Absences - Excessive absences hinder a child's progress. If your child is going to be absent, you must call the school's attendance line at 562-4709. Please plan family trips during our scheduled breaks. It is hard for your child to make up work missed in kindergarten since most work is hands-on and is done in class.

Allergies - If your child has any allergies, please make sure that we are aware of them. We especially need to know about food allergies and insect bite reactions.

Alphabet Knowledge - We will learn the letters of the alphabet as well as each letter's sound. Students' alphabet knowledge will be assessed regularly.

Arrival - AM KINDERGARTNERS should arrive at school no earlier than 8:05 A.M. They should walk down the sidewalk to the tot-lot (the playground outside the Kindergarten classrooms) where they will be supervised until it is time for school to start.
PM KINDERGARTNERS should arrive at school no earlier than 12:20 PM. They should be dropped off on the east side of the school at the Kindergarten playground. They will be met there by a teacher.

Attendance - A successful school experience is the responsibility of the child, the parents and the school. Your child's progress, both academically and socially, is influenced to a great extent by daily participation. Regular attendance without tardiness is critical.

Backpacks - Backpacks help your child carry folders, notes, projects and books to and from school. Please check your child's backpack DAILY.

Birthdays - Birthdays are very important to children. At West Field each child's birthday will be recognized, but we will not hold parties (cupcakes, party favors, etc.) in the classroom. We will have one, big birthday celebration in the spring to honor all of our birthdays. That day everything we do will be centered around the theme of birthdays. It will be a day of celebration and learning.

Book Baggies - During the first month of school, your child will bring home a "Book Baggie" with a book he/she has read in class. Let your child read this book to you many times and keep the "Book Baggie" in a special place. Throughout the year your child will bring home more books to share with you and to place in the "Book Baggie". Children learn to read by reading...so encourage your child to read his/her "Book Baggie" books every day!

Clothing - Please dress your child in comfortable clothing that is appropriate for Kindergarten. Be sure to be thoughtful about footwear, as we do go out for recess everyday. FLIP-FLOPS MAY NOT BE WORN TO SCHOOL FOR THE SAFETY OF YOUR CHILD ON THE PLAYGROUND.

Curriculum - Kindergarten curriculum centers on Reading and Math and includes Science,Social Studies, Art and Music. We use the Scott Foresman Reading Series. Reading instruction includes Shared Reading, Guided Reading and Independent Reading. Writing goes hand-in-hand with reading. Students are involved in frequent writing opportunities which include shared writing, guided writing, response writing and journal writing. We use the Harcourt Math Series. Math concepts are taught through "hands-on" activities.

Discipline - We expect our students to make good choices, to treat others the way they want to be treated and to do their best. We model attentive listening, mutual respect, no put downs, and showing appreciation. As positive behavior is identified and recognized, students work hard to mirror that same behavior. Should a child make a poor choice, we visit with him privately about his choice, discuss the natural consequence of his choice and help him determine a better plan for the future. Our goal in discipline is not to punish but to help your child develop SELF-discipline. We will contact you if your child frequently has difficulty making good choices. We believe that working as a team (parent, teacher and student) is the best way to help children develop the ability to make good behavior choices.

Dismissal - AM KINDERGARTEN - Dismissal for the AM class is at 11:05 AM. Parents pick up their child in the front loop with their child's name card posted on the front windshield. Teachers will walk each child to his/her car. Students not picked up by 11:15 AM will wait in the office for their parents to pick them up.
PM KINDERGARTEN - Dismissal for the PM class is 3:05 PM. Teachers will walk the students to the back of the school where they will be supervised as they wait for parents to pick them up. If students ride a bus or go to day care they will be supervised  while waiting for their ride.

Email - Mrs. Pybas may be reached by email at Dawnellen.Pybas@edmondschools.net and Mrs. Gregg may be reached at Jennifer.Gregg@edmondschools.net. We check our emails several times throughout the day, so it is really the best way to reach us. If you have to get an important message to your child regarding an after school change in plans, please call the office and they will notify us directly.

Emergency Cards - Your child has an emergency card in his/her backpack with emergency contact information on it. The card should remain in your child's backpack. If any of the emergency contact information changes, please notify us.

Food - It is important that your child eat a good, healthy breakfast or lunch before coming to school. Also, please check the handbook for suggestions on healthy snacks when you provide snacks for the classroom or for classroom parties. Please note we have some children with dairy and peanut allergies.

