KINDERGARTEN - rSchoolToday

All-Day,
Every-Day
Innovative Schools,
Extraordinary Opportunities
KINDERGARTEN
Family guide for 2012-13 school year

welcome
to KINDERGARTEN
Families provide children with their first and most influential learning experiences. When
children start school, parents continue to be an important part of their children’s success
by providing support, involvement and encouragement. We are partners with parents in the
education of their children and we are honored to be a part of this important process.
The Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District 191 kindergarten program views each child as a
unique learner.
Our teachers are caring professionals who are committed to helping every child succeed in
school.
Kindergarten is a time for children to expand their love of learning, build general knowledge,
develop specific skills and extend their interests to the world around them. Kindergarten is an
important foundation for a lifetime of learning.
What to do before
kindergarten begins:
2
• Participate in early childhood
family education through District
191 Community Education. For
more information, go to www.
communityed191.org or call
952-707-4150.
• Take your child to early childhood
screening. Call 952-707-4180 for
an appointment.
• Keep your child’s immunizations
up to date.
• Register your child at the district’s
Welcome Center in the lower level
of Diamondhead Education Center,
200 W. Burnsville Parkway. Phone:
952-707-4180
• Attend a kindergarten open house
at your child’s school.

all-day,
every-day
KINDERGARTEN
Burnsville-Eagan-Savage School District
191 offers all-day, every-day kindergarten
to all families at no cost. Kindergarten is
so important that the district has placed a
priority on providing a full day of learning
for young students. Expectations have
increased and a half-day of kindergarten
is not enough time to accomplish all that
needs to be done. Kindergarten students
tackle a lot more learning now, than
students did even a decade ago.
Kindergartners are curious and eager to
learn — we love that about them. Our
teachers have great insights into young
students and understand their academic,
social and emotional needs.
Teachers want to make a
difference in the lives of their
students by getting them off to
a great start. It’s amazing how
kindergarten students grow
and change in one year. So
much learning happens during
kindergarten.
Our kindergarten program is
comprehensive, creative and
centered on students and their
academic and social success.
Students are involved in
literacy (reading, writing and discussion)
for about 120 minutes each day and 60
minutes of math. Students see specialists
in physical education, art, science and
music. There may be choice time for
free play. There may also be rest time,
especially at the beginning of the school
year.
Parents may choose to send their child for a
half-day experience in the morning only and
then pick their child up prior to lunch time.
Bus transportation will not be provided
after morning kindergarten.
3

KINDERGARTEN
enrollment
optıons
Magnet Schools
The school district has three elementary
magnet schools that offer an academic focus
in addition to the district’s core curriculum.
Harriet Bishop Elementary in Savage is a gifted
and talented magnet school for kindergarten
through grade 6. William Byrne Elementary in
Burnsville is the STEM (science, technology,
engineering and math) magnet school for
kindergarten through grade 6. Rahn Elementary
in Eagan is an arts & technology magnet school
for kindergarten through grade 6.
At the secondary level, there is a gifted and
talented magnet program at Eagle Ridge
Junior High, a STEM program at Metcalf
Junior High, and an AVID college readiness
program at Nicollet Junior High. For more
information about magnet schools, visit the
district’s website at www.isd191.org or call the
Welcome Center at 952-707-4180.
Open enrollment
Open Enrollment is the process by which
families can apply for enrollment to a school in
a district other than the district in which they
live. An approved open enrollment agreement
is valid until the child graduates from high
school. For more information, call 952-707-
4180.
Variance
Variance is an option for students who live in District 191 to attend a District 191 school other
than their own. For more information, call 952-707-4180.
4

KINDERGARTEN
regıstration
How to register
Registration for all new students in
kindergarten through grade 12 takes place
in the district’s Welcome Center, located in
the lower level of Diamondhead Education
Center, 200 West Burnsville Parkway.
For more information, go to the “Enroll”
pulldown at the district’s website at
www.isd191.org, call 952-707-4180 or
e-mail welcomecenter@burnsville.k12.
mn.us.
Early childhood screening
Early childhood screening to check vision,
hearing and development is required before
a child enters kindergarten. The screening is
offered by District 191 at no cost to families.
If you have not received information about
screening by the time your child is four years
old, then please schedule an appointment by
calling District 191 Community Education at
952-707-4180.
Registration checklist
Please bring the following required records
to register your child:
m Registration form for new students
available at www.isd191.org.
m Early childhood screening report. If your
child has not participated in screening,
please call 952-707-4180 to schedule an
appointment for this free service.
m Immunization record
m Birth certificate or other legal document
m Proof of home address
5
5

