Welcome to Ruth Moyer Elementary - Fort Thomas Independent ...

Welcome to Ruth MoyerElementary

All Day Kindergarten• We look forward to meeting you! We wantthis experience to be great for you and yourchild. Please feel free to contact me if youhave any questions or concerns. I want yourchild to learn and be happy!• Teacher: Julie Steppe /Katherine Mirrielees• Teacher Assistant: Patti Groneck /KathyEaton• Drop Off: 8-8:15 at the front door. Parentswill be allowed to walk students in for the firstweek only. Follow the green tape!• Pick up: 3:00 at the porch doors by theplayground.

To Enter Kindergarten………All students are required by the state tohaveA current immunization record on file PRIOR to thefirst day of school this includes the chicken poximmunization.An eye examination by an eye doctorA dental examination.You can obtain the form from your doctor or theschool nurse. Be sure your child’s name is on allmedical papers. (The doctor’s office may not do thatfor you.)

Fees $125.00☺ SnackEveryday we have a snack prepared by the cafeteria. Examples arecookies and milk, peanut butter crackers and juice.If your child has any food allergies send us a note on or before thefirst day of school.☺ Field Trip FeeThis fee prepays for our field trips.☺ Consumable FeeThis helps pay for our consumable math book, handwriting book,phonics book, etc. It also helps pay for all our crayons, pencils,paper, makers, paint and other craft items.☺ Fees must be paid by August 19

Kindergarten Goals☺Each child will gain a loveof learning that will carrywith him/her throughouthis/her school years.☺Each child will gain a highself-esteem as he/shelearns to becomeindependently functioning inthe classroom.

A Typical KindergartenDay☺ Calendar Time☺ Language Arts Time☺ Math Time☺ Computer Lab☺ Learning Center/Snack Time☺ Lunch☺ Outdoor Play Time☺ Concept Time☺ Special Classes

Special ClassesYour child will leave the classroom and have a differentteacher for the following subjects:Physical Educationtwice a weekLibrary once a weekMusic twice a weekArt once a week

Language Arts☺“Secret Words” are in your folder. These words will bemastered by the end of kindegarten. most frequently.Please look for these words in books with your childand review them frequently.☺We will do a three piece writing portfolio. Students willdo a variety of writing activities. They will learn thecharacteristics of and produce a “How To” piece, apersonal narrative and a short story. They will also doopen response writing.☺Children’s literature is used daily to teach reading andwriting.

Special ProgramsAdditional programs are offered during the year. In thepast we have had volunteers come to our classroom and dothese programs: Second Step This program teaches children empathyand how to cooperate with each other. The Picture Person organized by the PTO teacheschildren about famous artists and artistic terminology. Everybody Counts organized by the PT) teacheschildren about people with disabilities. Junior Achievement uses parent volunteers to teach aprogram about economics. The PTO presents the student body with about 4 to 6professional presentations each year. This may includeplays, author visits, musicians, ballets, science lessons,etc.

Successmaker Lab• 20 minutes daily• Individual instruction for reading andmath• Must have headphones• Valuable tool for students, teachersand parents

Field TripsKindergarten goes on 2-3 field trips a year.In the past we have gone to:The Cincinnati Museum CenterOmnimax TheatreSunrock FarmThe Krohn ConservatoryThe AirportThe AronoffThe TaftThe Cincinnati ZooThe Newport AquariumThe Fire StationThe Post OfficeThe Cincinnati Art MuseumThe number of parents that wecan take on each field trip varies.

The Greatest Show on EarthEach Spring thekindergarten studentsperform a circus. Thegym teacher andkindergarten teacherswork together to makethis exciting event.Each student isassigned a part aswell as performingwith his/her wholeclass. It is a greattime for your child toshine!

♦Homework is given to promote responsibility andreview.♦A homework paper will be given out on Monday.This should be completed by your child andreturned by Friday or the last day of the week.♦Reviewing ‘Secret words” is also a great homeworkactivity.♦Homework booklets are give to continue reviewand practice throughout the year.