Great Expectations - West Field teachers follow the tenets of Great Expectations. We set high expectations for students and work to inspire and motivate students to reach upward to attain them. At West Field mistakes are regarded as opportunities to learn, and students' ideas and efforts are valued and appreciated. We believe that all students can learn and understand it is our responsibility to reach every student. Building self-esteem and motivation is the key to helping students believe they are capable of learning. Our students know they have a choice in how they behave and work. The three choices that can make a difference in their day at school AND at home are:

1. choosing to have a happy smile.
2. choosing to use kind words
3. choosing to use their hands to help.

Homework - Kindergarten students will receive weekly homework which will be sent home each Monday in their HOMEWORK FOLDER. All of the homework has a purpose and is related to what we are working on in class. It is simply a quick review of the concepts we are learning. In addition, the Edmond School Board Policy states that each child should spend 20 minutes a day on literacy activities (reading/writing) at home. The HOMEWORK FOLDER will include a monthly "Literacy Log" for you to document the time you and your child spend reading/writing each week. Please help your child complete the homework and literacy activities each week and return the HOMEWORK FOLDER every Friday. We are required to evaluate homework, so again, please don't forget to return the completed homework in the HOMEWORK FOLDER every Friday.

Independence - Independence is our goal for each of our students. You can help your child become independent by helping him learn how to tie his shoes, by helping him learn how to zip and unzip his jacket and by giving him responsibilities at home. Assist your child when he needs help BUT never do for your child what he can do for himself.

Internet Usage - Kindergartners will have many supervised opportunities to use the internet. Please be sure to sign and return the Internet Usage consent form.

Journals - One strategy that will be used to help convey the vital concept that "print conveys meaning" is the frequent use of journal writing. In these journals kindergartners combine their emerging writing skills with their drawing skills. As the children are exposed to a variety of phonics and reading experiences, journal entries will move from drawings and "temporary" spellings towards more conventional writing.

Joyful Learning - Children learn best when they feel loved and are encouraged to try new things. Our classrooms build a feeling of mutual respect, being risk-takers, and supporting each other even when we make mistakes. Happy faces are so important!

Keep Your Child On A Schedule - Kindergartners thrive on routine. A consistent bedtime and consistent opportunities for exercise will aid in your child's physical and cognitive development.

Kindness - Students in our classrooms are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our class, as well as others in society, with kindness and respect. Bothering others, bullying, and interrupting learning will not be permitted.

Learning Centers - During learning centers, children practice reading and writing skills, math, science, social studies and art while the teacher works with individual children or small guided reading groups. The center activities are designed to strengthen independent learning skills while actively engaging the children in meaningful activities.

Library - We have a scheduled library time every week. Kindergarten students will check out books and/or listen to a story. Kindergartners may check out a new book each day their book is returned.

Music and Movement - Kindergartners will sing and move to music in class. They will sing songs with repeated words and melody patterns. Many songs will be connected to the holidays, while others reinforce the skills taught in class, such as songs about counting, colors and the alphabet. Your child will skip, hop, march, clap, and step to the beat and do creative movements to music.

Newsletter - School news and our KINDERGARTEN Newsletter will be sent home in our Thursday Folder. This will keep you informed about what is happening in our class---the skills we are learning, vocabulary words, poems or songs to practice, special activities and upcoming events. We really value your right to keep informed and hope you take advantage of all the opportunities we give you to know what's happening in our classrooms.

Nightly Reading - Nightly reading is essential for future success. All students at West Field are required to read nightly. Your reading aloud to your child is just as important as your child practicing independent reading. The books we send home for their Book Baggies should be practiced over and over. Building fluency is an essential part of successful reading.

Open Communication - We like to keep our lines of communication open for you. Please contact us if you have any questions about your child. We will be happy to schedule an appointment to answer your questions. West Field's phone number is 340-2285 or email Mrs. Gregg or Mrs. Pybas.

Parent Involvement - We love Parent Involvement! Please be involved in your child's Kindergarten year as much as you can. Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school! We are always happy to have your help for special activities in the classroom. We will try to let you know at least one week ahead of time if we need help. Requests for help will be published in the newsletter. We hope that you can come and join in the fun!

Parent/Teacher Conferences - West Field schedules fall parent-teacher conferences. At this conference, we will discuss your child's accomplishments, strengths, and overall progress. If you feel the need to conference at another time, please call the school, send a note, or email us to make an appointment.

Parties - We will have various parties throughout the year. PTA organizes our room moms and volunteers for our three main parties: Winter Party, Friendship Party in February and End of the Year Party. The room parents organize these events and coordinate volunteers and donations.

