A Parent’s Guide to Kindergarten at Manitoba School

A Parent’s Guide to Kindergarten at Manitoba School

From the Principal Hello Parents and Guardians, Welcome to kindergarten! We are excited to have your child begin his or her education at Manitoba.

For many children, kindergarten is their first experience in school. We take this important time very seriously. Kindergarten begins to build the foundation of knowledge. The early childhood years are crucial for creating the pathways so children will achieve their full potential. At Manitoba, we pledge to do our best to assist your child on the journey to graduation!

In turn, we ask you to support your child’s education at home. Asking questions and encouraging simple activities can help your child learn. ] Please read to your child every day for 5 to15 minutes. Ask questions about the characters or the action in the story. This helps children develop curiosity and think more deeply. ] Ask about daily activities in school—encourage your child to share moments of his or her day, including any worries they may have. ] Practice counting, letter recognition, and vocabulary by reviewing new words. This strengthens what is learned in the classroom.

You are always welcome to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.

I wish you all a wonderful school year as your children begin their educational journies here at Manitoba!

Mrs. Jones-Goodwin (414) 902-8605 jonesgrf@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

MANITOBA SCHOOL 4040 W. Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53215 (414) 902-8600 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. • mpsmke.com/manitoba © 2020 Milwaukee Public Schools

Working Together The first days of school are exciting for all of us, and we want them to be the first of many productive, rewarding, and worthwhile school days.

Every child is unique, and we will do everything we can to see that your child gets the type of education that is right for him or her.

We look forward to working with you. We hope this booklet will help get our partnership off to a good start!

What to Expect in Kindergarten We will work hard to give your child the best education possible. In kindergarten, your child will be learning to‌ ] Get along with other children. ] Share and take turns. ] Explore and expand abilities and interests. ] Express thoughts and ideas. ] Listen to others. ] Build self-confidence. ] Develop knowledge of sounds, letters, and vocabulary. ] Show differences in size, shape, and color. ] Become interested in books, numbers, and people. ] And much, much, more!

1

The First Days of School Help your child look forward to school. Talk about school in a positive way so your child will be excited to start school. Discuss activities, friends, new experiences, and the new things to learn. ] If your child expresses doubts or fears, listen carefully. Try to answer questions in a positive, reassuring way. Tell them that there are many friendly, caring grown-ups at school to help on those first days. ] Help your child practice saying his/her teacher’s name. ] Let your child help you label all school supplies and personal items. ] Show your child the school grounds so he/she is familiar with the playground and school doors. ] Tell your child that you will drop him or her off on the playground.

Make certain that your child knows where to go after school.

Getting Ready Help your child have a good start to school every day. Your child should: ] Get plenty of sleep. Ten to twelve hours is recommended for this age. ] Eat healthy foods, including a good breakfast. ] Wear neat, clean, comfortable clothes that can be zipped and buttoned easily. ] Go to the bathroom just before leaving for school. ] Get to school on time—school starts at 9:00 a.m.

Your Child’s Personal Needs Your child will feel more comfortable in school if he/she can take care of basic personal needs. Help your child learn these important skills before starting school. ] Know first and last name, address, and telephone number. ] Understand how to use the bathroom properly, wash hands, and adjust clothing. ] Be able to put on/take off shoes and outer clothes without help. ] Keep track of personal property. ] Recognize his or her name on belongings.

2

Health and Safety Share these basic safety rules with your child before school starts. ] Crossing guards are present to assist children.

Follow their directions and pay attention when near the street. ] Kindergarten students may leave Manitoba only if accompanied by a designated adult—not with friends or siblings. ] Don’t accept a ride or ever talk to strangers!

Help for Parents Learn the school rules regarding clothing, money, supplies, and more. Read weekly parent notes for important updates.

Get a copy of the school calendar and keep track of in-school and out-of-school days.

Become familiar with the MPS Student/Parent Handbook on Rights, Responsibilities and Discipline at mpsmke.com/rights. Policies are in place to keep our children safe. We will enforce this policy at all times. Below are some important highlights. ] Only students and school staff may enter the school at the beginning of the day. ] At dismissal, adults designated to pick up students will wait outside on the playground. Please be prepared for rainy, windy, or chilly weather.

We do not have protection from inclement weather on our playground. ] All doors are locked. Visitors will be admitted only at the main door near Forest Home Ave. Please buzz to be let in using the button at that entrance. ] All visitors must sign in at the Forest Home Avenue office and receive a visitor’s pass before proceeding into the school building. ] We must be informed in writing of any changes to your child’s pick-up routine. For your child’s safety, we cannot follow a child’s instructions for changes.

