Absence
If your child is ill, please call the office (434-7026) and inform us of your child’s absence and the reason for it. If a student must leave early for a doctor’s appointment, go to the office to sign your child out and the receptionist will call him/her to the office. Never send another person to pick up your child without informing me or the front office. When students return to school, send a note with your child’s name (first and last), date(s) of absence, and the reason for the absence. All notes must have the signature of a parent or guardian.

Attendance
Regular attendance is essential to your student’s success in school. Please make every effort to make sure your child is at school every day. Attendance is taken at 8:45 am. Tardiness is counted for students arriving between 7:45am and 8:45 am. Students arriving after 8:45 am are counted absent. Regular attendance without tardiness is a key.

Arrival/Dismissal
Pupils should arrive between 7:25am (if eating breakfast) and 7:35am. Students should not arrive prior to 7:25 am since supervision by the school staff is not available. No child or parent should be in the building before this time. School begins promptly at 7:45 am and afternoon dismissal is at 2:40 pm. (2:35 pm the first week of school). Please pick up your child promptly. If you are late, look for your child in the office.

Art
The children will attend Art class with Ms.Curry. Additionally, we will have an Art Center in our classroom.

Assessments
Your child will be assessed in Language Arts and Math four times per year. Skills not mastered in the 1st 9 weeks will be retested in subsequent 9 week periods until skill(s) is/are mastered in addition to new skills for that session. The only exception is that the 4th 9 weeks of Math ALL students will be tested on ALL skills for end of the year (even if previously mastered).

Backpacks
To help your child carry messages and information to and from school, you are asked to provide a backpack. Please do not send backpacks with wheels as space is not adequate. However, please make sure the backpack is big enough to hold a daily folder and any other necessary school items. Students will be given a Daily Folder to send notes and information to you and for you to send notes to me. Please remove the notes and papers from the backpack daily.

Birthdays
Birthdays are very important to children. If you would like to bring treats for the class on your child’s birthday, they must be here by noon. They will be passed out in the classroom during afternoon snack time. Please do not send anything that requires a knife. Cupcakes and cookies work well. Please include napkins and plasticware when applicable. Please do not send birthday invitations to school to be passed out unless you plan to invite each and every student in the class (no one wants to be left out). I will provide a class directory and you can call/e-mail/send invitations outside of school. I appreciate your cooperation. For summer birthdays, we will celebrate half birthdays.

Book Orders
Every month I will send home a Scholastic Book Club Catalog for your child and you to look over. These clubs offer wonderful books at reduced prices---what a great way to build your home library! Plus for every book you order, our classroom gets points to use to build our classroom library! If you choose to order, please make the check payable to Scholastic Books. The first one will go out in September.

Breakfast
Breakfast is served daily in the cafeteria from 7:25-7:35 am. If your child plans to eat breakfast at school, please have him/her here at 7:25 am to ensure time to eat and be in classroom on time. Copies of breakfast and lunch menus are available to view/print through the district website www.leanderisd.org under LISD Programs (click on Child Nutrition Program).

Bus
Students are eligible to ride the bus if you live two miles or more from school. Bus registration forms must be filled out completely and signed by the parents. ALL STUDENTS MUST BE REGISTERED TO RIDE THE BUS. Bus route information is online. If your child is changing bus stops or going home on a different bus, please send a note letting us know of that change.

Centers
Without a balance of work and play in a school day, children often become restless. Through a play setting, children learn problem-solving skills by successfully using play equipment; they learn cooperation skills through their interaction with other children. Children engage in hands-on activities which provide observation and self-discovery learning opportunities.

Clothing/Change of Clothes
Please make sure that your child is dressed comfortably for school and in accordance with the LISD dress code. Also, please send one clean change of clothes (top, bottoms, underwear, socks) to be stored in your child’s backpack in case of an accident. Include name on all items. Girls should wear shorts under skirts/dresses on PE days. All students should wear tennis shoes on PE days- this is for your child's safety.

Computer
We use a variety of age-appropriate programs that reinforce computer awareness, math, and reading skills. Children will go to the computer lab once a week beginning in September.

Conferences
A fall conference will be set up with you after the first grading period to share the results of your child’s 9 week-assessment. Another student led conference will be held in May. Of course, you can conference with me by appointment during my conference period from 11:55-12:45. My phone number is 434-7026.

