Kindergarten Classroom Information

Mrs. Tomlinson and Ms. Hansen

Class Website: http://tomlinsonbca.weebly.com
Daily Folders
Your childs white daily folder (3 Ring Binder) will be sent home each
day. It will contain their Newsletter, daily work, and their behavior log,
which will require a parents signature each day. We will add new skills as
we learn them, such as sight words, blends, and phonics rules to help you
work with your child at home. Please return this folder to school each
day in your childs backpack, and remove the graded papers daily. We
will expect students to unpack their own folder and place it in the crate,
after being taught the correct procedure.
*We generally do not send the daily folder home on Friday, unless there
is a behavior note that requires your signature.
Newsletters
Each Monday, your child will receive a weekly Newsletter in the front of
their daily folder. This is our primary source of communicating
Kindergarten events and school information. I encourage you to take it
out and place it on the fridge, if its more convenient for you than
keeping it in the folder. We will take them out at the end of the week
to make room for the new one. Feel free to take it out at any time to
keep for future reference. The answers to most frequently asked
questions can usually be found in the weekly Newsletter. At times, I will
email it to you in pdf form, especially if theres something you need to
know about before the following Monday.
Snacks and Water
Students will have a snack break each morning. Each child should bring
his/her own snack and a water bottle each day. Please send in a healthy
snack for your child. Sweets, red artificially colored food items, or
liquids (other than water) will not be allowed.
*Please save yogurt and fruit cups for lunch, where spills can be cleaned
easier.
** Please keep your childs Snack separate from their lunch, or label it
Snack if it is in their lunch box. Many times children will eat their
lunch during snack time and will not have food for lunch.
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Lunch
Our lunch time is 11:30-12:00. For the first week of school before hot
lunches are offered, students will need to bring their lunch. Hot
lunches are available beginning August 17th. You must place your childs
order on Renweb by August 11th at noon.
*While we are establishing our lunchroom procedures and expectations
with Kindergarten, we kindly ask that you refrain from coming in to eat
with your child until August 31st (Exceptions made for student
birthdays that occur during this time). Many times, during this
adjustment phase, children get tearful when seeing other parents with
their child, or your own child may have difficulty separating from you
once lunch is over. Once this time frame has passed, we wholeheartedly
welcome you to come and eat with your child, especially on Fun Fridays!
Brain Gym
Each day we will perform Brain Gym exercises, which are various
movements such as marching, toe touches, drawing in air, and will be
drinking water frequently. The following information from the Brain
Gym website explains the importance of these movements. Please refer
to http://www.infinitylearningskills.com/brain-gym.htm for more
information.
Brain Breaks
We will have a daily brain break in the afternoon for about 35 minutes
at the beginning of the year. The break time will gradually decrease
over the course of the year, until students no longer need this
additional break time. Each child will rest on their own towel. Please do
not send in pillows or blankets. Students are not required to sleep, but
we ask that they remain quiet on their towel during the break time. I
will play childrens audiobooks or classical music during this time of rest.
On Friday, we will not have a brain break. During that time, we will have
Fun Friday. Activities will vary from week to week, but may include a
movie related to our topic of study, free centers, or an edible craft.

Uniforms/Dress Code
All students will need at least one Standard Uniform, which consists of
the BCA Navy polo shirt, with khaki bottoms (shorts/skirts/pants) and
will be worn on specific occasions and on field trips.
Please refer to the online handbook for updated dress code information.
Uniforms may be purchased through Uniform Source or Buckhead
Uniforms. Spirit Wear may be purchased from BCA and can be worn on
Fridays, with uniform bottoms. This differs from the Junior High and
High School Friday dress code. Shorts and skirts should not be more
than two inches above the knee, including days out of uniform such as
picture days and Field Day.
**Belts are not required in Kindergarten, as students have difficulty
unbuckling them, causing potty accidents.
Weekly Report
Graded papers and your childs Weekly Report will come home in your
childs daily folder each Tuesday. Please review these papers, sign and
return the cover sheet only the next day, while keeping graded work at
home. This form is where you may notify me of concerns, jot down
questions, or request a parent-teacher conference.
Homework/ Practice Packet
Students will not have written homework the first couple weeks of
school. However, each newsletter for the week will list skills we are
currently working on. Please practice these skills with your child at
home. In October, we will begin our Guided Reading groups. Your child
will bring home a Ziploc bag with a book to read each night (except
Friday). You will sign their Reading Log to indicate that your child read
to you.
Practice Packets will be coming home the third week of school. Each
week, there will be about three activities inside that reinforce what we
are learning in class. The Packet will always be due on Friday. I feel
strongly that a good nights rest is very important for a childs success
in school. Therefore, the assignments in your childs packet are not
designed to be time consuming or stressful. I understand many
students and their siblings have extra-curricular activities and time is a
precious commodity.
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However, research consistently shows that practice makes permanent,

