1. Off to Kindergarten! Welcome to Running Brook Elementary Reaching the Best in Every Student

2. Outcomes: Kindergarten parents and students will meet the kindergarten team. Kindergarten students will explore the classrooms and meet other students. Kindergarten teachers will answer questions. Parents will complete first day dismissal plans for their kindergarten student.

3. A Big Step in Your Child’s Life! What are you excited about? What are you anxious about?

4. Meet the Kindergarten Team! Amanda Thompson, Instructional Team Leader/ Teacher Pam Foreman, Teacher Sara Smith, Teacher Amy Carr, Teacher Mindy Torres, Special Education Teacher Meaghan Westerman, Special Education Teacher Diana Schaper, Paraeducator Diane Taylor, Paraeducator Monica Folkins, Paraeducator (.5) Geraldine Palin, Paraeducator (.5)

5. Color Groups Rationale: Gives teachers a little time to meet the students and observe their interactions so as to make the best possible instructional match, and to avoid potential peer conflicts.

6. Color Groups Students will rotate to a new teacher each day. ALL teachers will be doing the same activities each day. Homeroom teachers will be assigned on Friday and a letter will be sent home.

7. Color Groups YellowGreenPurpleOrange MondayCarrSmithThompsonForeman TuesdaySmithThompsonForemanCarr WednesdayThompsonForemanCarrSmith ThursdayForemanCarrSmithThompson

8. A Day in Kindergarten Arrival/Breakfast Math Recess/Lunch Quiet Time Reading Content/Writing Related Arts Centers Closure/Dismissal Take ten Expressive language Community building Metacognition Integrated instruction

9. School-Wide Behavioral System RULES: Be Respectful, Responsible and Ready MONITORING: Stoplight System (Green, Yellow, and Red) INCENTIVES: -Paw Prints and Tickets -Paw Mart -Club Running Brook- every Friday -Panther Holidays- twice a year -Buddy classes

10. School-Wide Behavioral System - Yellows and reds are a means of communicating about your child’s behavior. - When a student earns a yellow note, he/she will miss 10 minutes of centers. -When a student earns a red note, he/she will miss 30 minutes of centers. -Office referrals are handled on a case-by-case basis and are earned for major infractions.

11. School Supplies A supply list is available in the front office. Many supplies are shared (including crayons, markers, erasers, pencils, and glue sticks) Donations of these items are always appreciated: –Tissues –Hand Sanitizer –Extra Glue Sticks –Index Cards –Zip-close baggies –Brown paper bags

12. Lunch and Snack School lunch costs $2.75 Students can buy milk if they brought lunch (costs $.50) Please make your child aware of what they are doing for lunch (ordering or bringing from home) Please send in a snack for your child to eat in the afternoon PLEASE DO NOT SEND PEANUTS OR PEANUT PRODUCTS

13. Notes To/From School Please send notes for absences, tardiness, and early dismissal Please notify the school when your child is going home with someone not on the emergency card OR if your child’s dismissal plan changes (for a day or permanently) Notes FROM the school will be in your child’s take home folder Please try to establish a consistent dismissal routine - frequent changes are difficult for the children and the teachers.

14. Birthdays Birthdays are announced each day! Students will receive a birthday ribbon and pencil! Birthday parties and treats at school are not permitted. ** If you would like, your child may bring a favorite book for the teacher to read to the class on his/her birthday.

15. Arrival Procedures Walkers: Please walk to the front of the building (under the awning), and they will be escorted inside by an adult. Bus Riders/ Van Riders: Will be escorted from the bus to the front of the building, where they will meet their class. Car Riders: Will be escorted from the carpool lane to the front of the building. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE. An adult or safety will walk your child across the street to the front of the building. CA: Will be escorted from the cafeteria to the classrooms by an adult.

16. Dismissal Procedures Walkers: Will be dismissed from Mrs. Smith’s room. Children must be released to an adult (or sibling). Bus Riders/ Van Riders: Will be escorted to the correct bus/van by an adult. Car Riders: Will be escorted to the carpool lane for pick- up. DO NOT LEAVE YOUR VEHICLE. An adult or safety will bring your child to you. CA: Will be escorted to the cafeteria by an adult. **Teachers must be notified of changes to the dismissal plan IN WRITING**

17. Important Dates Mon, September 2 nd : Labor Day (School Closed) Mon, September 9 th : K-2 Back-to-School Night, 6:30pm Thurs, September 12 th : Ice Cream Social (sponsored by the RBES PTA), 6:30pm Mon, September 5 th : Rosh Hashanah (School Closed)

18. Important Reminders Check and empty the backpack and take- home folders daily. Bring and pick up your child from school on time! Make sure that your child has a snack each day, and that he/she knows what his/her plan is for lunch (ordering/purchasing/bringing from home).

19. Thank You For Coming!! If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to call, write a note, or send an email! School phone number (410)313-6893 Ms. Thompson- amanda_thompson@hcpss.orgamanda_thompson@hcpss.org Ms. Foreman- pamela_foreman@hcpss.orgpamela_foreman@hcpss.org Mrs. Smith- sara_smith@hcpss.orgsara_smith@hcpss.org Ms. Carr- amy_carr@hcpss.orgamy_carr@hcpss.org Mrs. Torres- mindy_torres@hcpss.orgmindy_torres@hcpss.org Mrs. Westerman- meaghan_westerman@hcpss.orgmeaghan_westerman@hcpss.org Kindergarten Website: http://rbeskindergarten.wikispaces.hcpss.org County Website: www.HCPSS.orgwww.HCPSS.org RBES Website: http://rbes.hcpss.orghttp://rbes.hcpss.org