2. Welcome Parents!
• Welcome to Mrs. Payne’s Kindergarten class!
• Open house agenda:
– Scavenger Hunt/Introduction
– Class information
– Homework
– Field trips and parties
– Behavior, rules and policies
– Parent involvement
– Paperwork and handouts
– Q&A
3. About Me…
• I have been working with children for 13 years but this is my first
year in a Kindergarten classroom.
• Studied Early Childhood Education at Tennessee Tech
• Moved to TN from NY State in 1995. Married with three kids and a
dog. Live in Oak Ridge
• I’m excited about the school year and looking forward to
working with you to help your child have a successful first year of
school.
4. Class Information
• Daily schedule included in packet. Lunch is at 11:20. Special
area classes: Mon.-PE, Tues.-Art, Wed.-Library, Thurs.-Music, Fri.Technology
• First bell rings at 8:15. Class starts at 8:30. School ends at 3:15.
Please be on time and avoid unnecessary absences.
5. Homework
• Homework will be a monthly packet of short practice
assignments to do Mon.-Thurs. Read at least 20 minutes a day
and log the time and book in the reading log.
• Children earn classroom bucks for reading and completing
homework packets.
• When the class earns enough cash, they will earn prizes. These
will include ice cream, pizza party, pajama day, or extra free
play.
6. Field Trips and Parties
• Field Trips this year will be to the UT Arboretum in Oak Ridge in
the fall, Knoxville Museum of Art, and a performance of the
Knoxville Children’s Theater.
• We will have some celebrations throughout the year including
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Winter holidays, Valentine’s Day, and
an end of the Year party.
• Birthdays are one way to make your child feel special. I have
special treats for each child but feel free to bring in a special
lunch or snack.
7. Class Rules
• I will guide students to create a safe and fun learning
environment in which all are respected and supported.
• Class rules include:
– Be respectful of yourself, others, and materials.
– Be responsible for yourself, your belongings, and your work.
– Be punctual and present.
– Be organized and purposeful.
– Be a self-starter and an avid learner and thinker.
– Be prepared to develop important skills and concepts.
– Be safe and have fun!
8. School Policies
•
Jefferson Elementary strives to provide a safe environment. Any student who acts in a violent way
including bullying will be removed from the classroom and their parents called to the school for an
immediate conference.
•
Instruction and practice are important to mastering skills and knowledge. Please avoid unnecessary
tardiness, absences, and early check-outs. Please provide a signed note and dr. note when possible if
your child misses any part of the school day. More than 5 unexcused absences will prompt a
conference. Check-in and out in the main office. An ID is needed for classroom visits or check-out of
students.
•
Other information:
–
School cancellations for bad weather and other reasons will be announced on local news and radio and by
automatic message system.
–
Emergency procedures are in the student handbook and posted in hallways and each room. Procedures are
practiced on a regular basis.
–
Fill out the transportation form letting us know how your child will depart and who is authorized to pick up your
child. Pick up instructions are in the student handbook and the packet.
–
There is before and after school care available on the premises. Information and application form are in your
packet.
–
There are many opportunities to volunteer inside and outside the classroom. I will send around a sign up sheet
during the Q & A portion of tonight.
9. Get Involved!
• The Title I Parent Involvement Plan is available to view in the front
office, library, and parent lounge. Please contact Ms. Jones if you
would like a copy for yourself. There is a form in your packet to let us
know in what ways you are available to volunteer and a survey on
activities you would prefer to take part in this school year.
• The PTA is looking for new active members and volunteers. The
meetings alternate between Tues mornings and Thurs evenings. They
meet once per month. Please contact Virginia Smith for more
information.
• Volunteer sign-up sheet. Parties and field trips are better the more
parents are present and involved so please mark those dates on your
calendar.
10. Handouts
• Take some time tonight to read over the information in your
packets. Please return paperwork by Friday.
• Forms to hand in include:
– Transportation form.
– Contact information with best time to contact you included.
– Family questionnaire and participation interest form.
