A
Absences: If your child is absent, a note written by the parent stating the reason for the absence must be brought to the office upon your child’s return to avoid an unexcused absence. If your child must leave early for a doctor’s appointment, please make sure to sign them out at the front office. Bring a note from the doctor upon your child's return.
Attendance: Please take special note of the attendance policy in the student handbook. Attendance is crucial to the success of your kindergarten student. Please make all necessary arrangements to get your child to school each day.
Arrival: Your Kindergarten student should arrive at school between 7:35 and 7:50 am. School begins promptly at 7:50. If your child is late, he/she will miss out on learning and disrupt the classes being taught. Students may be dropped off at the cafeteria entrance as early as 7:20. These students will be monitored by a teacher until 7:35 and then released to class.
B
Backpack: Each child will need a backpack to carry home his/her personal items, school papers, Daily Folder and guided reading book bags. Please make sure the backpack is big enough to carry these items and possibly a jacket in the wintertime.
Birthdays: If you would like to send a birthday treat with your child to share with the class near or on their birthday, you are more than welcome to do so. Please coordinate with your teacher beforehand. These treats will be eaten during our regular snack time. We will recognize our summer birthdays at the end of the school year. Please do not send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school UNLESS ALL children (boys and girls) in the class receive an invitation.
Book Orders: Periodically I will send home a Scholastic Book Club Catalog for you and your child to look over. Scholastic offers wonderful books at reduced prices and allows us to earn free books for our classroom with each order. I will include directions on how to order on-line.
Background Checks: If you are planning to volunteer in the classroom or attend our field trips you are required to fill out a background check. These forms are available in the office.
Directions for completing application:http://www.dentonisd.org/cms/lib/TX21000245/Centricity/Domain/3254/Volunteer%20Application%20Directions.pdf
Link to application:
https://www.applitrack.com/denton/onlineapp/_application.aspx?starting=true
C
Car Riders: Car riders will be dismissed at 2:50 each day from the cafeteria. Your car tag number must be visible to our teachers on duty.
Conferences: Parent/Teacher conferences will be held at the end of the first six weeks (Oct. 3-7). You will be shown your child’s report card at this time and we will discuss your child’s accomplishments, strengths and overall progress. Please feel free to schedule any additional conferences at any time throughout the school year if the need arises. My conference period is 1:20-2:05 daily.
Curriculum Night: The kindergarten teachers will host a Curriculum Night to go over kindergarten curriculum and answer any questions you may have.
D
Dismissal: Kindergarteners will have a tag attached to their backpack. This tag will have their dismissal information so that any teacher can help the student, make sure they are in the right line, etc. It is crucial that are not removed from their backpack so that we can keep all of our students safe and dismissal can go as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Discipline: The teachers at EP Rayzor Elementary use a Love and Logic approach. I encourage the children to grow and learn from their own actions. To encourage appropriate behavior, learn self-control, and build self-concept, they will be guided to respect themselves and their peers. We work hard as a class to make our classroom a positive safe loving environment. Our classroom is a small community where teamwork and good relationships are expected and encouraged. We will spend time learning and practicing class procedures. If a student is having difficulties following these guidelines, I might:
*ask questions to promote thinking and responsibility
*encourage students to solve their own problems
*offer choices within limits
*model problem-solving skills
*apply consequences that best fit these situations
*Separation from group activity, partial loss of recess, a phone call home, or a visit to the office.
*In the event that our child’s behavior is interfering with his or her learning or the learning of others, you will be notified in the Daily Folder, by e-mail or by phone.
E
Email: A great way to keep in touch with me is through e-mail. My e-mail address at school is [email protected].
F
Field Trips: Information about field trips will come home in the Daily Folder as well as email. If you plan on attending as a chaperone, you must have a Background Check on file prior to signing up.
G
Gym: Students will go to P.E. twice a week for a 45-minute period. The children are asked to wear tennis shoes on P.E. days and the girls might want to consider having a pair of shorts to slip under their dresses.
H
Homework: Reading homework at the beginning of the year will consist of sight words and word work as well as books to read together. Once your student is developmentally ready to begin reading leveled texts, he/she will bring home a book bag with their guided reading book inside. After they read the book to you, please talk to them about what they have read. Book bags should be returned the next school day. Lost books cost $10 each.
I
Illness: The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning. It is important, however, to keep your child home if he/she is ill. This helps to make them more comfortable and prevents others from becoming ill. Children function more effectively in the classroom when they are healthy. Please also keep in mind that a child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. If you have any questions please refer to the DISD student handbook or our school nurse.
