Kindergarten

Roundup | Screening | What class? | Orientation | Classes | Program| Curriculum |Supply List and Book Fees

Kindergarten is an exciting time for us here at John H. Castle Elementary School. Here is some important information to know.

Kindergarten Roundup

Kindergarten Roundup is held in April for children enrolling in Kindergarten for the following year. It is held at the school, usually in the front hallway by the office. This is the time you sign your child up for Kindergarten and provide some information about your child. You will be asked to bring a certified copy of your child's birth certificate and required to complete a Data Sheet. Information for your child's permanent record card comes from this sheet, so it is imperative that it be filled out carefully and completely. You will also set up a time for Developmental Screening which is held in May.

Kindergarten Roundup is a good time to remember to call to make an appointment for your child's physical, if not already done so. Every child needs to have a completed physical form prior to the start of school.

* Kindergarten Roundup will take place on April 1, 2010

Developmental Screening

The Warrick County School Corporation conducts developmental screening tests for all students entering Kindergarten. Parents select a time for their children to be screened on the schedule at Kindergarten Roundup. The screenings take place in May. The Kindergarten teachers conduct the screening battery that takes from 10 to 15 minutes. Based on the results of the screening tests, some students may be referred to Dr. Larry Eno, Early Childhood Specialist, for additional evaluations over the summer.

Upon entering Kindergarten, it is a great advantage for a child to be developmentally ready to meet all the demands of school life: intellectual, physical, social, and emotional. The importance of a successful first year of school cannot be emphasized enough. Each child has his or her own individual timetable for growth and development. The screening tests are designed to help us understand at what point each child is at the present time and to help the teacher make recommendations and decisions that will help each child succeed in school.

What class is my child going to be in?

Room assignments are mailed home approximately two weeks prior to the start of school.

Kindergarten - Parent Orientation

Kindergarten Orientation is held in August, when school starts. The Orientation Program is geared for the parents. The sessions begin promptly at 9:00am for the morning class and 1:00pm for the afternoon group. Book Rental fees and any remaining papers are due at this time, along with your child's pencil box and eraser. At this meeting, you will also need to give your child's teacher the information as to how your child will arrive at school and how they will go home (bus numbers, carpools, etc.)

Classes

JHC has three AM Kindergarten classes and three PM Kindergarten classes. Each class holds approximately 20 students.

The hours are:
AM Kindergarten	8:20 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
PM Kindergarten	12:30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Morning students should ride the bus to school if possible, but if you bring them, they should be dropped off at the back door no earlier than 7:50. They do not come to the rooms until 8:05 a.m. They should be picked up by parents or those responsible at the Kindergarten door on the circle drive at 11:00 a.m. We like to load about six cars at a time, but can only do so if drivers stay in the cars and the first car pulls all the way up to the designated spot. In case of rain, we dismiss from under the canopy at the front of the building.

Doors will open for the afternoon class at 12:15 p.m. Please do not let your child out of the car until the "Come In" sign has been placed on the door. Children should ride the bus home if at all possible. They will be taken to their respective buses each day by the teacher. If you find it necessary to pick your child up instead, they will be walked to the back door at 3:05 p.m. Please send a note if your child is to be picked up by someone other than the person we have listed. Also, send a note if your child is to ride a different bus home. We cannot and will not let the child go home a different way unless we have permission from the parent.

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Kindergarten Program

The Kindergarten Program scheduled will be announced at a later date. Mothers are asked to help dress children for the program. More information on this will be sent home.

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Book Rental and Art Fees

2009-2010 School Year
Book Rental	Art Fee	Agenda Book Fee	Total Due
$ 43.00	$ 4.00	$ 5.00	$ 52.00

Book Rental and Art Fees includes: Readiness Books (Reading and Math), Writing Paper, Art Paper, Pencils, Crayons, Glue, and Scissors.

*Your child's teacher may request additional supplies.

Curriculum

S.P.A.R.K. (Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids) Program

The Physical Education Program adopted by Warrick County

In 2000, Warrick County School Corporation adopted a Physical Education program called S.P.A.R.K. This program is designed to teach social skills and enhance kills without reducing activity time. The activities do not stress winning or losing but improving your strength and activity level.

The SPARK program addresses the important public health problem by focusing on increasing physical activity during class in ways that are creative and fun for both student and teacher.

K-2 starts off their unit by learning very important class management techniques and mastering the eight loco motor skills used in most activities. The unit is called Perceptual Power. The children learn creative ways to team up and learn about pace and general space during playtime. After leaning techniques in Perceptual Power that are used throughout the rest of the units, children jump in to GREAT GAMES! Each PE session begins with a SPARK STARTER or RHYTHMIC STARTER before engaging the lesson for the PE session. The units in SPARK are as follows: Perceptual Power, Great Games, Bean Bag Boogie, Parachute Parade, Happy Hoops, Jumping for Joy, Having a Ball, Let's Hit It, Dance With Me, and Superkid Stunts. Each year, the students develop their skills a little further with each unit!

Warrick County does not have Physical Education teachers in the elementary schools at this time. However, Warrick County sent several teachers to training to help implement this program. A coordinator from SPARK came from California to give hands-on training! Money was spent to buy equipment needed to use with each unit. The K-2 levels and the 4-6 levels work together to coordinate use of the equipment. The students and teachers are enjoying the movement and activities of the SPARK P.E. program!

Additional Information
Check out the Indiana Department of Education's website for Kindergarten Curriculum.