1. Ms. DeFazio’s Kindergarten 2013-2014

2. WHO IS MS. DEFAZIO? * I grew up in Tempe/ Scottsdale
I have one brother and two younger sisters
Went to U of A
Finished my Masters in Early Childhood Education with reading specialist from NAU
I have taught 3 years prior to coming to Kyrene
Taught preschool for 2 years

3. What we have been doing! Functioning in a classroom setting
Adjustment to school routines
Understanding of “school language”
Emphasis on listening and following directions

4. What we do in Kindergarten
Opening: Attendance, calendar, tally, number line, counting, place value, patterns, weather graph, poems, rhymes, flash cards with numbers and words.
Reading: (Harcourt) Morning Message, Phonemic Awareness, Sharing Literature, Reading Groups, Daily Journals. Whole group and small group differentiated instruction.
Math: Investigations. Begins with manipulatives and progresses to pencil and paper activities along.
Centers: Students participate in a variety of centers during the week. Centers are self managed and based upon objectives taught earlier in the day or week for reinforcement.
Writing Activities: Individual and class books, sight word book, journals, dictation, story starters, spelling, and nursery rhymes.

6. Classroom Environment
*Safe
*Respect
*Confident
Children learn how to work together and create a sense of community within our classroom!

7. Discipline
~Each student has a clip with their name on it. They start on Read To Learn.
Clips can move up for positive behaviors and clips can move down if there are behavior concerns
~Positive behaviors are rewarded with stickers, notes home and treasure box Fridays

8. Mariposa is implementing a school-wide PBIS program
What is PBIS?
Positive Behavior Intervention System
Focuses on positive rewards for good behavior
Creates a plan for “teaching” appropriate student behaviors
Creates a plan to address undesirable student behaviors through teacher and administrative interventions
Lesson plans build on Mariposa LifeSkills
Consistency throughout the school
All staff expectations are the same, using the same language and the same series of rewards and consequences

9. BLAST Be Respectful Lead with Integrity Act Responsible Safety Matters
Together We Achieve
BLAST takes all the great programs and incentives Mariposa already has in place and ties them together!
School Store coupons (Blast Coupons)
Miss Manner certificates (Blast Coupons)
Principals Lunch
Lifeskills (all Lifeskills are imbedded within BLAST)

10. Homework 3-4 times a week It should take 10-15 minutes
Reinforces skills
Teaches children responsibility and accountability
ALWAYS READ!
Return at the end of the month when packet is finished

13. Progress Reports Conferences: Fall and Spring
Report Cards: January and May
Which follow the newly adopted Common
Core Standards in reading and math.
Quarterly assessments (October, December, March and May)
DIBELS (Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills) state mandated reading test
Given three times a year, fall, winter and spring

14. Snacks – Send in every day! Small and healthy
Snacks will be individual due to allergies
Small and healthy
Consumed within 5 minutes
Water ONLY- please no Capri Suns
Lunches
Can pay ahead and online
Lunch money
Checks- write student’s & teachers name

15. Birthdays- correction to welcome packet
Invitations
NO birthday invitations at school
This is a district policy
Goodies
There are no edible treats.
May bring pencils, erasers, stickers to pass out at the END of the day.

16. More information will be sent home as these events become closer
Up coming events
More information will be sent home as these events become closer
Thanksgiving Feast
Winter Party
Friendship Party
Field Trip- Zoo
End of Year Celebration

17. Things Volunteers can do:
-Assist in centers
-Prep materials- tracing and cutting
-Attend field trips
-Work one on one with children
~Volunteering will start in mid September  Please sign up!

18. Things to remember Please label belongings
Jackets, Lunch Boxes, Water bottles
No TOYS PLEASE!- including key chains, makeup, cars, Legos…
Change in pick up- please send a note
Make sure your emergency and contact information is current.
To ensure your child’s safety please keep us informed of any changes regarding dismissal.
Changes need to be in writing.
We can only release your child to people listed on their emergency card.

19. Things you can do at home:
Remind students of school behaviors
Ask questions about the day
Practice handwriting/ coloring
READ every day!
Look at online resources
Classroom website

20. Please proceed to Library at 6:10 for a presentation from Mr
Please proceed to Library at 6:10 for a presentation from Mr. Fallgatter