Welcome to Mrs. Harris’Kindergarten Class!

Student Name:___________________________

Dear Parents and Students,

Welcome to our 2015-2016 kindergarten class! I am looking forward to another fabulous school year. The growth your child will make this year will be remarkable. It so exciting!

I’d like to start off by telling you a little about myself. I have been a teacher for 16 years in both the primary and intermediate grades. Teaching is my passion. Watching students grow in their learning and as individuals is so rewarding. I can’t imagine anything better than that!

I know there is anxiety involved in sending your little ones to school for the first time. Together we can make

the transition a happy milestone in their lives. I am always happy to answer your questions and discuss any

concerns. Just e-mail, text, or call me any time! Mrs. Harris

School phone # 480-892-2801 (Extension 207)Email: Lisa.Harris@gilbertschools.net

Cell Phone/Text 623-203-0743

All About Mrs. Harris

Favorites

Color:: Green

Animals: Horses/Zebras

Food::Rosati’s Pizza

Book: Black Beauty

Activity: Reading

Back Ground

Hometown:: ChicagoCollege: North Park UniversityYears taught: 16Schools I Have worked at: Wilson Primary School

(Phoenix), Greenfield Elementary SchoolGrades taught: K, 1st, 5 th

Degrees:: B.A., M.A, PhD (all but dissertation)Home :lifeHusband: HowardChildren: Sophia (20), Hollye (5)Grand child: Jack (2)Pets: A LOT! 8 dogs, 3 mice, 1 fish, 2 birds, hermit crabs, and1 miniature horse)Currently live in: Glendale

The ABC’sOf

Mrs. Harris’Kindergarten

AAbsence: When your child is absent please call the front office.

Arrival and Dismissal: Students are not allowed on campus before 8:10. Before school students are to be outside on the playground unless it is raining. Students can be dropped off at the parent pickup/drop off area on the side of the school (just follow the signs). Dismissal is at 3:25 except on Wednesdays that we dismiss an hour early. Parents that are picking up students in their vehicle wait in the parent pick up/drop off area. Please place a piece of paper with your child’s first and last name on it in your window to expedite pick up. Parents that are walking or who would like to park in the parking lot and then pick up their student(s), can meet their child under the Ramada behind where we line up in the morning. Students that are meeting older brothers or sisters that attend Greenfield after school can meet them at the Ramada as well. At dismissal time, students will stack their chairs, color their behavior chart, and sit on the carpet in the classroom. Students will be walked out by a teacher to their dismissal area.

Art Masterpiece: Art masterpiece is taught by parent volunteers once a month throughout the school year. Students will observe and discuss famous art work and artists and complete their own works of art!

Asking for Assistance: Students can ask for help in class by raising their hand. If they need to use the restroom while the teacher is teaching or working with another student, they raise one finger and Mrs. Harris will motion for them to use the restroom.

BBehavior Log: A monthly behavior log will be sent home each day in student folders. Please look at it each day and sign on the back if there is a red for the day in the behavior log. An explanation of the red will be written there. A green means that all the Gator Goals were met for the day. A red means that one or more of the Gator Goals were not followed.

Buddies: Our class pairs up with Mr. Butler’s 6th grade class to do an activity once a month. It’s a lot of fun!

Birthdays: Birthdays are special! Students may bring in a treat to share with the class. I will be happy to place birthday party invitations in student folders. Just let me know when you are sending them.

Breakfast: Students that are eating breakfast at school in the cafeteria must proceed to the cafeteria as soon as they come to school.

CCalendar: A monthly calendar with special days, homework assignments, parent volunteers, and a schedule of specials will be in student folders and on our class website. You can also add the calendar to your Google calendar.

Class Meeting: We begin and end each day with a class meeting to create an optimal learning community in the classroom. Our agenda for the class meeting is first a morning song, then a review of the Gator Goals, reading of the morning message, and a story and/or class discussion of a good character trait.

Clothes:: I recommend comfortable play clothes and shoes. We do a lot of movement activities in class! Also, a change of clothes left in student back packs is recommended. Sometimes kids get muddy out on the playground when the sprinkler has been on over night. Kids love puddles! We do paint and use markers in class and even though I try my best to keep clothes protected, sometimes students get dirty. We use white board markers a lot and they do not come out easily in the wash.  Common Core Standards: Common Core Standards are the skills students will achieve through classroom instruction. Want to read more about the standards? Go to… http://www.corestandards.org/the-standards

Conferences: Parent teacher conferences are in October. I will send out a sign up for conferences closer to that date. I am flexible with conferences! If you are unable to attend, I can have a phone conference, or send you an e-mail summary of your child’s progress.

