Friday, July 3, 2009

Lisle CUSD 202

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Kindergarten

Lisle School District 202

How many kindergarten classes are there?
There are five kindergarten classes, three sections in the morning and two sections in the afternoon.

What time does school start and end?
For the A.M. classes, school is held from 8:45-11:15. For the P.M. classes, school is held from 12:45-3:15.

What do I need to register my child for kindergarten?
Category I (all documents required):
♦ Student's Birth Certificate (Original with seal, Foreign Birth Certificates must have certified translation)
♦Parent identification (Driver's License, Passport, State ID)
♦Proof of Custody

Category II (one document required)
♦Mortgage Papers ♦Signed Lease and Signed Lessor Affidavit
♦Real Estate Tax Bill ♦Real Estate Sales Agreement

Category III (two documents required showing proper address)
♦Driver's License                               ♦Auto Registration
♦Auto Insurance Card                         ♦Credit Cards/Bills
♦Public Aid Card                                ♦Checking Account or Bank Statement
♦Home/Apartment Insurance Papers     ♦Gas or Electric Bill (No Phone Bill)

How do I know if my child is ready to start kindergarten?
Your child must turn five years old before September 1st.

As more emphasis is placed on academics at a younger age, it is becoming increasingly difficult to determine if a child is ready for kindergarten. Although the main determining factor, age, is established by the school system, there are many other factors which should be considered in deciding in deciding if a child is ready for kindergarten.
♦Maturity: This is the most critical consideration to be made. A child, who is easily frustrated, distracted and emotionally or socially immature may need an extra year to develop. Children develop at different rates and age readiness for one child may be different than that for another.
♦Interest: Some children have an interest in or desire to attend school sooner than others. If your child is borderline in the age category and seems to have no desire to attend school, an extra year for readiness activities may be beneficial.
♦Social Readiness: The most important aspect of social readiness is that your child is able to communicate his/her personal needs. A child should also be able to take responsibility for personal belongings and follow simple directions.
♦Emotional Readiness: A child who is emotionally immature may benefit from an extra year to develop. Crying, whining, extreme shyness, and outbursts may be indications of emotional immaturity.
♦Skills: This area of consideration is not as critical as the maturity factor. Most developmental and cognitive skills are taught in kindergarten and those children who lag behind in academic skills usually catch up in the early primary years.
♦Size: A child's physical size should not generally have a bearing on kindergarten readiness. Even though a child may be small or large for his/her age, the main consideration should be overall development.
**Remember, just because your child fits into the age category for children who are ready to begin kindergarten, does not mean that kindergarten is the best choice for him/her. Weigh all factors, talk to the teacher, and make a decision based on what is best for your child.

What do I need to do if my child will be absent?
If your child is going to be absent from school, please call the attendance phone number, 493-8199. You will need to call every day your child is out.

Will my child go on any field trips?
Yes, this year the kindergarten classes will be going on three field trips:
♦ Johansen's Pumpkin Farm,
♦ DuPage Children's Museum,
♦ Brookfield Zoo,

Can my child celebrate his/her birthday at school?
Yes, however, we ask that NO EDIBLE treats BE sent in due to the increased number of severe allergies. A lot of parents send in a simple goody bag for the children to take home with them rather than an edible treat.

I hear and I forget.
I see and I remember.
I do and I understand.
Ancient Chinese Proverb

What is the curriculum in kindergarten?
♦ Mathematics: We use Investigations in Number, Data, and Space developed by TERC (Technical Education Research Center) in collaboration with Kent State University and the State University of New York at Buffalo. This program consists of six curriculum units: Mathematical Thinking in Kindergarten (Introduction); Pattern Trains and Hopscotch Paths (Exploring Patterns); Collecting, Counting, and Measuring (Developing Number Sense); Counting Ourselves and Others (Exploring Data); Making Shapes and Building Blocks (Exploring Geometry); How Many in All? (Counting and the Number System). **For more information about this program, go to http://investigations.terc.edu/.
♦Language Arts: We use both fiction and non-fiction read-alouds and shared reading books in kindergarten. We use the multi-sensory Jolly Phonics Program to teach letter/sound recognition, reading, and writing. Most of our program revolves around Patricia Cunningham's Building Blocks program. This program consists of teaching: the Desire to Learn to Read and Write, Language Concepts, Print Concepts, Phonemic Awareness, Interesting Words,and Letters and Sounds. For an easier transition to cursive, we teach D'Nealian Handwriting. A website to use for extra practice is,http://www.first-school.ws/theme/alphabetp12a.htm. We also meet with the children in small guided reading groups.
♦Science: We use the Delta Science Modules: Properties; Investigating Water; and From Seed to Plant. We also use the Hinsdale Science Kit, Hot and Cold. All of these are hands-on, inquiry-based programs.
♦Social Studies: In our Social Studies program, we teach units on: self-concept; holidays; alike and differences; friends and families; multicultural celebrations; where we live; working together; citizenship; economics and people work; and things change. We also use the National Geographic's Young Explorer! magazine.