Welcome to KS! 1. Find your childs name and have a seat. 2. - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Welcome to KS!

1. Find your child’s name and have a seat. 2. Please put the pink nametag on your child. 3. Please fill out the informational papers on the left side of the folder and place in the labeled bins on the back table.

• Consent to photograph (in folder on LEFT side)
• Cooking donation (in folder on LEFT side)
• Student Profile (in folder on LEFT side)
• 4. Please sign-up for items on the back table.
• Pick a time for conference day
• Volunteer sign-up
• Email sign-up
• MVES PTO t-shirt size
• Free/reduced lunch form* (see Mrs. Baker in office for this

paper)

• 5. Please take a Wildcat T-shirt for your child! :)

About Mrs. Spano

• This is my 6th year working for Greater Latrobe School District.

I’ve taught Third Grade, Reading, and Kindergarten.

• I graduated from the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown earning

a Bachelor of Science Degree. I also obtained my Master of Education in Literacy from Indiana University of PA.

• My husband Josh and I live in Irwin.
• We have a puppy named Ruby and a cat named Gracie.
• Becoming a teacher has been my dream since I was a little girl! :)

Ready Confetti! :)

On the right (keep at home) side of your folder is a poem and small bag of confetti for you and your child to read the night before our first day! You and your child can place the confetti under his/her pillow and allow the magical confetti to work! The next day he/she will be ready for Kindergarten! :)

Schedule:

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group Language Arts
• 11:20-11:50 a.m. Writing
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-12:45 p.m. Rest Time
• 12:45-1:40 p.m. Centers/Small Group Reading
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials

–Day 1 –Library - Mrs. Cottom –Day 2 – Gym - Mrs. Boerio –Day 3 – Music - Miss Thompson –Day 4 – Art - Mr. Bolby –Day 5 – Gym – Mrs. Boerio –Day 6 – Music - Miss Thompson

• 2:30-2:40 p.m. Snack
• 2:45-3:10 p.m. Theme - Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Arrival/Dismissal Information

You can look online on the Latrobe website. Also, I will review my list with you all at the end to make sure we have the right dismissal information.

Dismissal Changes

• Please send a note for any

early dismissals or changes for dismissal. The notes will be sent to the office so your child can obtain a pass.

• Excuses for absences need to

be in to the school within three days of returning.

• Even if you send an email,

you must send a paper copy for the office with your signature.

Lanyards/Name Tags/Bus Tags

• Name, bus numbers, bus stop

name, and lunch number.

• Please place yellow bus tags on

your child’s backpack to help with dismissal time.

• We will wear these 2 weeks.
• Please return each each day! :)

• Greet their friends and teacher. :)
• Hang up their coats and backpacks.
• Take out their folders and check for

notes/forms for me and place papers in my blue basket.

• Check backpacks for supplies or snacks.
• Sit at their table and quietly talk to their

neighbor or complete morning work.

When children come in they are asked to:

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group reading
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writing
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-1:15 p.m. Small Group Reading
• 1:15-1:30 p.m. Rest time
• 1:30-1:40 p.m. Snack
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Our Classroom Schedule

• During our calendar time we will practice many

math concepts such as number recognition, counting, skip counting, place value, and patterns. We will also discuss other topics like the weather and our upcoming schedule for the day.

• Our math program is GoMath! which focuses

heavily on number sense in Kindergarten.

• We will also learn about geometry, graphing,

sorting, addition, and subtraction.

• “Monster Math” homework will be given every

chapter to practice the chapter’s particular skills.

Calendar and Math

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group Language Arts
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writing
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-1:15 p.m. Small Group Reading
• 1:15-1:30 p.m. Rest time
• 1:30-1:40 p.m. Snack
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Our Classroom Schedule

• Our Language Arts program is called Journeys.
• Consists of thematic units and weekly lessons

containing five days of instruction.

• Each day we will practice phonological awareness,

phonics, high frequency words, decoding, comprehension, and robust vocabulary.

• Our students also practice handwriting during this

time using the Zaner-Bloser Handwriting method.

Language Arts

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group reading
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writing
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-1:15 p.m. Small Group Reading
• 1:15-1:30 p.m. Rest time
• 1:30-1:40 p.m. Snack
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Our Classroom Schedule

• We use an approach called Kid Writing that

focuses on invented or phonetic spelling.

