[Notice to Parents Regarding Registration]

Kindergarten Program Meeting Individual Needs Getting Off to a Good Start Ways to Help The First Day of School At School Share the Excitement Reporting System Help Get Your Child Ready For School

Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. provides a full-day kindergarten program for all children who are 5 years of age, on or before September 1. We feel that full-day kindergarten can better address the academic needs of our 5 year olds. Students receive a balanced program consisting of Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Health, P.E., Music, Art, and Technology. Academic skills are taught in the morning and reinforced in the afternoon. Students receive a basic, 2 1/2 hour academic program in the morning. Students will have lunch at approximately 11:30, followed by: (a) story/quiet time (students requiring a nap will be allowed to sleep); (b) P.E., Music, Art; (c) an additional 2 hour academic block consisting of application of the morning concepts/skills, extension activities; and (d) additional small group instruction in language arts, math, social studies, and science.

Kindergarten is not mandatory in the state of Texas. Parents have the option of sending their children to kindergarten when they turn five, or they may wait until the following year if they feel their child might have difficulty in kindergarten. All children are welcomed into our kindergartens, regardless of their knowledge and skill attainment. Cypress-Fairbanks respects the parent’s decision of when to start their child in kindergarten. The only requirement for coming to kindergarten is that the student must be five years of age on or before September 1. There are no exceptions to this requirement. To register, parents must furnish the school with the following items:

• a certified copy of the child’s birth certificate from the Bureau of Vital Statistics
• a current immunization record
• a proof of residency (a current light, gas or water bill if living in a house or a lease agreement if residing in an apartment)
• a Social Security card for each child, if available

Students enrolled this year in the district’s Prekindergarten program are already officially registered for Kindergarten. Therefore, there is no need for parents of current Prekindergarteners to attend the Kindergarten registration this spring/summer.

Students’ knowledge and skill level will be assessed during the first few weeks of school. Although some instruction is presented to the group as a whole, teachers will use small group instruction to provide for individual differences. Students will be encouraged to apply prior knowledge and skills through emergent literacy, guided reading, and phonemic awareness. Math instruction will include geometric concepts, number concepts, algebraic patterning, problem solving, estimating, predicting, and time concepts.

Starting school is exciting for children! They’ve heard about it from parents, brothers, sisters or friends.. Now, they’re eager to begin. But school may mean—

• being away from home and family for the first time.
• the first steps to independence.
• new feelings.
• new friends.
• new experiences.

Getting off to a good start takes a team effort. Teachers, administrators, and specialists are trained to help your child:

• Learn

He or she will be taught:

• basic skills like language, reading, writing, math, science, and social studies, and
• art, music, computer, and physical education

• Grow

He or she will learn to:

• work with others,
• respect authority, and
• develop self-control.

* Protect your child’s health. Have your child’s shots completed as early as possible. It’s a good idea to get a complete health exam, including speech, hearing, and vision tests.

* Teach your child to be safe. Be sure your child knows important information, including:

• first and last name,
• street address,
• parents’ names,
• phone number,
• age, and
• birthday.

Choose the mode of transportation to and from school. Make sure your child understands. In case this changes, make sure he or she knows what to do. Be sure to inform the teacher with a written note.

* Show your child that learning is fun. Share activities such as:

• Arranging household items into groups to build organizational skills.
• Preparing snacks and meals to teach about measuring, temperature, and time.
• Growing plants to encourage curiosity and a sense of wonder.
• Playing games with words, numbers, and colors at home and in the car to build basic language and number skills.
• Promoting a love of reading—read books and magazines together daily.

* Encourage helpful habits, such as:

• Putting things away. Set a regular time to pick up play things.  It’s a good way to develop responsibility and the ability to organize.
• Getting along with others. The ability to work with others and a sense of caring and sharing are vital for children in school.
• Learning to listen. Being able to follow directions is a necessity at school.
• Sticking to a schedule. Get your child to bed early enough each night. A good night’s sleep aids in physical and mental health.
• Doing simple chores. Being responsible for regular household tasks teaches reliability.
• Dressing him or herself. Your child should be able to tie shoelaces, fasten buckles, and button or zip clothes without help.

