Welcome to Kindergarten Information Night! January 31, 2018

WSD Board of Trustees Penny Loomer Khanh Nguyen Mary Mangold President Vice President Mary Mangold Clerk Frances Nguyen Member Jamison Power Member

WSD Administration Sheri Loewenstein & Dr. Gary Rutherford Interim Superintendents Myrlene Pierre Assistant Superintendent Educational Services Dr. Tony Wold Assistant Superintendent Business Services Arturo Jimenez Assistant Superintendent Human Resources

Westminster School District Honor Roll District – Only 13 out of 1,000 districts in California received this title Specialty Programs Gold Ribbon Schools Prestigious 2016 & 2017 Golden Bell Awards 21st Century Classroom Learning Spaces 1:1 Chromebook Initiative for all K through 8th grade students i4 Blended Learning (inspire, innovate, implement, & impact)

California! Changes to the Academic Kindergarten Start Date In 2010, the Kindergarten Readiness Act was passed in California to change the age when children can begin Academic Kindergarten. Under this law, children must turn five years old on or before September 1 to enroll in Academic Kindergarten. Children with a birthday between September 2 and December 2 will go into Transitional Kindergarten, which is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program. Birthday on or before September 1 Attends Academic Kindergarten Attends 1st Grade Birthday between September 2 – December 2 Attends Transitional Kindergarten during first year Attends Academic Kindergarten during second year

WSD Offers Two All-Day Kindergarten Programs Academic Kindergarten: The traditional one-year Kindergarten program Transitional Kindergarten: A two-year Kindergarten program for students with birthdays between September 2nd and December 2nd Transitional Kindergarten was formerly known as Preppie Kindergarten, or Preppie K in WSD

A Typical Day in Kindergarten Both kindergarten programs in WSD are full-day, with early release days on Wednesdays. 150 minutes of Language Arts/Reading 60 minutes of Math 30 minutes of English Language Development Remaining instructional time spent learning about Social Studies, Science, Physical Education, Art, and Music

Expectations of Academic Kindergarten Students will: Recognize and write all letters of the alphabet Blend sounds into words Read more than 30 simple words and sight words Spell words using sounds and letters Comprehend stories, make predictions and answer questions about the story Write opinion, informative, and narrative pieces Retell stories with beginning, middle, and end Name and write numbers to 20, count to 100 Add and subtract numbers using concrete objects Solve math problems and explain problem-solving strategies

Transitional Kindergarten Goal of Transitional Kindergarten Provide the youngest kindergarteners with a readiness year that is developmentally appropriate and will better prepare them for success once they enter Academic Kindergarten. Benefits Social and emotional development Academic Readiness for the rigors of kindergarten Proficient readers at 3rd grade Higher achievement in school It gives young students the gift of time This all-day program follows the current kindergarten schedule at each site

Transition Kindergarten Families and Staff… B Transition Kindergarten Families and Staff… Building the Bridge In Transitional Kindergarten Transitional Kindergarten is the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate. California Early Learning Foundations (Birth – 5) California State Kindergarten Standards TK Help Kids Succeed 11

The Importance of Social-Emotional Development in the Early Years Early social-emotional skills, like self-management, problem- solving, communication with peers and adults, are related to later success in life: - Educational Success - Improved test scores, grades, attendance, and completing a college degree - Career Success - Increased likelihood of being employed - Relationship Success - Positive family and work relationships Social-emotional skills MUST be taught Please refer to the Social Competence handout for more information

The ABCs of Kindergarten Information Please refer to this guide for general information about kindergarten This includes: Frequently asked questions, what you need to register, kindergarten standards, and kindergarten readiness information Special Education If your child already qualifies for and is receiving special education services, kindergarten placement and school location is determined by your child’s IEP Team School Of Attendance Online Enrollment Open Enrollment Interdistrict Transfers Additional information is available at the registration information table

Aeries Online Enrollment Guide Enrollment guide is included in The ABCs of Kindergarten booklet and available online at MyWSD Valid address, immunization dates, and an email account required to complete enrollment

The ABCs of Kindergarten Requirements Immunizations California schools are required to check immunization records for all new students admissions at TK/Kindergarten through 12th grade. Parents must show their child's Immunization Record as proof of immunization. These immunization requirements also apply to students entering Transitional Kindergarten. Transitional Kindergarten and Kindergarten are subject to the same immunization requirements.

The ABCs of Kindergarten Requirements Dental Check-Up Kindergarten students must have dental check-up by May 31st of their Kindergarten year Dental check-ups done 12 months before starting Kindergarten will be accepted Special form must be signed by a licensed dental professional Physical Exam for 1st Grade California law requires a child to have a physical exam, which must be completed by Dec. 1st of their 1st grade year Exams completed up to 18 months prior to beginning of 1st grade will be accepted Special form must be signed by a physician

School Meals Westminster Nutrition Services provides a FREE Breakfast and Lunch to all students whose families qualify for free or reduced meals We do not charge a reduced price meal to students Families must fill out a Meal Application to determine if they qualify for free meals School meals are healthy, nutritious, and meet all State & Federal Nutritional Guidelines Meal prices are a low $1.50 for Breakfast and $2.50 for Lunch Menus are posted online and sent home to students each month Meal Applications will be on-line at www.wsdnutrition.com on July 5, 2018 Meal Applications (hard copies) will be mailed home on July 1, 2018 Complete & return to Nutrition Services We will determine eligibility for Free or Reduced Price lunches Children on CALFRESH or CALWORKS are automatically eligible for Free school meals (siblings too!) Find breakfast & lunch menus on our website at www.wsdnutrition.com Set up lunch accounts & pre-pay for meals using a credit card on-line @ myschoolbucks.com Questions? Call Nutrition Services at 714-893-3865

Registration Reminders Preschool and Kindergarten Registration begins on February 7th Register all children who will be five on or before December 2nd Children with birthdays between September 2nd and December 2nd will be placed in Transitional Kindergarten You will need the following to complete registration: Complete the online pre-enrollment process Original birth/baptismal certificate or passport Proof of residency (such as a utility bill or car registration) Immunization records If you, or anyone you know, is interested in preschool, pick up a flyer at your school site or call the Early Education Program at (714)898-8389