frequently
asked
questions
Q: When are children old enough to attend
kindergarten?
A: Children who will reach their fifth
birthday by Sept. 1 are eligible to enroll in
kindergarten for that school year.
6
Q: How do I register my child for
kindergarten?
A: Registration takes place at the district’s
Welcome Center in Diamondhead Education
Center. For more information, call 952-707-
4180 or e-mail welcomecenter@burnsville.
k12.mn.us.
Q: How do I know which school my child will
attend?
A: Use the SchoolFinder feature on the
district’s website at www.isd191.org to
determine which elementary school’s
attendance area you live within. Or call the
district at 952-707-4180.
Q: If we don’t reside within this school
district, can my children still attend schools
here?
A: Yes, we welcome students who wish to
attend our schools. For more information
about open enrollment and other attendance
options, please contact the Welcome Center
at 952-707-4180.
Q: What is a typical kindergarten day like?
A: Generally the day starts with greeting,
sharing, news, announcements and calendar.
Students are involved in reading for about
120 minutes each day and 60 minutes of
math. Students see specialists in physical
education, art, science and music. There is a
snack and usually a choice time for free play.
There may also be rest time, especially at the
beginning of the school year.
Q: Can I volunteer in my child’s school?
A: Parent volunteers are always welcome in
our schools. Talk with your child’s teacher
or the school’s volunteer coordinator about
how you can be involved. We thank you in
advance for your participation.
Q: How can I find out more about District 191?
A: Visit our district website at www.isd191.org
or call the Welcome Center at 952-707-4180.

KINDERGARTEN
services
Bus transportation
The general policy of District 191 is that all
kindergarten through grade six students who
live one mile or more from school will be
transported by school bus, as will secondary
students who live one and one-half miles or
more from school.
Students in kindergarten through grade 6 should
not walk farther than three-tenths of a mile to
their assigned bus
stops while secondary
students should not
walk more than seventenths
of a mile to
their stops. Exceptions
to these distances
may be necessary
due to geographical
factors as determined
by the Board of
Education and/or
the Transportation Department. If you have
transportation questions, please call 952-707-
2069.
Early Entrance
Initial admission to kindergarten is based on
the child turning age 5 on or before Sept. 1.
Special consideration may be permitted for early
entrance of children who turn five in September
or October and who demonstrate superior
academic readiness.
According to district policy, parents interested
in early entrance for their children must provide
a written request to principals by April 1.
Timelines may be waived for students new to the
district who are potentially eligible. An interview
will take place with the parent/guardian and
child. Parents requesting early entrance must
provide an ability and achievement report from a
licensed psychologist.
Transition from Early Childhood
Special Education and Related
Services
Special education and related services
are available at all elementary schools
for kindergarten children on an Individual
Education Program (IEP). The child’s IEP team,
which includes parents, determines the type
and amount of special education and related
services for each child.
Parents of a child who is age-eligible and
receives early childhood special education
services will participate in a transition meeting
with elementary school staff. The IEP team
determines the special education placement
which may impact kindergarten location for
some students. Most often, students will attend
their neighborhood school.
Some children may need a more specialized or
focused program to meet their needs. These
programs are located at a few elementary
schools. Decisions for placement in programs
are made by the child’s IEP team.
Before- and After-School Care
The Community Education Project K.I.D.S.
program offers extensive before- and afterschool
programs for students in kindergarten
through grade 6.
A balanced curriculum offers academic
enrichment, social skill development and
recreation activities in a safe, fun and secure
setting. Dedicated staff members strive to meet
the out-of-school time needs of children and
their families.
Project K.I.D.S. is nationally accredited for
high quality by the National After-School
Association. For more information, go to
www.communityed191.org or call Community
Education at 952-707-4150.
7

what we
learn
Math
Language Arts
Math learning includes the following topics from
• Reading: recognizing and naming letters and
District 191’s math curriculum:
sounds, identifying sight words, learning
• Numbers: number recognition, counting by 1’s, phonetically, selecting and appreciating quality
2’s, 5’s and 10’s, order, relations, estimation, books, distinguishing between fiction and
odd and even, parts of a whole, parts of a
non-fiction, learning left to right directionality,
group
enjoying rhyming words, predicting, retelling
• Data and Chance: tally marks, bar graphs,
stories, and story comprehension
Venn diagrams, probability
• Writing: distinguishing upper and lower case
• Geometry: spatial vocabulary, right/left
letters, forming letters, progressing through
orientation, two-and three-dimensional
the writing stages, labeling, journaling,
shapes, symmetry
contributing to whole group and individual
stories
• Operations and Computation: addition,
subtraction, number stories, mental math,
• Listening: enjoying books, experiencing
operation symbols
different types of books, hearing stories,
comparing and contrasting different stories
• Patterns, Functions and Algebra: patterning,
and listening for meaningful information
properties, sequences, function rules
• Speaking: coming up with questions, speaking
• Money: coin and bill recognition and values,
in complete sentences, participating in
dollar and cents symbols, money exchanges
dramatic play, responding appropriately,
• Clocks and Calendars: monthly calendars,
playing different roles, communicating ideas,
analog and digital clocks, sequences of events, and interpreting feelings and body language.
estimation of time
• Measurement: linear measurements,
temperature, capacity, weight, time,
volume.
8

