Kindergarten

Classroom Routines

Kindergarten is a big transition year. It is very different from Pre-K. Starting in September, we work on helping the students become more independent. In order to do this, we have classroom routines that the students learn over time and are expected to follow.

For example, the morning routine may consist of:

1. Unpack and put your folder in the basket
2. Hang up your jacket and backpack
3. Put your lunch and snack where it belongs

General Information

School Supplies

• A kindergarten supply list was posted over the summer on our school Dojo. If you did not see the posting, please let us know and we will send it to you ASAP.
• Most school supplies were already sent in.
• Some supplies may be used as community supplies (disinfected daily), while others may be for your child’s individual use.
• Please keep pencil cases/boxes home.
• When more supplies are needed throughout the year, we will ask for donations on Dojo. If there are any concerns, please let us know.

Bathroom

• Each Kindergarten room has its own bathroom. Students are expected to be able to use the bathroom on their own.
• Teachers are not able to help the students with using the bathroom.

Change of Clothing

• In the event of a spill or accident, we keep a full change of clothing for each student in the classroom. This consists of shirt, pants, socks and underwear. It is kept in a Ziploc bag labeled with the student’s name.
• Students need to be able to change their own clothing.
• If your child has a spill or accident, we will send the dirty clothing home to you and you will send fresh clothing back the next day to keep in the classroom.

Uniforms

The uniform at PS 52 is worn Monday-Thursday. It consists of:

• Solid navy shirt
• Khaki pants, shorts, or skirt

Friday is a dress down day!

Gym Days

• Gym uniforms can be worn on your child’s assigned gym days. They are available for purchase on the PS 52 website.
• Sneakers must also be worn on gym days or your child will not be able to participate that day.

Breakfast / Lunch / Snack

Breakfast

Breakfast is FREE and is served daily in the cafeteria starting at 7:40. If your child needs breakfast, please remind them in the morning to tell an adult when they get to school so they are directed to the cafeteria.

Lunch

Hot lunch is free and served daily in the cafeteria. The lunch menu is available on the Department of Education website. You can also send lunch from home.

Snack

All Kindergarten classes have snack time. Snack must be packed separately from lunch and labeled with your child’s name and “SNACK”. It should be healthy and Peanut-Free.

Birthdays

Birthdays are a special day and your children are welcome to celebrate in the classroom, and parents are welcome to join! Siblings may NOT join.

• If you would like to send something in for your child’s birthday, please let us know and we can schedule a day.
• Food and drinks should be individually wrapped.
• Please send in one flavor of the birthday treat (ex: all chocolate munchkins) in order to be fair to all children.
• Parties are approximately 20 minutes long.
• Goodie bags are NOT permitted and will be returned home if sent in.

Behavior Chart

At P.S. 52, in grades K-2, we use a “traffic light” behavior system.

• Green means “ready to learn.” Every child will begin their day on green.
• Yellow means “slow down, think about your actions/words.” If a student is having difficulty following classroom rules, they will be asked to go to yellow. It is a warning and students can always work their way back to green.
• Red means “stop and think about your choices.” If a student is still struggling to follow classroom rules/directions, they may be asked to go to red. In this case, the parent will be contacted.

Behavior Calendar

In the front, clear pocket of your child’s homework folder will be the calendar for the month with a circle on each day. At the end of the day, students will color to let you know how their day was. Parents are asked to initial each night in order to let the teachers know you are aware. Your support with this is imperative in order to let children know we are on the same page.

Class Dojo

We use Class Dojo to communicate with our PS 52 families. It is an app that you can download to your phone.

• If you download Dojo and see an option that asks you to “enable push notifications”, please say yes to it. This will allow messages from your child’s teacher to appear on your screen.
• We use Dojo to send private messages back and forth to parents. Parents can also send messages to the teacher.
• Teachers are also able to post pictures and send reminders to the class.

Curriculum

• Math: Eureka Math Program
• Literacy: HMH and Orton Gillingham (OG)

Homework

• Homework is assigned every night except Friday. It is handed out on Monday for the entire week.
• Homework is checked daily.
• In addition to the homework packet, your child should be reading every night.
• *Math book stays at home*
• Please be sure to check your child’s folder every night.

New Grading System

• ME = Exceeding grade level standards
• MA = Above grade level standards
• MT = Meeting grade level standards
• MP = Approaching grade level standards
• MB = Below grade level standards

New Water Bottle Policy

• Metal water bottles are NOT allowed.
• Bottles should be 20 oz. or less.
• They cannot have exposed straws.

Attendance Policy

• If your child is absent, please Dojo us and let us know.
• You must also call the office on those days.
• Please send in an absent note when your child returns to school.

Class Schedule

• Each class will have Science, Social Studies, Gym and Music.
• Please be sure your child wears sneakers and comfortable uniforms on Gym days.
• Students are expected to wear school uniforms Monday-Thursday. They should wear Gym uniforms and sneakers on Gym days.
• Fridays are dress-down days!
• Students should be on time each day. The school day begins at 8:00 am.

In kindergarten, students are learning lots of new routines and procedures. They will learn how to unpack, organize their belongings, find materials they need throughout the day, ask to use the bathroom when needed, and so much more!

Dismissal

Dismissal is at 2:14-2:20 pm each day at Exit 9.

• Each child will be dismissed one by one. If you need to talk to us, please wait until we have dismissed all the children.
• If your child goes to NIA, they will be dismissed to the NIA room.
• If they take the bus, they will be picked up from the classroom and escorted to the necessary location.
• If there is ever a day where your child is not being dismissed in their typical way, please be sure to let us know ASAP via Dojo or a written notice.

STUDENTS CAN ONLY BE DISMISSED TO INDIVIDUALS LISTED ON THEIR BLUE CARD – NO EXCEPTIONS.

Questions or Concerns?

If you have any questions or concerns, message your child’s teacher on Dojo.