* Discuss any fears. It’s natural for children to have some fears about school. For example:

• Who’s going to help me?
• Will I miss home?
• Will the other kids like me?
• Will the teacher like me?
• What happens when I have to go to the bathroom?
• Who’s going to meet me after school?

Try to encourage discussion. Let your child talk to you about his or her fears and feelings. Be reassuring. Tell your child that everything will be all right. Do all you can to help your child feel happy and confident about school. Work out problems. Let the teacher know your concerns. Teachers care about how children and parents feel.

*Start each school day right. Be sure your child is:

• Well-rested. Children in kindergarten and first grade usually need 10-12 hours of sleep each night.
• Well-nourished. Meals should be nutritious and unhurried. Give your child a variety of healthy foods each day. Avoid junk foods.
• Dressed for the weather. Listen to the weather report every morning before school. Choose appropriate clothing. Dress your child in layers if there’s a possibility that the weather will change. A sweater can be easily removed or put on.

Plan ahead before sending personal items to school with your child. Choose clothing that’s simple, safe, sturdy, and comfortable. Remove any drawstrings or ties. Label garments clearly with your child’s name on the inside only. If you send money to school with your child for breakfast or lunch, put it in an envelope. Write your child’s name and what the money is for on the envelope. Put the envelope in a safe pocket. If your child must take medication at school, discuss it with his or her teacher or school nurse first. In case of sickness, keep your child at home, report the absence, and send a note to the teacher when your child returns to school.

The first day of school is a big event—for parents and children.

• We encourage parents to send their children by bus the first day of school.
• If you do bring your child the first day, leave cheerfully. Don’t linger. Your presence may distract from this new and exciting world.
• Keep a positive attitude. If you look forward to the first day of school, your child will probably do the same.

Your child will have many new experiences and learn many new skills. For example, he or she will learn to do the following:

• Get along with others, to be cheerful, polite and fair
• Care for self and belongings by going to the bathroom alone, hanging up clothes, and putting toys and tools away
• Express him or herself with words, clay, crayons, music, etc.
• Spot differences in colors, sizes, shapes, and sounds. Use new words learned from people, experiences, programs, books, and pictures
• Count, by relating numbers to groups of objects
• Explore and investigate in science
• Prepare for scholastic activities by
  • listening to stories, to directions, and to others;
  • responding verbally and participating in group discussions;
  • sharing experiences with others;
  • looking at, using, and responding to books;
  • recognizing capital and lowercase letters;
  • hearing and using letter sounds to read and write;
  • reading basic high-frequency words;
  • writing to record ideas and reflections;
  • using computers for academic reinforcement and composing text
• And when ready, your child will learn to read and write!

* Visit your child’s classroom. Wait until after your child has had a chance to adjust to school life. Make an appointment with the teacher so that your visit won’t interrupt regular classroom activities.

* Show your interest. Make a point to ask your child about favorite school activities. Review his or her papers and projects. Listen to what your child says about school.

* Be active in school life. For example:

• Join your school’s parent-teacher organization (PTO).
• Attend open-house, parent orientation, and other programs. Get to know your child’s teachers.
• Contact your child’s teacher/school if you have questions.

Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. has a grading system that reports to parents once every 6-weeks of instruction. In Kindergarten, the first 6-weeks period is an introductory time spent getting to know your child’s strengths and abilities, and assisting in your child’s adjustment to the school setting. No “grades” are given for this period. Instead, the teacher will make arrangements to have a personal conference with you concerning your child’s progress. At the end of the remaining 6-week grading periods, your child will receive a report card. The academic areas of Language Arts and Mathematics will be marked with an “E” for excellent progress, an “S” for Satisfactory progress, or, an “N” for Needs Improvement. (All other areas will be marked with a (/) for Satisfactory progress, or a (- ) for needs Improvement.) The teacher may contact you, either by note or phone, any time he/she feels a conference is needed. Parents are invited to request a conference at any time, as well.

* Prepare your child before school starts.
* Show your support–especially on the first day of school.
* Be active in your child’s school life.
* YOU can help smooth the way from home to school!

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