Alexandria Public Schools 2021-22 Kindergarten Brochure

Welcome to Kindergarten!

CLASS OF 2034!

Alexandria Public Schools Kindergarten Information for the 2021-22 School Year Tuition Free, Full-Day Kindergarten Online enrollment begins Feb. 8 www.alexschools.org/kindergarten

2021-2022

Our Schools

Welcome to Kindergarten!

We look forward to having you as our newest members of the “A” Team!

What’s the A Team? It’s our exceptional school community that’s focused on the following areas:

Troy Wunderlich, Principal twunderlich@alexschools.org

Carlos Elementary 320-852-7181

Garfield Elementary 320-762-3350 Miltona Science Magnet Elementary 877-736-1419

Lincoln Elementary 320-762-3320

Brendan Bogart, Principal bbogart@alexschools.org

Voyager Elementary 320-762-3325

Dana Christenson, Principal dchristenson@alexschools.org

Woodland Elementary 320-762-3300

Darla Harstad, Principal djharstad@alexschools.org

Academics

At Alexandria Public Schools, it all starts with our students. We have developed an outstanding all-day, every day kindergarten program. Our primary goal is to inspire in children a love of learning. Providing children with experiences that help them become confident, successful learners and achieve personal growth is at the heart of the district’s mission.

Our learning activities will engage all the children in meaningful experiences which will be the foundations for:

• • • • • •

Reading and writing Solving problems Manipulating materials Speaking and listening Viewing and thinking Forming concepts and ideas about numbers

Activities

AC AD EMIC S • AC TIVITI ES • AT T ENT I ON

Kindergarten children are energetic, lively, sensitive, curious and creative. Our kindergarten curriculum appropriately balances active, playful, hands-on learning with individual, small and large group instruction.

Attention

Our kindergarten teachers understand that not all children learn at the same pace or in the same way. Each child is a unique individual. That’s what we celebrate in kindergarten! Our teachers are committed to providing each student a personalized, individual-focused experience. We take students where they are at and we grow them from there.

Enrollment and Class Sizes

Our target is to create class sizes of 23 or less in kindergarten. We also have a full-time highly skilled paraprofessional in each room to break down class size.

Code of Conduct

Alexandria Public Schools has adopted a Code of Conduct to establish a respectful, safe and caring place to learn. These five basic “standards” are introduced starting in kindergarten.

• Responsibility • Respect • Honesty • Kindness • Fairness

Instructional Technology

Alexandria Public Schools is a leader in using technology to personalize and accelerate learning and to connect with all types of learning styles. Instructional technology being used in kindergarten includes SMART Interactive Displays, iPads, document cameras, educational applications and literacy technology tools.

Our district is a 1:1 Chromebook district. Each new kindergarten student will receive their Chromebook/Tablet that will be used at Alexandria Public Schools.

Kindergarten During COVID-19

Alexandria Public Schools has safety measures in place to keep students safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, while continuing to ensure an outstanding educational experience.

School Services

Early Childhood Screening Early Childhood Screening is a free and simple check of how your child is growing, developing and learning. It is best done when your child is around 3 years old. It is also a requirement for any child entering school in Minnesota.

What to expect at a screening appointment Trained professionals will check: · Vision and hearing · Growth, immunizations and movement · Thinking, language and communication skills · Social and emotional development

If you have recently moved into the district or have not been invited to screening prior to your child’s 4th birthday, please call Alexandria Public Schools Early Education at (320) 762-3305.

Health Services & Immunizations All elementary schools are staffed with a health assistant. A licensed school nurse is employed by the district and is responsible for supervision of the health services offices and staff. The health services staff will work with you to accommodate any health needs your child may have while in school. If your child has any special health needs or a health condition that the school should be aware of, please contact the school right away so that they can prepare for the first day of school. All medications given at school, including over-the-counter medications, require a doctor's order.

Minnesota state law requires that students have certain shots or immunizations to be in school. A notarized form would need to be filled out if you choose not to vaccinate. The school would need this information prior to the first day of school. All forms are found on the District website under Health Services.

Breakfast and Lunch All elementary schools serve a nutritious breakfast and lunch daily. All menus meet nutritional requirements established by USDA. All kindergartners receive a FREE breakfast. They also have a daily milk break available as well. Prices for lunch and daily milk break will be mailed in late July along with your student's lunch number and family key number so you can make payments for your meal account and activities online. You will also be emailed a link to the current meal benefit application in late July.

If you feel your student may qualify for free or reduced meals based off gross annual income, please complete the application before the start of the 2021-2022 school year. If your student does qualify, they would also receive kindergarten milk break for free, due to a generous donation from United Way of Douglas County.

