IMPORTANT DATES:
Thursday, August 1st
5:00p.m.-6:30p.m.
Kindergarten Curriculum Night
*Parent/Guardians only. Please bring school supplies if you have them.
Monday, August 5th
8:30a.m.-9:15a.m.
Meet the Teacher (KG-6th)
*For child & parent/guardian to come into the classroom and meet other students and their teacher! Bring school supplies :)
Tuesday, August 7th
School starts at 8:45 a.m.
First Day of School/Yahoo Boo Hoo Breakfast in the MPR
(Kindergarten parents/guardians can go into the MPR for a small get together sponsored by the PTA. Kindergarten students will follow their teachers into the classroom to start their first day!)
More Information:
The Paradise Valley Unified School District is proud to offer a free full-day kindergarten program for students who are five years old before September 1 of the enrolling year. In addition to academic preparation, kindergarten students participate in electives such as music, art, and PE.
The first day of Kindergarten is very important. When students do not attend school at the beginning of the year, our district loses a percentage of our funding. It is important that students start school on the first day, which is Tuesday, August 7th. Meaningful instruction begins on this first day and it is our goal to have a consistent high attendance starting with day one.
There is an exciting year awaiting, designed to promote and enhance your child’s growth and development. This very important year promises to be one filled with discovery and joy as your child works and plays in an environment that is warm, safe and challenging. We are so excited to have you and your child joining us!
The structure of daily activities is carefully planned to encourage independence, self confidence and group cooperation through large group, small group and one-on-one participation in a variety of hands-on, interactive experiences. The activities will incorporate instruction and skill reinforcement in reading, mathematics, writing, language, science, social studies, art, fine and gross motor skills, and social/emotional development.
You will notice the focus of the curriculum centered around theme units and related selections of literature. This is the core of our integrated learning and these units of study will be used to extend across, and connect all of our content areas. In doing so, your child will see the continuity of his or her learning and the application of skills will become more concrete. Learning will be real and learning will make sense!
Research shows that there is a very strong connection between a child’s enthusiasm toward school and his/her parent’s active involvement in the educational process. The education of the total child is our primary concern, and we need active parent involvement both at home and in school to accomplish this goal.
Please make sure you look through the kindergarten packet for important information about the school year. We are looking forward to working together to make this a most successful school year!
Love,
The Kindergarten Team!
Daily Needs:
We request that each child have a tote bag (a bag that opens at the top with two straps), rather than a backpack. Due to limited space, tote bags hang up safely in our classroom. Backpacks cannot fit on our small classroom hooks, fall off and become a safety issue. Please note that the tote bag needs to be able to fit a binder or folder inside and a small, healthy, NUT FREE, snack.
Your child will be carrying this tote bag with a binder or folder back and forth to school and home. An example tote bag is below. We have seen various tote bags on Amazon, Walmart, and blank canvas bags that your child can decorate at Michaels or Amazon.
Lunch- A school lunch is available for all students to purchase, or students are welcome to bring a lunch from home. Please have all lunches in a lunch bag or box, labeled with their name (please do not send just the plastic/tupperware container to school). An example of a lunch box bag is below:
Dismissal- Kindergarten dismisses at 3:00 p.m. The rest of the school dismisses at 3:15 p.m. We are aware that many Kindergarten students have older siblings and you would like to pick them up together. We will accompany these students until 3:15. Please be aware that North Ranch has a very small parking lot and a large number of parents that drive to school. Traffic can be an issue, so please plan accordingly. We appreciate your patience!
Dismissal Procedures: How is your student going home?
1. Gate pickup- for parents that walk up to school gate to pick up their kindergartener. This gate is located near the kindergarten classrooms/playground, at the front of the school. If you have older siblings, you can wait there for them until their 3:15 dismissal. Teachers will be with these students on the playground until siblings and parents pick them up.
2. Parent drive through pick-up - Kindergarten parents have priority pick up in this drive-through lane. Please drive into the parking lot, through the opened gate and around to the back (west side) of the school. Teachers/aides will be there to load students into the car. (It helps to put your student’s name in the dashboard of your car, so aides can see who you are picking up). Please note, if you get in the line after 3:10 p.m. you will be behind all the cars that are for entire school dismissal.
*If your Kindergarten student has an older sibling and you will be picking both of them up at parent pick up, please discuss with the older child to meet your Kindergarten student on the blue benches at the “parent pick up” area. (KG teachers will stay with students until 3:15)
3. Wrangler (Mascot) Club-This is an after school program available through PVUSD Community Education. Call 602-449-2200 for rates and availability. Students will be escorted by Community Ed aide to the MPR at dismissal. You will then need to sign your student(s) out from there when you arrive.
4. Bus- your child must wear a bus tag with their name, address, and bus stop information for the first few weeks of school. A parent/guardian must be at the bus stop waiting for their child. Ensure that your child is familiar with the bus stop area, and understands the dangers of traffic. Please be familiar with the bus guidelines provided and instruct your child to carefully listen to the bus driver and follow all safety directions.