Welcome to Great Falls Elementary School

Class of 2026!

2019-2020 Kindergarten Orientation

INTRODUCTIONS•Principal, Mrs. Sara Harper

•Assistant Principal, Dr. Chris Litz

• Staff Representatives

•PTA Representatives

PTA

• PTA Mission

• Join PTA & Support Roadrunner Giving Campaign

• Volunteer Opportunities

• New Family page on PTA Website: gfespta.com

• Events & Community Outreach Programs Managed by PTA

2018-19 President, Jennifer Eng

2019-20 President, Stefany Glessner

Book and Coat Donation Programs

Art Enrichment

School Spirit Wear

Skate Night

Book Fairs

After School Programs

REGISTRATION BASICSDocumentation Required to Register:

• Proof of Residence – Deed or Lease (original document)• Birth Certificate (original document) Children who reach their 5th birthday on or before

September 30 of school year are eligible for kindergarten enrollment.

• FCPS Registration Forms –available online: www.fcps.edu (fillable-enter data once and it will appear in multiple locations)o Student Registrationo Home Language Surveyo Health Information (shared with public health nurse)o Criminal Conviction and Juvenile Delinquency Adjudication Affirmationo State Physical (immunization and physical report completed by Healthcare Provider)o Identification of Military Connected Studentso Pre-Kindergarten Survey o Emergency Care Information❑Getting To Know our Kindergarten Students-Great Falls ES form, not included in FCPS

forms online❑Drivers License or Passport of enrolling parent

• Registration: Any school day between 9:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., or by appointment.

Local Don’t forget to sign!

Emergency Care Information- Important to update as changes occur

HEALTH ROOMJennifer Stanton BSN, RN -Public Health Nurse

Jacqueline Wallace, School Health Aide

Role of the Public Health Nurse - Support, advise and counsel our School Health Aide

Role of the School Health Aide - NOT a nurse, but trained to provide basic first aid and take care of minor school health issues—present during all school hours.

• Health Form-PHN will review for any health issues/medications

• Medications during school day

• When your child is sick - Emergency Care Form is used to contact parents for medical issues/emergencies. Keep school updated with changes for phone/pager/cell phone numbers.

Great Falls Elementary • School Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:50 a.m. – 3:35 p.m.

May change for 2019-20. Decided by the Office of Transportation

• 2019-20 School Year Calendar: www.fcps.edu

oFirst day of school: Monday, August 26, 2019

oNew Family Playdate- Wednesday, August 21st, 9:30-10:30 a.m. A meet and greet sponsored by our PTA

oOpen House- Thursday, August 22nd, 9:30-10:30 a.m.Find the classroom, meet the teacher and classmates

oBack to School Night- Date to be determinedParent/Guardian meet as group with teacher to discuss grade level

curriculum, class guidelines, procedures, and expectations

Transportation to and from SchooloFCPS bus - FCPS bus transportation is provided for children who

live within our school boundaries

o Private transportation (Kiss & Ride)

o SACC – School Aged Child Care

A student transportation card will be provided by GFES in the Open House packet. Information provided will let teacher know how your child will be going home

Kindergarten students identified by colored tape on backpack shoulder

School Bus:

• Riding the school bus helps to build sense of independence

• Notification of assigned bus # and bus stop will be received before the start of school. Student picked up at stop closest to his/her home

• Routes are decided by the Office of Transportation

• Kindergarten students escorted to their assigned bus by teachers/safety patrols prior to dismissal of other students

• Kindergarten students sit in front section of school bus

• A parent, designated adult, or sibling in middle school or older, must be present at the assigned bus stop to receive the kindergartner

KISS & RIDE

• Students escorted to the cafeteria by IA

• Parents remain in the car. Meet student at door #4

• Students last name clearly noted on front windshield

• We encourage our families to take advantage of FCPS bus transportation

SACC

• Students will be met at the classroom at dismissal, and escorted to the SACC room by a SACC employee

A student transportation card will be provided by GFES in the Open House packet. Information provided will let teacher know how your child will be going home

KINDERGARTEN STUDENT SUPPLIESListed on GFES website and available in main office

PTA ToolBox Kits: Pre-order for 2019-20

COMMUNICATION-Weekly Communicator Envelopes sent home in backpack-Blackboard Parent Account provides up to date parent and guardian access to their child’s student information, including attendance, report cards, class schedules, gradebook, course history, discipline, health, and school information.

