Mrs. Sims' ABCs of Kindergarten
Advance Approved
In order to participate in ANY/ALL classroom activities, parents/family members must be Advance Approved. This is a training that is run by Dr. Austermuhl, Superintendent. Dates for training are held throughout the school year. Please be sure to get Approved prior to November so that you can attend activities in our classroom.
Allergies
If your child has any allergies to food or otherwise, please inform the school Nurse as soon as possible.
Art
We will have art as a special every B Day during the first half of the school year (September-February).
Attendance
Attendance is important to your child's success in kindergarten. If your child is going to be absent, please contact the school. All work missed must be made up. If you would like makeup work the same day, please send an email or leave a message “early” in the morning. Your child's work will be ready by the end of the day for pick up in the office after school. The school number is (856) 767-9164.
Backpack
Please be sure to send your child with a regular size backpack that can hang in their cubby (no wheels). Safari folders are to be put into backpacks and returned to school each day.
Birthdays
I love to celebrate your child's birthday in the classroom. This is done during our regular snack time. Unfortunately, our schedule does not allow for families to attend. I ask that any treats be sent in or dropped off in the morning before school begins. Please include plates and napkins. Please send in a note a few days in advance of your child's birthday. All treats sent in should adhere to the District's Policy on party food.
Book Orders
Each month, I will send home Scholastic Book order forms. These books range in price from $1 to $5 and are a good value and geared toward your emergent readers. Please help to support our classroom. I earn points from your purchase to get books that I send home for your child to read from my class library.
Books (Mrs. Sims’ Class Library)
Your child will be bringing home books to be read at home and returned to school from my personal classroom library. These also include leveled guided reading books that I purchased to help your child read at home. Any books other than "paper keep books" are to be kept in the proper Jungle Book pouch or baggie and sent to class the next school day. All Parents/Guardians agree to return all books in the same condition. Any lost or damaged books must be replaced as soon as possible so that others can enjoy reading books at home.
Classroom
My kindergarten jungle classroom is located in the back hallway in Room 29. My jungle room environment is meant to create a fun learning environment while learning about animals.
Communication
Your child's Safari Folder is the best source of communication for notes, homework, etc. Please put all notes and/or money in the front black pouch in your child’s folder. Feel free to send me an email or call with any questions. You can also sign up to receive text message updates (see Text Message Updates via DoJo).
Computers/Tablets
We have computer special every A Day (Sept-Feb). I also have use computers in the classroom along with the Smart Board each day. The children each have their own Chrome Tablet to read books online and explore interactive math and reading websites during school and at home.
Discipline
I encourage positive behavior in my classroom. Children learn about how to make good choices by following our classroom rules. Our District uses Positive Behavior Supports (PBS) to promote positive behavior. I am a strong believer in promoting this positive behavior in our class. Please refer to the District's policy on discipline.
Class DOJO
I love to use Dojo as a way to communicate with parents. You can download the app and text me right from your phone with any important messages. I will be sending updates and information via Dojo also. Please sign up at kindergarten orientation. I will send you an invitation once I receive your signed approval for you and your child to participate.
We're a Great Bunch! Is the title of our class behavior board. Each child’s name is on a monkey clip. We begin the day on the jungle tree. The goal is to follow class rules and not move down. We will spend the first few weeks learning class rules, then begin to use the calendar. Children will receive a warning and move their clip down for not following class rules. The children color their calendar each day according to where their clip is. Tree – No Color (T), Green (good day), Blue (okay day), Yellow (oops!), Red (no free time). Your child’s monthly behavior calendar will remain in their Safari Folder. Please review it each day and use the color code as a starting point to discuss how your child can continue to or make better choices. Class rules and our behavior system will be discussed in detail at Orientation.
Please feel free to email me if you have any questions. My email address is [email protected]. Email is the quickest way to get in touch with me. I will do my best to return your email within 24 hours during the school week.
Fine Motor
Part of your child’s growth in kindergarten is fine motor development. Your child’s hands and fingers are still developing strength and stamina to cut, write, and color. We will practice these skills daily, especially in the beginning of the year. For fun at home, provide your child opportunities to color, play with Play Doh, Legos, etc.
Fun
In kindergarten we learn by having fun! Planned lessons and activities are geared toward learning goals in an enjoyable format that fosters growth and learning.
Fundations
Our phonics program from K-3 is Wilson “Fundations”. This program is based on the Orton-Gillingham, multi-sensory approach to phonics and includes auditory (speaking), kinesthetic (movement), and visual (images) learning styles. Since everyone learns a different way, everyone benefits from this approach.
Gym (Phys. Ed/Health)
We have gym as a rotated special every D Day. Please be sure that your child is wearing sneakers on gym day.
Hands-on Learning
I will be using hands-on, multi-sensory learning every day in kindergarten. Your child will have many opportunities daily to explore and participate in activities that involve working with others through discovery.
Homework
Your child is expected to complete all homework each evening. Math and reading homework is given Monday through Thursday. Practicing sight words, reading to and with your child 15 minutes every night is expected. Reading logs will be checked each morning for completion of reading the previous evening. Other homework will consist of language art activities including sight word practice, printing practice, and phonics. All homework will be placed in your child's Folder and must be returned the next day.
Illness
If your child is ill and will not be in school, please be sure to contact the school. If you would like work sent home, please send me a DoJo text first thing in the morning, after you call your child out sick. Your child's work will be ready at the end of the school day. The phone number is (856)767-9164.
Information
Please send in a note if your contact information changes or there is anything you would like me to know to help your child succeed. All notes need to be placed in the black pouch in your child's Safari folder.
Journals
In addition to our writing program, your child will be writing in a journal on a daily basis. Journal writing encourages children to express themselves with words and/or pictures. You can encourage this at home by providing materials such as sticky notes, paper, markers or notebooks.