Transportation Bus transportation is available for kindergarten children who attend the school that serves their neighborhood and live 1/4 mile or more from school. Transportation information will be mailed in mid-August. When our students arrive at school, we greet them as they get off the bus and then at the end of the day we escort them back to the bus. Your child’s bus stop will be near your home or child care location.

Special Services Available Students needing special education or other support services will be provided these services at their school site. Specialists may include special education teachers, speech/language clinicians, social workers, classroom or health paraprofessionals, reading specialists or other help as needed.

Compass School Age Childcare

Community Education’s Compass Program provides before/after school, non-school day and summer quality childcare options for students PreK – 5th grade. Some of the benefits of Compass include:

• • • • •

Friendly, caring staff Child-centered learning environment Safe, caring environment Opportunities for social skills growth Recreation and enrichment activities including homework help, crafts, science, gym, maker space, technology field trips and outdoor play

For more information and current rates, visit www.alexschools.org/compass or call Community Education at 320-762-3310.

Kindergarten Registration

District-wide Online Kindergarten Enrollment Opens February 8, 2021 www.alexschools.org/kindergarten

Parents are strongly encouraged to register their child between February 8 and March 1, 2021 to help us plan for staffing needs at each building.

You will be asked to upload the following items (scans or photos) during the registration process.

• Student’s birth certificate or passport indicating child's full legal name & birthdate • Early Childhood Screening (if not completed by Alexandria Public Schools) • Child’s most recent immunization record

For families who do not have computer access, please call the District Welcome Center to arrange a time to come in and use a computer in a safe, socially distanced environment. Call 320-762-2141. The District Welcome Center is located at 1410 S McKay Ave, Alexandria.

You may contact your child’s attendance school and request a paper enrollment packet.

Watch Our Kindergarten Video Visit our YouTube channel at https://bit.ly/3p7Ez0k to view our Kindergarten Video where you can see what a school day looks like for kindergarten students. You can also scan the QR code below to watch the video instantly.

Information Sessions If you have a child entering kindergarten next year, watch one of our information nights on our website and discover the opportunities that await your child in Alexandria Public Schools.

Additional Welcome Opportunities We are planning some exciting events in the spring for all enrolled students.

• May – Kindergarten Sneak-A-Peek • August – Individual and small group in-person Kindergarten Orientation Sessions

*All in-person events are subject to change pending health guidelines.

Open Enrollment Families that live outside the District 206 attendance area may apply for Open Enrollment into our district. You can obtain an open enrollment application from the superintendent’s assistant at (320) 762-2141 ext. 4213 or mtimm@alexschools.org, or online at alexschools.org/openenroll.

If your child will not be attending kindergarten at Alexandria Public Schools next fall, please call 320-762-2141, ext. 4201.

Independent School District 206 P.O. Box 308 Alexandria, MN 56308 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Alexandria, MN Permit No. 54

Our Elementary Schools

Alexandria Public Schools offers 6 exceptional elementary schools that serve K-5 students with a curriculum that includes math, science, art, health, social studies, physical education, music, media and computer technology.

Students in the K-5th grade receive instruction using the Code of Conduct Social Emotional Learning Framework developed to meet kids needs around respect, honesty, kindness, responsibility, and fairness.

1

Carlos Elementary School 20 N. Douglas Ave, Carlos, MN 56319 320-852-7181 School Hours: 7:55 am - 2:25 pm

2

Garfield Elementary 303 Sanstead St E, Garfield, MN 56332 320-762-3350 School Hours: 7:55 am - 2:25 pm

3

Lincoln Elementary 1120 Lark St, Alexandria, MN 56308 320-762-3320 School Hours: 8:15 am - 2:45 pm

4 5 6

Miltona Science Magnet Elementary 271 Dale Ave., Miltona, MN 56354 877-736-1419 School Hours: 8:30 am - 3:00 pm Voyager Elementary 203 Voyager Dr., Alexandria, MN 56308 320-762-3325 School Hours: 7:50 am - 2:20 pm

Magnet Program Option

Miltona Science Magnet Elementary will continue to operate as a “magnet school� and requests from elementary students across the district to attend Miltona School will be honored as long as space is available. Transportation will be provided by the district for most areas.

Woodland Elementary 1410 S. McKay Ave., Suite 101 Alexandria, MN 56308 320-762-3300 School Hours: 7:50 am - 2:20 pm

At Alexandria Public Schools, students attend schools based on the area in which they live. Boundaries are set for elementary schools. To locate your school, visit: https://app.guidek12.com/alexandriamn/school_search/current/