Curriculum: Curriculum is determined by the district and is based on the Common Core standards. You can find more information about our curriculum at.… http://www.gilbertschools.net/cms/lib3/AZ01001722/Centricity/Domain/65/Kindergartenphamphletfinal.pdf

DDaily Five: Daily Five is our literacy block time. We will move through 5 rotations of literacy based activities with mini lessons in between each rotation. The rotations are “Read to Self”, “Read With the Teacher”, “Work on Writing”, “Word Work”, “Read with a partner” and “Listen to Reading”. Click here to learn more about the daily five: http://www.thedailycafe.com/public/1971.cfmDIBELS: DIBELS is an assessment that is used school wide and is done three times a year. The purpose of DIBELS is to identify literacy skills that students need extra support with. Here is an overview of DIBELS: http://dibels.org/dibels.htmlDiscipline: In order to make our classroom a fun, safe place to learn here are our school wide rules, a.k.a. the “Gator Goals”. 1. Be prepared for class, 2. Speak when it’s appropriate, 3. Stay in your seat. 4. Follow directions. 5. Be respectful with your words and actions.. Our consequences are: 1st time=warning, 2nd time=time out in the classroom, 3rd time= Time out in adjoining classroom, 4th time=referral to the office. Students receive a red on their behavior chart if misbehavior continues throughout the day.

Serious offenses will be sent immediately to the office

EE-mail: Mrs. Harris’ school e-mail address is lisa.harris@gilbertschools.net . I do check my e-mail frequently!

FField Trip: We usually have a field trip in the spring to the Phoenix Zoo. We will ask for parent chaperones close to that time. Parents that are not chaperones are welcome to meet us at the zoo and join our chaperoned groups!

Fundations: Fundations is a program that combines handwriting instruction, phonemic awareness, and phonics. We do Fundations every day! Check out our class website link, under “files”, for a parent packet of ways you can help your child at home with these skills.

Folders: Students will have a daily “Gator” folder that will contain their class work, notes, and their behavior log. Please check folders each night and return them the next day.

GGator Bite: The Gator Bite is the newsletter that our principal, sends out each week. It is also available on the school website.

 Goals: My overall goals for your child this year are: -To learn age appropriate self-management skills for lifelong success-To create a solid foundation of learning in language arts, math, social studies, and science.-To develop age appropriate social skills and good citizenship.-To facilitate and encourage critical thinking and creativity.

 Grades: As per district policy, no ABCDF grades are given for kindergarten. Instead, level of performance for reading, math, social studies, and writing are given. 4=Exceeds the standards, 3=Meets the standards, 2=Progressing toward meeting the standards, 1=Having difficulty meeting the standards. Please keep in mind that some standards are not expected to be mastered until the end of the school year. Grades are not given for the first quarter. For the other quarters parents can view grades online through Infinite Campus. Directions are on the school and class websites on how to access this. I update grades weekly.

 Green Days and other school spirit days: Fridays are “green days” students are encourage to wear green or Greenfield Gator gear on that day. There is also a school spirit day each month. Each spirit day has a theme, these will be listed in the school “ Gator Bite” once they are chosen by student council. I will also add them to the class online calendar..

HHomework: Homework will be given beginning in September. Students will be given a homework packet containing a month of homework. I know families are busy, this allows you to make homework fit into your family’s schedule. The purpose of homework is two-fold. I want to reinforce the skills we are working in the classroom and create good study habits. Everyone completes the homework at a different pace. If your child breezes through the homework, I recommend sight word memorization as well as reading practice. The more sight words your child knows, the better! I also have some book report forms on our class website that can be completed as well.Half days: Half day dismissal is at 12:25. We have lunch very early on that day, so students do not need to bring in a snack. If your child is eating at home on a half day and not at school, I will need a note or e-mail telling me or they will have to purchase a lunch. Hours: School hours are from 8:33-3:25, (except on Wednesdays when dismissal is an hour early). I am at school usually from 7:30-4:00 if you need to get a hold of me.

