I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.~Hebrews 13:5
Kindergarten Goals The goal of the kindergarten program is to help nurture children's cognitive, aesthetic, social/emotional, physical and spiritual growth through developmentally appropriate activities within a supportive classroom environment. The goal of the program is to help each child become a lifelong learner by providing a variety of appropriate learning opportunities within the Catholic school community. Learning occurs through direct teacher instruction, child and teacher initiated activities, hands-on activities, individual and group activities, work stations and free choice centers. For example, while studying about weather, the children will use books, poems, songs, writing projects, science experiments, math, social studies and religion to further their understanding of weather. |
 Math Saxon math and Calendar activities are the basis of the math program. The units of study are: - Oral counting
- Number recognition and sequencing
- Identifying ordinal position
- Acting out addition and subtraction stories
- Counting one-to-one correspondence
- Sorting
- Patterning
- Graphing real objects and pictures
- Identifying penny, nickel, dime, quarter, dollar
- Identify one-half
- Identify shapes
- Covering and replicating geometric shapes and designs
- Measuring using nonstandard units of measure
- Telling time to hour and introducing half hour
- Using a calendar
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Social Studies Social Studies themes make up the framework of the kindergarten program. These themes are relevant to the life experience of the young child which in turn makes learning useful and meaningful. These themes are integrated with all other subjects. Possible themes for this year are apples, bears, dinosaurs, seasons, friends, family, food, insects, dental health, creation, Lent, Christmas, Easter and more. |
Religion The children participate in prayer daily during morning assembly attended by all classes as well as daily prayer in the classroom. The children become aware of Jesus' love for us, respect for all people and individual differences, and Christian values. The Christian calendar as well as special church events are celebrated. We use the Blest Are We and Family Life Programs as a basis for our curriculum. We attend all school prayer services. The children attend school masses during the second semester. |
Language Arts Saxon Phonics and whole language activities are the basis of the language arts curriculum. Saxon Phonics is a learning to read and pronounce words by learning the spoken value of letters, letter combinations and syllables. Whole Language activities include listening to stories, creating stories, writing, reading, word study, role playing, daily oral language, buddy reading, journal writing, comprehension activities, and games. Handwriting Without Tears teaches proper letter formation with catchy sayings and songs to help children remember. |
Science and Health The natural world, the environment, plants, animals, weather, and the seasons are some of the themes studied through discovery, observation, experimentation. Health concepts are integrated into the program through daily habits. Body structures and function, personal safety, nutrition, and dental health are topics introduced. |
Homework helps to establish good study habits, concentration and self-discipline. A weekly packet will be sent home on Monday to be completed and returned on Friday. The homework in kindergarten should only require about 10-25 minutes a week and is designed to be done under adult supervision. That way you can see what your child is learning in school and your child can see that his/her learning is important to you. Word bags will be sent home after fall break for daily practice. What can you do to help your child??? READ, READ, and READ some more. Reading to your child is not only enjoyable, but it helps to build a vocabulary and support oral language development. Please read at least one book each day together. |
Daily Schedule
Daily Routine Circle Time (prayer, calendar, weather, songs, etc.) Center or Workshop Time (meet in small groups with teacher) Special Classes Monday: 8:10-8:40 Art; 9:20-9:45 Spanish Tuesday: 12:00-12:25 Computer Thursday: 10:15-10:40 Library; 10:40-11:05 Computer |
Calendar
Hello! I have the BEST job in the world! I absolutely love teaching and am thrilled to be here at St. Joseph! I grew up in Cincinnati, OH then moved to Dayton, OH where I earned my BS in Elementary Education from Wright State University. I have completed my Masters of Education at Western Kentucky University in 2009. I taught second grade, kindergarten and fifth grade in Ohio before I took some time off to be a full-time mother. Then after moving to Bowling Green I was blessed with the opportunity to teach again. This will be my 9th year teaching in Catholic schools. I have been married for 18 years to a wonderful man, Scott, and we have 3 children. Andrew is a fourth grader and Jonathan is a seventh grader at St. Joe. Our oldest son, Ben, is a freshman at Pope John Paul II High School. St. Joseph School is the BEST school! It has been such a blessing for my family and I hope it is for yours as well. I am so excited to be your child's kindergarten teacher! 
About Mrs. Mason My name is Elaine Mason this will be my third year at St. Joseph School working with Mrs. Stringer and I can truly say I love my job! I graduated from WKU with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Child Development. After several years as a stay at home mom, I decided to return to work in the school system. I began working for Bowling Green City Schools as a Title 1 Reading Assistant and the Computer Lab Teacher at T.C. Cherry Elementary. When I was presented with the opportunity to join the St. Joseph Faculty/Staff I gladly accepted. My husband Brent and I have three children, Kate and David that attend St. Joseph School and Andrew who attends BGHS. We have been so pleased with the whole environment of St. Joseph School for our family. I look forward to getting to know you and your children in August.
Classroom Rules Follow directions. Keep hands and feet to self. Be a good listener. What does it mean to listen? We call it the Magic 5 My legs are like a pretzel. My hands are in my lap. My eyes are watching. My ears are listening. My mouth is closed. Rewards Verbal Encouragement/Praise Stickers Positive Certificates & Notes Home Surprises Visit to the Treasure Box Compliment Parties We focus primarily on positive reinforcement and rewards with the students. Consequences (Consequences depend on the situation and individual child.) Reminder of rules Verbal Warning Logical consequence (For example, give back what was taken) Removal from the activity Time in the "thinking spot" Behavior Note home What are Behavior Notes? The student will reflect on their behavior by writing and drawing what happened. Then they will draw what should happen next time a similar situation occurs. The Behavior Note will be sent home to keep parents informed and allow you the opportunity to discuss the behavior with your child. Please keep in mind that students may receive frequent Behavior Notes at the beginning of the school year, but as your child adjusts to to the routine of kindergarten you should see a noticeable decline. |
Kindergarten Language Arts & Math Games Other Links:
Important Details - Label all of your child's belongings including jackets, sweatshirts, hats, etc.
