Welcome to Kindergarten........
ABC'S of Kindergarten
A is for…
Absences-If your child is absent from school, for any reason, please call our school’s attendance line at 785-339-4400 and leave a message on the answering machine. In the event of an extended absence other than illness, please notify the school more than two days in advance.
B is for…
Backpacks - are “a must” for kindergarten students! Your child will need a backpack large enough to carry a folder and several library books to and from school.
Birthdays- Students may bring in a special treat to share with the class on their birthday. Please let me know ahead of time so that I can leave time in the schedule.
Book Orders- Scholastic Book Orders are sent home monthly. They have some wonderful books for great prices, some as low as $1.00. Please take the time to look through the flyers and return your order by the deadline if you are purchasing anything.
Behavior- An individual and classroom behavior system will be discussed with your child.
C is for…
Clothing- Whenever possible, we will be going outside to play. Please dress your child accordingly. In order to foster independence, select coats and other clothing your child can handle with the least amount of help from adults. Label all clothing that may be removed during the school day.
Communication – If you have any questions or concerns you can send a letter in with your child, call me, or send an email.
D is for…
Discipline- Rules will be introduced the first week. When the rules are not followed the students will receive a colored behavior card in their pocket, which is located in their cubby. At the end of the day, students will be paid based on the amount of cards in their pocket. No cards= 4 pennies, 1 card= 3 pennies, 2 cards= 2 pennies, 3 cards= 1 penny, 4 cards=0 pennies and a phone conference with parent - a conference with Mr. Koepsel may be needed as well.
Dismissal – Dismissal is at 3:45. If you are picking your child up early, please send in a note or call the office to let us know.
E is for…
E-mail- Please feel free to email me at my school e-mail:
Early Release – Every other Wednesday the USD 437 district has an early release date. The students will be released an hour earlier than the normal dismissal time. The buses will still be available for your child to ride home. If you are picking your child up please let me or the office know.
F is for…
Field Trips- We will be going on field trips throughout the school years. Please return the field trip permission forms as soon as possible when you receive them.
G is for…
Grades- In Kindergarten, grades are based on formal assessments, informal assessments, observations, and checklists. You will not see many papers come home with grades on them. If you ever want to know how your child is doing, please feel free to contact me!
H is for…
Homework- There will be times when work is sent home for students to complete or just for extra practice. When this is the case, please feel free to assist your child. The work should be completed and sent back with the child the next school day unless noted otherwise.
I is for…
Independence- My goal for your child in Kindergarten is independence. Kindergarteners are capable of doing many things on their own and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom. Please work on these skills at home: shoe tying, dressing, and buttoning.
J is for…
Journals- The students will be learning how to write through the use of a journal. They will learn how to hold a pencil, where to start their writing, how to write the letters of the alphabet and the sounds of the alphabet. Their journals may not be easy for you to read, but there is great success teaching children to write the sounds they hear. We stress giving writing a try and not to worry about spelling words correctly.
K is for…
Keep Updated- Check your child’s folder nightly and read notices from the school as well as from myself.
L is for…
Lunch- Lunch is at 11:50 am everyday. Make sure the lunch is something that does not have to be refrigerated or if it is that they have an ice pack.
Library- Our class will be able to go to the library and check out one book. Please help your child take care of the library book and bring it back to school the following week. If a child has an overdue book the day of library, they will not be able to check out anymore until the other book is returned.
M is for…
Music- Kindergarteners will receive music education everyday of the week. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and they love it! Make sure to ask your child about the activities they are doing in music.
N is for…
Newsletters- A newsletter will be sent home with your child on Fridays. Within the newsletter will be lessons and activities that your child has participated in throughout the week. Also included will be important dates and reminders about field trips. So please take the time to read the newsletter.
No School- It is important to check the school calendar and class newsletter for days that the school will be closed.
O is for…
Open House- We will have an open house during the evening, a few weeks after school has started. Please keep an eye out for a letter, and plan on attending!
P is for…
Parties- There are three main parties or celebrations each year, Halloween, Christmas/Winter Holidays, and Valentine’s Day. The room parents usually organize these events and coordinate volunteers and donations. All are welcome to participate in the festivities!