Daily Folder
This folder will indicate your child’s behavior for the day. Please sign/initial daily. Completed work will also be in this folder. Work should be removed daily. As the year progresses other information will be included. Please check, empty, and return to school daily. Notes to the teacher should be sent in the daily folder as needed. This folder is a very important communication tool for all of us. Make sure your child brings it back to school each day and that you all check it for notes and work each and every day too.

Discipline
Every child starts out on green (Great Day!). However, after a verbal warning, students will move to yellow. If verbal warning is not followed again, they will move to orange and then to red if they continue to make poor choices. You can expect some yellows and oranges the first 4-6 weeks of school. This is because good structured behavior patterns must be established so that quality learning can begin. Structure is new for most kindergarteners. Children will have a chance to move back up to yellow or green during the day.Green:Great Day! Yellow:Time Out Orange:Walking Time Out and Parent note Red: no free centers, walking time out, call home and/or possible office referral.
When a child goes above and beyond expected behavior, they receive a tally mark. By the end of the month, if they receive 20 or more, they get a Terrific Titan award- given to them by the principal, Mr. Smith.

Dismissal
Kindergarten dismissal is at 2:40 P.M. (2:35pm the first week of school.) Please do not come to the classroom to pick your child up. Your child will be dismissed by me and will go to the designated pick up locations with a teacher.

E-mail
My e-mail address is Heather.Cassity@leanderisd.org
I make every effort to respond to all emails within 24 hours. If you do not receive a response from me within that timeframe, I usually did not receive it. Please either resend your message, or contact me by phone.

Emergency Card
You will be contacted if your child is seriously injured on the playground or during PE or if your child is sick (fever, vomiting, lice, etc.). Please keep your contact information current at all times. Please make sure that your emergency card is kept up to date at all times. If you need to make changes, you may send a note to be forwarded to the office.

Emergency Closings
If schools are closed for a freeze day or any emergency, please tune to the radio station or the local TV stations for updates. Listen for Leander ISD.

Ethical Prinicpals
Leander ISD has 10 ethical principles taught from prek-12th grade. They include honesty, integrity, promise-keeping, loyalty, concern for others, law-abidance/civic duty, respect for others, fairness, pursuit of excellence, and accountability.
Each month we will focus on a different ethical principal. Look on our website for each month's focus.

Field Trips
You will have the opportunity to volunteer to be a chaperone for a field trip. Depending on space requirements, the number of chaperones could be limited. LEANDER ISD REQUIRES THAT YOU GO THROUGH A BACKGROUND CHECK BY FILLING OUT A FORM. NO EXCEPTIONS. You may fill out an online application by clicking on this link https://volunteer.leanderisd.org/pub/default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fwelcome.aspx . The background check takes 3-4 weeks. A form will need to be completed on each person that plans to volunteer. Since not all parents can go on fieldtrips, please do not purchase souvenirs, extra activities, food, etc. for your child or any other child in your group. Everything you need will be provided. ***Absolutely, no siblings on the field trips!

Fire Drills
Fire drills are held on a monthly basis throughout the year. All students will participate and are expected to walk quickly and quietly to their designated exit.

Grades
While there are no grades in Kindergarten, your child will be evaluated on behavior and mastery of Language Arts and Math skills. Their academic progress will be reflected throughout the year on their 9 week report cards.

Gym
Our class participates in gym classes every other day with Coach Fyffe. The children are asked to wear sneakers on gym day and girls might consider wearing pants or having a pair of shorts to slip on under their dress. Tennis shoes or something similar should be worn. Sandals/flip flops are discouraged since the students run and jump.

Health
Please let me know of special circumstances which may affect your child. These could include medication that may make him sleepy, a death in the family, etc. Also, please let me know of any allergies your child may have, especially food allergies. We sometimes cook or do food activities and it would be helpful to know when I plan our recipes. ALL medication (including cough drops, etc.) must be kept in the nurse’s office and can only be administered by the nurse.

Help at Home
Your child is expected to know these readiness skills by the end of the 1st 9 weeks:•Full name •Address •Telephone number •Parents’ names •Basic colors •Counting to 10•Printing first name beginning with a capital letter and the rest in lower case.When time permits, work on these skills also:•Reciting the alphabet •Shape names •Birthday (month & date) •Identifying numbers to 10•Identifying letter names/sounds •Tying shoes
Your extra help at home really makes a difference!

Handwriting
We use D’Nealian handwriting in LISD. You can visit their website at: www.dnealian.com/lessons.html.

