Seven Oaks Elementary School 

Remote Learning  

Kindergarten Handbook 

2020-2021 

1800 Seven Oaks RD SE 

Lacey, WA 98503 

360-412-4700 

Ms. Sarah Pierce: spierce@nthurston.k12.wa.us 

Ms. Chelou Hills: chills@nthurston.k12.wa.us 

 

 

 

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Welcome to Kindergarten! 

Dear Kindergarten Families, 

We are very excited for the 2020-2021 school year! This is a very exciting 

time for you and your child. Kindergarten is a big milestone in your child’s life. We 

want your young student’s first school experience to be filled with smiles, laughter, 

fun, and learning. We look forward to helping your child learn and grow this year. 

We are excited to meet your child and we will strive to make sure your child feels 

loved and cared about in kindergarten. This year is going to start off a little 

different from all of our other school years in the past, but your kindergarten 

team will make our best effort to make connections with you and your child no 

matter if we are on a video screen live or recorded or in person. We have never 

done this type of teaching and we will make mistakes along the way but we will all 

figure it out together! We will work in partnership with you to meet the grade level 

expectations for your student and to help them learn the skills they need to be 

confident, successful learners. We hope this handbook answers any questions you 

may have about the upcoming school year. If you still have questions or concerns, 

please do not hesitate to ask. Thank you for sharing your child with us this year! 

  

Your Seven Oaks Kindergarten Teachers, 

Ms. Sarah Pierce 

Ms. Chelou Hills 

  

 

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Our Kindergarten Remote Learning Schedule 

Our first day of school is Monday, September 14! 8:15-8:45  ● Synchronous morning meeting (30 min.) 

8:45-10:00  ● Asynchronous video for SEL (~5 min.) 

● Asynchronous video for foundational skills (~5 min.) 

● Asynchronous ELA, math, or science video (~5 min.) 

● Playtime 

● Snack time (math practice with snacks: counting, 

sorting, etc...) 

● Family support time 

10:00-10:15  ● Synchronous video for ELA, math, or science: large 

group (15 min.) 

● Brain break 

10:15-11:00  ● Small groups (15 min.) 

11:00-11:30  ● Playtime 

● Family support time (if needed) 

11:30-12:30  ● Lunchtime 

12:30-1:00  ● Independent work time: writing/art project/science 

● Teachers in meetings (12:00-1:00) 

1:00-1:20  ● Specialist Class: Mon./Wed. (20 min.) 

● Supported playgroups: Tues./Thurs./Fri. 

1:20-1:30  ● Snack time 

1:30-2:30  ● Small groups (15 min.) 

 

Notes:  

A synchronous video is a live session video.   

An asynchronous video is a pre-recorded video your child will watch during 

independent learning time. 

 

 

 

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Learning Platform 

As a district, PreK-5 grade students will be using Google Classroom for their 

learning platform. All assignments will be posted on your child’s teacher’s classroom 

page. You can communicate to your teacher through this platform and your child 

can turn in work here too. A video tutorial will be sent out soon so that you can 

familiarize yourself with it. We will also be teaching your student to use it 

independently. Given your children are very young and just learning how to use a 

computer, they will need your help through this process. 

 

Synchronous learning platform 

As a district, PreK-5 grade students will be using Google Meet or Zoom for all live 

teaching sessions. Students will use a video camera on their chromebooks or on 

their personal computers to “come to school” each day at specific times. They will 

also use Google Meet or Zoom to meet up for small groups, specialists, and social 

groups. 

 

Asynchronous learning platform 

Recorded video content will be uploaded to google classroom for your child to 

watch on their own. The short videos will teach new content in all areas. These 

lessons will be discussed during the live learning sessions, so it is very important 

that they watch all of the videos. There will be some assignments linked to these 

videos in order for your child to complete them to show understanding. 

 

Drive up “Grab and Go” packets will be provided during the following time 

outside of the preschool wing:  

Friday  11:30 - 12:30 and 4:30 - 6:00 PM 

Monday  11:30 - 12:30  

** Times may need to be adjusted to accommodate our families.  

 

Kindergarten packets and materials will be distributed on a weekly basis.  

 

Turning in Packets: Kindergarten families will turn in completed work when they 

pick up a new packet OR they can turn in completed work in labeled bins located in 

front of the office. The previous week’s packet will also be available for pick up at 

the table in the front office.  