Kindergarten
Kindergarten is a special year for your young learner. It is a year filled with growth and excitement. Please help your child by celebrating their successes both big and small! We are going to have a wonderful year!
Library
The children will be checking out library books every library day. We have library on C Days. Your child will be allowed to check out a book to bring home to read. Books must be returned before the next library day so that your child can take out another book from the school library.
Lunch
Kindergarten lunch is at 11:38 each day. During half days, lunch is not served. Please send in a lunch or large snack for your child to eat during the 20 minute snack time in the lunch room. They will need something substantial to get them through until they get home after 1:15. The school sells snacks for purchase early in the morning on half days. Please refer to the lunch schedule for prices.
Math
Our math curriculum is Go Math! This program supports the New Jersey Student Learning Standards for Kindergarten. Your child will learn counting, writing, and comparing numbers to 20 and beyond, addition, subtraction, 2-D shapes, 3-D shapes, measurement, and sorting and grouping.
Makeup Work
If you would like makeup work sent home with a sibling or friend, please contact me early in the morning. If you would like to pick up your child's work, I will have it at the office at the end of the school day.
Money
All money for lunch, book orders, etc. must be "labeled," placed in an "envelope" or "plastic bag" and put in the black pouch in the front of your child's folder.
Music
We have music every A Day (Sept.-Feb.) as part of our specials rotations for the entire school year.
Notes
All notes to you from me will be placed in the front black communication pouch in your child's Safari folder. Please check this pouch daily for any notes from school. All notes for me should be placed in this pouch as well.
Nurse
If your child is sick, he or she will be taken to the nurse for evaluation. Please be sure to let me know if your contact information changes so that you can be reached in case of illness.
Optimist
I believe that every child can learn in their own special way at their own time. To keep your child motivated, please read to and with your child with excitement. Celebrate the little successes because they add up over time. The growth that you will see between September and June is astounding!
Parties
We will have several holiday parties throughout the school year.
Questions
If you have questions, please feel free to call (856)767-9164 ext. 1338 and leave a message or send a note in your child's folder. You can also email me at [email protected] or send me a DoJo text.
Read Aloud
I just love reading! I read aloud to the class every day. During this time, your child develops listening comprehension, vocabulary, and builds up their background knowledge (Schema).
Reading log
Reading homework requirement for our classroom is 15 minutes each evening. This 15 minute time period should consist of your child reading their sight word readers as well as listening to you reading. Please be sure to sign the reading log in your child's folder and jot down the story and whether you read to or with your child. Reading logs should remain in your child's Jungle Book and will be collected on Friday.
Responsibility
In an effort to teach the children responsibility, please have your child check their back pack each day before school to be sure they have their Safari folder, homework, and other necessary information.
Report Cards
Your child will receive a report card three times during the school year. Your child’s progress in math, language arts, behavior, science and social studies is tracked and noted for your review. Returning reading logs and homework are recorded and noted. They are essential to your child’s success. In addition, we have scheduled parent conferences in November and February or March to keep you abreast of your child’s progress.
Science and Social Studies
We use Scholastic Let's Find Out for our content curriculum. Your child will bring home a weekly magazine that covers fun nonfiction science and social studies thematic units. Our daily read aloud focuses on the weekly theme.
Sight Words
Each week your child will be bringing sight word cards to be practiced at home daily along with sight word readers that support these new words. These sight words make up over 84 of the most used words in your emergent reader's texts and are MUST KNOW words in order for your child to become a successful reader. Each week, please pull lout the new flash card words to match the word list. Your child will have weekly sight word tests to document progress and ability to "read" the words. You can find additional ideas to study in your child's jungle book.
Spanish
This year, we have Spanish every B Day for specials in the second half of the year (Feb.-June).
Specials
Our Specials time is from 1:41-2:23 each day. Specials are rotated on an A, B, C, and D basis. Please be sure that your child wears sneakers during gym days. Library books need to be returned in order for your child to receive a new book.
Supplies
Please be sure to send in ALL the supplies requested in the beginning of the school year so that they are available for your child to use all year.
Toys
I strongly discourage bringing toys into school except during special occasions in which a note will be sent home first. I do have plenty of fun toys for your child to play with during free time.
Upbeat
I am always upbeat and excited to help your child have a successful year in kindergarten. Please encourage your child at home by staying upbeat and supportive.
Volunteers (pending Covid protocols)
Room parent volunteers are welcomed. Volunteers help to organize class parties and participate during other special events. Please sign up at back to school night. Please note that most parties have a limit to the number of parents allowed. Room parents will receive first preference. All room parents and volunteers must be Advanced Approved.
Website
Please visit my website often for class news and events. Copies of reading logs and sight words can be downloaded and printed at home from my website as well.
Writing
I teach writing that focuses on the writing workshop approach. Your child will listen to mentor texts that model good writing. Please encourage your child to write or draw at home and have them explain their writing and the picture that matches. Writing is developmental, just like reading. Your child will approximate spelling by using beginning/ending consonants to start. Please refer to the writing continuum located in your back to school night folder.
eXtra Special
Your child is extra special to me. I want your child's kindergarten experience to be the best ever. I am looking forward to partnering with you in your child's education. If your child is feeling sad or having difficulties, please reach out to me so that I can help your child through it. I am always available for conferences.
You
You are your child's first teacher! My goal is to help you to help your child grow. You can do this by reading with your child every day and helping them learn their words and complete their homework. Please take time to celebrate your child's successes both big and small.
Zzzzzz....Please make sure that your child gets a good night sleep. Young children need at least 10 hours of uninterrupted sleep each night to feel rested and ready to learn in the morning.