– This lets the students be successful in writing without constantly worrying about how to spell a

• word. It also reinforces the alphabetic principle

and lets students work at their own level.

• During this time we use shared writing to

model the process of writing both stories and informational pieces.

Writing

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group reading
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writing
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-1:15 p.m. Small Group Reading
• 1:15-1:30 p.m. Rest time
• 1:30-1:40 p.m. Snack
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Our Classroom Schedule

Lunch

Numbers: please work on memorizing as much as possible please! Kids should know them by October.

Lunch info: Hot lunch line (different every day – check menu) Grab ‘n Go line (same every day – menu will say what items are in the line) Grab ‘n Go Salad line (salad & soup, individual pizza,

• r breakfast-in-a-bag)

Daily Lunch rate = $2.20 *Money can be put in online or by giving a check to me (in a sealed envelope with your child’s name and lunch #)

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group Language Arts
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writer’s Workshop
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-12:45 p.m. Rest Time
• 12:45-1:40 p.m. Centers/Small group reading
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-2:40 p.m. Snack
• 2:45-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Our Classroom Schedule

Rest time

Please make sure all blankets/towels are labeled. Having your child’s towel/blanket in a plastic bag labeled with his/her name will help reduce the spreading of germs! *All blankets/towels will be sent home on Fridays. :)

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group Language Arts
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writer’s Workshop
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-12:45 p.m. Rest Time
• 12:45-1:40 p.m. Centers/Small group reading
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-2:40 p.m. Snack
• 2:45-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Our Classroom Schedule

• During this time the students will work

independently or cooperatively in centers throughout the room.

• While the students are working, I will meet

with a small group of students to instruct reading skills at their level.

Centers/Small Group Reading

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group Language Arts
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writer’s Workshop
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-12:45 p.m. Rest Time
• 12:45-1:40 p.m. Centers/Small group reading
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-2:40 p.m. Snack
• 2:45-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Our Classroom Schedule

• Day 1 –Library - Mrs. Cottom
• Day 2 – Gym - Mrs. Boerio
• Day 3 – Music - Miss Thompson
• Day 4 – Art - Mr. Bolby
• Day 5 – Gym – Mrs. Boerio
• Day 6 – Music - Miss Thompson

Our Specials Class Schedule

Our Classroom Schedule

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group Language Arts
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writer’s Workshop
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-12:45 p.m. Rest Time
• 12:45-1:40 p.m. Centers/Small group reading
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-2:40 p.m. Snack
• 2:45-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Snack - Allergies

We will have a snack calendar and each student will be asked to bring in 20 snacks on his/her day. Good snack choices: fresh fruit, veggies, pretzels, crackers, string cheese, fruit snacks, goldfish, etc. If possible, please send in items that are individually wrapped. Snacks must come to school with your child or dropped off in the office no later than noon

• n their assigned snack day.
• Water bottles are allowed – please label! Must be filled at home

(water ONLY please).

• f your child has an allergy and you would like to send individual

snacks for him/her, please feel free! Send in a bag labeled with his/her name. :)

• We will celebrate your child’s birthday here at

school! :) Your child will be assigned snack for the day we celebrate their birthday.

• Summer birthdays will celebrated in May.
• All snacks can be sent in with your child or

dropped off in the office the morning of their snack day. :)

Birthdays

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group Language Arts
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writer’s Workshop
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-12:45 p.m. Rest Time
• 12:45-1:40 p.m. Centers/Small group reading
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-2:40 p.m. Snack
• 2:45-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Our Classroom Schedule

• Our new science program is called Science
• Dimensions. It will consist of thematic units

which will align with our units in language arts for cross-curricular connections.

• Lessons will be hands-on and content
• riented.
• In Social Studies we will learn about ourselves

and others, our community, and special days and times of the year.

Science/Social Studies

Kindergarten in the STEM Lab

• PLTW (Project Lead the Way) Curriculum incorporates VEX kits and

iPads to bring top notch STEM learning to our students utilizing an Activity/ Project/ Problem approach.

• Students work in teams to solve a real world problem by

designing, building and testing a device that can be used to move rocks out of the way(while following specific criteria and constraints).

• Teams apply learned science concepts regarding pushes and pulls

in order to successfully complete the challenge while practicing cooperation, collaboration, diligence, and GRIT (Guts, Resilience, Integrity and Tenacity.)

