Kindergarten Handbook

Dear Parents,    

Welcome to Kindergarten! Our classroom blog is the best way to keep you informed about what is happening in our kindergarten class. Please remember to check our classroom blog often for reminders, important dates, special events and incredible learning!!!

Blog

Please sign up to follow our classroom blog at http://rblagassekroeker.blogspot.com. Just scroll down a bit and on the right side add your email address and click on submit. You will then receive an e-mail when new information has been posted such as important dates and weekly recaps of the fun activities that take place in our classroom.

Meet the Teacher

Hello, my name is Mme JoAnne Lagasse-Kroeker. I have been a teacher with the St.James-Assiniboia School Division since 1996. I live in River Park South with my husband and 2 boys, ages 17 and 14. I look forward to getting to know your child and family. Please do not hesitate to email if you have any questions or concerns at joanne.lagassekroeker@sjasd.ca.

Snacks

We will be having a 10 minute snack time every day before students go out for recess. Please send a nutritious snack such as fruit, vegetables, cheese and crackers, dry cereal, granola bars, etc. Please do not send chocolate, candy, chips or dessert items to school. If your child requires a spoon, please send one from home. Eventually, students will be eating their snack outside as the older students do! We will let you know when this transition occurs.

Please do not send peanut butter, peanuts, tree nuts, fish or snacks with sesame seeds due to allergies that are present in the school.

Birthdays

Birthday invitations:

If you would like to send out birthday invitations, please email me and let me know that the invitations are in your child’s backpack. I will hand them out discretely to prevent hurt feelings, i.e. some children are invited and others are not.

*The students and I will sing happy birthday in class to your child. Please do not bring a birthday snack to share as we won't be serving snacks for birthdays. 

Clothing

Please label your child’s running shoes, boots and all outdoor clothing. We paint, glue and play actively in Kindergarten so it is best to send them in play clothes rather than dress clothes.

*picture day and special occasions are the exception.

Also, please ensure your child is dressed for the weather as recess will be outdoors.


                                                        Library

Students will visit the library once a cycle. They can return their library books early or on the day we visit the library.

Arrival, Dismissal and Attendance

Arrival:

Morning kindergarten begins at 9:05 a.m. 
Afternoon kindergarten begins at 1:05

Arriving by bus:

Students coming to school by bus will be met by an adult in front of the school and escorted to their class line.

*Students who plan on taking the bus are encouraged to take the bus on the first day of school to establish routine. Parents are welcome to follow behind the bus and meet their child at school if desired.

Arriving by walking or car:

Students coming to school with their parents should meet on our class line.

*Morning K students: For those parents who will be bringing their children to school in the morning please do not arrive before 8:45 a.m. as there is no supervision.

Entering the school:

When the bell rings at 9:05 a.m. (morning K's) or 1:05 p.m. (afternoon K's) once lined up quietly, the students will follow their teacher inside the school.

Dismissal:

Morning dismissal is at 11:57 a.m. 
Afternoon dismissal is at 3:57 p.m.

Taking the bus home:

A teacher or educational assistant will assist in escorting students to their appropriate bus lines. Kindergarten students are a priority and will be placed at the front of their bus line to ensure that they sit in the front close to the bus driver.

Pick up after school:

Also, parents must call the office or email the teacher if someone other than a parent will be picking them up.

Your child will be sent home as per his/her regular transportation if a phone call or email has not been received.

Report cards and portfolio evenings

Your child will receive three report cards (November, March and the end of June).  You will have the chance to further celebrate your child's accomplishments, strengths and overall progress during École Robert browning's Portfolio evenings in November and March. Information in regards to dates and times will be sent at a later date.

Classroom expectations

1.  I will listen to my teacher and others who are speaking

2.  I will raise my hand to speak during carpet time

3.  I will use an indoor voice

4.  I will walk (except for in phys. Ed.)

5.  I will keep my hands to myself

6.  I will respect others (sharing, using kind words, etc.)

Recess

For the fist day of school, your child will have a separate recess from the rest of the school. They will be shown where they can and cannot play as well as familiarize themselves with rules and expectations. For the first few days, students will be accompanied outside for recess by their teacher and will join the rest of the school. Once students feel comfortable, they will go outside for recess independently. At this time, they are often paired with another kindergarten buddy. There are always 3 teachers on duty at recess.

It is very important that your child dress accordingly as we are outdoors for 15 minutes.  Please label all of your child's outer wear, including jackets, ski pants, boots, mittens, toques, etc. as many of the children have the same items and sizes of clothing.

E-mail

You may contact me via my e-mail address joanne.lagassekroeker@sjasd.ca

I check my e-mails on a daily basis and will get back to you as soon as possible. Please send important emails prior to my teaching day to ensure that I have time to read them, i.e. if you send me an email at 11:30 a.m. that Johnny is being picked up after school, I will be teaching at that time and will not be able to check my email. As a result, Johnny may be put on the bus by accident.

Play centers

Every day students will be encouraged to use their imaginations during play centers, i.e. Lego, crafts, painting, play dough, etc. Children learn a great deal during Play Time.  They are constantly thinking, making decisions, solving problems, making plans, building, socializing, cooperating, developing eye hand coordination and fine motor skills.

Bathroom

There is a bathroom in the kindergarten classroom as well as a water fountain.  The children are allowed to go to the washroom as the need arises.  Sometimes however they may wait too long to ask or they may become too involved in an activity to remember to go to the washroom.  For this reason, please keep a spare change of clothes in your child’s backpack at all times in case of an accident.

Our class blog (http://rblagassekroeker.blogspot.com), Seesaw learning platform, and email will be our best communication tools this year. I encourage you to email me at any time at joanne.lagassekroeker@sjasd.ca or call the school (204-837-8381) if you have additional questions. I am looking forward to having a great year with you and your child.

Sincerely,

JoAnne Lagasse-Kroeker