Homework
Your child should complete this work by himself, under your supervision, and return it on time! Completing and returning homework helps build a sense of responsibility and prepares your child for the homework s/he will have in later school years. Homework should be your child’s best work. These homework papers should be placed in the daily folder. Please do NOT do your child’s homework. We will send home no more than 10 minutes of homework a night.Occasionally, I’ll ask your help in completing “family” homework--it’s called that because the whole family is encouraged to get involved in doing it. We’ll hang the projects in the hall/classroom to share with the rest of the school. In a few weeks your child will be bringing home books that they have worked with in school to share with you. These books promote home involvement and allow for reinforcement of book concepts, reading strategies and beginning comprehension skills. Please take the time to enjoy this special reading time with your child.

Illness
The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning. It is important, however, to keep your child home if he/she is ill. This helps to make them more comfortable and prevents others from becoming ill. Children function more effectively in the classroom when they are healthy. Please call the front office if your child will not be in attendance and send a note upon their return. If your child has a fever, they must stay home and can only return to school after being fever free for 24 hours.

Independent Reading
Because children learn to read by reading, they need plenty of opportunities to read independently. Sufficient time and appropriate materials are necessary to develop and strengthen reading abilities. By giving the children time to read both at school and at home, we can work together to provide a literature-rich environment and a life-long love of reading.

Journals
One strategy that will be used to help convey the vital concept that “print conveys meaning” is the frequent use of journal writing. In these journals the kindergartners combine their emerging writing skills with their drawing skills. As the children are exposed to a variety of phonics and reading experiences, journal entries will move from drawings and “inventive” spellings towards more conventional writing.

Kindness
Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class as well as others with kindness and respect. Bothering others, bullying and interrupting learning will not be permitted.

Koala of the Week
The Koala of the Week is when your child will be able to share some interesting facts about him/herself. This includes a 1 photo of child, 1 family photo, 1 show and tell item, and favorite book for teacher to read (please keep books age appropriate), favorite color, and favorite food. You will be notified in advance when your child’s name is drawn. EVERYONE will get an opportunity to be the Koala of the Week sometime during the year.

Library
We will have library time every week with Ms. Lopez. She will help your child learn the ins and outs of the library. She is also an excellent resource if you are interested in finding books to read together at home. Additionally, I have our own classroom library to provide students with a variety of books to view, read, and learn book awareness.

Literacy Stations
During literacy stations, children practice reading and writing skills while the teacher works with individual children or small guided reading groups. The center activities are designed to strengthen letter/sound knowledge, listening skills, oral language expression, rhyme, letter formation and cooperation.

Lunch
Our lunch time is 10:25-10:55. Please wait until 2 weeks after school has started to come up and eat lunch with your child. While your child may be adjusted to you coming and going, other students may not be ready yet and seeing other parents may make them upset. I also ask that your child carry their tray, throw away their trash and feed themselves independently. Instilling independence and confidence begins during this precious time. Menus are available online: https://www.sodexhoeducation.com/segment_0200/district_6306/ENM/Entry1/ . Please help our cafeteria staff by keeping your account balanced. You can set up an account online by going to https://www.mymealtime.com/signin.aspx If you wish to have your child use his/her account for snack/milk, a form from the cafeteria must be completed. You may have your child bring a lunch from home or he/she can order a lunch from school. Please do not send meals that require refrigeration or microwaving, as these appliances are not made available to students. Please send items in your child’s lunch that they can easily open themselves. Independence is a big skill in kindergarten.

Math
We work on math in our calendar time in the morning, as well as during the day and at stations/centers. You will see very little math work coming home. We employ a hands-on, problem solving approach. Young children learn best by hands on experiences.

Money
Please do NOT place loose money in your child’s backpack as it may get lost. Please put money in a sealed envelope/Ziploc with your child’s full name, amount, and purpose. (I.E. Jane Smith, $5.00, lunch money). This envelope/Ziploc should be placed in your child’s daily folder. Your child is responsible for turning in money to the cafeteria.

Music
One of our specials will be music with Mrs. Carpenter. We also incorporate lots of music during the day in our classroom.

Newsletter
A weekly newsletter will go home on Mondays via email. This is where you will find our learning focus, homework, help needed, and special classroom announcements. You may also find this on our class website under the Newsletters link.

Notes from Home
Please put notes in your child’s daily folder. I do not check backpacks or folders as this becomes your child’s responsibility. Your children will be taught to unpack backpacks, give any notes to me and put folders in their assigned cubby. Any money or checks MUST be in a sealed envelope/Ziploc with your child’s name, amount, and purpose. (John Smith, $5.00, lunch money).