-E-Notify FCPS Text Messaging for Parents: when our school or district office needs to notify you in cases of emergency, attendance, and essential communications related to your student(s) education. Automatic enrollment-News You Choose Message: email subscription service to communicate GFES newsletters, events, news updates, etc. -Social Media: Facebook and Twitter

A Typical Day in Kindergarten

Classroom Schedule

8:50-9:00 School starts, Attendance

9:00-10:30 Literacy Block/ Daily Five

10:30-10:50 Recess

10:50-11:20 Lunch/ Bathroom

11:30-11:50 Quiet Time

12:00 – 1:00 Math

1:00-1:20 Recess

1:30 – 2:15 Writing Workshop

2:15-2:45 Specials: P.E./ Music /Art/ Library

2:45-3:30 Snack/Science /Social Studies

3:35 School is Dismissed

This is what a typical day in our classroom looks

like.

The school day begins:

Backpack Check and Attendance

Pledge of Allegiance and Morning News Show

Class Meeting Time

Daily 5

• The Daily 5 is the instructional framework that allows for differentiated instruction. This is to foster independence in literacy skills.

• The teacher works with small groups for guided reading instruction.

• Students are actively engaged in one of the five components of the Daily Five:

Daily 5 - Read to Self

Daily 5 - Word Work

Daily 5 - Listen to Reading

Daily 5 - Work on Writing

Daily 5 - Read to Someone

Whew! We worked hard, its time for lunch!

Students may bring their own luncho Please make sure your child’s

name is on the lunchbox

Purchase a lunch in the cafeteriao Parents can open an account for

their student to purchase lunch online

o My School Bucks o Casho Checko Menus and purchasing details

will be sent home at beginning of school year.

Recess

Rest and Quiet Time Foldable Mat

It’s Math TimeProblem solving is integrated throughout the content strands. Develop the concept of number by counting; combining, sorting, and comparing sets of objects; recognizing, describing, and creating simple repeating patterns; and recognizing shapes and sizes of figures and objects. Students will investigate measurement through direct comparisons, collect data, and create graphs.

Reading and Writing Workshop

Children learn about reading and writing from hearing stories read aloud; seeing others read and write; reading and writing with the teacher; and having opportunities to interact with books, writing materials, and other forms of print.

Specials: Music, Art, Library

Health and Physical Education

Art: Students begin to develop skills working with a variety of art materials and tools. They are introduced to recognized artists and artwork.

Library curriculum includes objectives that support the development of students' skills in inquiry, problem-solving, and literacy development.

Health: Students learn to understand how to make good decisions about simple health issues, to respect others, follow school safety rules, and be responsible.

P.E.: Students learn the skills necessary for performing a variety of physical activities and understand the benefits of achieving and maintaining a physically active lifestyle.

Music builds basic music skills, engaging in vocal exploration and singing a variety of songs.

Science and Technology

Technology in the classroom and tech lab provides opportunities to think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with others, create original works, develop innovative products, and evaluate and select information sources and digital tools.

Science time provides students the ability to think and perform like a scientist. They are designed to encourage children to investigate the nature of the world around them through participation in scientific investigations and develop ways to be environmental stewards.

Social Studies An introduction to selected Americans in history whose lives demonstrated patriotism, courage, and kindness. During their first year in school, students learn basic concepts related to history, patriotism, national symbols, good citizenship, geographic location, economics, and the importance of following rules and respecting the rights and property of other people.

Special Visitors Field Trips

Reading Buddies

Activities

Student Work

Kindergarten curriculum details: Year at a Glance FCPS Website: www. fcps.eduSearch engine: kindergarten

CLASSROOM PLACEMENTClassroom Teacher assignment posted on our school website in August

Mark Your Calendars:

PTA New Family Meet & Greet– Wednesday, August 21, 2019GFES Open House - Thursday, August 22, 2019

Open House Welcome Packet will contain all the information neededto start the school year

First Day of School – Monday, August 26, 2019

We look forward to aGreat Year!

THANK YOU FOR COMING TODAY!