• Visit Mrs. Durigon’s webpage for more details:

https://www.glsd.us/Domain/445 *We will start STEM classes on March 5th! :)

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group Language Arts
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writer’s Workshop
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-12:45 p.m. Rest Time
• 12:45-1:40 p.m. Centers/Small group reading
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-2:40 p.m. Snack
• 2:45-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Our Classroom Schedule

• We will have both indoor and outdoor recess.

As the weather changes please send your child with appropriate attire because we will go

• utside as much as possible.
• For safety, students are not permitted to wear

flips flops to school. Comfortable shoes and clothes to play in are encouraged!

Recess

• 9:05-9:25 a.m. Arrive/Homeroom
• 9:25-10:30 a.m. Calendar/Math
• 10:30-11:15 a.m. Whole Group Language Arts
• 11:15-11:50 a.m. Writer’s Workshop
• 11:55-12:25 p.m. Lunch
• 12:30-12:45 p.m. Rest Time
• 12:45-1:40 p.m. Centers/Small group reading
• 1:45-2:25 p.m. Specials
• 2:30-2:40 p.m. Snack
• 2:45-3:10 p.m. Theme-Science/Social Studies
• 3:15-3:45 p.m. Recess
• 3:45 Dismissal Preparations

Our Classroom Schedule

Snow Delays

• We have both two and three hour delays.

– We will adjust our class schedule for any two hour

• delays. Our lunch is delayed by 10 minutes.

– On a three hour delay the students must eat lunch at home.

Rainbow Folders

You can send any notes, lunch money, or anything being returned to school in the folder, I check them daily. Your child’s monthly behavior calendar will be on the back of their folder with his/her assigned snack day on it as well. Please initial each night. :)

Discipline

• Behavior will be indicated on the calendar in the folder

with a color.

• Purple - The teacher recognized me as having a FABULOUS day!
• Blue - Great day!
• Green - I was right on track and did what I was told. :)
• Yellow - Warning!
• Orange - Teacher’s Choice
• Red - Parent Contact
• I expect your child to be on green everyday. Purples will be

awarded when deserved and not a daily thing.

• I also use positive behavior rewards for the entire class and

individually when applicable. (Extra playtime, lunch with teacher, special privileges)

• I will email you our KS Weekly
• Newsletter. The newsletter

will contain information about what we are learning and doing in Kindergarten.

• Please be sure to read

carefully for upcoming dates and reminders. :)

Weekly Newsletter

Homework

• We will have several fun homework projects throughout the
• year. Often these are family projects to complete with your

child.

• Homework practice will be sent home weekly for reading and

every few weeks for math. This practice will mirror what we are doing in class and will help your child be successful.

• Creating a strong home and school connection is essential for

student success! :)

• I will hand out “Wildcat of the Week”

Posters on the Friday before your child’s

• week. (You will have the weekend to

complete)

• Please return completed “Wildcat of the

Week” poster on the Monday of your child’s week.

Wildcat of the Week

Book Orders

Can be ordered online or through the paper

• rder form. See paper in your folder about
• rdering online with our class code QCDKN.

Volunteers

V.I.P. Helpers are through the PTO. These are SO important to us! If you can come in and help we really appreciate it! If you can help from home, please let me know!

Donations

Thank you for your help supplying needs for our classroom!

Consent to Photograph Form

Please sign and return to the back table!

Cooking Form

Sign and return to the back table if you are interested in helping!

Student Profile Form

Please fill out and return to the back table! Thank you!! :)

Email list

• Please provide me with an email address

that you check daily. (on back table) THANK YOU! :)

Side Notes:

• Please LABEL EVERYTHING you send in (jackets, lunchboxes,

book bags, etc).

• Please keep a light jacket in your child’s backpack. Our room

can get VERY cold when the air conditioning is on. Be sure to label this jacket.

• Any money you send in, please put it in an envelope and

label with child’s name and what the money is for.

• Your child will react to what feelings you show them. Please

stay happy and upbeat about school while in front of your

• child. I promise to take good care of them! :)
• Please email or send a note with any questions – nothing is

too small to ask. I will get back to you as promptly as possible!

Please Remember:

• Sign up for a conference.
• Provide an email address on the email list

that you check daily.

• Take a wildcat shirt for your child!
• Put yellow bus tag on your child’s backpack.
• Sign up for Remind! :)

“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”

• Christopher Robin, Winnie the Pooh

“

Let’s have a great year!!! :)

*Make sure to remember a wildcat shirt for your child!!*