Welcome to Challenger Elementary Kindergarten Orientation Created by: Ashley Magee, Graphics © ThistleGirlDesignswww.firstgradebrain.com

Assessment Information The state of Texas requires each school district to administer a reading instrument to all kindergarten, first, and second grade students. Pearland ISD adopted: The Observational Survey It is comprised of three literacy tasks. 1. Identifying letters 2. Demonstrating knowledge about print 3. Hearing and recording sounds in words Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) involves students identifying print and reading text. ***We surely do not expect every kindergarten student to be reading at this time. This assessment allows a “window” through which the teacher can observe what a student does when attempting to read.

We know it will be difficult, BUT… Parents must refrain from walking their children down to the classrooms to drop them off in the mornings starting Thursday, August, 27th. We need to do this to encourage the students to go to the holding area where all of the other students are waiting.

Attendance If your child is absent, you must send a note to the school within three days of when he/she returns. Please include your child’s name, teacher’s name, date of absence, and the reason for the absence. Excessive absences/tardiness hinder a child’s progress. More than 3 tardies will mean no perfect attendance for that school year.

Pearland Dress Code Refer to the Student Code of Conduct booklet or go online to Jackets and sweaters must be solid colors. Any logos must be smaller than a quarter. Girls should wear shorts under their dresses. Please label your child’s jackets and sweaters! Encourage your child to wear shoes they can run in. Please no light up shoes.

Birthdays We encourage that you do not send homemade cupcakes or other baked goods for student birthdays. You may send a goodie bag with pencils or stickers to be handed out at the end of the school day.

Conduct Folders Conduct folders will be sent home daily. Challenger will have a school wide behavior system that all students will use. This will be detailed on the back of your child’s conduct sheet in their folders. Please review your child’s behavior with them. You should sign and return them to school on a daily basis. Please put any important papers inside the sheet protector in the folder.

Arrival Procedures The earliest students may arrive at school is 7:15 am Students are supervised in the main hallway until 7:30 am when breakfast students and kindergarten students are sent to the cafeteria and 1 st – 4 th are sent to their classroom hallways. Kindergarten students are assigned to tables according to their teachers and are supervised during this time. It is suggested they bring a book or coloring activity (no toys).

Breakfast and Lunch You can manage your student’s meal accounts with the ParentOnline website. Go to websitewww.pearlandisd.org Then go to Departments and click on Food Services and register. This is an easy way keep track of your child’s account and what is being purchased. Kindergarten lunches are staggered from 10:45- 11:30. Your child’s lunch time will be discussed on Meet The Teacher Night. Parents may eat with their child starting after the first week of school.

Breakfast and Lunch Student Cost$2.50 Breakfast$1.35 Milk.50 Ice Cream cups.50 Ice cream bars.50 Adults $3.50

Illness Please do not send your child to school if he/she has a fever. Students must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to school. If your child becomes ill at school, you will be called to pick your child up. If your child has any allergies or medical needs, please notify the nurse immediately.

Recess Kindergarten recess times are staggered from 9:45-10:40. Your child’s class schedule will be discussed at Meet The Teacher Night.

Snack Your child may bring a healthy snack from home. No drinks from home. (except water bottles) A water fountain is available in every classroom.

Specials Music and PE will be from 12:30-1:15 or 1:15-2:00 daily. Check your teacher’s website for the schedule Please wear tennis shoes on PE days and every Friday. Your child will attend our library every week! Your child will begin checking out books through the library. Please help your child to be responsible with his/her book they check out. Please return your child’s book in their backpack each week so they can check out a new book.

Dismissal 3:00- Do not come to the classroom to pick your child up. Parent Pick Up (PPU) out front. Please put name and grade on the green sign for the window. If there is a transportation change you must send a note to your child’s teacher or contact the school by 2:00. If your child is a walker, MUST be waiting for them across the street. Bridge Walkers will meet at the bridge. Parents must be waiting at the bus stop or your child will be returned to school.

Peek of the Week The peek of the week is an information guide for parents. It allows you to see what we are working on in the classroom each week and has important reminders. The peek is located on our website, Pearlandisd.org. Click on campuses and choose Challenger. Under the heading team news you will find the site for Kindergarten. The Peek will be updated and available every week.

Parties We will have three parties throughout the year. These will include a winter party, Valentine’s party, and end of the year party. We will contact you to help with our celebrations.

Tardies Students arriving after 8:00am are considered tardy. The office will keep a record of these tardies and we will document them on your child’s report card. Please make every effort to have your child to school on time so they do not miss important instruction time.

Backpacks Your child should bring their backpack to school daily. The backpack should be large enough to hold a pocket folder. Backpacks help your child carry folders, notes, projects, and books to and from school. Please check your child’s backpack DAILY.

Extra Information Students may not have rolling backpacks. If you are sending money to school with your child, please make sure that it is in an envelope labeled with teacher name, student name, and grade level. Meet The Teacher Night – September 3 6:30

Extra Information Please send a change of clothes in your child’s backpack daily. Accidents and spills do happen and the nurse does not always have extra clothes for the younger children.

Thank you for attending this orientation. We are thrilled to have your child as a Challenger kindergarten student.