Your child needs to bring their backpack everyday. When sending money to school, please send it in a sealed envelope with your child's name marked on it and the name of the activity. It is important that you look at your child's backpack on a daily basis. Help your child get into the habit of showing you his/her papers when he/she arrives home. Please send in an extra school uniform in a bag with all items labeled. Spills and accidents do happen and we like to be prepared.
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Birthdays Celebrating birthdays at school is great fun! Although parties are not permitted, you can send in a treat for the class with napkins. Please do not send in birthday cakes as this can be messy to serve and clean up. Please do not send birthday invitations to school unless you are inviting the whole class. You are welcome to join your child at school for lunch on their birthday. Students receive an out of uniform pass for the day their birthday is celebrated (see handbook for out of uniform policy.). |
Field Trips We will attend field trips throughout the school year. A Kentucky law requires that all children under 7 years be secured in a car seat or booster. Therefore, booster seats are required at St. Joseph School for all kindergarteners on driving field trips. |
Toys and Sharing Bringing toys from home is not allowed. Toys may become lost or broken and they can cause unnecessary interruptions in our day. Please remind your child to leave their toys at home. Our class will not have the typical "Show & Tell" day, but when we study the letters, they may bring in an item on Fridays that starts with the letter we are studying. |
Attendance For the academic success of your child it is extremely important that he/she is at school each day. Excessive tardies and absences will affect your child's school performance. School starts at 7:50 a.m. Activities are group oriented and involve interaction with classmates. Therefore, it is difficult to make up that work. Written work will be sent home if absent. On the other hand, please keep your child home if he/she has had a fever of vomiting in the last 24 hours. THANK YOU! |
 Volunteers Many times throughout the year I am in need of extra help. If you want to volunteer to work in the classroom, to go on field trips, or be homeroom parents, you must take the Safe Environment training program. Go to http://www.shieldthevulnerable.org to take the online class. Also, if you have a job, talent or hobby that you would like to share with the class, please let me know so we can make arrangements. After fall break we begin inviting parents and grandparents in to read to the class. |
 Rest Time Every afternoon the children will have about 30 minutes of rest time. Some children nap while others use the time to "cool down." Your child will be required to have a rest mat for school. Please put it inside a pillowcase with their name marked on both items. Children may bring in a special item to rest with, for example, a blankie or stuffed toy. If it is distracting, they will have to keep it at home. |
 Star of the Week Every child will have a turn to be recognized as "Star of the Week." They will have an "All About Me" poster to complete at home as a family to share during the week. Students get to do special jobs that week. |
Holidays Room parents help with the celebration of holidays. Parents will be contacted to send in the necessary treats and materials. We will have a Halloween, Thanksgiving Feast, Christmas and Valentine's Party. |
 Progress Reports Progress Reports will be sent home in October at the Parent/Teacher Conferences as well as in February and May. Phonics assessments will be sent home weekly. |
Snack Time We have a morning snack time. A snack calendar goes home monthly. Please send a snack on your designated day. I will send home a "snack sack" as a reminder to you. If you forget, that's O.K. We'll keep some extra snacks on hand and you can make it up another day. Here are some suggestions of possible snacks: fruit, Chex mix, carrot/celery sticks, cheese crackers, goldfish, pretzels, teddy grahams, granola bars, etc. If your child has a special dietary need please let us know. Thanks!!! |
Kindergarten Supply List 2010-112 boxes of crayons 1 bottle of Elmer's Glue 3 glue sticks 1 pkg. #2 pencils 1 box broad-tip markers (washable) 1 box thin-tip markers (washable) 1 wide ruled 3-subject spiral notebook 1 folder (plain with pockets) 1 box watercolors paint 1 box of tissues 1 package playdoh 1 box quart freezer bags 1 roll paper towels Students Last Name ending in A-K bring: hand sanitizer L-Z bring: anti bacterial wipes Everyone bring a Resting Mat (can purchase from office)
(Most Kindergarten supplies are shared with the class. Only label folder, notebook & resting mat. Thanks!)
 The Beginning of the Year The first day of school can be exciting and/or scary for your child. Any emotion your child is feeling is normal. It takes many days for the children to feel comfortable in school. For the first few days of the school year your child may be very tired and even grouchy. This is completely normal. After those first few days, your child will become more and more accustomed to kindergarten. Hang in there! 
Wish List napkins Bob Books-all levels
Class News - Please send in $7 for Beauty and the Beast and $5 for Jackson's Orchard by September 24th.
- Homework packets due every Friday.
- Our Jackson's Orchard field trip is going to be Friday, October 1st. Drivers needed.
- We will go see Beauty and the Beast presented by WKU on Sept. 30th. Drivers needed.
- Grandparent's Day is Friday,Sept. 24th. Grandparents can visit the classroom 12:30-1:30 p.m. Mass starts at 1:30 p.m.
- The Spaghetti Supper is Friday, Sept. 24th. It is fun for the whole family!
- Children are welcome to bring in carrots, spinach or oranges to feed the guinea pigs.
- On Friday, Sept. 24th we will eat lunch at 11:40 a.m. rather than our normal time of 11:10 a.m.
- We are collecting pull tabs from soda cans for the Ronald McDonald House through December.
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