2003-2004
Ormondale Elementary School
Room 8
851-1777 ext.1108- (e-mail) barbjo18@comcast.net
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[kids say the darndest things] [class photos] [appropriate web sites]
class schedule (Return to Main Menu)
Kindergarten Daily Schedule
Mrs. Gardyn-Room 8
Monday
8:30-Opening Activities-(flag; attendance; calendar; number of
days in school chart; weather graph; daily tune-ups; songs; daily
news/interactive writing/journals; shared reading/read aloud.)
9:00-Sharing
9:10-Whole Group-Literacy (includes: journals, poetry books,
phonemic awareness, phonics, read aloud and shared reading,
shared and interactive writing) / Math.
10:05-Snack/Recess
10:25-P.E./Music
11:00-Small Group Centers-includes cooking; art; writing;
science; math; social studies; literacy activities etc.
11:40-switch groups
12:20-Clean-Up- Review the day; get ready to go home
12:25-Dismissal
Tuesday
8:30-opening (see Monday)
9:00-Sharing
9:15: Small groups (literacy centers /math /guided reading)
10:05-Snack/Recess
10:25-P.E./Music
11:00-Small Group Centers-includes cooking; art; writing;
science; math; social studies; literacy activities etc.
11:40-switch groups
12:20-Clean-Up- Review the day; get ready to go home
12:25-Dismissal
Wednesday
8:30-11:00-(Same Schedule as Tuesday-rotation of small groups)
11:00-11:30-Spanish (every other week)
11:00-11:50- Plan-Do-Rev (choice time)
11:55-12:25-BUDDIES/ASSEMBLIES-on alternate Wednesdays
12:25- DISMISSAL
Thursday
8:30-11:00-(Same Schedule as Tuesday-rotation of small groups)
11-12:00-Plan-Do-Review
12:00-12:10-Clean-Up
12:10-12:20-Story- Review of the day.
12:25- DISMISSAL
Friday
8:30- Opening (see Monday)
9:00-Sharing
9:15-Whole Group-Literacy/Math/Sci.
10:05-10:25-Snack/Recess
10:25-10:55-P.E./Music
10:55-Library
11:20-Finish projects/activities from the week/work on
journals/poetry books/share read-aloud logs etc.
11:00-Spanish every other week
12:25-DISMISSAL
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(Coming soon)
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parent information (Return to Main Menu)
ORMONDALE SCHOOL-Kindergarten First Day Letter
SEPTEMBER 2, 2003
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the class of the year 2016! I am looking forward to an
exciting year with your children. Children often become shy or
tearful during the first few weeks of kindergarten, don’t be
alarmed. Such reactions are normal. Imagine that you are starting
a new job tomorrow. You’ve never met the boss or your
co-workers and you are not even sure what your duties will be.
Wouldn’t you be a bit nervous- -as well as excited?
That’s probably how your child feels about starting
Kindergarten. The following information will help ensure a smooth
start to a most important year for you and your child.
Dress-Kindergarten is an active time. Children
will be running, jumping, climbing, exploring, painting, etc. I
recommend comfortable clothes and sturdy tennis shoes. All outer
clothing, lunch boxes, backpacks, etc. MUST have your
child’s name on it. Some children may have the same or
similar items and names on things make it easier for everyone.
Homework-Homework
activities in Kindergarten are neither formal or given on a
regular basis (except for sharing time each week). Homework when
given is designed to reinforce skills that are learned at school.
All activities are to be fun and shared with the entire family.
Homework that should be ongoing is reading to and with your child
for at least 15-20 minutes daily. When you read t o and with your
child he/she gets the message that “Reading is
Important”! There are many opportunities to read together in
addition to the familiar bedtime stories. For example, while you
are cooking and using a recipe read the directions out loud so
your child is aware of different reasons for reading. If your
child wants to know what is on T.V. read the T.V. guide together.
At the grocery store read signs and labels out loud and point to
the words you are reading for your child to see. To encourage
reading together on a daily basis, we will be having a monthly
Read Aloud program beginning in October. More information on this
program will be discussed at Back-to-School night.
Sharing-Sharing time is a
very important part of Kindergarten. It helps children overcome
shyness and gain skills in oral language and self-confidence. You
will receive a schedule for sharing at back to school night. Each
child has his or her own special day each week for sharing. It is
important that you help your child remember his/her sharing in
order to develop a sense of responsibility. The themes for
sharing will be based on units we are studying in class. Sharing
is not optional. All children are expected to participate each
week.
Star of the Week-Each week we will have a
“Star of the Week”. Each child will have a chance to
participate. When it’s your child’s turn s/he will come
home wearing a star on his/her shirt, letting you know s/he will
be the star for the following week. The “Star” is the
teacher’s helper and class leader for the entire week.
He/she must bring to school on Monday a special interview paper
and pictures of himself, his family and friends, etc. These will
be displayed all week on a special bulletin board set aside for
the star of the week. Children are encouraged to bring anything
that they wish to show their class that is special and important
to them. We will talk more about this program during Back to
School night.
Volunteers-Helping in the class is not only a
wonderful opportunity for you to see the kinds of learning taking
place, but it also allows me to plan for more small group
activities and projects. I know you all have very busy schedules,
but if you could find some time each week it would be greatly
appreciated. Also please let me know if you have special talents,
careers or interests you’d like to share with the class. If
you didn't get a chance to sign up Friday during your
child’s orientation time, I will continue to have the
volunteer sheet available outside my door this week, as well as
at Back-to-School night.
Book and Soft-ware orders-Each
month throughout the year I will be sending home order forms for
both Scholastic See Saw books and Scholastic Soft-ware. I will be
recommending books and soft-ware I am currently using or know to
be of good quality. The prices are great and it is a convenient
way to get educational soft-ware and good literature for your
child. The first order will go home in your back to school packet
of information.
Please feel free to stop by and say hello when you drop off your
child in the morning. I feel the more we can touch base, the more
comfortable we all will be to discuss your child’s progress.
If at any time you have questions or concerns about your child
you can call me at school or write me a note and we can set up a
time to meet.
This information was meant as an overview of some of the
activities and programs I will be initiating this year. I will be
going into more detail about the Kindergarten program at
Back-to-School Night, Thursday September 11th at 6 P.M.
In closing I would like to share this passage I found while I was
reading an early childhood newsletter. I felt it was important to
share especially with new Kindergarten parents.
“KINDER-GARDEN” Your child can’t tie her shoes,
but her classmate Julia can. Julia’s mother worries because
Julia doesn’t know the alphabet. Keith knows the alphabet,
but not his colors.
It’s time to stop worrying about what your child can’t
do. Instead, focus on what she can do. Find her special talents
and let her know you think she’s great!
Like plants, children grow at different rates. Some bloom early
and others boom late. Remember there are no weeds in
kindergarten.”
Relax and enjoy this special year with your child.
Sincerely,
Barbara Gardyn
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