 

 

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Parent Partnership 

Since you are a parent of our youngest learners, we will have a unique partnership 

that we normally do not have when we meet in person. We understand that you will 

be taking time out of your day to help your child log in and log out of sessions all 

day long. You will help them check emails, complete assignments, and make sure 

they are watching their videos. We understand that we are entering your home and 

your life everyday and at some points, you may be entering our homes via video 

conferencing. We will do our best to make sure we all feel comfortable with this 

relationship. This is a huge undertaking! We are here to help at all times. Open 

communication about celebrations of new learnings and problem solving sessions for 

the more difficult times, will help make this partnership work throughout the 

entire year. Please communicate with us often! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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School Supplies and a Learning Space at Home 

 

We understand that during remote learning, you may not need to buy new school 

supplies and a new backpack. With that said, we do want you to know that now is 

still a good time to buy school supplies at stores because they are having 

“back-to-school” sales. Moreover, the school district is putting together school 

supplies (grade-level specific) in new backpacks for families to buy. Here is the link 

if you want to do that. NTPS School Supplies to Purchase 

 

Each student will have a Learning Bag to begin the year. In this bag, you will find a 

“Foundational Skills Kit” to learn letters and sounds, math manipulative pages that 

children will use to help with math learning, a white board, marker, and some other 

school supplies. You can also pick up a Chromebook for your child to access all 

their remote learning.  

 

We do need every kindergarten student to have a Chromebook from school. If you 

choose to use a device that you have personally purchased, the device needs to be 

able to access Google Classroom and Google Meet or Zoom (The device needs to 

have audio and video capabilities.). They will be available for pick up at school Sept 

8th - 11th. The Chromebook will be an important part of remote learning. There will 

be district tech support available to you for Chromebooks. Here is the link: NTPS 

Chromebook Support 

 

We recommend that you set up a learning space for your kindergartner at home. 

This should be a quiet, well-lit place that will help your child be free from 

distractions at home. It may be a good idea to use a backpack or laundry basket to 

keep your student’s school supplies in. If everything stays in the backpack or 

basket, in the learning space, your child will have what is needed when it is time to 

learn and participate in kindergarten.  

 

It is ideal to set up this space OUTSIDE of the child’s bedroom. Children should 

plan to attend live class sessions at a table where they can sit up with a device, 

paper/whiteboard and something to write with. We want students to see the 

difference between their sleeping and play spaces at home and learning spaces as 

much as possible.  

 

 

 

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School Meals 

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has extended a waiver that will allow us to 

serve free meals to all children (ages 1-18) through December 31, 2020. 

Households are strongly encouraged to continue to apply for the Free and 

Reduced-Price meal program as Free meals may only be available until December 31, 

2020. You can pick up meals daily using the “Grab and Go” option at Seven Oaks 

between 11:30 - 12:30 Monday - Friday. There are alternative pick up locations for 

weekly meal kits. Click here for more information on pickup locations & times >> 

 

Skyward Family Access 

On the district website, you can access skyward in the top right corner. The office 

provided you with your user name and you can set up an account through an email. 

If you did not receive this information, please contact the office to get this 

information. Through Family Access, you let us know if your child will not be coming 

to school, sign up for conferences, and many other things as your child grows 

through the school system.  

 

Attendance FAQ 

1. How are teachers taking attendance? 

Teachers will take attendance the morning following a learning day (ie: Attendance 

for Monday will be recorded first thing Tuesday morning). Your child will be 

counted as present by attending live class, completing school work, and watching 

the pre-recorded lessons.  

 

2. Can a student demonstrate attendance before or after regularly scheduled 

school hours? 

Yes. If your schedule does not allow for live learning, contact your child’s teacher 

daily. Your communication of what school work was completed each day will 

ensure that your child is not marked absent.  

 

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Please tell the teacher/office if...  

★ Your child will be absent from school. We need to take 

attendance for every child every day during remote learning  

★ You change your address, phone numbers, or email 

addresses 

★ Your child has allergies or other medical concerns 

★ Your family is experiencing significant changes such as 

moving to a new home, the birth of a new sibling, a parent’s 

deployment, etc... 

★ You would like to add or remove a person from your child’s 

emergency contact or pick-up list 

★ You need a new copy of anything (school schedule, 

kindergarten handbook, newsletter, homework, etc.) 

★ You need financial assistance obtaining school supplies, 

backpacks, field trip fees 

★ Your child will be at daycare or with a caregiver during the 

school day (during remote learning)** 

★ You are having technology issues 

Note: If your child will be with someone other than the primary 

guardian(s) during the remote learning school day, please consider 

adding the caregiver as a contact in Skyward (Family Access). Please 

also let the teacher know if she has permission to communicate with 

the caregiver during remote learning, if needed. Thank you. 

 

 

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Welcome, Our Youngest Seven Oaks Bulldogs! 

Our Classroom Expectations 

All students attending Seven Oaks are expected to follow FRRED: 

F: Fairness 

R: Responsibility 

R: Respect 

E: Empathy 

D: Dignity 

This is FRRED, the bulldog, our school mascot!  

   

All students in the kindergarten classrooms are expected to follow these classroom rules: 

Be friendly 

Be safe 

Be a worker 

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Behavior Expectations and Support 

All children will be explicitly taught these behavior guidelines and will be given 

opportunities to practice them throughout the first couple weeks of school. At 

times, children need to be guided through making good choices. The kindergarten 

staff understands that developmentally, at this age, children need a lot of practice 

and encouragement to be compassionate, caring and respectful members of our 

community. 

