Mrs. Walton

A
Attendance and Tardiness
It is extremely important that your child attends school every day at the regularly scheduled time. This is necessary because when your child is
late it disrupts the class and he/she will miss out on getting ready for their school day and lose valuable social interaction time.
B
Birthdays

Treats may be brought in for birthdays in the morning. These must only be store bought, not homemade. Please do not pass out invitations
during school if you are choosing to invite only some of the children. This only upsets those children not invited. If you choose to invite all the
boys or all the girls in the class to your child’s party, I will be happy to place the invites in the take home folders.
C
Classroom Rules:
Rules are a very important part of our learning day. We start using our classroom rules on the first day of school. By following the expectations
I have for the classroom, students will be rewarded with an effective and successful learning environment.
Six steps to success:
1. Use kind words
2. Cooperate (be a team player)
3. Control body (be safe)
4. Encourage others (be a helper)
5. Show Respect (be kind)
6. Smile, you are a WINNER!
Consequences:
As with any team environment; whether in a soccer game or in the classroom, there must be consequences for those who interrupt teamwork
and learning. I have devised the following consequences conducive to an effective and winning team environment.
1. Everyone begins with a smile.

2. Warning
3. “Uh Oh” face (10 minutes time out during free choice time)

4. Sad face (move to another room/contact parent)
I don’t believe in a child’s day being “over” because of poor choices so I allow students to move up and down during the day. For example, if a
student made very poor choices in the morning, but had
worked hard and tried his or her best for the afternoon, they can “redeem” themselves from their
“uh oh” face or “sad” face and end the day with a smile.

Curriculum
Language Arts/Reading - At the beginning of the year we will be using Big Books and Emergent Readers in shared and guided reading (More
about these terms at Open House in August). We will also incorporate recognition of the alphabet and their corresponding sounds, listening and
following oral directions, expressive language, and written language. We are using a brand new reading series this year. We will be starting the
year with books and activities that are recognizable by the children. This will help with establishing routines, building confidence and reviewing
basic preschool skills.
Math - Math lessons will include hands-on activities which will provide for practice of the following skills: Identifying the numbers 0-20, one to
one number correspondence, counting and number sequence, patterns, shapes, matching, telling time, money, addition and subtraction.

Social Studies and Science will be incorporated into the language arts and math programs through our thematic units (Bears, Farm, Pilgrims &
Native Americans, International Holidays, Seasons, Travel, Community Helpers, Presidents, African-American History, Rainforests, Sea Life,
Space, etc.)
D
Daily Communication Binder;
This is a very important binder that will be our main source of communication. It is important that each day you sign your child’s binder. I will
be writing notes, leaving stickers or stamps and marking behavior daily in the behavior calendar. There will also be homework, notes sent
home, and school papers to review. Please place any notes, lunch money envelopes, or any other important papers from home in the appropriate
pocket.
Departure:
Students will be dismissed from the classroom at 4:00pm. If your child is ‘walk-up’, then you can pick them up in our classroom (Room 102) at
4:00. If you arrive early, please wait outside the room until I open the door at 4:00. This is an extremely busy time of day where we are reviewing
the day and cleaning and packing up. If your child will be picked up in the carline, please stay in the carline . Your child will be escorted out to
the car. If your child will be taking the bus, please make sure I have the AFTERNOON bus number and bus stop. You can write this down on the
“How will your child be getting home today” sign in sheet. Your child will be escorted to the bus each day. If you change your child’s
transportation method, I MUST HAVE IT IN WRITING. Please put this in the communication binder.
E
Early Departure:
During the day if you need to pick up your child early please go to the office and sign him/her out. Please let me know ahead of time in writing
if you would like me to have your child ready with missed work/homework before you arrive. The last half-hour of the day is as important as the
first. Situations may arise for students to be checked out early. Please keep these to a minimum. Notify the teacher in advance, if possible.
F
First Day
School begins at 9:15. Please have your child here at school between 9:05-9:15 to avoid being tardy. Students must wait quietly outside the
classroom until 9:05 and will be greeted promptly when school has begun. The first day of school will be exciting and scary for your child. There
may even be some tears. I promise that your child is in good hands and that I have an extraordinary day (and year!) planned ahead. Please come
in and say your goodbyes. The quicker this is, the easier it will be for all of us. Thank you!
G
Guests
Sometimes during the year, I will ask parents with special experiences and interests to come in and share with the children. This is usually
during our social studies/science period in the afternoon. If you have any special interest/knowledge/background in any of our themes
throughout the year, please let me know if you would be interested in being our special ‘guest’.
H
Homework

