Kindergarten Parent Handbook2019
About Kindergarten at Fridley Public Schools• FridleyPublicSchoolsofferskindergartenprogramsatboth
HayesElementaryandR.L.StevensonElementarySchools.• Eachkindergartenstudentbeginshisorherjourney
tocollegereadinesswiththefollowingcoreacademicdisciplines:reading,math,scienceandsocialstudies.
• Studentshaveexperiencesinmusic,art,physicaleducation,mediaandSpanish.
• AllstudentsateachschoolhaveaccesstoInternationalBaccalaureatemagnetprogram.
Locations: Hayes Elementary School615MississippiStreetNEFridley,MN55432763-502-5200
R.L. Stevenson Elementary School6080EastRiverRoadFridley,MN55432763-502-5300
Hours: 9:10AM–3:45PM(freebreakfast:8:55AM)
Bussing: TransportationisprovidedtostudentswholivewithinthedistrictboundariesORopen-enrolledstudentsthroughNWSISD
International BaccalaureateAt the center of an International Baccalaureate (IB) education arestudentswithunique learningstyles,strengthsandchallenges. TheIBfocusesoneachstudentasawholeperson.Thus,IBprogrammesaddress not only cognitive development but social, emotional andphysicalwell-being.Theaimistodevelopinquiring,knowledgeableand caring young people with adaptable skills to tackle society’scomplex challenges and who will help tomake the world a betterplace.
Primary Years Programme (PYP)In Fridley Public Schools, the PYP is offered to all students frompre-Kindergarten throughGrade4. Foundedonaphilosophy thatrecognizesachild’snaturalcuriosity,creativityandabilitytoreflect,thePYPgenerates a stimulating, challenging learning environmenttonurturethoseassetsandfosteralifelongloveoflearningineverychild. Like all IB programmes, it is transdisciplinary, meaningstudentslearnacrosssubjectareaswhileinvestigatingbigideas:
• Addressesstudents’academic,socialandemotionalwell-being.
• Encouragesstudentstodevelopindependenceandtotakeresponsibilityfortheirownlearning.
• Supportsstudents’effortstogainunderstandingoftheworldandtofunctioncomfortablywithinit.
• Workswithinglobalcontexts.Studentsincreaseunderstandingoflanguagesandcultures,andexploregloballysignificantideasandissues.
• PYPstudentstakeSpanishclasses,wheretheyareintroducedtoSpanishlanguageandculture.
• Exploressignificantcontentthatisbroadandbalanced,conceptualandconnected.
• Helpsstudentsestablishpersonalvaluesasafoundationuponwhichinternational-mindednesswilldevelopandflourish.
Welcome to Kindergarten!We are pleased to welcome you to Fridley Public Schools! Hayes Elementary and Stevenson Elementary are both International Baccalaureate (IB) World Schools. As such, your kindergartener has access to the full IB magnet programs. This handbook should answer many of the questions you have about kindergarten. Please keep this handbook as a reference throughout the year. If you have additional questions, contact your student’s school directly at the numbers listed below.
John PiotraschkePrincipal
Julie Bieniek Principal’sSecretary
Margo Rothenbacher Counselor
Hayes Elementary School Stevenson Elementary School
Daryl VosslerPrincipal
Chelsea Jones Principal’sSecretary
Christa Sanders Counselor
To learn more about our district, please visit www.fridley.k12.mn.us
IB CONTINUUMCONTINUUM DE L’IB
CONTINUO DEL IB
Our district is proud to offer the full IB Continuum. All students have access to the International Baccalureate Continuum: Primary Years Programme, Middle Years Programme, Diploma Programme and Career-related Programme.