If a student’s behavior impacts their learning or the learning of the others in the 

classroom, a meeting will be held with the parents and other members of the Seven 

Oaks staff to create a plan in order to create a learning environment that benefits 

all members of the classroom. 

During our time learning remotely, we expect all children to follow the rules of our 

remote classroom. These will be taught at the beginning of the year and reviewed 

daily. We will also go over our expectations with you, so that you know what we 

expect from your child while learning online.

Learning with

Teacher

Learning with

Classmates

Learning on

your Own

Fairness Wait your turn. Give everyone a chance to

participate.

Try your hardest.

Responsibility Have your materials

ready and be on time.

Keep your learning space

clean and organized.

Stay on task.

Respect Wait your turn and pay

attention to the speaker.

Eyes watching, ears listening,

voice quiet, body calm.

Do your best.

Empathy Use kind words. Listen to your classmates

and be kind when you

respond to them.

It’s okay to make

mistakes.

Dignity Listen, follow directions,

and stay on task.

Remember everyone is

different. Be kind to

everyone.

Give yourself a pat

on the back.

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Zones of Regulation 

Seven Oaks uses Zones of Regulation (Leah Kuypers) to talk with children about 

how to regulate their bodies. When you walk into any classroom at Seven Oaks, you 

will find a “Recovery Spot.” This is a safe place for children to “take a break” in 

order to get into their “learning zone.” This is not a place for punishment, but a 

place to take a break and recover in order to be the best learner they can be in 

the classroom. Your kindergartner will talk about the zones and may describe them 

as a stop light. You can use the words with your children at home in order to help 

them regulate their bodies. 

 

 

 

Second Step Curriculum 

The social skills curriculum that we use is called Second Step. We will teach daily 

lessons using this program. You will get a newsletter weekly that will explain what 

your child is learning. During this time of uncertainty, our school district is focused 

on making sure students are learning how to recognize their feelings, process their 

feelings, and express their feelings. We will be also talking about bullying, making 

friends, sharing, and maintaining attention. 

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Family Connection Meetings  

During the first few days of school (September 9th, 10th, and 11th), kindergarten 

students will not attend remote learning. The first day of school for 

kindergartners is Monday, Set 14th. Instead, parents and students will attend 

family connection meetings. During this meeting, you will have the opportunity to 

share information about your child and your family. It will be a chance for your 

child’s teacher to get to know you and your child a little better before starting the 

first day of school. The kindergarten teachers will call families to set up meeting 

times. These meetings will take place via Google Meet (Zoom may be used if Google 

Meet doesn’t work)- our online video meeting platform. We look forward to getting 

to know you and your kindergarten students! 

September and October Learning 

During the first months of school, we will spend a lot of time getting to know your 

students, helping them make connections to each other and their learning, and 

teaching them routines and procedures. Moreover, we will practice those routines 

and procedures regularly.  

Students will practice writing their names, using scissors and glue, counting with 

accuracy, and learning songs and poems. Since we will be remote learning, students 

will also learn how to use Chromebooks, communicate (with our help) through Google 

Classroom and other computer apps, and interact with classmates via video chats. 

We are here to teach, help, guide, and support your kindergarten students! We 

look forward to helping each one of them make new friends, learn skills and 

strategies, and feel connected to their kindergarten community. 

As a kindergarten community, we will participate in a state program called, 

WAKids. The teachers will observe and assess the students to better learn about 

them as individuals. We ask that you partner with us in this endeavor. WAKids is an 

observational tool to help us find out more about your young students at the 

beginning of the kindergarten year, so we can best meet them where they are as 

individual learners and community members. We will share more information with 

you soon about WAKids.  

 

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We’ve got this! 

Kindergarten Families, 

As kindergarten teachers, moms, and members of our community, we 

understand that this is a unique, challenging, uncertain, and often stressful 

time for many people. We have all been affected by the pandemic and many 

of the challenges impacting our society these past many months.  

We are going to do the best we can to give your children a happy, wonderful, 

meaningful, productive kindergarten experience whether we are remote 

learning or meeting in our physical classrooms.  

We love teaching kindergarten and we are excited to start the new year 

with your young learners! Even though we will spend the first quarter getting 

to know each other through computer screens, we are going to still laugh, 

sing, dance, play, connect with, talk to, listen to, and learn together! It is 

going to be a fabulous year, kindergarten families!  

We’ve got this and we are determined to help our kindergartners learn, 

grow, and have a fun, happy school year! We are glad you are here and we 

can’t wait to meet you all!  

 

Sincerely, 

Ms. Pierce and Ms. Hills 

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Important Dates!

 

Seven Oaks School Website: https://www.nthurston.k12.wa.us/sevenoaks

Seven Oaks Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/sevenoakselementary/

Seven Oaks PTA Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/7oaksPTA/