Homework is given on Monday, Tuesdays, and Thursdays to reinforce concepts your child has learned in school. It may be a simple worksheet,
making words activity, or working on a project. Homework will not be given on Wednesdays, PTO meeting days, or during short school weeks. It
is a good idea to get together a special homework box with all the supplies your child will need for their homework assignments. Things to
include are crayons, pencils, scissors, glue stick, and tape.
I
Injury and Illness
Our school has a wonderful Clinic Aide, Mr. Gill, who takes care of children who become ill or experience minor scrapes, scratches and bruises.
He will administer medication to children who require medicine during school hours. This will only be done with the approval of your child's
pediatrician for prescription medication and upon completion of the health medication form. This can be picked up in the clinic. I do not
administer any medication to the children. If you know that your child has a temperature or really isn't feeling well, please do not send him/her
to school. If your child has a continuous cough or runny nose due to cold and flu virus, keep your child at home. Often times they may feel fine,
but need an extra day to recuperate If your child is ill, please call the school and let us know.
J
Journals
During our writing block, your child will be writing daily in his/her journal. I will be sending this home at the end of the week so that you can
talk to your child about them and add your own comments. This is a wonderful end of year keepsake!
K
Kindergarten
It literally means "children's garden" and is a form of education for young children, which serves as a transition from home to the
commencement of more formal schooling. Children are taught to develop basic skills through creative play and social interaction.
L
Lunch
During the year, we welcome parents to eat lunch with their child. Please sign in at the office and get your visitor tag before coming to the
cafeteria. After you get your nametag meet your child at the cafeteria door, not the classroom door, at our designated time. Our lunchtime is
11:10-11:40. Lunch money needs to be sent in an envelope with the student’s name, PIN number, and teacher’s name. Please do not send
money without an envelope. You can pay for lunch in advance in the cafeteria before and during school hours or online at myLunchMoney.com.
LUNCH PRICES - $2.00, reduced $.40, reduced $.40 additional milk or juice $.50
Help your child learn their PIN Number (PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER).
PIN Numbers are now 5 digits! Please write this number on all checks and on the envelopes when
paying for meals.
M
Money
Please send all monies in a sealed envelope labeled with your child’s name and what the money if for.
N
Newsletter
I will post my weekly newsletter on my website: http://teacherweb.com/FL/BayHavenSchoolofBasicsPlus/CatherineWalton/. This newsletter will
contain useful information on upcoming events/ homework/ and curriculum content covered in class. It also has an email link so that you can
communicate with me quickly and easily.
O
Open House
Our open house will be on August 28th. It is during this time that you will get an even more in-depth look at hour your child’s time is spent
here in school.

P
PTO
Please look over your student handbook for more information on our fabulous PTO. Every one of you count toward the overall improvement of
the school and your child’s education!
Q
Questions
I am sure you will have many questions the first week of school and probably throughout the year. I am always available to listen to your
questions/comments either after school at 4:15 or via emails throughout the day. If you need a question answered urgently after school hours,
you can call me at home on925-9405.
R
Rest Time
We will have a rest time in the afternoon; children will need a small rest mat. Storage space is at a premium in our classroom and large "fat"
mats are difficult to store. Children are encouraged to bring
his/her favorite blanket, pillow, or stuffed animal to help them to sleep but they MUST be able to fit
these into their backpack.
Rewards:
Each student will have his/her own super star chart. When rules are followed and effort is made to listen the first time, students will be given a
sticker to place on their chart. When the chart is filled, the student will have their name announced during the morning TV show and will receive
a treasure from the treasure box on Friday. Other rewards that will be given throughout the year are notes sent home, parent coupons, Student
of the Week, and lunch with teacher.
S
Snack

Please see the monthly snack calendar to see when you will be in charge of snack. This should be about once a month. The snack should be as
healthy as possible and be enough for the class to share (a box of cereal, crackers, sliced fruit, etc.). If it is more convenient for you, you can
send in a snack ahead of time. Please do not send in cookies or sweets. Please also be aware of the county school board policy that any food
served in the classroom must be packaged and store bought and can no longer be “homemade”.
Scholastic Book Club
You will periodically be receiving a book list from which you may order children's books at inexpensive prices. You are in no way obligated to
purchase these books, but may enjoy finding things that interest you and your child. The book clubs are also an inexpensive way to build your
child's personal collection. Many of the books that I use in the classroom are available from the book clubs throughout the year. If you choose
to order, please make checks out to the book club, not to the school or to me. You may also send in cash. Books take approximately 2 weeks to
arrive at school.
T
Toys
NO toys should be brought to school. We will have Show and Tell beginning in a few weeks. I will send home more information regarding this at
a later date.
Transportation;
Please let me know in writing how your child will be getting home at the beginning of the year. If this method changes throughout the year,
please write it down on the calendar inside the daily communication folder.
U
Unique;
Each child is unique. They enter the classroom with different personalities and skill, experiences and background. My goal is to foster individual
strengths and help each child develop to his or her fullest potential, academically, emotionally and socially.
V
Volunteering
I am always in need of helping hands. If you would like to volunteer, please fill out our “Volunteer Form” with the days and times you are
available and what kind of jobs you would like to do. We will not be having volunteers in the classroom until the 4th week of school. During the
first few weeks, we are far too busy getting to know each other and learning the rules. Please remember that you must be registered at the
front office in order to volunteer in the classroom!

W
Warm Fuzzy Jar
Each time the children get a compliment from another teacher for their behavior (during specials/media or in line) we add a fuzzy ball to our jar.
When we have reached our goal, the students get to choose either cupcakes/cookies/or an ice cream party!
Water
Your child will be given a reusable bottle with their name on it at the beginning of the year. I ask that you wash and refill these bottles each day
at home and return the next day. Your child may refill their bottle throughout the day if necessary.
Website
Best place to reach me and open 24 hours! http://teacherweb.com/FL/BayHavenSchoolofBasicsPlus/CatherineWalton/
X
X’tra clothes
We do have extra clothes in the office for those uncomfortable accidents, but the supply is limited so if you have any old clothes you would like
to donate to the school it would be greatly appreciated.
Y
You
You are your child’s first teacher! Everything you teach them at home reflects enormously on how they do in the classroom!
Z
Zzzzzzz
Please make sure your child gets plenty of rest each night so that they are alert and ready to learn each day!