This page contains answers to common questions about how our classroom runs.
How can we communicate with you?
We believe in a true partnership between parents and teachers. We do our best to keep you informed. Here are some ways we will keep you up to date: * Newsletters - A Kindergarten update will be sent home every Friday in your child's Friday Folder. * Webpage - Our webpage will be updated with the most current newsletter and will include your child's weekly homework. * Progress Reports will be sent out mid-trimester each trimester. * Report Cards will be sent home at the end of every trimester. * Parent teacher conferences will take place at the end of the first trimester. Thereafter, conferences will be conducted on an as needed basis. You may contact us anytime by phone (933-3767) or e-mail (AM: kreid@buckeyeusd.org, PM: ltaylor@buckeyeusd.org). For a more timely response, e-mail is preferred.Back to Top
When is a good time to speak with you?
After instructional hours is the best time for us to meet or receive phone calls. It is difficult for us to give you our full attention when you drop off your child, or as we are sending the kids off with their parents at pick up. We would be happy to schedule a time with you after the kids are gone to have a more in-depth conversation.Back to Top
Homework will be assigned on Fridays and is due back on Thursday. Pages will either be sent home, or can be downloaded from our web page. Our book bag program is the key component of your child's homework. It is important to read the books with your child EVERY night. Your support is essential in helping your child to develop the responsibility and good study habits that will help make his/her school career a successful one.Back to Top
Parents cannot park in the bus turnaround to drop off and pick up their Kindergartners. Please give yourself plenty of time to park and get to the classroom on time. We are unable to release your child to anyone who is not listed on the school emergency card. Please add anyone who may pick up your child to this card. If your child arrives to school late, or is checked out early, you need to sign him/her in or out at the school office before coming to the classroom.Back to Top
What does my child need for school daily (snack, backpack, clothing)?
Your child needs to bring a non-perishable snack to school daily. We encourage healthy snacks that your child can open easily by him/herself. We CANNOT refrigerate or heat the students' food. If needed, we will have a table designated as a nut-free zone, so please be sure your child knows if there are nut items in his/her lunch. Your child will also need a LARGE backpack, but NOT a rolling one. Please be sure that your child adheres to the school's dress policy (located in the parent-student handbook, which can be viewed on the Silva Valley web page) and always wears shoes with a strap around the heel. Girls will be more comfortable on the playground with shorts under their dresses. Note: Please do not allow your child to bring toys or sharing items to school unless otherwise specified.Back to Top
Why does my child's schedule change every Wednesday?
In order to meet the needs of your children, our district has adopted an early release day every Wednesday for teacher collaboration. We will be meeting as a staff and/or Kindergarten team to brainstorm and plan for the optimal education of your child. AM Kindergarten will be released at 10:30 am. PM Kindergarten will begin at 10:31 am and will be released at 1:15 pm.Back to Top
We love our parent volunteers! You make such a difference in your child's education when you are involved. We always need one or two parents to work during center time from 8:45-9:45 for the a.m. class and from 1-2 p.m. for the p.m. class. If you can't volunteer in the classroom, there are many ways to help out at home as well. Just ask us and we'll give you a job to do.Back to Top
How can I donate to the classroom?
We do a lot of projects in Kindergarten! If you are willing to donate materials to our class, we will send home a supply list each month with a requested item for you to contribute. Thank you!Back to Top
We love to help celebrate your child's special day. If you want to bring in a baked good for the class, it must be store bought. We cannot pass out home-baked treats. However, you may consider bringing in small goody bags of non-food items instead. In either case, please make sure that they are individually portioned and easy to hand out to eager hands.Back to Top
To ensure that the students are receiving similar instruction, all the Kindergarten teachers meet once a month to plan the following month's activities. Using the state standards as a guideline, we pull from a variety of sources to meet the instructional needs of the students. Our core materials are provided from the following district adopted programs: Language Arts - Houghton Mifflin Math - Houghton Mifflin Social Studies - Harcourt Science - Scott Forseman Health - Positive Action Secondary programs that are often used in the classroom include: Zoophonics Explode the Code Signs for Sounds Scholastic Readers Key Paragraphing 6+1 Writing Traits Handwriting Without Tears Accelerated Reader Compu-catBack to Top
Please be sure to report your child's absences to the school office. This can be done at any time of the day using the school's automated system.Back to Top
While no teacher wants to be away from her class, there are occasions that require us to be. We all have other school commitments that require us to be away from the students on occasion. Generally, we are still on campus during those days and can be reached by phone if needed. Thanks for your understanding, and rest assured that we do our best to choose only the very best substitute teachers.Back to Top
What is your dicipline policy?
Kindergarten uses a modified version of the card chart used by the rest of Silva Valley (see the online parent-student handbook for more info). We also use a star chart to reward those students who are making good choices. Please remember that every student will occasionally break a rule. This is part of the learning process. If at any time we have a concern about a student's behavior, we will contact the parents.Back to Top