HADDONFIELD PUBLIC SCHOOLS

This Evening’s Agenda A Day in the Life of Kindergarten Video Kindergarten Overview

Explanation of question cards Times (full/half-day) Is my child ready for Kindergarten? Differentiated Instruction Typical day Support Team for Students Parent/Student Handbook Student Orientation Sessions

Center Demonstrations Everyday Math Writer’s Workshop Handwriting Without Tears Reader’s Workshop

Questions and Answers What Do Students Have to Say About Kindergarten?

Question Cards3x5 cards located in your folderPlace in basketPlease include your name and contact

information to ensure a response

What we believe about Kindergarten

Kindergarten is the traditional beginning of a child’s public school education Kindergarten is the traditional beginning of a child’s public school education and,and,

in the opinion of many, the most important year in your child’s school career. in the opinion of many, the most important year in your child’s school career. The The

first years in school should be a time to learn the social expectations of the first years in school should be a time to learn the social expectations of the school school

community and to gain self confidence in emerging literacy. It should also be a community and to gain self confidence in emerging literacy. It should also be a time to enrich your child’s experience and to reaffirm each child’s uniqueness time to enrich your child’s experience and to reaffirm each child’s uniqueness

and and value. value.

Our Kindergarten program provides a risk free environment where teachers Our Kindergarten program provides a risk free environment where teachers work to work to

foster each child’s love of learning, sense of responsibility and positive self foster each child’s love of learning, sense of responsibility and positive self concepts. concepts.

Children are provided with experiences which facilitate their intellectual, social, Children are provided with experiences which facilitate their intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth.emotional, and physical growth.

Is my child ready for kindergarten?If your child is five years of age on or before

October 1 of that school year, then we believe the answer is YES.

However, if you are not sure about this decision…Familiarize yourself with some of the researchSpeak with those who know your child bestMeet with the school’s principalFocus on the individual needs of your child

Differentiated Instruction Differentiated instruction is not a recipe for teaching.  It is not an

instruction strategy.  It is not what a teacher does when he/she has time.  It is a way of thinking about teaching and learning.  It is a philosophy.  As such, it is based on a set of beliefs:

Students differ in their readiness to learn, their interests, their styles of learning, their experiences, and their life circumstances.

The differences in students are significant enough to make a major impact on what students need to learn, the pace at which they need to learn it, and the support they need from teachers and others to learn it well.

Students will learn best when supportive adults push them slightly beyond where they can work without assistance.

Students will learn best when they can make a connection between the curriculum and their interests and life experiences.

The central job of we have is to maximize the capacity of each student.

School HoursFull-Day Schedule

AM Session8:25-11:10

PM Session12:15-3:00

Half-Day Schedule

• AM--8:25-10:55

• PM—10:00-12:30

A Day in Kindergarten May IncludeCentersReader’s WorkshopWriter’s WorkshopHandwritingMathPlay

Support Team for StudentsClassroom teacherGuidance CounselorPrincipalNurseEducational Assts.

Language Arts Specialist

Problem Solving Team

Child Study Team

Parent/Student HandbookThis booklet provides comprehensive

information about procedures and regulations (attendance, health, homework, etc.)

Located on your home school’s web site

Summer OrientationsTypically held in late AugustInclude…

Building/classroom toursOverview of items specific to your home schoolStudents attend this session

Central

PrincipalSandra Horwitzshorwitz@haddonfield.k12.nj.us429-5851

Elizabeth Haddon

PrincipalCraig Ogelbycogelby@haddonfield.k12.nj.us429-0811

J.F. Tatem

PrincipalGino Priologpriolo@haddonfield.k12.nj.us429-0902

Learning Stations1-Everyday Math2-Writer’s Workshop3-Handwriting Without Tears4-Reader’s Workshop