Welcome to Kindergarten!

Samuel Staples Elementary School

Kimberly Fox Santora, PrincipalMichael Brownstein, Assistant Principal

PostedJune 1, 2020

Fun Facts About SSES

• Built in 2005• Pre-K – Grade 5• 540 Students (next year: about the same)

• Average Class size in K is 20(next year: about 18)

• 28 Classroom Teachers(next year: 29)

• 6 Special Education Teachers • 3 Literacy Teachers• 1 Spanish Teacher (K-5)

• 1 Math Specialist• 2 Art Teachers (next year: 1)

• 1 Media Specialist

• 2 Music Teachers• 2 P.E. Teachers• 1 School Psychologist• 1 Social Worker (Next year: 1.4)

• 2 Speech Therapists• 1 Occupational Therapist• 1 Physical Therapist• 1 Nurse• 1 Nurse Assistant• 47 Other Staff Members

Support Team

Psychologist – Mrs. Charles

Social Worker – Mrs. Desiderio

Literacy Specialist - Mrs. Blair & Mrs. Keden

Math Specialist - Mrs. Holroyd

Remedial Reading – Mrs. Woodford

Speech Pathologists

Occupational Therapist

Special Education Team

RegistrationThe enrollment projection that we received last fall indicated 90 incoming Kindergarten students, but we have received calls from parents moving to town with Kindergarteners.

As of June 1, 2020, we passed out 75 registration packets!!

Only 38 are registered, which includes our SSES preschool.

All students, including SSES preschoolers, need to submit the blue health/immunization form on or before the first day of school. This is a state law.

Kindergarten Neighborhood

5 Classrooms

Extended Day (Easton Parks & Rec.)

Resource Room

Sensory Room

Small Flex Room

4 Year Olds-85 Year Olds-616 Year Olds-13

Current Kindergarten Age Distribution

ArrivalStudents wait to be invited in

Morning Meeting

A Typical Day

Adding

Math

Integrated Language Arts

Listening Center

Writing Spelling

Scientific Inquiry

Science

Art

Music

Spanish

Media

Physical Education

Lunch(25 min.)

Recess(25 min.)

Other Moments During the Day

Attendance• CT State Board of Education

In 2013, the state approved new student attendance regulations. They include a new verification requirement on the 10th absence and beyond.

1) For absences 1-9, a student’s absences are considered excused when a parent approves such absences, submits appropriate documentation, and adheres to school’s attendance reporting policy.

2) For the 10th absence and beyond, a student’s absences are considered excused for the following reasons:

*Illness: documentation is provided by a licensed medical professional

*Religious holiday

*Death in family or other emergency beyond family’s control

*Mandated court appearances

*Extraordinary educational opportunity pre-approved by administrator

Tip: Absences from school for vacation when school is in session will not be excused.

Fostering IndependenceWeek 1 ArrivalWe have kindergarten teachers/paraprofessionals greet the

kindergarten students at the bus loop (and lobby) and walk the students to their class.

Throughout week one, the teachers practice with the students how to walk from the bus loop (and lobby) to their class.

Week 2 and beyond…The students walk independently to and from buses (and lobby) independently!

Tip: We do not permit parents to walk their children to the classroom.

Fostering IndependenceWeek 1 DismissalWe will group the students by bus number, and the kindergarten aides will walk

the students to the buses.

The hallway is marked with pictures of buses to show students the direction they should travel to the bus.

Week 2 and beyond…Once our dismissal staff is in place, kindergarten students board the buses first!

Tip: If you must pick-up at dismissal time, parents are strongly encouraged to use the pick-up line service. Pick-ups in the lobby are too confusing for a kindergartener!

Communications• Summer mailing/teacher assignment

• Back-to-School Night

• Teacher Newsletters

• Class Website

• Parent-Teacher Conferences (fall & spring)

• The SCOOP Newsletter

• Voicemail/E-mail

• Morning Announcements

• Progress Reports

Top 10 Readiness Skills10. Counts to 10 and knows colors and shapes

9. Identifies upper and lower case letters

8. Uses scissors properly

7. Handles books appropriately

6. Writes first name

5. Zippers, ties, and buttons independently

4. Practices good manners and takes turns easily

3. Knows personal information about him/herself

2. Uses positive bathroom etiquette

1. Shows independence

Before you Buy a Backback

We have only two gentle requests…..

The backpack needs to hold a lunch bag, snack bag, library book and folder.

Please, please, please…Teachers prefer backbacks without wheels.

Become a meaningful, supportive member of our

school•Build a good relationship

•Attend school events

•Join the PTA

•Stay in touch

•Volunteer

•Support school initiatives

You will always be your child’s first teacher!

Teach by example

Use everyday opportunities to teach

Encourage questions

Show a love of reading and books

Discipline with love

Set limitsLimit TV viewing

Preserve “childhood”

Easton PTOYour membership and fundraiser dollars, and your generous volunteer time, have made it possible for the Easton PTA to fund and/or implement all of this and more!:

● School Store: A great way to promote school spirit and student purchasing autonomy.

● Spirit Wear: Custom designed clothing and gear with school branding to enhance a sense of community

● Parent Education Talks: Bringing in experts to discuss topics that concern our community.

● Sponsoring Diversity Day: An interactive experience for 4th-grade students complementing a K-5 diversity education

● Spring Fling: A great “food & fun” event on budget election day, as part of our Get Out The Vote initiative.

● Book Dedications: Bolsters our school library’s inventory through donations.

● Room Parent Organization: Provides classroom volunteers to aid educators throughout the year.

● Shelf Elf Program: Volunteer aids for the media center.

● Turkey Trot: Giving students the opportunity to donate, as a community, to local food pantries.

● Go Green Fashion Show: A hands-on initiative to increase students’ environmental awareness.

● In-house Field Trips: Interactive learning experiences on school grounds.

● Outside Field Trips: Educational trips to places like Sturbridge Village and the Discovery Museum.

● Second Grade Play: An engaging arts initiative, where each 2nd grader is given a chance to shine!

● Book Fair: An immersive, hands-on book shopping experience for students.

● Funding for the Specials: Supplementing funding for new electronics, musical instruments, and sports equipment.

● A Brand New Coding Class Program: After school class on computer coding for students grades 4-8