Small School SizeLarge School
IB World SchoolS All schools in the district are International Baccalaureate World Schools
AWArd WInnIng SchoolS Our schools have been named Minnesota Schools of Excellence and Minnesota’s Best School, U S News & World Report
Strong communIty Support Fridley enjoys strong community support through volunteers, passage of referendums, and numerous collaborations
outStAndIng lIfelong leArnIng opportunItIeSThe District’s community education program encapsulates all ages: from newborns to seniors
focuS on college & cAreerSAVID (at FMS & FHS)and GET READY (FMS) proudly offered, as well as many college exploration opportunities
POINTS of PRIDEat Fridley Public Schools
Opportunities!2 3
welcometo Fridley Public Schools
International Baccalaureate World Schools
FridleyPublicSchoolsisanurbanschooldistrictlocatedwithintheCityofFridley.Ourdistrictoffersasmallschoolatmospherewithlargeschoolopportunitiesforallstudents.
Asaworld-classcommunityoflearners,FridleyPublicSchoolsaimstodevelopinternationallymindedstudents.Wechallengeourselves,ourstudentsandourcommunitytobecomecaringandknowledge-ablelife-longlearnerswhoinquireandtakeactiontocreateabetterworld.Ourmissionistoguidestudentsinthedevelopmentoflearn-ingskillstohelpthemreachtheirfullpotential.
Fridleyservesits3,000studentsatFridleyPreschool(3-and4-year-oldprograms),HayesElementary(K-4),StevensonElementary(K-4),FridleyMiddle(5-8),FridleyHigh(9-12)schools,andanAreaLearningCenter(9-12).Thedistrictalsohasacommunityeduca-tiondepartmentthatprovidesyear-longeducationalandenrichmentprogramstocommunitymembersagesbirthtoseniorcitizens.
OurschooldistrictisoneofveryfewschooldistrictsinthenationthatoffersK-12InternationalBaccalaureate(IB)Continuumpro-grammingtoallstudents.ThePrimaryYearsProgramme(PYP)isofferedatHayesandStevensonelementaryschools,theMiddleYearsProgramme(MYP)isofferedatourmiddleschoolandhighschool,andtheDiplomaProgramme(DP)andCareer-related(CP)Pro-grammeareofferedatthehighschool.HayesandStevensonElemen-tarySchools,FridleyMiddleSchoolandFridleyHighSchoolareallIBWorldSchools.
EducationthroughtheIBframeworkhasanemphasisoninterna-tionalmindedness,rigorouscurriculumandassessment,instruc-tioninasecondlanguageandreachingthewholechild.Intheeverincreasingglobalizedworldeconomy,Fridleyisproudtoprepareitsstudentswiththeskillstheywillneedtobesuccessfulinthe21stcentury.
Things to know
Health & SafetyKindergartenstudentslearn:
• Firesafetypractices• Bussafetypractices• Basicpersonalhygienehabitsrequiredtomaintainhealth
(caringforteeth,gums,eyes,ears,nose,skin,hairandnails)
• Theimportanceofexercisingandwaystomaintainfitness
• Waystomanagestress• Theimportanceofsleep• Strangerdangers• Aspectsofsubstanceuseandabuse(tobacco)
ImmunizationsThefollowingshotsarerequiredbyMinnesota’sSchoolImmunizationLawbeforeyourchildcanstartschool:
• 5-Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis(DTP)• 4-Polio• 3-HepatitisB(thistakes4-6monthstocomplete)• 2-Measles/Mumps/Rubella(MMR)• 2-Varicella(Chickenpox)
IllnessesThe Attendance Policy is:Ifyourchildissick,pleasecalltheattendancelinesatHayes(763-502-5207)orStevenson(763-502-5307)andleaveamessagewithyourchild’snameandthereasonforabsence/tardiness.Forthesecurityofyourchild,it’simperativethatweknowthatwhentheyarenotinschooltheyarehomewithyou.Ifyourchildisinjuredorbecomesillatschool,theHealthAssistantwillcontactyou.Itisimportanttokeepphonenumberscurrent.
A child should stay home from school when:• He/Shehasatemperatureof100degreesormore,is
vomiting,orhasdiarrhea,foraperiodof24hoursafterthelastepisode.
• Ifyourchildhasarashthatmaybediseaserelated,checkwithyourfamilyphysicianbeforesendingyourchildtoschool.