more about
learnıng
Kindergarten children learn and acquire skills in
different ways and at different rates. Kindergarten
teachers take these differences into consideration
when planning learning experiences.
Students at all levels are encouraged to develop
study skills of independent learning, problem
solving, cooperation with others, making wise
decisions and transferring learning to future
situations.
Kindergarten programs also promote the life skills
of respect, responsibility and safety.
The curriculum is
consistently sensitive
and appreciative of
the wonderful diversity within our community. The
unique cultural, religious and life experiences of our
students enrich our curriculum.
To start the school year in the best way, kindergarten
students begin school two days later than older
students. That’s so kindergarten teachers can meet
their students during individual 30-minute sessions.
These meetings allow teachers to understand the
academic needs of their students before school even
begins. It’s a positive jump start to kindergarten!
Help your child get ready for kindergarten
The transition to school is easier for children when they are able to do some of these activities:
Get ready to read:
Get ready for fun:
• Listen to stories and nursery rhymes
• Practice using crayons, pencils,
• Look at picture books
• Say first and last name
• Write first name
• Recognize the first name when in print
• Be familiar with some letters of the alphabet
• Follow simple directions
Get ready for math:
Tina
• Practice counting
• Be familiar with some numbers
• Be familiar with basic shapes like square,
triangle and circle
• Sort blocks or objects by color,
size or shape
• Talk about concepts like “full
and empty,” “high and low,”
long and short” as child plays
with blocks, fills containers, etc.
scissors and glue
• Practice sharing
• Help put things away after play
• Be familiar with names of colors
Get ready to help myself:
• Practice with zippers, buttons and shoelaces
• Use a tissue to cover coughs
and sneezes
• Recognize possessions such
as jacket,
lunch bag, etc.
• Eat without assistance
• Take coat off and on
• Use toilet, flush and wash hands
independently
9

preparation
for KINDERGARTEN
Community Education offers many early
childhood learning opportunities to help prepare
young children for kindergarten. Some of the
many programs are listed below. For more
information on these and other programs, go to
www.communityed191.org or call 952-707-4150.
Early Childhood Family Education
Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE)
strengthens families through the education
and support of all parents in providing the best
possible environment for the healthy growth and
development of their children. The ECFE program
offers a wide variety of classes that meet weekly
to educate, encourage and support families.
Specialized programs offered through ECFE
include Family Learning focusing on families who
are learning English, Spanish family class, once
a week playtimes, special events and community
outreach. All ECFE programs are led by
licensed early childhood and parent educators
and provide families with an opportunity to
learn and play with their young children, find
support and information about parenting and
child development, meet other families in
the community and connect with community
resources.
School Readiness
School Readiness programs get preschool
children and their families ready for
kindergarten. Programs listed here provide
children with opportunities that prepare them to
enter school with skills and behaviors needed
for success.
Tiny Tots is a year-round preschool program
that supports and nurtures the growth and
development of the whole child with an
emphasis on social and emotional capabilities
and learning through play. Children attend
this half-day program one, two or three days
each week. Preschoolers benefit by making
friends, learning to work and play together,
developing skills and respecting one another.
Core areas addressed in daily curriculum include
language and literacy, mathematics, science and
discovery, dramatic play, the arts and learning
with nature.
Kindergarten Jumpstart offers a typical all-day
kindergarten classroom experience designed to
spark children’s interest in learning. Students
will learn about school bus safety, meet people
who work in the elementary school and learn
what it’s like to be in kindergarten! The session
meets four days a week for three weeks.
Ready to Grow (formerly Preschool Project
K.I.D.S.) Is a full-day program that offers a
quality early care and education experience in
a stimulating environment that strives to be an
extension of the home. The program provides
primary caregiving, developmentally appropriate
activities, and enrichment experiences to
children, ages six weeks to three years.
Ready to Learn enables children who are
ages 3 to 5 to attend a full-day early care and
education program with a concentration on the
development of school readiness skills. The goal
is to create a smooth and successful transition
to the district’s kindergarten program.
READY! For Kindergarten helps families prepare
their children with the skills needed to start and
stay at grade level throughout their scholastic
career. Classes encourage parents to talk, sing,
read and play with their children in simple ways
that foster pre-literacy, pre-math and socialemotional
skills. The program is free and classes
are offered three times a year at various sites.
Parents and caregivers of children entering
kindergarten in fall of 2012 can attend winter
and spring sessions. Call Community Education
at 952-707-4117 to speak with the coordinator
of READY! For Kindergarten.
10