Independence: Independence is a big goal in kindergarten. Independence builds self-esteem and self-confidence. I encourage the students to do as much for themselves in the classroom as possible and I would ask that you do so at home as well. So, let’s start practicing tying shoes! And, walking to the classroom by themselves is a huge step!
J
Jackets: Our classrooms are often chilly. Your child might be more comfortable with a light sweater or hoody even when it is HOT outside. Please LABEL all extra items so that we can make sure they get home with your child.
K
Kindness: Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class as well as others with kindness and respect. Hitting, fighting, name-calling, and making fun of others will not be permitted.
L
Lunch: The school will provide lunch and breakfast for the children who wish to purchase one. Breakfast is served from 7:20-7:50 every day. For convenience, you may pay online by going to the following website: https://www.parentonline.net. I encourage you to create a lunch account for your child even though they may not always purchase, you never know when a sack lunch will be left at home on the kitchen counter. Checks can be made payable to EP Rayzor Cafeteria. You are always welcome to come and eat lunch with your Kindergarten student and outside food is permitted. You can only take your child on the stage with you…no friends.
M
Meet the Teacher: Thursday, August 18th at 4:00.
N
Newsletter: A newsletter will be provided weekly to keep you informed about what is happening in our class.
Nurse: Nurse Williams is our nurse. She will tend to minor scratches and scrapes, as well as sudden illnesses. For more serious injuries, she will contact you. Please be sure to send in any change of contact numbers in case she needs to get in touch with you. All medication needs to left in our nurse’s office. The children cannot keep any kind, even over the counter, in their backpack.
O
Open line of communication: Please let me know if you have ANY concerns or questions regarding your child throughout the year. I feel that it is our job to work together as partners to help your child have a successful first year. If you have an urgent message and you want to be sure that I get it before school is out, please call the office, 940-369-4100, and speak to one of our wonderful secretaries.
P
Parties: We will have three parties. We will have a Winter Party, Valentine’s Day Party, and an End of the Year party. The room coordinator will organize the food and activities for the parties. They will also coordinate volunteers. All are welcome to participate in the festivities!
(While we do share birthday treats at school, we do not have “birthday parties”. In order to protect instructional time, we ask that parents drop off snacks. Thank you!)
Q
Questions: Feel free to call or email at any time!
R
Report Cards: Report cards are issued every six weeks. These reports reflect the progress your child has made toward various Kindergarten objectives.
Recess: Weather permitting, the students will play outside twice a day. Please keep this in mind when helping your child select clothing for the day. Athletic shoes are always best! No flip flops please.
S
Snacks: We will have snack time every morning. I have found that the best way to do snack due to allergies, special diets, and tastes is by letting each child bring their own. Please pack your child a non-sugary, healthy snack each day in their backpack. You might want to put this separate from their lunch to help with confusion.
T
Transportation: If your child has any changes in their transportation, please let me know by sending in a note, emailing me or calling the office. Please understand that I cannot send a student home via another mode of transportation without a phone call or written note from a parent. If you email during the day and I do not respond with a “Got it!” please call the office.
Toys: Children are asked NOT to bring toys from home. The only exceptions are when your child is invited to do so by the teacher.
U
Unique: Kindergarten students learn they are special and unique. Kindergartners have opportunities to describe how they are alike, as well as how they are different from others. They share their culture, and learn about different cultures within the class.
V
Volunteer: We would LOVE to have weekly volunteers for preparing materials and organizing supplies for upcoming lessons. Make sure your background check is completed and cleared before signing up. A Sign-Up Genius will be sent out soon.
W
Walkers: Walkers are dismissed at 2:50 at the end of the kindergarten hallway. The students will sit on the curb and wait for their parent to walk across to get them. The playground is off limits for students and siblings until all children have been picked up.
Water Bottles: All students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to keep in their cubby. They may hydrate as needed.
X
X-tra clothes: It is very important that you send an extra set of clothes in a large Ziploc baggy in case of a bathroom accident, messy spill or wet and muddy playgrounds. This way we do not have to bother you at work or home. These clothes can stay in your child’s cubby.
Y
Younger Siblings: It is in your child’s and the program’s best interest to have our parent volunteers available without younger children as much as possible (this includes any volunteer work, field trips, parties, etc.) 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 ahead of time.
Z
ZZZZZs: Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. A kindergarten room is a busy place and you will probably find your child exhausted at the end of the day. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!
