KINDERGARTEN ORIENTATION INFORMATION Fairfield Public Schools Fairfield, Connecticut

The Fairfield Public Schools One Kindergarten Program

PROGRAM INCLUDES Language arts Mathematics Science Social Studies Health and Safety Music Art Physical Education Library/Media Lunch, recess and social interaction

A Typical Day in Kindergarten  Morning:  Morning meeting  Readers workshop  Snack  Writers workshop  Math or literacy centers  Recess and lunch

Afternoon  Special (Art, Music, PE)  Math  Quiet time and snack  Handwriting, science, social studies  Centers and social interactions  Read aloud  Dismissal

Reader’s Workshop  Fairfield Public School’s Reader’s Workshop Units of Study Units include:  Concepts of print  Fiction: Story elements, Retelling  Nonfiction: Elements of texts, reading for information  Print strategies  Monitoring for meaning  Building fluency  Poetry

Reader’s Workshop  Methods of instruction:  Whole group mini-lesson  Guided reading groups  Reading partners  Independent practice  Group share  Read alouds

Writer’s Workshop  Lucy Calkins Writer’s Workshop: Units of Study for Primary Writing Units include:  Developing sound symbol connection  Predicable charts and sentences  List and label books  Small moments  Editing and revising  Non-Fiction: How-to books and All About books

Writer’s Workshop  Methods of instruction:  Whole group instruction  Small groups  Writing partners  Independent practice  Group share  Book making

Math  Fairfield Public Schools Balanced Mathematics Instructional Model Units include:  Counting and comparing numerals 0-20  Adding and subtraction within 5 and 10  Developing early place value concepts  Measurement by direct comparison  Geometry

Math  Methods of instruction:  Whole group instruction  Small groups  Partner activities  Independent practice  Group share (Math Congress)  Manipulatives  Games

Science, Social Studies, Health  Fairfield Public Schools Science Curriculum Units include:  Five senses  Living and nonliving things  Weather Students will: Observe, question and problem solve  Fairfield Public Schools Social Studies Curriculum Units include:  Community: Family, friends and school  Traditions/Holidays Students will: Recognize and compare the importance of roles and responsibilities

Science, Social Studies, Health  SecondSTEP: Skills for Social and Academic Success  Responsive Classroom Topics include:  Skills for learning  Self-regulation  Empathy  Emotion management  Problem solving  CARES

Additional Activities  Library  Media Center  Guest Readers  Book Buddies  Enrichment Activities (Art in the Classroom, CANE, etc.)  Field Trips  School Assemblies  Kindergarten Celebrations

Kindergarten Readiness Students should have some practice in:  Letter recognition  Letter sound correspondence  Writing their name  Drawing pictures  Oral counting  Self-care tasks (zipping a jacket, tying shoes, buttoning, bathroom use, and cleanliness)

STAFFING INCLUDES One full-time kindergarten teacher Paraprofessional support for a portion of the day Art, music and physical education special area teachers

CALENDAR Wednesday, August 27, Orientation Day including first day of school procedures, meet the teacher, and bus ride for all students, 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Thursday, August 28 first day of school, full day

TRANSPORTATION For students living in excess of ¾ mile from school

School Hours  Morning- First bell 8:45 Second bell 8:55  Students arriving after 8:55 are tardy and must report first to the office.  Options- Bus, Walkers & Car Drop Off (Stop, Kiss & Go) Staff and 5 th Grade safety patrollers help and guide students.

School Hours  Afternoon- Bus bell 3:25 Walkers, Kids Time & Car Pick Ups 3:30  Wait for your child at outside door or in car lane

Getting Settled  Saying goodbye to your child at the door  Teacher and classroom paraprofessionals will help get your child settled and unpacked  Security- Sign in and get a visitor badge for ALL school visits. All visits must be scheduled before your arrival.

Lunch  Currently- lunch options available every day (Hot lunch, chef salad, bagel, cereal, sandwich)  Discuss lunch and dismissal plans before school each day  There are no parent visits during lunch except on your child’s birthday

Student Absences  Call absence line  Leave message with reason for absence

School Supplies  All supplies are provided for your child.  Send them with a backpack  Daily lunch and morning snack

Infinite Campus  Paperless school!  Sherman Sharkbytes  Activation codes  Class placement week of August 18th

Kindergarten Playdates  Amy McCarthy, Kindergarten liaison  Playdate schedule