11. In-class Activities
• Scavenger Hunt Questions
• Sign in and enter your guess for the estimation jar
• Winner estimation jar will win a book for your child
• Feel free to look through your child’s desk and leave a special
note for them
12. Questions?
• Ask me questions now or fill out an exit slip so I can set up a time
to talk privately with you or email you an answer.
• Please fill out the family questionnaire as thoroughly and honestly
as possible. Describe any areas in which you would like to see
your child improve.
– Describe your child's personality, interests, and talents as well as any talent
you may have that could be useful in the classroom.
– These help me get to know you and your children and help me with
planning and setting individual goals and objectives.
Notes de l'éditeur
I hope everyone is enjoying the scavenger hunt. I see most of you are finished. I will give the rest of you a chance to finish after my presentation. Please have a seat at your child’s spot. Thank you and welcome!
I am Mrs. Payne and I am your child’s teacher, unless you are in the wrong place . I will be giving you some important information about the class and school and an overview of some activities we will do this year. I will be available after to answer questions about this information. If you have specific questions about how your child is doing, we can schedule a meeting or phone call to discuss it in private.
I, like your children, am new to Jefferson. I recently graduated with an early childhood education degree and received a teaching license for grades pre-K thru third. I also have endorsements in special education and ELL (English language learners). I moved to TN from NY in 1995 and have since started a family. My husband, Ron and I live in Oak Ridge and have three children: Ilana 9, Dylan 14 and Josh 17. We also have a very spoiled dog named Tucker. I look forward to getting to know you and your child better.
Here is some information about special interest classes and school hours.
I will be sending homework packets home beginning in October. These are short activities for you to do with your child so you will be able to continue your child’s learning experiences and you will know what we are working on in the classroom. Feel free to work ahead or do a little each day. I will collect the packet at the end of the month. I also encourage you and your child to read at least 20 minutes a day. Please log the reading times because students earn classroom bucks for reading and completed homework packets. This is a way for the students to earn special rewards.
Field trips and parties are always an exciting part of the year. Parent involvement makes them even better. We will go on three major field trips plus some walking field trips around the school and neighborhood. Please be sure to return permission slips as soon as possible and try to join us for at least one trip or party. Birthday invitations can be handed out in class only if everyone is invited. Special treats are welcome on your child’s birthday but plese let me know at least 24 hours in advance.
This is a list of our class rules. They are written in a positive way because I feel it is important to support children and guide them in the right direction. I find this gives them control of their actions and decreases problems and confusion. Any inappropriate behavior will be treated as a learning experience. If there is a serious issue, I will contact you to discuss it and find a solution.
The school has strict policies about violence, including verbal aggression, and bullying. The policies are listed here and in the student handbook. Please help by setting a good example for your child and encouraging them to use manners, empathy, and problem-solving skills. Talk with your child about their feelings and how others are feeling. Please avoid absences, tardiness, and early check-outs. Classwork can be made up but the students miss important instruction and activity time. All of these policies are in the student handbook but if you have any questions let me know.
By a show of hands, how many of you enjoyed school? I’m happy to see most of you did raise your hand. At the end of the year, I will ask the class the same question. My goal is to have every child raise their hand because they enjoy school. I need your help to achieve this, though. You are the biggest influence on your child. Please get involved in any possible way and support your child’s education. If you are involved and excited about their education, they will be too. Feel free to read the parent involvement plan or suggest new ways to be involved. There is a sheet going around to sign up as a volunteer. If you would like to check your schedule and get back to me, that will be fine too.
Please look through the packet at your child’s seat and read the information if you need any assistance or have questions contact me. The paperwork needs to be turned in by Friday. I will give extra class bucks to students who turn it in early. Try to be as honest as you can on the family questionnaire. This information will only be seen by me and will be used for planning and activities only.
If you need more time to finish the scavenger hunt feel free to do so. Make sure you have signed in and entered a guess for the estimation jar. The parent with the closest guess wins a book for their child.
Please fill out the exit slip if you have questions or information to share with me. You may also look through your child’s desk and leave them a special note. It will be a nice surprise for them tomorrow. Thank you for coming and taking an interest in your child’s education. Are there any questions?