Absences: If your child is absent, a note written by the parent stating the reason for the absence must be brought to the office upon your child’s return to avoid an unexcused absence. If your child must leave early for a doctor’s appointment, please make sure to sign them out at the front office. Bring a note from the doctor upon your child's return.
Attendance: Please take special note of the attendance policy in the student handbook. Attendance is crucial to the success of your kindergarten student. Please make all necessary arrangements to get your child to school each day.
Arrival: Your Kindergarten student should arrive at school between 7:35 and 7:50 am. School begins promptly at 7:50. If your child is late, he/she will miss out on learning and disrupt the classes being taught. Students may be dropped off at the cafeteria entrance as early as 7:20. These students will be monitored by a teacher until 7:35 and then released to class.
B
Backpack: Each child will need a backpack to carry home his/her personal items, school papers, Daily Folder and guided reading book bags. Please make sure the backpack is big enough to carry these items and possibly a jacket in the wintertime.
Birthdays: If you would like to send a birthday treat with your child to share with the class near or on their birthday, you are more than welcome to do so. Please coordinate with your teacher beforehand. These treats will be eaten during our regular snack time. We will recognize our summer birthdays at the end of the school year. Please do not send birthday party invitations to be distributed at school UNLESS ALL children (boys and girls) in the class receive an invitation.
Book Orders: Periodically I will send home a Scholastic Book Club Catalog for you and your child to look over. Scholastic offers wonderful books at reduced prices and allows us to earn free books for our classroom with each order. I will include directions on how to order on-line.
Background Checks: If you are planning to volunteer in the classroom or attend our field trips you are required to fill out a background check. These forms are available in the office.
Directions for completing application:http://www.dentonisd.org/cms/lib/TX21000245/Centricity/Domain/3254/Volunteer%20Application%20Directions.pdf
Link to application:
https://www.applitrack.com/denton/onlineapp/_application.aspx?starting=true
C
Car Riders: Car riders will be dismissed at 2:50 each day from the cafeteria. Your car tag number must be visible to our teachers on duty.
Conferences: Parent/Teacher conferences will be held at the end of the first six weeks (Oct. 3-7). You will be shown your child’s report card at this time and we will discuss your child’s accomplishments, strengths and overall progress. Please feel free to schedule any additional conferences at any time throughout the school year if the need arises. My conference period is 1:20-2:05 daily.
Curriculum Night: The kindergarten teachers will host a Curriculum Night to go over kindergarten curriculum and answer any questions you may have.
D
Dismissal: Kindergarteners will have a tag attached to their backpack. This tag will have their dismissal information so that any teacher can help the student, make sure they are in the right line, etc. It is crucial that are not removed from their backpack so that we can keep all of our students safe and dismissal can go as quickly and smoothly as possible.
Discipline: The teachers at EP Rayzor Elementary use a Love and Logic approach. I encourage the children to grow and learn from their own actions. To encourage appropriate behavior, learn self-control, and build self-concept, they will be guided to respect themselves and their peers. We work hard as a class to make our classroom a positive safe loving environment. Our classroom is a small community where teamwork and good relationships are expected and encouraged. We will spend time learning and practicing class procedures. If a student is having difficulties following these guidelines, I might:
*ask questions to promote thinking and responsibility
*encourage students to solve their own problems
*offer choices within limits
*model problem-solving skills
*apply consequences that best fit these situations
*Separation from group activity, partial loss of recess, a phone call home, or a visit to the office.
*In the event that our child’s behavior is interfering with his or her learning or the learning of others, you will be notified in the Daily Folder, by e-mail or by phone.
E
Email: A great way to keep in touch with me is through e-mail. My e-mail address at school is [email protected].
F
Field Trips: Information about field trips will come home in the Daily Folder as well as email. If you plan on attending as a chaperone, you must have a Background Check on file prior to signing up.
G
Gym: Students will go to P.E. twice a week for a 45-minute period. The children are asked to wear tennis shoes on P.E. days and the girls might want to consider having a pair of shorts to slip under their dresses.
H
Homework: Reading homework at the beginning of the year will consist of sight words and word work as well as books to read together. Once your student is developmentally ready to begin reading leveled texts, he/she will bring home a book bag with their guided reading book inside. After they read the book to you, please talk to them about what they have read. Book bags should be returned the next school day. Lost books cost $10 each.
I
Illness: The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning. It is important, however, to keep your child home if he/she is ill. This helps to make them more comfortable and prevents others from becoming ill. Children function more effectively in the classroom when they are healthy. Please also keep in mind that a child must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. If you have any questions please refer to the DISD student handbook or our school nurse.