repetition builds automaticity, as well as improves the retention of the
skills taught in class. The Practice Packet is designed to be portable,
should your child need to complete an assignment away from home. You
may choose for your child to do one activity per day, or all three at one
setting. The Practice Packet is an easy way for you to help reinforce
the skills that we are learning. *Students must complete all Practice
Packet activities in order to participate in Fun Friday Activities.
Tests
We will assess students in Reading using Fountas and Pinnells running
records. Students will have a Math test at the conclusion of each
topic/chapter. They may not need to study for the Math tests outside
of class, unless their daily papers indicate they are having difficulty.
Writing samples will be saved in a portfolio that will follow them to first
grade. Samples will be added each year and will be scored using a
rubric. Kindergarten may take part in the Terra Nova Standardized
Testing that will take place in the spring.
Students will have a Bible verse to memorize each week. They will
recite it orally for their Bible Test on Fridays. For the first few tests,
we will begin very informally, sitting on the rug and reciting the verse
together, then in groups, then working our way to reciting it individually
to ease any discomfort in speaking aloud in front of the class. I am
consistently amazed at their ability to memorize and retain Gods word
in their minds and hearts!
Students will be individually assessed on the Sight Words/Popcorn
Words. In Kindergarten, we will learn the First 100 Fry Words, which
will be 25 words each quarter. We will introduce 5-7 new words every
two weeks. At the end of every two weeks, I will assess each child just
on those 5-7 words. Near the end of each quarter, I will assess them
using flashcards, on the whole list of words for that quarter. This will
be one of the grades on their Report Card.

Sight Words/Popcorn Words-First 100 Fry Words

The sight (popcorn) words are high frequency words, which mean they
are the most common words in the English language, and will be in the
majority of books your child reads.
Many of these words do not follow the phonics rules (we call them Rule
Breakers), and must be memorized. A complete list of the words that
we will learn this year will be in your childs Daily Folder. Sight words
that we are currently learning will be listed on the weekly Newsletter.
We do not have Spelling Tests in Kindergarten. Try to think of the
sight words as you would spelling words. They must be practiced almost
daily. While your child will not be required to spell them correctly,
students will have to memorize these words in order to read them in
books and in isolation.
Some children learn sight words easily, while others may struggle and
need more time. We will play games and do activities in class to learn
these words, but it will require practice at home, with the amount of
practice depending on how quickly your child memorizes them. Many of
the Practice Packet activities will be sight word practice. Please let me
know if you feel your child is having difficulty learning sight words and I
will share some additional resources and activities with you.
Report Cards/Achievement Report
After each quarter, students will bring home their report card and
achievement report. Please sign the envelope, report card, and
achievement report and return all three back to school. We will record
grades for all four quarters on these same forms. It will be yours to
keep at the end of the year.
Our report card in Kindergarten is much different from grades 1-5. We
do not take a number average in each subject, as this is not
developmentally appropriate for students at this age. Instead, our
report card is more of a performance-based, developmental checklist,
indicating whether your child is successfully meeting expectations,
needs improvement, or is excelling. Their achievement report will let you
know the letters and sounds they can identify, and popcorn words they
have mastered.
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Carpool/Tardies
Morning carpool begins at 8:00, and is over at 8:15. Once BCA Staff has
entered the building and are no longer opening car doors, you will need
to park and walk in with your child to sign them in. Students will be
counted tardy at 8:20, when our instructional day begins. Please try to
have your child at school on time so that they do not miss any
instruction.
Afternoon carpool begins at 3:15. Afterschool charges will incur if your
child isnt picked up at the conclusion of carpool. *Always enter the
Winder side entrance for carpool. In the afternoon, please do not enter
the carpool line before Junior High and High School has completed their
carpool.
**You may walk your child in for their first day of Kindergarten, but
after the first day, you must use carpool and allow them to come in on
their own. They will unpack their backpack and place their daily folder
in their crate each day. Thank you for encouraging their independence!
Absences/Illness
We understand that from time to time your child may be absent due to
illness. Please send in a written excuse, as we must document all
absences. I will send home a folder for make-up work that should be
completed and returned.
*According to our BCA Handbook, students should be fever free for 24
hours before returning to school. Students with contagious illnesses
such as pink eye, fevers, rashes, vomiting or diarrhea, and excessive
coughing must stay home. We will call you to pick your child up from
school if they are ill. The only thing we dont want to share in Kindergarten is our germs. We appreciate your help in keeping us all well!
Toys
Please keep in mind that students are not permitted to bring toys to
school. They disrupt instructional time and we cannot be responsible
for lost or damaged items. However, we will permit specific items on
special occasions as they relate to our topics of study, or as certain
rewards or incentives are earned. The first time a toy is brought,
students will be asked to place the item in their backpack and keep it at
home. The second time, I will take the item and place it in an envelope
to be picked up Friday after carpool. This usually is not a problem for
Kindergarten, and I appreciate your support in this area.
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Ice Cream
Students may purchase ice cream on Thursday of each week for 50
cents. I will send their money to the office in the morning, so please
have it in their backpack or folder, in a Ziploc or envelope labeled with
their name and ice cream. Students sometimes use their ice cream
money to buy school store items and are upset at ice cream time. Please
keep it separate from school store money. You may purchase ice cream
in advance for the year.
Birthday Celebrations (No Cupcakes Please)
Students may bring in special treats for the class on their birthday any
day Monday-Friday. You are welcome to come and eat with your child
and serve the treat. All birthday treats will be served during lunch.
On Thursday, the majority of students purchase ice cream, so we would
prefer not to have double treats. If Thursday is the only day that will
work for your childs birthday treat, then we will serve the treat after
our brain break, instead of at lunch. Children with birthdays that fall
during the summer may choose a school day to celebrate and bring in a
treat. Please let me know in advance if possible. Some suggested
birthday treats are cookies, donuts, popsicles, individual ice cream cups,
or cookie cake.
Checks/Money
Please place all checks/money sent in your childs folder in an envelope
and label it with their name, my name, and its purpose (ex. field trip,
school store, book order, ice cream).
Chapel
Each Thursday our students will have Chapel in the Student Center.
Our chapel time will be 8:30-9:15. You are welcome to attend Chapel
with your child. Please sign in at the office to get a visitors tag before
entering.
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Show and Tell

