Kindergarten Parent Orientation WELCOME

WHES Admin Team Principal – Dr. Kathy Pickering Assistant Principal – Mrs. Angela Rose Dean of Students – Ms. Cheryl Curry Counselor – Mrs. Sherese Taylor

WHES Kindergarten Team Mrs. Lauren Besler Ms. Angelina Dellacroce Mrs. Michelle Fothergill Mrs. Tami Lupton Ms. Jaime Obertubbesing

WHES Specials Art – Ms. Kerri Hite Maker Space – Mrs. Mary Hopper Music – Mrs. Melissa Ellenberger PE – Mr. Joel Patton Technology – Mrs. Kimberly Olson

WHES Support Staff GT – Mrs. Paula Hinson Intervention – Mrs. Margaret Curnow & Mrs. Karen Emerson ELD – Mrs. Brooke Austermiller SPED - Mrs. Katie Kessler SPED – Mrs. Mary Spencer SPED (DD) – Mrs. Jennifer Sims SPED (SSN) – Ms. Marissa McCulloch

WHES Office Staff Administrative Secretary – Mrs. Karen Greene Attendance Secretary – Mrs. Melanie Mathews Nurse – Mrs. Michelle Gold Health Assistant – Mrs. Shirley Milazzo

School Information K-5 Enrollment – 702 Students (and growing) 75 Staff Members 5 Kindergarten Classrooms School Hours: 8:30am - 3:40pm

Communication ✧ Website ohttp://d49.org/woodmenhills Classroom Webpages Upcoming Events Digital Backpack Parent Portal Payforit.net ✧ School level weekly communication

Safety Supervision –Student supervision begins at 8:15 Breakfast program begins at 8:05 Pets on School Grounds –With the exception of service animals, pets are not permitted on school grounds. Dogs and other small animals may be gentle at home but unpredictable at school when confronted by a large number of unfamiliar children.

District Wellness Policy ➢ Birthdays o Alternatives to edible treats – pencils, erasers, charms, toys, etc…. ➢ Parties o Class parties are only held four times each year: o No homemade items only store bought treats for parties. ✧ Fall Party ✧ Winter Party ✧ Spring Party ✧ End of the year ➢ Snacks o Please send healthy snacks with your child. o Teachers have their aligned policies for snacks in their classrooms, please see the classroom teacher to learn of these policies.

Volunteer Opportunities ➢ Classroom ➢ Library ➢ Music ➢ Vision & Hearing Screening ➢ Field Trips ➢ Book Fair ➢ Office ➢ Special Events ➢ PTA/SAC ➢ Watch D.O.G.S. All volunteers must be fingerprinted with the district. We will have someone on site during Open House on July 28th to conduct fingerprinting. There is a $20 charge. In order to assist in the classrooms, parents must have a specific time scheduled with the teacher and be an approved volunteer with the district.

Raptor Machine ➢ Scans your I.D. (Driver’s License or Military I.D.) ➢ Then the system will automatically print a badge for approved visitors. ➢ PLEASE remember your I.D. when you come to visit your child or to volunteer at school.

PBIS at WHES Woodmen Hills student expectations are: Work Hard Honor All Expect Excellence Show Safety

PBIS at WHES

Things you can do at home to promote positive behavior in the classroom ➢ Talk to your child about the teacher’s role as leader in the classroom ➢ Work with your child to independently prepare for the school day. He/she will need to independently: oRemove and hang up jacket oEmpty and hang up backpack oZip/button pants ➢ Work with your child to understand that he/she needs to be responsible for his/her own property and respectful of other’s property

WHES Kindergarten

Classroom Placement ■ We strive to make sure your child receives the best Kindergarten experience possible by providing each one with a classroom environment that can best meet their individual needs. ■ Today we have the opportunity to get to see your child in a classroom setting! During this time, we are observing the skills they are bringing to Kindergarten, both academically and socially. ■ From this information, we place students into balanced classroom settings based on their academic and social needs. ■ Classroom placements will be finalized and released on Thursday, July 28 th just prior to the open house.

Transitional Kindergarten ■What is it? ■ Transitional Kindergarten allows students to enhance their education by studying concepts at a slower pace to create a solid foundation for reading and other academic areas. ■How is this different from Traditional Kindergarten? ■ 2 year program (2 nd year is in a traditional setting) ■ More intimate class size (12-17 students vs students) ■Will my child still participate in regular Kindergarten activities? ■ YES! Transitional follows the same schedule as all other Kindergarten classrooms, including specials, lunch/recess, field trips, theme days, etc.

Transitional Kindergarten cont. ■Who is eligible? ■12-17 students that, based on our assessments of academic skills and social interactions, may benefit from an extended Kindergarten experience. ■When do I find out? ■After testing is complete (end of day Tuesday, July 26), you will be contacted to discuss this opportunity if we feel that your child may benefit from Transitional Kindergarten. ■If my child is eligible, do I have to accept? ■Though it is not required that you accept this offer, please recognize that our ultimate goal is to provide your child with a learning environment that will best meet their needs. We also want to provide you with the best possible options for your child to gain a strong foundation for reading during their early years.

Meet Your Teacher ■ Classroom placement for Kindergarteners will be released the afternoon of Thursday, July 28 th. ■ Open House is also Thursday, July 28 th. You are invited to meet your child’s teacher and see their classroom! We strongly encourage you to drop off school supplies during this time to help the first day of school run more smoothly. ■ School supply lists are available on the D49 website, using the link at the top of the Woodmen Hills homepage.

Drop-off ■Arrivals ■On the first day, teachers will meet students on the lawn outside of the gym doors (Left of the main entrance) at 8:15. We will line up by class and walk to our rooms together. This will continue for the first week so kiddos can get used to where their classroom is located. ■From then on, students will be allowed in the building no earlier than 8:15. School begins at 8:30.

Pick-Up Every day, Kindergarten will be released from the exterior gym door at 3:30. ■If you or another authorized person is picking up your child, please be sure to meet us on the lawn outside those doors. ■If a Woodmen Hills sibling is picking up your Kindergartener, please let them know to pick up their Kindergarten sibling in the gym. ■Bus riders will be released prior and escorted to the bus. ■All other grades are released at 3:40.

Parking Lot

The First Day of School! *August 3 rd * ■8:15-8:30—Meet on the lawn outside the gym to proceed to the classroom. ■8:30-9:30—Parents! You are invited to join us for some First Day of School activities in our classroom to help start the day off right! (Parents welcome) ■9:30-10:20—Scavenger Hunt and School Tour ■10:25-10:45—Recess ■10:45-11:12—Lunchtime! Feel free to join your child for lunch in the cafeteria on their very first day! (Parents welcome) ■11:15-3:25—Classroom time/Specials ■3:30—Dismissal in the gym

Upcoming Dates ➢ Open House & Ice Cream Social o Thursday, July 28 th 5:00-7:00 ➢ First Day of School for Kindergarten o Wednesday, August 3 rd ➢ Back to School Night o Tuesday, August 9 th ✧ Multiple sessions for parents to choose from: o 4:30-5:15 o 5:30-6:15 o 6:30-7:15

We look forward to a wonderful year with your children! Please contact us if there is anything we can do.