Q is for…
Questions- Since many are new to Auburn Elementary and new to the school system please do not hesitate to contact me! I am here for your child and you. I want your family's experience to be a great one!
R is for…
Recess – The students will have three recesses every day. One at 10 AM, the second after lunch and the third at 3 PM. Please make sure your child wears or has available appropriate shoes.
Report Cards- Report cards will be sent home four times a year, at the end of each quarter. Make sure you sign and return the envelope each time.
S is for…
Snacks-Every child should bring in two boxes of cracker like snacks at the beginning of the year. When our snacks begin to run low in October, I will send home a note requesting more. This should be a healthy snack that is quickly eaten, such as a box of crackers, cookies, fruit roll-ups, raisins, apples, etc. We will get a drink of water after our snack so no drinks are necessary.
Social Skills- In addition to learning academics in kindergarten, your child will also be developing social skills-how to make friends, share
take turns, get along with others, and solve problems appropriately. I have high expectations in my classroom for using appropriate social skills and will support your child in learning healthy ways to communicate and build a strong sense of community in our classroom.
T is for…
Teamwork- Educating a child is only accomplished by parent and teacher teamwork. By working together, we can give your child the best possible start in school. Open communication is the key. Be sure to keep me posted on any changes or happenings in your child's life that could be affecting school work or behavior.
Transportation- It is vital that I know when, where, and how your child is getting home. I will need to know if they are being picked up, or riding the bus. I will keep a list of each child and their mode of transportation. If the child is being picked up, you can meet them by the main office.
U is for…
“U” are your child’s first teacher! Please read with your child at home and help them with their homework.
V is for…
Volunteers- I encourage you to volunteer in our classroom! Help decorate our halls, make copies, and even read with children. Other great times to volunteer is room parties. Please let me know if you would like to volunteer.
This is a "very" important year for your child, you and me. Thank you for working at home with your child and reinforcing letters/sounds taught at school.
W is for…
Website- Please take a look at the school’s website.
http://auburnelementary.net/
X, Y, and Z are for…
I am eXcited to work with You and Your child this year! Make sure your child gets plenty of Zzzzzz’s each night so that they are rested and ready for all of the wonderful things that are planned!
A is for…
Absences-If your child is absent from school, for any reason, please call our school’s attendance line at 785-339-4400 and leave a message on the answering machine. In the event of an extended absence other than illness, please notify the school more than two days in advance.
B is for…
Backpacks - are “a must” for kindergarten students! Your child will need a backpack large enough to carry a folder and several library books to and from school.
Birthdays- Students may bring in a special treat to share with the class on their birthday. Please let me know ahead of time so that I can leave time in the schedule.
Book Orders- Scholastic Book Orders are sent home monthly. They have some wonderful books for great prices, some as low as $1.00. Please take the time to look through the flyers and return your order by the deadline if you are purchasing anything.
Behavior- An individual and classroom behavior system will be discussed with your child.
C is for…
Clothing- Whenever possible, we will be going outside to play. Please dress your child accordingly. In order to foster independence, select coats and other clothing your child can handle with the least amount of help from adults. Label all clothing that may be removed during the school day.
Communication – If you have any questions or concerns you can send a letter in with your child, call me, or send an email.
D is for…
Discipline- Rules will be introduced the first week. When the rules are not followed the students will receive a colored behavior card in their pocket, which is located in their cubby. At the end of the day, students will be paid based on the amount of cards in their pocket. No cards= 4 pennies, 1 card= 3 pennies, 2 cards= 2 pennies, 3 cards= 1 penny, 4 cards=0 pennies and a phone conference with parent - a conference with Mr. Koepsel may be needed as well.
Dismissal – Dismissal is at 3:45. If you are picking your child up early, please send in a note or call the office to let us know.
E is for…
E-mail- Please feel free to email me at my school e-mail:
Early Release – Every other Wednesday the USD 437 district has an early release date. The students will be released an hour earlier than the normal dismissal time. The buses will still be available for your child to ride home. If you are picking your child up please let me or the office know.
F is for…
Field Trips- We will be going on field trips throughout the school years. Please return the field trip permission forms as soon as possible when you receive them.
G is for…
Grades- In Kindergarten, grades are based on formal assessments, informal assessments, observations, and checklists. You will not see many papers come home with grades on them. If you ever want to know how your child is doing, please feel free to contact me!
