Welcome to Pre-K

Welcome to Pre-K

Jefferson Elementary

SchoolPreschool321 West

Broadway Blvd.Jefferson City,

TN 37760

You are your child’s first teacher!• You are vitally important

to your child and you will be with him/her throughout his school years, and beyond

• I want to work with you to make this a successful experience for you and your child

What you can do to ensure your child will be successful

in Pre K?• Make sure your child gets

plenty of rest each night– Preschoolers sleep

about 10 to 12 hours during each 24-hour period.

• Establish a bedtime routine, so that your child knows what to expect– This is an excellent

time to read together.

The Most Important Indicator for Reading Success throughout school…language.

• READ, SING, and TALK with your

child EVERY SINGLE DAY!

Pre-K Hours and Transportation

• Transportation is not provided for Pre K students

• All Pre K students must be signed in and out by an adult each day.

• Program hours are (8:30-2:00pm) – Excessive Tardies (arriving late)

are discouraged.– Be mindful of our pick up time.

Late pick-ups can cause undue worry and stress for your child.

• (If an emergency arises, and you are delayed, please call the school so that we may reassure your child)

Remember: All children under the age of 9 years old,

must be in a car seat.

Pre-K Weather and Closing Information

• Pre K follows the Jefferson County school calendar (a copy has been provided)

• If Jefferson County Schools are closed, Pre K is also closed

• If Jefferson County Schools are dismissed early, Pre K students should be picked up 1 hour prior to the dismissal time.

BREAKFAST WILL NOT BE SERVED if school is on a delayed schedule

• If Jefferson County Schools are delayed due to weather, Pre K will also be delayed

- 1 hour delay = Pre K begins at 9:30.

- 2 hour delay = Pre K begins at 10:30.

Pre K Dress Code• Wear comfortable clothing that

he/she can manage by him/herself

• NO FLIP FLOPS PLEASE• Wear tennis shoes or sports

sandals• Girls should wear shorts under

dresses or skirts• A change of clothes will be

kept in the classroom in case of accidents.

Remember….• Label all coats,

jackets, and lunch boxes with your child’s name

• Also label any extra clothing you may send.

Remember…..• Do NOT allow your child

to bring toys from home– These could become

lost, stolen, or broken• No backpacks

needed.• We will make a tote

bag in the fall for the students.

Attendance PolicyTN Volunteer Pre K is a voluntary program and attendance is not mandatory, but…if you choose to enroll, attendance is expected. If your child has• 5 unexcused absences -You will receive a letter from the county.• 7 unexcused absences-You will be contacted by the Family Resource Center

•10 unexcused absences –Possible Dismissal from Pre K Program

Attendance Policy• Excused Absences include:– Doctor Visits– Dentist Visits– WIC appointments– Funerals– Court Appearances

• Please provide a written excuse from these appointments so that the absences can be excused by the school office.

Morning Drop-Off• Please do not enter the school parking lot before 8:15a.m.

– At 8:30 a.m. drive into the back traffic circle– Stay in your car until I open the door at 8:30 a.m.– Students will enter the building at the back door, and this is

where you will be signing in for daily attendance.

• This is also where you will pick up in the afternoon.

How Families can be involved in Pre K

• Parent Meetings (Monthly)• Classroom Volunteers• Field Trips

Examples of Parent Meetings

PTO Open HouseFamily Readers Night2 Parent/Teacher Conferences5 Parenting workshopsEnd of Year CelebrationThanksgiving LuncheonChristmas Get TogetherRegistration Breakfast

Daily Pre K Schedule8:30 GATHER STUDENTS AT THE BACK DOOR AND TAKE A BATHROOM BREAK8:50 GET OUR BREAKFAST9:20 MORNING GROUP AND CALENDAR TIME9:50 SMALL GROUP TIME: EACH TEACHER LEADS AN ACTIVITY WITH 6-7 KIDS10:30 CLEAN-UP AND BATHROOM BREAK10:45 RECESS11:15 2ND GROUP AND MUSIC TIME11:45 LUNCH TIME12:15 CLEAN-UP AND QUIET TIME12:30 FREE CHOICE LESSONS1:30 SNACK AND GET READY TO GO HOME1:50 MEET PARENTS AT THE BACK DOOR

What happens at Pre K…It’s MORE than just play!

• Creative Curriculum– Developmentally Appropriate Practice for 4 year old children– Pre K classrooms are set up with Learning Centers where your

child will have opportunities to:

• Work with letters, numbers, and writing• Complete science experiments and explore nature• Use the computer• Work with math concepts, such as measurement, patterns,

shapes, and sorting• Work on fine motor skills by using scissors, painting, &

writing• Listen to books or music• Develop interpersonal skills• Develop conflict resolution and problem solving skills

• We also follow a list of goals called the TN-ELDS. These can be found on the following website: http://www.tennessee.gov/education/ci/earlychildhood/index.shtml

What happens at Pre K…It’s MORE than just play!

• Story Time allows children to:– Develop receptive language skills (listening)– Develop expressive language skills (expressing

thoughts or ideas about the story)– Develop critical thinking skills as they learn to

relate the story to their own life or to another story

What happens at Pre K…It’s MORE than just play!

• Small Group time allows children to– Receive instruction in literacy, math, science

and social studies, as well as art, music, and drama

– Instruction is delivered to a small group of children so that children can be better focused and the teacher can become more aware of where each child is in his/her learning

What happens at Pre K…It’s MORE than just play!

• Outdoor Play– Allows children to develop gross motor

skills like:• Hopping• Galloping• Skipping• Jumping• Climbing• Running

– Helps develop healthy habits (exercise)

What happens at Pre K…It’s MORE than just play!

• Large Group Time allows children to– Develop receptive (listening) language and expressive

language skills– Discuss theme topics– Discuss what is happening in their world• Such as weather, upcoming events or holidays• Learn to have empathy for others through class

meetings– Learn through music and movement– Learn to wait for their turn

MUST HAVE before August 5, 2014

Immunization and Physical Examination– This is REQUIRED. State law

does not permit children to attend school without this form.

• Birth Certificate

• Custody Documents (if this pertains to your child)

• Proof of residency- (ex: electric, water, home phone bill)

Fall Registration Day• August 5, 2014– Free/Reduced Meals

• If you receive a letter during the summer, please bring it to Fall Registration

• Complete the Free/Reduced Meal form on August 5, 2014– If you have a SNAP or EBT case number, please bring it

on August 5, 2014

– Verify all Phone Numbers, including emergency contact information and work phone numbers

– All phone numbers must be working numbers– Verify current address

During the Summer…• You will receive a letter explaining:– Home Visits– Staggered Enrollment