Nurse
Our nurse will tend to minor scratches and scrapes, as well as sudden illnesses. For more serious injuries, she will contact you. Please be sure to send in any change of contact numbers in case she needs to get in touch with you. Also, all medications (including cough drops, etc.) can only be administered by the nurse and must be kept in the nurse’s office.

Outside
Your child will have outside time daily, weather permitting. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather. It is a good idea to label all jackets that come to school. Hats may not be worn at school.

Parent Involvement
We love parent volunteers! However, ALL parent volunteers must be approved through the district (apply online via link https://volunteer.leanderisd.org/pub/default.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2fwelcome.aspx ) AND must check in/out at the front office. Please do not bring siblings. Please do not enter your child’s classroom unless previous arrangements have been made with your child’s teacher. This ensures that children are not distracted and keeps the flow of learning uninterrupted.
Our workroom is where teachers especially need your help for the following: Cutting, die-cut, stuffing Wednesday folders, etc. If you can’t be at the school but would still like to assist, I will have take home bags from time to time available. Each bag contains the supplies you need and the directions as to what to do. You are not limited to helping just your child’s teacher. The librarian, specials teachers, etc can always use a little extra help too.
Also, any items you would like to contribute to the class “wish list” are greatly appreciated. Wish list items will be noted on Monday newsletters or by clicking the Wish List link on the website.

Parties & Celebrations
There are two main parties each year--- Winter and Valentines. The room parents usually help with these events and coordinate volunteers and donations when needed. All are welcome to participate in the festivities! We will have some other celebrations that I will organize such as Halloween, Thanksgiving, the 100th Day of School, etc. throughout the year .

Playground Procedures
Please review these playground safety procedures with your child:
1. Monkey bars: Cross one person at a time and do not stand or walk on top.
2. Swings: Stay seated while swinging, one person per swing. Sing the ABC's 3 times, then let someone else have a turn.
3. No rough play. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
4. Do not leave the playground without permission.

PTA
River Place Elementary does have a PTA and is always looking for volunteers and members. Please come and join. The member dues are $6.00 for the year. The PTA is largely responsible for our big events (i.e. Carnival, movie nights, etc.) We need as much help as possible. Advance notice of meeting times will be posted on the school website.

Quick Goodbyes
Quick good-byes leave dry eyes.

Recess
The children will play outdoors for 25 minutes each day (unless it is raining). Please keep this in mind when helping your child to select clothing for the day. If your child is too sick to play outside, (s)he is too sick to come to school. There is no supervision available for children to stay indoors.

Report Cards
Report cards are issued every nine weeks. These reports reflect the progress your child has made toward various kindergarten objectives and uses a grading system that reflects the developmental nature of kindergarten learning. Mastery of skills will be indicated. Please sign and return report cards in their envelopes within one week.

Restrooms
Have your child use the restroom shortly before coming to school. We will go to the bathroom after calendar, before/after lunch, before/after recess, and before/after specials. Please make me aware of any medical problem that might require frequent restroom trips.

Room Parents
I am looking for 2-3 Room Parents to work together to help plan/organize our class parties (Winter party, etc.), to seek volunteers for field trips and event, and to help with fundraisers. This is a fun opportunity for you to get to know some of the parents in our classroom and help out at the same time! You may sign up at Parent Night. You must also complete AND be approved via the background check application.

Safety
Your child’s safety is our number 1 priority. For this reason, we expect proper school behavior from all students. Also, anyone on campus including approved volunteers must check in the front office. If you are here to volunteer, you must be approved through the district every year via a background check. (See Parent Volunteer). All visitors must sign-in in at the office. Lastly, any changes in your child’s transportation must be made to the front office via phone (by 2:00 pm) or by signed note sent with your child in the morning. This includes someone other than you picking up your child. Remember, all of these things are to ensure the safety of all of our students in the building.

Science
The focus of the kindergarten science curriculum is on developing an awareness of the world in which we live. Through scientific inquiry, concepts will be presented in the life and earth sciences, including the study of animals and plants, the five senses and general health, and the four seasons. Students will also observe live ladybugs, snails, goldfish, worms, and guppies. These areas will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach.