Give your child a healthy start by assuring they have:• Necessaryimmunizations.• Periodichealthexams
• Plentyofsleepeachnight(10-12hoursarerecommendedforthisagegroup)
• Agoodhealthydietthatincludesbreakfast• Neat,clean,comfortableclothesappropriatetotheday’s
activities
Transportation Studentseligiblefortransportationwillrideregularmorningandafternoonbuses.OurcontractorsareVoigt’sBusService(763-571-1241),1stStudent(763-421-5785),andRandD(763-767-1804).
Itemsforparentstokeepinmind:• Pleasereviewbussafetyinformationwithyourchild• Arriveatyourbusstop5minutesbeforescheduledbus
time.• Ifyourchildmissestheassignedstopintheafternoon,
tellyourchildnottogetoffatanotherstop,buttonotifythedriverimmediatelyandthedriverwillbringthechildbacktotheassignedstop.
Transportation and DaycareIfyourkindergartenerwillbeindaycare,youwillneedtosubmitaformonline.Oncethedistrictreceivestheform,wewillsetuptransportationtoandfromthedaycareifeligible.
PleasekeeptheTransportationDepartmentandyourschool’sofficeupdatedifyouhaveachangeinaddressduringtheschoolyear.Beforechangingdaycare,makesurethedaycareislocatedwithinthedistrictboundaries.Thedistrictwillnotprovidetransportationtoadaycarethatislocatedoutsidethedistrictboundaries.
Forup-to-dateinformation,pleasevisittheTransportationpageonourdistrictwebsite.NavigatetoDistrict>Departments>Transportation.
How do I get my bus stop information? • Youwillreceiveyourchild’sbusinformationatthe
KindergartenOrientationinAugust.ThisinformationcanalsobefoundonourParentPortalsite.Pleasevisitourdistrictwebsitetosignupforanaccount.ClicktheParentPortallinkonthetopofthehomepage.
• Ifyouhaveanyquestions,callTransportationat763-502-5026oremailCindy.McKay@Fridley.k12.mn.us
Safety Guidelines:Pleaseteachyourchild:
• Abouttrafficlights,policeofficers,busdriversandschoolsafetypatrolmembers
• Touseonlycrosswalkstogetsafelytotheothersideofthestreet
• Tousesidewalkswhereverpossible,andtowalkfacingtrafficiftherearenosidewalks
• Toavoidstrangers:don’ttalktooracceptridesfromthem
• Togodirectlyhomefromschool• Tofollowallsafetyrulesontheschoolbus.
School Start and End TimesHayesandR.LStevenson:9:10a.m–3:45p.m.FreeBreakfast:8:55a.m–9:10a.m.
Class ListsBecauseofchangesmadethroughoutthesummer,classlistsarenotfinalizeduntilmid-August.
Back-to-School InformationInmid-August,watchforback-to-schoolinformationinclud-ingaschoolsupplylist,KindergartenOrientationtimes,andotherimportantinformationfromyourschoolinthemail.
Staying ConnectedFridleyPublicSchoolsusesseveraltoolstocommunicatewithfamiliesincluding:
• FridleyPublicSchoolshasrecentlyimplementedPeach-jar,anewe-flyersystem.WithPeachjar,parentsreceivedigitalflyersviaemailaboutschoolactivities,afterschoolprogramsandotherschool-approvedprogramsintheFridleyarea.WatchforemailsfromFridleyPublicSchoolsPeachjar.
• Districtandschoolwebsite:Accessschoolinformationatwww.fridley.k12.mn.us
• Facebook–usethistostaycurrentwithschoolhappen-ingsthroughouttheyear:Hayes - www.facebook.com/HayesElementarySchool-FridleyStevenson - www.facebook.com/RLSElementary
Visitor Check-In SystemTohelpensurethesafetyofallofourstudents,weuseavisi-torcheckinsystem.Visitorswillberequiredtoscantheirdriver’slicensewhenenteringthebuildingandidentifyingwheretheywillbevisitingorvolunteering.Thiswillcreateavisitor’sbadgethatmustbewornthroughoutthebuilding.Pleasebringyourdriver’slicenseinthebuildingwithyou.