IIllness: School attendance is very important! However, if your child is ill, use your best judgment about keeping them home. If you have any questions, feel free to contact the school nurse. If your child has something highly contagious such as strep, pink eye, etc., please let the nurse know as well. If you would like to pick up work for extended absences let me know. Otherwise I will work with students in class on things that they missed.

KKindergator: Each student will have an opportunity to be the “Kindergator of the week”. On Fridays until each student has had a turn, one student is chosen to be the Kindergator. He or she will receive the Kindergator folder to take home for the weekend. Every day there will be a different activity to spotlight the Kindergator. A parent letter with list of activities will be sent home in the Kindergator folder.

LLunch: Students can either buy lunch or bring their own. Lunch choices at school are either a hot lunch, cold lunch, yogurt, or peanut butter and jelly. If you are sending in lunch money, please send it in an envelope or baggie with their first, last name, and class on it. This should be placed in their gator folder. I check folders each morning. If you could let your child know it’s in there as well that would be great! You also have the option of paying online at www.mylunchmoney.com. You will need your child’s student id number to pay online. I have it if you need it!

MMath: Our district uses the Math Expressions program. It is a wonderful program based on the State Standards that includes many hands on activities. Morning Procedure: Students are picked up on the playground in our lines near the Ramada after the first bell. We then walk in line to the classroom. Students sit on the carpet, and listen to announcements. Students then make a lunch choice, put their gator folder in the gator basket, unpack their back packs, and complete their daily warm ups.

NNewsletter: II will send out a monthly newsletter via email and send out updates as needed.Nurse: Students love to go to the nurse! Often it comes as a chain reaction, one student goes and then everyone wants to go. I am pretty good at telling the difference between students that are ill and students that want a little break from the classroom. However, at lunch recess students may go up there without my knowledge. If you feel that your child is making too many trips to the nurse, just let me know.

PParental Involvement: Parental involvement with school can take place both in the home or in the classroom and it is vital to student academic success. Helping your child with homework, practicing sight words, reading together, and even your own literacy habits are important. If you would like to help out in the classroom I will send out an online sign up once a month.

Parties: We have four parties during the school year: Halloween, a Gingerbread house making party, Valentine’s Day, and an end of the year water party. I will send out information about the parties and what is needed a couple of weeks before the party. Parties are usually from 2:00-3:00. Parents are always welcome to attend!

Pencils: Students are expected to write in pencil unless otherwise directed. If they need a new pencil, they may get up at any time during independent work to get a pencil.

Phone Numbers: School Phone number: 480-892-2801, my extension is 207, Cell phone: 623-203-0743. The school phone goes right to voicemail during school hours and I don’t answer my cell phone during school hours either. The best way to send me a quick message is to text or email during that time.

Pillars of Character: The Character Counts program teaches students six pillars of good character: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Fairness, Citizenship, and Caring. We will discuss and model these behaviors throughout the school year. Here is a more detailed explanation of Character Counts: http://charactercounts.org/sixpillars.html

Playground Procedures: Students are expected to follow the Gator Goals out on the playground. Snack is eaten at morning recess. Students are able to use the restroom and get drinks at recess time. Otherwise, they are to remain out on the playground. Students that need to go to the nurse must first ask one of the teachers or aides on the playground. Students need to line up at the first whistle. Q

Questions: If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to e-mail, call, or put a note in your child’s daily folder. E-mail is usually the easiest way to contact me, particularly during school hours since the phones automatically go to voice mail. I am always happy to talk to parents and work with you about any concerns you may have or if you need some ideas of things to work on at home.

RRainy Days: Rainy days are rare but do happen. If we are on rainy day schedule before school, students will go directly to the classroom. At lunch time, they will come back to class after they eat and watch a short movie so they can have a little time to relax. After school, dismissal lines are held inside the building. Parent walk up students will be waiting inside the doors near the ramada off of the playground.

Reading Groups: After students have been assessed, they will be placed in flexible reading groups. Reading groups are teacher led and take place in our classroom during our Daily Five time. During reading group time, the students not in the group complete independent work quietly so as not to disturb the group. If students have a question, they may sit in the “question chair” until Mrs. Harris can speak with them. Only one student at a time can be in the question chair.