Shared Reading
Shared reading is an interactive process used with the whole class. As the teacher reads a story, children join in on phrases or words that they know. During subsequent re-readings, children read more and more of the text, until they are able to read the story independently. Shared reading is an opportunity for the teacher to model conventions of print and the use of reading strategies.

Show and Tell
We have a class assigned show and tell each week (I will let you know what they need to bring). This information will be in Monday’s newsletter. Also, your child may bring one show and tell item when he/she is the “Koala of the Week”. Other than that, please keep all toys at home. This avoids them being lost or broken.

Snack
Your child may bring his/her own nutritious snack daily. This can include goldfish, animal crackers, crackers and cheese, grapes, or anything else that is nutritious. Please no sweets (unless it is a birthday celebration), no oranges (I don’t peel) or peanut based products due to food allergies of some children. Please do not send any type of drinks (other than water bottle) so we prevent ants and sticky floors. Snacks may NOT be stored in cubbies for the week. Please nothing that requires silverware.

Social Studies
The kindergarten social studies curriculum focuses on the students and how they relate to others in their families, classroom, school, and community. Activities will help the children focus their natural curiosity for the world around them.

Tardiness
Please make sure that your child arrives at school before the 7:45 bell (7:25 am if he/she plans to eat breakfast). We cover so much information during our calendar time in the morning! It is impossible to make up this time. Students arriving between 7:45 and 8:45 will be counted tardy for the day. If they arrive after 8:45 bell, they are marked absent. Being on time is essential to get the day going on the right foot and ensure continued success.

Theater Arts
Your child will participate in Theater Arts with Ms. D’Emeraude as part of their specials rotations. Children will be introduced to all aspects of theater.

Titans
Our school mascot is the Titans.

Toys
Bringing toys to school is discouraged (unless requested by teacher) because they distract the children from learning. If a toy is accidentally lost or broken, feelings will be hurt. Books are okay to bring in, but please make sure that they are clearly marked with your child's name AND are school age appropriate.

Transportation
If your child will be going home a different way than what I have in my files, you MUST call the school or send me a note. I will not let your child go with another adult or a different way unless you have notified the front office or me. Transportation changes should be made before 2:00 pm. This is to ensure the safety of your child.

Unique
Kindergartners learn that they are special and unique. Kindergartners have opportunities to describe how they are alike as well as different from others. They share their culture and learn about different cultures within the class.

Visitors
Leander ISD/River Place Elementary has a policy that ALL GUESTS and Parents (including familiar faces) are required to check in at the school office. River Place welcomes and encourages family involvement for school events. It is important to remember that while this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment for all.

Water Bottle
Your child may bring a water bottle to school. Please do not send any type of juice or cola as sugar will attract ants especially if spilled. A suggestion for water bottles is to put them in a sock. This helps from leaks and sweating water bottles getting on items in the backpack. Make sure your child knows how to open and securely close their water bottle by themself.

Website
Feel free to visit my website for latest updates. You can access by going classroom.leanderisd.org/webs/heather.cassity/

Wednesday Folders
These folders go home every Wednesday, should be emptied out (unless otherwise instructed), and returned on Thursday. Here is where you’ll find monthly cafeteria menus, upcoming events at River Place Elementary, and camps and clinics around town for children. This year, most of the information will be done electronically. Please be watching your email and the website for community and school information.

Wish List
Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our classroom materials (such as baby food jars or coffee cans, etc.) These needs will be posted in the class newsletter and on our class website. Extras items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome!

Writing
Our writing program builds on what each child already knows. Writing begins with scribbles and proceeds to lines and circles, random strings of letters, words and spaces and eventually sentences. Your children will be encouraged and praised for all attempts and accomplishments in writing. Providing a risk-free environment is paramount to your child's progress in writing. If possible, please provide your child with writing tools, such as pencils, crayons, markers and paper at home. Encourage them to use their sounds while writing and ask them to read their writing to you.

eXperiences
We will have many wonderful eXperiences this year such as, cooking, crafts, science experiments, making class books, and playing many learning games. They will all be fun and eXciting!

Younger Siblings
It is in your child’s and the program’s best interest to have our parent volunteers available without younger children. This not only allows your full attention to be focused on the class, but also allows for some special time between you and your kindergartner. Thank you for making childcare arrangements for younger siblings.

Zzzzs
Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!
We will also have a rest time during the day. Your child is not required to sleep but is expected to lie quietly. Your child needs to bring a small blanket or towel (bath size or smaller) to keep at school and will go home on Fridays to be washed for next week. No bulky blankets or mats, please.