Pick-up and Drop- off - Please drop-off and pick-up your child on time: A.M. 8:35-11:05 and P.M. 12:35-3:05. When dropping off or picking up, please follow the procedures for the safety of all students. IF YOUR CHILD WILL BE GOING HOME A DIFFERENT WAY THAN WHAT WE HAVE IN OUR FILES, YOU MUST CALL THE SCHOOL OR SEND US A NOTE. We will not let your child go with another adult or a different way unless you have notified us.

PTA (Parent/Teacher Association) - All parents are encouraged to join the school's PTA. It's a great way to meet other Kindergarten parents, and get involved in all the great things they support! Come to meetings and find out more about community outreach, enrichment activities, fundraisers, student achievement support - and of course all the fun social events.

Quick Goodbyes -.... leave dry eyes!

Quotes - Each week we have a Quote of the Week that goes along with our Pillar of Character that we recite in class. These quotes are designed to help our children expand their vocabulary and establish good character traits.

Round-Up - Every Friday morning the school has a Round-Up assembly. This is a celebration assembly where children showing outstanding character are recognized. Each Monday, Pre-K and Kindergarten will meet together in our Pod for our HUDDLE TIME - a time for singing, announcements and recognitions.

Safety - Your child's safety is top priority. We take every precaution when your child is in our care. Please be sure the office always has your updated emergency contact numbers (work, cell, home) and the numbers of your emergency contacts in an event you cannot be reached. PLEASE always check in at the office and get a visitor sticker when visiting the classroom.

Science and Social Studies - The focus of the kindergarten science and social studies curriculum is on developing an awareness of the world in which we live. The activities are integrated into our Reading, Writing and Math curriculum areas. These areas will be explored utilizing a literacy based, hands-on approach. We use Houghton Mifflin Science and Harcourt Social Studies curriculum.

Sight Words - Kindergarten students will have new sight words each week. Please work with your child to learn these words and recognize them in their reading. Keep practicing all the words each week as we build their reading skills.

Tardies - Students late to school (after 8:35 A.M./12:35 P.M.) are considered tardy. The school keeps a record of these tardies and they will be documented on your child's report card. Excessive tardies is disruptive to the class as well as your child's learning. Be sure to walk your child into the office and sign them in if you are late. They will need a Late Pass before coming to the classroom.

Thursday Folders - Every Thursday your child will bring home a West Field Folder. Important correspondences from the office or our class will be in the folder. You may also put any correspondence to us in this folder. Please sign and return the folder the next day, Friday.

Toys - No toys are to be brought to school.

Units and Themes - Thematic units are a fun way to learn about science and social studies. Theme topics are integrated into Reading, Writing, Phonemic Awareness and Math linking all subject areas together. This helps create meaningful learning.

Visitors - West Field has a policy that ALL GUESTS (including familiar faces) are required to check in at the school office. It is important to remember that while this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment.

Volunteers - Volunteering in the classroom is encouraged and welcomed! Some things to help with include; making copies, reading or working with a student, helping with parties and assisting with centers. Help from home is also appreciated and it might include cutting, stapling or putting books together. If you are available, please let us know on the volunteer form. Younger siblings will not be permitted to join you on your volunteer day.

Water Bottles - Your child may bring a bottle of water to school each day. Bottles with "pop-top" lids work best for young children. We want your child to stay hydrated during the day and water bottles are a convenient way to get water quickly. Water bottles will be sent home everyday to be washed. Don't forget to send them back each day. Please label your child's name on the bottle.

Web Site - You can keep current on the classroom happenings in Mrs. Pybas' class at www.MrsPybas.com and in Mrs. Gregg's class at www.edmond.k12.ok.us/WestField. Visit West Field's web site to keep updated on school news and events.

Example - As parents we lead by example. Your positive comments about school help your child feel comfortable and proud to attend school. Let your child see you excited about their progress, milestones and accomplishments!

YOU! - You can help to make your child feel successful this year by doing some of the following: READ Reading to your child is the single most important thing you can do. It encourages him/her to become a good reader. ASK QUESTIONS Discuss your child’s day at school with him/her. Ask your child about centers, reading, or math work. Ask questions like, “What did you learn today?”, “What books did you read?”, or “What was your favorite part of the day and why?”. These questions cause children to reflect on their learning which in turn helps them remember new information. GET INVOLVED Your interest and involvement in your child’s school keeps you “plugged in” to what is happening and says to your child that school is important.

ZZZZZZ! - Please make sure that your child gets plenty of rest. Setting and keeping a bedtime routine is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help him/her to be alert and ready to learn each day! A light healthy breakfast/lunch is also very beneficial to a successful school day!