This year we will have “homework”. I will send a packet home on Monday and it will need to be returned on Friday.
I
Illness- Although I do my best to keep our classroom germ free, Kindergarten children are particularly susceptible to spreading germs. If your child is throwing up, has diarrhea, or a fever they will be sent home from school. Please make sure your phone numbers are kept current in the office. Also please keep in mind that if you say to your child in the morning, “If you don’t feel good, tell your teacher to call me.” The first thing they will tell me when they walk through my door is, “I don’t feel good!” We will use our best discretion to decide whether a child should go home or not.
**Please see the “Livingston Parish Operational Guidance” link on the Livingston Parish Public Schools Website for additional health information.**
J
Jump- Jump for joy when your child learns a new skill. Make sure they know you are proud of them!
K
Kindergarten Shirt- Each kindergartener will receive a "K Shirt" for fieldtrips and Fridays. Supply Fee must be paid in order to receive your shirt.
Kiss- Kiss your child goodbye every morning to remind them how much they are loved! And give them lots of “smooches” when they get home in the afternoon!
Kitty Bucks- Your child can earn Kitty Bucks throughout the day and save up to purchase a special “prize” off of the Buck Mobile once a month!
Kool Kitty - Every Friday I will pick a “Kool Kitty” based on their good behavior, hard work, and positive attitude. Being Kool Kitty is an honor and lots of fun things go along with it, so please make this a big deal for your child if he/she is chosen. More info on this will be sent home when the time comes for your child to be KOOL KITTY!
L
Lunch- Lunch will start at 10:30 every day. There is no charge for school lunches again this year. If you bring a lunch and need to purchase a milk, you would need money for that. If you do bring a lunch (nutritious I hope- no junk food!), DO NOT send a canned drink, please send a thermos or a drink box.
M
Math- Math is so much fun in Kindergarten! We will be using a variety of activities to master many of our skills. We will use hands on activities as well as paper and pencil activities to become “Math Masters”!
Money- All money (Supply Fee, Field Trips, Smoothie King, and Free Dress) will be paid online this school year.
N
Newsletter- There will be a weekly newsletter telling about themes, activities, and successes of the children. Read these closely so you will know what is going on in our classroom!
O
Office- The office phone number is 664-9711.
P
Parents- You are partners with us this year as your child learns and grows. We plan to keep in close contact with you.
Parties- We will have two parties a year, Christmas and Easter. We will exchange valentines on Feb. 14th and have a fun day at the end of the school year. There will also be occasional “Fun Days.” We’ll be sending additional information about these closer to the days.
Portfolio- We keep a portfolio of samples of your child’s work and will go over them with you at the parent conferences. You are welcome to see it at any time.
Q
Quality- Quality teaching provides quality learning!
R
Remind101– Please see the attached sheet and sign up for my text reminders.
S
Scholastic Book Orders- Once a month I will send home a Scholastic Book order form for you to look at with your child and order books if desired. This is a great opportunity to get good books at very reasonable prices. If you do decide to order, please help your child choose quality books with a “valuable” message. For instance, you might not want to always choose popular theme books like Power Rangers. Please make checks payable to Scholastic Book Club. Cash is also accepted. This money does not go through the office. I do the orders myself.
Snacks- I will be assigning snack days on our calendar. When it is your day for snack, please send in 21 “store-bought”, individually-wrapped snacks for the class. The children always love to pass out the snack they bring!
T
Talk- Talk to your child about his/her school day. Ask them what they did and do not accept “I don’t know” or “nothing” for an answer. Look for clues such as paint on their shirts, or play dough under their nails to spark conversation. Also use the daily folder!
Team- Your child will succeed this year if we all work as a team . . . parents, teacher, and child!
Texting- This year I will be utilizing a text program for reminders and last minute notices. Don’t forget to sign up!
Towels- Please send a small towel for your child to put his/her face on at nap time. These will be stored in your child’s book sack and should be washed weekly. Small blankets and/or pillows are acceptable and will be kept in your child’s book sack.
(Changes in) Transportation- Please make sure that you send a note if your child needs to go home any other way from school than usual. **CHANGES MUST BE IN WRITING** If there is no note, then your child will go home his/her usual way.
U
Uniforms- Uniforms are mandatory. Speak to the office if you have concerns or questions about the uniform policy.
V
Volunteers- I welcome parent volunteers anytime (unfortunately, this year we will not be able to have “in class” volunteers, but I would love your help with “take home” projects!) . . . I seem to always have a “to do” list! If you are able to help out - please let me know!
W
Wildcat Wednesdays – Your child will be allowed to wear his/her Spirit Shirt every Wednesday (with uniform bottoms).
X
X-tra- I’ll do my best to make this an extra special year for everyone!
Y
Your- Your child is unique and special. Know that he/she will be successful this year!
Z
Zillions- Zillions of great experiences await your child this Kindergarten year! You will see lots of projects, papers, and pictures. Savor this year - there is no other like it!