Report Cards: Report cards are available to view online through Infinite Campus online. Directions for Infinite Campus will be sent home at the beginning of the school year and can also be found on the class website.

Restrooms: Students are able to use the restroom whenever they need to during school hours. I try to have students wait if I am teaching a lesson but know that emergencies do arise. The restrooms are located at the end of the hallway, which is quite exciting for students at the beginning of the school year! If I feel that they are using the restroom too frequently, I may contact you to make sure everything is okay. Students need to ask before using the restroom unless it is an emergency. Our signal for needing to use the bathroom is to raise up one finger.. Students sign out when they go to the restroom. Our school has 4 rules for the bathroom: 1. Go. 2. Flush. 3. Wash. 4. Leave.

Rewards: Following the Gator Goals is rewarded! We use the class dojo program online where students earn or lose points for behavior. When students get to 50 points, they can pick a prize from the treasure box. I will send home a note on how to access class dojo at home if your child would like to change their avatar or if you would like to see how they are doing.

SScience and Social Studies: Science and Social studies instruction is embedded in writing, reading, and math. Our main science units are paper, fabric, wood, and ladybugs but other things such as the human body, plants, and life cycles are explored as well. Our main units for social studies are: the community, explorers, and the United States. We also will have time each week where we will work on STEAM projects. STEAM is Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. These projects encourage team work, creativity, and critical thinking. Show and Tell: Each student will be scheduled to bring in their show and tell on a particular day. I will have this on the class calendar. Students can bring in one item to talk about with the class. Please don’t send any weapon-type toys or electronics.Sight Words: There are 60 sight words required for kindergarten. However, I will introduce 100 sight words. Students will be given a sight word list and when they memorize it, they bring it back signed and I will give them another. That way they can work on sight words at their own pace. Snack: We have snack every day during recess time . Please try to send in healthy snacks. Snack time is meant to not only keep students from being hungry but to boost their brain power for maximum learning! Since snack is eaten at recess time, it must be in a disposable container. Students are not allowed back in the classroom at recess time unsupervised. Students need to bring in their own snack and not share with others because of potential food allergies. The school does not provide the students with snack.Specials: Our specials are: library, art, PE, music, and computers. The schedule will be on our class calendar.Supplies: Please review our kindergarten supply list to see what is requiredI will let you know in my newsletter if we need extra supplies..

TTardy: Students that are tardy must be signed in by their parents at the office. Students will come to class, give the teacher their tardy pass, hang up their backpack, turn in their homework folder, and follow teacher directions.

Teacher Absence: I really don’t like missing school but trainings and sickness does arise! I will always send you an e-mail if I am going to be absent so that you can inform the office if there is any change in your child’s transportation home.

Technology: Students will spend time in the computer lab for 45 minutes every other week. We also have a document camera and a Smart Board in the classroom that we use every day. We have a mobile computer lab that we use sometimes too!

Toys: Toys may only be brought to school for show and tell or to play with on the playground but students are responsible for keeping track of them..

Transportation:. If at any time there are changes to how your child is going home, please notify me. You can leave a message up at the office, e-mail, write me a note, call me, text me or all of the above! At this age, I cannot take the word of a student that they are going home a different way. I will always send them home they way that you have told me unless otherwise notified. This is for the safety of your child.

Tutoring: I want all students to be successful in kindergarten! If I feel that students need additional help, I am happy to tutor students. Of course, tutoring is free of charge

VVisitors: Visitors to the school must sign in at the office and wear a name badge at all times. There is an adult restroom up in the nurse’s office.

WWater Bottles: We have a drinking fountain in the classroom but students are welcome to bring water bottles to school as well. Please write your child’s name on the water bottle. We keep water bottles on a table by the door to keep our tables dry.

Website: The Gilbert Public Schools website is: www.gilbertschools.net . The school website is http://gilbertps.schoolwires.net/Domain/31 . Our class webpage is http://www.gilbertschools.net//Domain/3517 or can be found on the school website under “Teacher Pages”. If you click “subscribe” at the top of the page, you will be notified automatically when I add new information to the site.

Whole Brain Teaching: Whole Brain teaching is the method I employ for class room management and teaching. It is highly engaging , promotes critical thinking, and teaches responsibility. If you would like to learn more about whole brain teaching go to:: http://www.Wholebrainteaching.com