H is for…
Homework- There will be times when work is sent home for students to complete or just for extra practice. When this is the case, please feel free to assist your child. The work should be completed and sent back with the child the next school day unless noted otherwise.
I is for…
Independence- My goal for your child in Kindergarten is independence. Kindergarteners are capable of doing many things on their own and I encourage them to do as much as they can for themselves in the classroom. Please work on these skills at home: shoe tying, dressing, and buttoning.
J is for…
Journals- The students will be learning how to write through the use of a journal. They will learn how to hold a pencil, where to start their writing, how to write the letters of the alphabet and the sounds of the alphabet. Their journals may not be easy for you to read, but there is great success teaching children to write the sounds they hear. We stress giving writing a try and not to worry about spelling words correctly.
K is for…
Keep Updated- Check your child’s folder nightly and read notices from the school as well as from myself.
L is for…
Lunch- Lunch is at 11:50 am everyday. Make sure the lunch is something that does not have to be refrigerated or if it is that they have an ice pack.
Library- Our class will be able to go to the library and check out one book. Please help your child take care of the library book and bring it back to school the following week. If a child has an overdue book the day of library, they will not be able to check out anymore until the other book is returned.
M is for…
Music- Kindergarteners will receive music education everyday of the week. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students and they love it! Make sure to ask your child about the activities they are doing in music.
N is for…
Newsletters- A newsletter will be sent home with your child on Fridays. Within the newsletter will be lessons and activities that your child has participated in throughout the week. Also included will be important dates and reminders about field trips. So please take the time to read the newsletter.
No School- It is important to check the school calendar and class newsletter for days that the school will be closed.
O is for…
Open House- We will have an open house during the evening, a few weeks after school has started. Please keep an eye out for a letter, and plan on attending!
P is for…
Parties- There are three main parties or celebrations each year, Halloween, Christmas/Winter Holidays, and Valentine’s Day. The room parents usually organize these events and coordinate volunteers and donations. All are welcome to participate in the festivities!
Q is for…
Questions- Since many are new to Auburn Elementary and new to the school system please do not hesitate to contact me! I am here for your child and you. I want your family's experience to be a great one!
R is for…
Recess – The students will have three recesses every day. One at 10 AM, the second after lunch and the third at 3 PM. Please make sure your child wears or has available appropriate shoes.
Report Cards- Report cards will be sent home four times a year, at the end of each quarter. Make sure you sign and return the envelope each time.
S is for…
Snacks-Every child should bring in two boxes of cracker like snacks at the beginning of the year. When our snacks begin to run low in October, I will send home a note requesting more. This should be a healthy snack that is quickly eaten, such as a box of crackers, cookies, fruit roll-ups, raisins, apples, etc. We will get a drink of water after our snack so no drinks are necessary.
Social Skills- In addition to learning academics in kindergarten, your child will also be developing social skills-how to make friends, share
take turns, get along with others, and solve problems appropriately. I have high expectations in my classroom for using appropriate social skills and will support your child in learning healthy ways to communicate and build a strong sense of community in our classroom.
T is for…
Teamwork- Educating a child is only accomplished by parent and teacher teamwork. By working together, we can give your child the best possible start in school. Open communication is the key. Be sure to keep me posted on any changes or happenings in your child's life that could be affecting school work or behavior.
Transportation- It is vital that I know when, where, and how your child is getting home. I will need to know if they are being picked up, or riding the bus. I will keep a list of each child and their mode of transportation. If the child is being picked up, you can meet them by the main office.
U is for…
“U” are your child’s first teacher! Please read with your child at home and help them with their homework.
V is for…
Volunteers- I encourage you to volunteer in our classroom! Help decorate our halls, make copies, and even read with children. Other great times to volunteer is room parties. Please let me know if you would like to volunteer.
This is a "very" important year for your child, you and me. Thank you for working at home with your child and reinforcing letters/sounds taught at school.
W is for…
Website- Please take a look at the school’s website.
http://auburnelementary.net/
X, Y, and Z are for…
I am eXcited to work with You and Your child this year! Make sure your child gets plenty of Zzzzzz’s each night so that they are rested and ready for all of the wonderful things that are planned!