Classroom Information
All kindergarten classes are full-day in Bullitt County. Coming to school all day may be overwhelming for some students. Most children will need some transition time to fully adjust to their new schedule. This transition time may last a few days or several weeks depending on the child. Many kindergarten students will feel the day is very long. I assure you this is common, but ALL students eventually adjust! We will work with each child and family to make the transition to school as positive as possible.
Our classroom will be made up of a group of students with a wide range of abilities, ages, and backgrounds. Our goal is to create an environment that is homelike, positive, safe, creative and FUN, because we know that children learn best in an atmosphere of comfort and where they feel successful!
Communication with Parents
Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. You are an essential part of the educational process. I value your communication and support.
I will be utilizing a communication app called Class Dojo to send quick updates, information, and photos of class activities. This is a private and secure environment. More information will be sent home about joining Dojo.
School-wide information will be sent home via Class Dojo and through the school's Facebook page.
If you need to call me during the school day, the office will take a message, and I will call you back at my earliest convenience. You may also contact me by e-mail me at [email protected].
Coming and Going
If your child’s transportation arrangements are going to be different one day, or if you have a different person picking up your child at school, you must notify us IN WRITING of the change. The office is very conscientious about this in order to keep your child safe! We cannot release your child to anyone without your permission.
Children who are car riders will need to be picked up at the car rider entrance to the school. The car rider line is always long and slow during the first few weeks of school, so bring along something to read and plenty of patience. After the first few weeks, the line begins moving much more quickly.
Meals
Brooks is fortunate to have a FREE breakfast and lunch program for ALL students! Therefore, it is not necessary for students to bring money. If, however, your child wishes to purchases extras, then money will need to be sent for those items. You are also welcome to send money to put in your child's "account" to pay for extras.
Your child is also welcomed to bring his/her own lunch to school. We ask, however, that you do not send food from fast food restaurants, soft drinks, etc. Thanks for your help with this!
Parents are welcomed to join their child for lunch. You will need to sign in at the office and get a visitor's badge, and then you can join us in the cafeteria. There are special tables where students and parents can sit together.
Wellness (Recess)
We will go outside everyday, weather permitting. Rigorous exercise is important for children’s health, and it is important for their learning. Please make sure that your child is dressed in clothing appropriate for the weather.
Personal Items
Please have your child leave personal items at home, such as toys, make-up, jewelry, etc. These items create distractions in the classroom and are not needed at school. If I am asking the students to bring something from home, I will send a note letting you know.
Please mark your child’s name on his/her backpack, lunchbox, sweaters, and jackets.
**Please check your child’s backpack each night. Sometimes items from school inadvertently make it into kids’ backpacks. If your child has a Lego, or a block, or a piece of chalk, etc., it probably belongs to our room. Please ask your child about it, then return it to me the next day. The happens A LOT with young children, so it can diminish our classroom supplies quickly. I always appreciate students bringing items back to school!**
What We’ll Do All Day
At the beginning of each day, our class will have a Morning Meeting. This is a time to sing songs and share interesting stories with each other. This meeting helps develop friendships and a sense of community. Afterwards, we will work on math and literacy skills together as a large group. During the rest of the day, some of the lessons will be taught to the class as a group, or there may be small group or individual lessons. Our class will go to lunch and recess, and we will have a special area each day (music/art, PE, or library.)
Although our day will be very busy, it will be structured in a way to meet the needs of the children. We will alternate between activities where they sit in their seats, where they are up and moving, where they are expected to be quiet, and where they can make noise. During the initial transition to a full day schedule, we will allow a quiet time in the afternoon to “recharge” their batteries. After the first few weeks, however, most of the children will be adjusted to being at school all day.
And finally…In closing, I am so excited to have your child in class this year! I look forward to getting to know each of them — it is going to be a great year!
Our classroom will be made up of a group of students with a wide range of abilities, ages, and backgrounds. Our goal is to create an environment that is homelike, positive, safe, creative and FUN, because we know that children learn best in an atmosphere of comfort and where they feel successful!
Communication with Parents
Parents are a child’s first and most important teacher. You are an essential part of the educational process. I value your communication and support.
I will be utilizing a communication app called Class Dojo to send quick updates, information, and photos of class activities. This is a private and secure environment. More information will be sent home about joining Dojo.
School-wide information will be sent home via Class Dojo and through the school's Facebook page.
If you need to call me during the school day, the office will take a message, and I will call you back at my earliest convenience. You may also contact me by e-mail me at [email protected].
Coming and Going
If your child’s transportation arrangements are going to be different one day, or if you have a different person picking up your child at school, you must notify us IN WRITING of the change. The office is very conscientious about this in order to keep your child safe! We cannot release your child to anyone without your permission.
Children who are car riders will need to be picked up at the car rider entrance to the school. The car rider line is always long and slow during the first few weeks of school, so bring along something to read and plenty of patience. After the first few weeks, the line begins moving much more quickly.
Meals
Brooks is fortunate to have a FREE breakfast and lunch program for ALL students! Therefore, it is not necessary for students to bring money. If, however, your child wishes to purchases extras, then money will need to be sent for those items. You are also welcome to send money to put in your child's "account" to pay for extras.
Your child is also welcomed to bring his/her own lunch to school. We ask, however, that you do not send food from fast food restaurants, soft drinks, etc. Thanks for your help with this!
Parents are welcomed to join their child for lunch. You will need to sign in at the office and get a visitor's badge, and then you can join us in the cafeteria. There are special tables where students and parents can sit together.
Wellness (Recess)
We will go outside everyday, weather permitting. Rigorous exercise is important for children’s health, and it is important for their learning. Please make sure that your child is dressed in clothing appropriate for the weather.
Personal Items
Please have your child leave personal items at home, such as toys, make-up, jewelry, etc. These items create distractions in the classroom and are not needed at school. If I am asking the students to bring something from home, I will send a note letting you know.
Please mark your child’s name on his/her backpack, lunchbox, sweaters, and jackets.
**Please check your child’s backpack each night. Sometimes items from school inadvertently make it into kids’ backpacks. If your child has a Lego, or a block, or a piece of chalk, etc., it probably belongs to our room. Please ask your child about it, then return it to me the next day. The happens A LOT with young children, so it can diminish our classroom supplies quickly. I always appreciate students bringing items back to school!**
What We’ll Do All Day
At the beginning of each day, our class will have a Morning Meeting. This is a time to sing songs and share interesting stories with each other. This meeting helps develop friendships and a sense of community. Afterwards, we will work on math and literacy skills together as a large group. During the rest of the day, some of the lessons will be taught to the class as a group, or there may be small group or individual lessons. Our class will go to lunch and recess, and we will have a special area each day (music/art, PE, or library.)
Although our day will be very busy, it will be structured in a way to meet the needs of the children. We will alternate between activities where they sit in their seats, where they are up and moving, where they are expected to be quiet, and where they can make noise. During the initial transition to a full day schedule, we will allow a quiet time in the afternoon to “recharge” their batteries. After the first few weeks, however, most of the children will be adjusted to being at school all day.
And finally…In closing, I am so excited to have your child in class this year! I look forward to getting to know each of them — it is going to be a great year!