3

Student Illness If Your Child Is Sick ] Children should be kept at home if they have a fever, diarrhea, or vomiting. ] Other symptoms may require your child to stay home from school. These include upset stomach, runny nose, coughing, or sore throat. ] Contact your doctor for diagnosis, treatment, and an approved day to return to school. ] Call the school office to report your child’s absence at (414) 902-8600.

If Your Child Becomes Sick at School We will contact you if your child becomes sick or receives an injury that requires treatment so you may make arrangements to take your child home.

Help Your Child Succeed in School Family support helps children to learn and maintain a positive attitude about school. These tips can help.

Reinforce Self-esteem Build your child’s self-confidence by listening to him/ her carefully, praising success, and encouraging good behavior. Help your child see him/herself as capable.

Develop Work Habits Good family work habits can influence school performance. Children should learn that setting goals and following a plan can be satisfying and lead to success.

Tips ] Set time aside for children to study and/or read. ] Children should learn to be on time. ] Turn off the television. ] Work first, play later.

4

Family Support for Academics By showing an interest in your child’s homework, you demonstrate that his/her education is important to you.

Your enthusiasm toward school will make your child excited about learning.

Family Participation in Stimulating Activities Is Important Only a portion of what your child learns comes from time in the classroom.

Home and community activities help children grow, and they reinforce concepts children learn in school.

Family Emphasis on Language Development Is Vital Education depends on the ability to read, to listen well, and to express ideas clearly in speaking and writing. Parents can help children develop a rich vocabulary and good reading skills. Talk with your child often, even if it is to explain the grocery list! Read signs and labels and point out interesting words.

Family Academic Expectations You want your child to do his or her best in school. Help your child understand the expectations by talking to him or her calmly and clearly.

Explain why learning is a priority and why it is important for everyone to do their best work. Don’t expect perfection and offer lots of support.

5

Keeping Parents Informed Parents/guardians will receive regular communications to help stay informed. ] Newsletters from teachers and the school office ] Notes explaining our academic curriculum ] Written progress reports ] Parent/teacher conferences/meetings ] Weekly Monday/Thursday envelope containing all messages to be aware of news and help you track how your child is doing at school If you have any questions or concerns or if you want to discuss something in detail, feel free to call the school or arrange a personal meeting.

School Contact Information We welcome you to contact the school office or your child’s teacher when you have questions about school procedures or your child’s progress. For questions or to report an absence, call the school office at (414) 902-8600.

6

v

Help your children succeed!

Make sure they are in school all day, every day!

Imagine watching a movie and the screen goes dark every few minutes. This is what learning is like for children who miss even a few hours of school.

Children who have excellent attendance perform better and are more confident. Help your students do their very best and graduate on time. Make sure they are in school all day, every day!

7

Get real-time updates and alerts right on your phone! Sign up for the Parent Portal!

Keeping our families informed is a high priority at Milwaukee Public Schools. Receive real-time updates and alerts from the district and your child’s school through the Infinite Campus Parent Portal.

You can access the Infinite Campus Parent Portal online at mpsmke.com/parentportal or through an Infinite Campus mobile application.

The district and schools can send important messages to parents or guardians very quickly to home phones and mobile devices through text messages, voice messages, and e-mails.

The Infinite Campus Parent Portal allows 24-hour access to enroll your child or view your child’s:

] Schedule ] Assignments ] District messages

] Attendance ] Grades ] Updates and alerts

] Transportation information ] Immunizations

Immunizations The law requires that students receive a minimum number of immunizations prior to entering school. The law is meant to prevent illnesses such as mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), and other vaccine-preventable diseases from spreading and harming our children. To obtain proper immunizations, call your doctor, health center, or the Milwaukee Health Department at (414) 286-3521. When your child is immunized, provide the records to your child’s school.

8

Sign up for Text Messages MPS uses SchoolMessenger to send text messages to families with the latest updates, safety alerts, and much more.

Families should send a text message to 67587 to be added to this system. In the message, send Y or YES to receive important texts from your school and the district.

Kindergarten Teachers

Ms. Chartier K3 Early Childhood Special Education, Room 120 (414) 902-8670 chartija@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Mrs. Wormsbacher 4, Room 119 K (414) 902-8669 bourasdj@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Ms. Wescott K4 and K5 Special Education Resource Teacher, Room 121 (414) 902-8671 konekma@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Mrs. Foeckler K5, Room 122 (414) 902-8672 foecklsa@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

Mrs. Luna Early Childhood Comprehensive Unit, Room 123A (414) 902-8637 poulosam@milwaukee.k12.wi.us

C

MANITOBA SCHOOL 4040 W. Forest Home Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53215 (414) 902-8600 • 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. • mpsmke. /manitoba D