•Classroom Behavior Management•Following school and classroom rules is necessary for each studentto learn. We maintain attentive behavior with rhymes, finger plays andsignals.•If a child continues in inattentive behavior or is aggressive to others, we willuse “Time Out” and follow up with a discussion or apology to grow towardappropriate behavior.• We monitor behavior with a “Good as Gold” Stick. Each day every childstarts out on the golden stick. If inappropriate behavior happens, the child’sname is moved to a green area on the ruler. This is a warning. Ifinappropriate behavior continues, the clothes pin moves to red and a timeout is given.• A little paper called a “Star Card” is sent home on Fridays. This is yourbehavior report. If the child had a time out during the week, an explanationis given.•If no time outs were given the child is rewarded with a “Star Treat”.

AttendanceAttendance is very strict in the state of Kentucky. Each minute your child istardy,money is taken away from our school district.If you are late 6 times or have an unexcused absence 3 times or more youwill get a standard form letter that informs you of truancy.If your child is ill, call the office that morning and leave a message. If youdo not call the secretary has to call you. When the child returns you mustsend a written note explaining the absence.If you need to take our child out of school early, go to the office, sign outthe child. You must also send a written note explaining why you took thechild out early. This will be marked as a tardy or 1/2 day absencedepending on the time.Awards are given for perfect attendance and perfect attendance with onetardy.

Keeping in Touch♦ Kindernews is a monthly newsletter that will inform you about upcomingevents, special projects and themes to be covered. Please read it andhold onto it until next month.♦ Report cards are given out 4 times a year. This shows your child’sprogress throughout kindergarten. One parent teacher conference isscheduled for the first report card in November.♦ Star Cards are given out on Fridays. A stamp will be issued each goodday. When a time out is given, there is an explanation on the Star Card.A special treat will be given if no time outs are received that week.♦ An all-star postcard will be sent to your child a few days prior to theirbeing the class all-star. A child is picked randomly each week for specialrecognition.♦ You can reach the teacher for questions bySending a note with your child Calling my voice mailbox Email

Volunteers» We need your help! There is no waywe can have this much fun inkindergarten without your help!Please read over the volunteersign-up sheet at the beginning ofthe year and send it in. We needhelp at parties, learning centersand for Take-Home-A-Sacks. Youare welcome anytime in ourclassroom, for a few minutes or awhole day. We encourage you tostop at least once during the year.You’re child will love it!» Room Moms . You will becontacted by a PTO representative.Main jobs are to plan the HalloweenParty, Christmas Party and the endof the year picnic.

Lunch• You will get a lunch account. Writechecks to Ruth Moyer Cafeteria sendin with your child.• Lunch $2.25. Snacks are additional.In kindergarten we strongly adviseagainst letting your child buy extrasnacks.

•What Can Parents Do?•You can volunteer. Be aware of deadlines.Check your child’s backpack daily. Carefully readnewsletters and notes that are sent home. Read toyour child daily. Confidentiality is important.Please refrain from discussing other children andschool matters. If there is a concern, please seethe teacher. Use our website to get information.http://www.fortthomas.kyschools.us

Other Information• Birthday treats are welcome. You may send them in with yourchild at the beginning of the day. They must be store bought andpackaged. Please inquire about students with food allergies.• Do not distribute party invitations at school unless you arepassing them out to the entire class. This can cause hurt feelingsand be disruptive.• If your child forgets his/her backpack, library book, money,homework etc., please take it to the office and the secretaries willsee that your child gets it.• If your child is absent from school, please complete any missedwork and return it to school as soon as possible. Send a notewhen he/she returns stating the reason for the absence.• Remember that all children learn at different rates. Feel free tocontact me if you have any concerns or questions. As a team(student, teachers and parents) we will work together to have asuccessful school year.

Parent’s HomeworkE-mail me some information aboutyour child. Then I will have youre-mail address and I can learn aboutyour little darling!!

Welcome to the Ruth MoyerFamily!We are looking forward to agreat kindergarten year!