Kindergarten
locations
13
77
30
101
169
32
169
101
13
13
16
18
13
16
35W
11
35E
42
42
42
21
82
13
5
35
42
44
1
Edward D. Neill Elementary
13409 Upton Avenue South
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-707-3100
Dr. Elizabeth Vaught, Principal
5
Marion W. Savage Elementary
4819 W. 126th Street
Savage, MN 55378
952-707-3200
Jeremy Willey, Principal
9
Vista View Elementary
13109 County Road 5
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-707-3400
Dr. Susan Risius, Principal
2
Gideon Pond Elementary
613 E. 130th Street
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-707-3000
Kristine Black, Principal
6
Rahn Elementary
4424 Sandstone Drive
Eagan, MN 55122
952-707-3600
Elaine Mehdizadeh, Principal
10
William Byrne Elementary
11608 River Hills Drive
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-707-3500
Lyle Bomsta, Principal
3
4
Harriet Bishop Elementary
14400 O’Connell Road
Savage, MN 55378
952-707-3900
Rob Nelson, Principal
Hidden Valley Elementary
13875 Glendale Road
Savage, MN 55378
952-707-3800
Jon Bonneville, Principal
7
8
Sioux Trail Elementary
2801 River Hills Drive
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-707-3300
Taber Akin, Principal
Sky Oaks Elementary
100 E. 134th Street
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-707-3700
Kay Fecke, Principal
A
District 191 Community
Education, Youth and
Family Education at
Diamondhead Education Center
200 W. Burnsville Parkway
Suite 100
Burnsville, MN 55337
952-707-4150
11

highlights
There are lots of “bests” in B-E-S. Here are some highlights.
For more, go to the district’s website at www.isd191.org.
of Burnsville-Eagan-Savage Schools
Our teachers are learners.
Our teachers are caring professionals who
participate in on-going learning to boost
student achievement. Nearly 75% of our
teachers have earned Master’s Degrees or
higher.
Our partnerships benefit students and learning.
District 191 forms partnerships with groups in our community that
benefit students. For example, we join with the Park-Nicollet Foundation
to provide medical services for families at Diamondhead Education
Center. We collaborate with the City of Burnsville on a state-of-the-art
cable TV studio at Burnsville High School.
We play chess.
Our district is
known as a chess
powerhouse
based on a unique
districtwide chess
residency for
fourth graders.
Schools have
chess teams and
they excel in
competitions.
Our students earn college credits.
Students can take rigorous classes and earn
college credits — right at Burnsville High
School and also at our junior high schools.
Last year, students earned 2,687 college
credits worth just over $1 million.
We work on wellness.
Along with encourag ing
students to be more
active, the district’s
“Smart Choices”
program emphasizes
healthy food.
Our communities support learning.
The community supports student learning not only by passing levy
referendums, but also with generous donations. Schools receive many
donations from individuals, businesses and civic organizations. They are
our Partners in Education.
Our volunteers
are awesome.
Every school
has a volunteer
coordinator and
many active
volunteers.
Last year, 2,288
volunteers
donated 62,892
hours of their
time and talents
to our schools.
A teacher’s view
Bobbie Kunkel, a kindergarten teacher at Sioux Trail
Elementary School, says she gets the most joy from her job
just watching children grow and learn throughout the school
year. She compares her young students to “little sponges.”
“Students absorb the new concepts and skills that are
introduced in the kindergarten curriculum,” she said. “We
celebrate learning successes daily and challenge ourselves
to be the best kindergarten students we can be.”
Kunkel describes hers as a student-centered classroom
where she helps students develop self confidence,
cooperation and responsibility. She says students are
meeting objectives and standards through active play and
hands-on learning, and she frequently reminds her students
that they are at school both to work and play.
“Most importantly,” she said, “we learn while having fun.”
Welcome Center: 952-707-4180 • District website: www.isd191.org
Bobbie Kunkel