Flexible and Affordable Before- and After-School CareFridleyCommunityEducationchildcareprograms(TigerClub)providehighqualityservicesthatwillgrowwithyourchildfrominfancythrough6thgrade.TigerTimeistheschool-agedcomponentofTigerClub.LocatedattheFridleyCommunityCenter,weprovidebefore-andafter-schoolcarewherestudentscanparticipateinavarietyoffunandchal-lengingactivitiesdesignedtobuildconfidenceandexploreinterests.Formoreinformation,pleasecontactTigerTimeProgramManagerLindseyCrawfordat763-502-5137.YoucanalsolearnmoreaboutourprogramatFridleyCommEd.combyclickingon‘TigerClub(Childcare).’
• Before-schoolcare(6:00to9:00a.m.)andafter-schoolcare(3:00-6:00p.m.)forgradesK-6
• Full-timeorpart-timecareoptionsareavailable-countychildcareassistanceaccepted
• Full-daycareonmostdaysthatschoolisclosed(includesmealsandallactivities)
• Acompletesummerprogramincludingfieldtrips,swim-mingandmeals(Kindergartenersmayenrollforthesummerprogrambeforekindergartenbegins)
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Things to Know Important information for parents throughout the school year Things to Know Important information for parents
throughout the school year
TheGradeLevelExpectationsoutlinedinthisguidedescribesthelearninggoalsforkindergartenstudents.TheyarebasedontheMinnesotaStateStandardsandtheFridleySchoolDistrictCurriculumContentStandards.Familiescansupporttheirchildreninmeetingthesegradelevelgoalsbyhelpingthemcometoschoolreadytolearnandinvolvetheminhomelearningactivities.
At Fridley Public Schools, we want all children to be successful and enjoy school when they start kindergarten.‘Kindergarten Readiness’ is a term often used when talking about entering kindergarten. We’d like to helpyou answer the question “Is my child ready for kindergarten?” by providing the indicators listed below. If youhave questions about your child’s readiness, observe him/her over the next few months, watching for some ofthebehaviors listed. Ifyouhaveconcernsorquestionsaboutyourchildorkindergarten,please feel free tocontacttheprincipal.
Kindergarten Readiness?What is
Grade Level Expectations
Social Behavior:• Participatesingroupactivities• Interactseasilywithafamiliaradult• Keepshandsandfeettoself• Movesthroughroutinesandtransitionssmoothly• Playsorworkscooperativelywithpeers
• Takesturns
Reading / Writing / Math:• Beginstorecognizelettersandsounds• Countsobjectsto5• Countsto10orhigher• Identifiescolorsandshapes• Printsname(useslowercaseletters)
• Hasexperiencewithwritingtools(pencils,crayons)
Listening and Speaking:• Useswordstocommunicateneedsandwants• Listenstostoriesfor5-10minuteswithoutrestlessness• Followstwo-stepdirections• Recallsstoriesandevents
Fine / Gross Motor:• Cutsonlineorpatterns• Canrun,jump,hop,andmarch
Self-Help Skills:• Takescareofbathroomneedsindependently• Organizeshis/herbelongings• Showsprogresstowardtyingshoes,zipping,buttoning,etc.
Language ArtsCommunicateusinginterrelatedprocessesincludinglistening,speaking,reading,writing,andthinking.