Independence: Independence is a big goal in kindergarten. Independence builds self-esteem and self-confidence. I encourage the students to do as much for themselves in the classroom as possible and I would ask that you do so at home as well. So, let’s start practicing tying shoes! And, walking to the classroom by themselves is a huge step!
J
Jackets: Our classrooms are often chilly. Your child might be more comfortable with a light sweater or hoody even when it is HOT outside. Please LABEL all extra items so that we can make sure they get home with your child.
K
Kindness: Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class as well as others with kindness and respect. Hitting, fighting, name-calling, and making fun of others will not be permitted.
L
Lunch: The school will provide lunch and breakfast for the children who wish to purchase one. Breakfast is served from 7:20-7:50 every day. For convenience, you may pay online by going to the following website: https://www.parentonline.net. I encourage you to create a lunch account for your child even though they may not always purchase, you never know when a sack lunch will be left at home on the kitchen counter. Checks can be made payable to EP Rayzor Cafeteria. You are always welcome to come and eat lunch with your Kindergarten student and outside food is permitted. You can only take your child on the stage with you…no friends.
M
Meet the Teacher: Thursday, August 18th at 4:00.
N
Newsletter: A newsletter will be provided weekly to keep you informed about what is happening in our class.
Nurse: Nurse Williams is our nurse. She will tend to minor scratches and scrapes, as well as sudden illnesses. For more serious injuries, she will contact you. Please be sure to send in any change of contact numbers in case she needs to get in touch with you. All medication needs to left in our nurse’s office. The children cannot keep any kind, even over the counter, in their backpack.
O
Open line of communication: Please let me know if you have ANY concerns or questions regarding your child throughout the year. I feel that it is our job to work together as partners to help your child have a successful first year. If you have an urgent message and you want to be sure that I get it before school is out, please call the office, 940-369-4100, and speak to one of our wonderful secretaries.
P
Parties: We will have three parties. We will have a Winter Party, Valentine’s Day Party, and an End of the Year party. The room coordinator will organize the food and activities for the parties. They will also coordinate volunteers. All are welcome to participate in the festivities!
(While we do share birthday treats at school, we do not have “birthday parties”. In order to protect instructional time, we ask that parents drop off snacks. Thank you!)
Q
Questions: Feel free to call or email at any time!
R
Report Cards: Report cards are issued every six weeks. These reports reflect the progress your child has made toward various Kindergarten objectives.
Recess: Weather permitting, the students will play outside twice a day. Please keep this in mind when helping your child select clothing for the day. Athletic shoes are always best! No flip flops please.
S
Snacks: We will have snack time every morning. I have found that the best way to do snack due to allergies, special diets, and tastes is by letting each child bring their own. Please pack your child a non-sugary, healthy snack each day in their backpack. You might want to put this separate from their lunch to help with confusion.
T
Transportation: If your child has any changes in their transportation, please let me know by sending in a note, emailing me or calling the office. Please understand that I cannot send a student home via another mode of transportation without a phone call or written note from a parent. If you email during the day and I do not respond with a “Got it!” please call the office.
Toys: Children are asked NOT to bring toys from home. The only exceptions are when your child is invited to do so by the teacher.
U
Unique: Kindergarten students learn they are special and unique. Kindergartners have opportunities to describe how they are alike, as well as how they are different from others. They share their culture, and learn about different cultures within the class.
V
Volunteer: We would LOVE to have weekly volunteers for preparing materials and organizing supplies for upcoming lessons. Make sure your background check is completed and cleared before signing up. A Sign-Up Genius will be sent out soon.
W
Walkers: Walkers are dismissed at 2:50 at the end of the kindergarten hallway. The students will sit on the curb and wait for their parent to walk across to get them. The playground is off limits for students and siblings until all children have been picked up.
Water Bottles: All students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to keep in their cubby. They may hydrate as needed.
X
X-tra clothes: It is very important that you send an extra set of clothes in a large Ziploc baggy in case of a bathroom accident, messy spill or wet and muddy playgrounds. This way we do not have to bother you at work or home. These clothes can stay in your child’s cubby.
Y
Younger Siblings: It is in your child’s and the program’s best interest to have our parent volunteers available without younger children as much as possible (this includes any volunteer work, field trips, parties, etc.) 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 ahead of time.
Z
ZZZZZs: Make sure your child gets plenty of rest. A kindergarten room is a busy place and you will probably find your child exhausted at the end of the day. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!