2015Kindergarten Round Up

Overview of the eveningWhat is the purpose of kindergarten?Who are the district staff members ready to support my

child and family?What do the next eight months look like as we prepare for

kindergarten?How do I enroll my child?What school is my homeschool?

Welcome Families

Penny Yantis- Executive Director16 Member Board from the CommunityBreakfast of Champions- April 28Fall Phone-a-thon

Mercer Island Schools Foundation

MISD PTA CouncilMercer Island High SchoolIslander Middle SchoolWest Mercer ElementaryIsland Park ElementaryLakeridge Elementary

Mercer Island PTA

MISD Mission:Successfully preparing students for the cognitive, global,

and digital world.

Kindergarten Goal: Foster an environment for success in Kindergarten and

beyondDevelop a community of learners and thinkers who work

together to solve problems, support each other, and love school.

Our Vision- 2020

Academicallyestablish foundational skills, think, and love school

SociallyListen, follow directions, play, solve problems, honor

differences, and make friends Emotionally

develop skills to self-regulate and monitor self

The Purpose of Kindergarten

Different than 20 years ago but certainly still importantAcademic component

Common Core StandardsPoint of Emphasis

Solidify foundations rather than race to the next targetStudents enter at various ages and with a spectrum of

skillsBuild toward first grade but part of the K-12 continuum

Kindergarten Today

Visitor Check InCameras, Doors, and FencingRecess and campus supervisionParent-Teacher CommunicationDrillsEmergency ContactsInternet

School Safety

School bus transportation is available for all on-island students living beyond one walking mile of their school or who do not live in designated walk zones

Transportation is also available to/from many pre and post school centersYou will need to fill out the non-home stop request form

(available online in March)Most eligible students ride the school bus

Approximately 1800 per day each wayIn August, you will receive a letter with bus assignment

informationAnd about 4000 rides later…graduation!

Transportation- It All Starts With the First Ride!

District policy is all Kindergarteners (but only kindergarteners) must be met at the stop by an adultYou may sign a waiver to override the policyNo sibling exceptions

Kindergarteners have transportation tags they wear or attach to backpacks

Kindergarteners normally sit up front, 5th graders in the back

½ day Kindergarteners ride buses home exclusively with other kindergarteners

Kindergarteners Are Unique

RulesList is on the district website under TransportationWe train early in the year and it is ongoingSafety, safety, safety

Crossing in front of the busSchedule changes, playdatesDon’t forget early dismissal Wednesdays!Lost and found

Transportation Odds and Ends

Early Enrollment- January 27- February 13Full-day or Half-day guarantee

Ongoing Enrollment- February 14 and beyondSchool Placement Notification

AprilMayJuneAugust

Teacher PlacementLate August

September 3- New Family and Kindergarten Open HouseSeptember 8/9- First day of school!!!

Timeline- January to September 8th/9th

MISD WebsiteSchool WebsitesSchool MailingsSchools Open Until June 30PTA Websites

Staying Informed

Can your child attend to his/her own self-care?ToilettingEatingHandwashingDressing

How does your child do with separation?Has your child been to the school to see the playground?Stamina for school

Getting Ready for the First Day

Develop oral language skills by talking to your child and encouraging precise language

Play gamesReadExposure to numbers, letters, and wordsAttend to pencil gripShare your school experiencesLove them!

Getting Ready for Learning

Staggered StartHalf of the students come on September 8Hall of the students come on September 9All students come on September 10

School SuppliesKindergarten ID TagsLunchTransportationParent Role

Photographer, encourager, supporterCrying?Separation

First Day Logistics

Half-DaySame Core CurriculumNo LunchNo TuitionAM (PM?)

Extension to curriculumLunchTuitionRegular school hours

9:00-3:30

Enrollment- Half or Full Day

Full-Day

Turn into your homeschool attendance area according to 2015-2016 boundaries (next slide)

Must show proof of residencyHealth Forms

Enrollment- Forms

2015-2016Proposed 2016-2017 Boundaries

Boundaries

Questions