We will have Show and Tell each Friday, as part of our Phonics lesson.
Your child will bring home a paper sack on Thursday, with the Letter of
the Week written on it. Your child should bring in only one item that
begins with that letter that fits inside the paper sack. If it doesnt
fit inside the bag, then please do not allow them to bring it to school.
Our Friday schedule is very busy and our space is limited. If the item is
too large for the paper sack, you can always take a picture of it to place
inside their bag, or have your child draw a picture of the special item.
Contact Information/Remind/Class Website
Im looking forward to getting to know your child and getting this year
started! It is important that we all work together as a team in order to
help your child succeed. If you ever have any questions, please give me a
call at (770-307-1574). You can leave a message and I will return your
phone call as soon as possible. We can also make an appointment to meet
before or after school.
I will be using the Remind App to send you reminders and other
important information throughout the year. You will receive them on
your smartphone as a text, or you may choose to receive it in email
form, once you sign up to receive my reminders. Look for the email with
directions to sign up coming soon. This is FREE of charge and it will be
very effective in keeping you informed, especially if there are any last
minute changes.
Visit our class website at any time to see the weekly Newsletter, Sight
Word List, announcements, snow packet information, and educational
links at http://tomlinsonbca.weebly.com/ .
If you prefer electronic correspondence, I can be reached at:
rtomlinson@bcamail.org. We will be praying for your child and your
family. We thank you in advance for your prayers, cooperation, and
support in the education of your child. Together, we will make this a
wonderful year!
In His Service,
Rhonda Tomlinson
Debbie Hansen
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Kindergarten Classroom Information

Mrs. Tomlinson & Ms. Hansen 2015-16

Table of Contents:
Daily Folder . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Newsletter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Snack . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Lunch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Brain Gym/Brain Breaks . . . . . . . . 2
Uniform/Dress Code . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Weekly Report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Homework/Practice Packet . . . . . . . 3-4
Tests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Sight Words . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4-5
Report Card/Achievement Report . . 5
Carpool/Tardies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Absences/Illness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Toys . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Ice Cream . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Birthday Celebrations . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Checks/Money . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Chapel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Show and Tell . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Contact Information . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Remind Updates . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Class Website . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8