ReadingComprehension and Response• Identifyfictionandnon-fictiontexts• Identifycharactersandsettings• Sequenceeventsinafamiliarstory• Identifyaproblemandsolutioninafamiliarstory• MakeaconnectiontoafamiliarstoryPhonics and Word Recognition• Namealluppercaseandlowercaselettersofthealphabet• Producesoundforeachletterofthealphabet• Recognizerhymingwords• Readcommonhigh-frequencywordsbysight• Segmentandblendbeginning,middle,andending
sounds
WritingTypes of Writing• Writeabouteventsandopinionsusingacombinationof
drawing,dictating,andwritingGrammar, Usage, and Mechanics• Writeasentenceusingacapitalletteratthebeginning,
punctuationattheend,spacingbetweenwords,andphoneticspelling
Mathematics Exploremathematicsusingahands-on,standardbasedap-proach.Investigatepatterns,geometryandspatialsense,money,graphing,counting,numerationandorder,patterns,timeandanintroductionofadditionandsubtractionopera-tions.
Number and Operation• Recognizehowmanyobjectsareinaset• Readwholenumbersfrom0toatleast31• Writewholenumbersfrom0toatleast31• Representwholenumbersfrom0toatleast31• Countforwardtoatleast31• Countbackfrom20• Comparenumbersfrom0to31• Ordernumbersfrom0to31• Useobjects/picturestoaddnumbersbetween0and10• Useobjects/picturestosubtractnumbersbetween0and
10• Find1moreand1lessthanagivennumber
Algebra• Identify,create,andextendpatterns• Identifyunknownnumberpartners(3and4arepartners
of7,5and2arepartnersof7,etc.)
Geometry and Measurement• Recognizetwoandthree-dimensionalshapes• Sortobjectsusingcharacteristicssuchasshape,size,
colorandthickness• Compareandorderobjectsaccordingtosize
Allkindergartenerswillreceiveinstructionandhaveexperiencesinvisualarts,medialiteracy,music,physicaleducationandSpanish.EachstudentwillalsoparticipateinInternationalBaccalaureatePrimaryYearsProgramme(IBPYP)UnitsofInquiryonscienceandsocialstudies.
Please be sure to complete your child’s Early Childhood ScreeningEarlyChildhoodScreeningisanearlylookathowyourchildisgrowinganddeveloping.Betweentheagesof31/2and4years,screeningcandetectpossiblehealthorlearningconcernssochildrencangethelpbeforetheystartschool.
Minnesota law requires every child to participate in an Early Childhood Screening prior to entry into public school. Thescreeningincludesaheight,weight,visionandhearingcheck,aswellasadevelopmentalscreening.ScreeningsareconductedattheFridleyCommunityCenter(60857thStreetNE)throughouttheyear.
Toviewalistofscreeningdates,visitwww.fridley.k12.mn.usandnavigatetotheCommunityEducationtab.Underneaththetab,clickonEarlyChildhoodFamilyEducation(ECFE).YouwillfindalinktoEarlyChildhoodScreening.Youcanalsocall763-502-5111toscheduleyourchild’sscreening.
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Ready to Register?
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Your child must be five years old on or before September 1, 2019.
There are two easy ways to register your child in Fridley Schools: 1. Go online
• Visitwww.fridley.k12.mn.usandchoosetheyellow‘Enroll’buttonatthetopofthepage.The‘OnlineEnrollment’buttonisfoundontheenrollmentpage.
• To complete the registration process, youwill need to bring the required documents listedbelowinredtotheEnrollmentCenter.
2. Come to the Enrollment Center • Staffwillassistyouincompletingtheonlineregistration.Tocompletetheregistrationprocess,
youwillneedtobringtherequireddocumentslistedbelowinredtotheEnrollmentCenter.
The Enrollment Center is located in the Fridley Community Center: 6085 7th Street NE, Fridley, MN 55432
Please bring the following required documents with you:• Proof of address (driver’s license, utility bill, rental/purchase agreement) OR Open
Enrollment Form• Child’s original birth certificate • Up-to-date immunization records• Preschool screening documents if screened
outside our district
Copieswillbemadeofeachdocumentandoriginalsreturnedtoyou.Registration is not complete until we have received all of the above documents. Your child will not be assigned a teacher until all documents are received.
PLEASE NOTE: If your child is already enrolled in our 4-year old preschool program, there is no need to re-register for kindergarten.
Questions? Want more information? Call 763-502-5081.
2019 Kindergarten Parent Handbook