Kindergarten
Katie Pinto
CreekValley Elementary
6401 Gleason Road
Edina, MN55439
952.848.3263
Kindergarten Handbook
Student Backpack and Round Trip Folder
Please make sure that your child comes to school each day with his/her backpack ANDgreen Creek Valley round trip folder. At Creek Valley we strongly believe that students must learn responsibility by managing their personal belongings. We recommend that you and your child review school work and other pieces of communication on a daily basis.
Kindergarten students will receive round trip folders before school starts. These green Creek Valley folders are provided by our school PTA. If your child loses his/her folder during the year, please be sure to purchase a replacement. It is very helpful to have a backpack large enough to easily accommodate papers, books, etc...
Classroom Communication
Classroom calendars will be sent once a month. Classroom communications will be sent regularly by your classroom teacher.These forms of communication will help your family understand what our class is doing in school each week. Classroom communicationand school wide communication will be sent to you through e-mail. Watch for a letter explaining e-mail address directions early in the school year. PAWS FOR NEWS is the K-5 school newsletter that the school office sendsby e-mail to each household.
Transportation Tags
The tags that you received at early open house should be worn to school the first two weeks. Whether your child walks, rides the bus, or goes to Kids Club, he/she should wear this tag to and from school. During class time, we will ask students to keep these in their backpacks, so they will not wear out. These tags really help all school staff as we get to know new students.
Arrival/Departure
Kindergarten class times are 9:15 to 3:50. Students may come into the classroom at 9:05. At 3:50 kindergarten students will be walked out by fifth grade helpers or siblings. Fifth grade bus helpers usually do this through December. Car kids and walkers should have a meeting plan set up with parents. If you bring your child to school after 9:15 or if you pick your child up before 3:50, please make sure to sign in or out with the school office. Please note that school staff can not send your child home with someone else for play dates etc. unless we have written permission from you. It is very important to communicate any changes for your child early, as teachers are not able to easily check e-mail or make phone calls during our busy dismissal time. Thank you in advance for helping your child stays on schedule.
Students Arriving Early
For a variety of reasons, e.g., meetings and conferences and tasks that need to be done to prepare for the teaching day, staff is not available for student supervision prior to 9:05. If you drive your child (ren) to school, please do not drop him/her off prior to 9:05. Thanks for understanding and for allowing staff to do what they need to do to meet the needs of students.
Absences
Any time your child will be absent from school, the absence MUST BE COMMUNICATED. The attendance line number is 952-848-3202. In the case of vacation or another pre-arranged absence, a form must be filled out and signed by the classroom teacher at least 48 hours in advance. Click here to access the pre-arranged absence form.
Kindergarten Homework
In order for your child to receive the greatest benefit from Edina’s reading curriculum, we strongly encourage each family to read with their child a minimum of twenty minutes each day. On a monthly basis, kindergartners will bring home a blue homelink packet for reading and math enrichment. These activities are designed to enhance concepts taught in the classroom as well as develop academic discipline for the years ahead. Please complete a few activities each week and return at the end of the month.
Kindergarten Homework Make-up
Due to the nature of the activities that occur in kindergarten, many can not be replicated outside the classroom setting. Providing homework while a child is on vacation is unfortunately not an option, however, travel journals are available to families that wish for enrichment during travel. We do encourage students to keep journals, read or be read to, and practice mathematical observations, concepts, and skills while on vacation if it is necessary to miss school. When possible, we will send home worksheets or paper activities that a child has missed due to travel or illness.
Snack Policy
In alliance with the district wellness policy, Creek Valley has a healthy snack policy. Kindergarten classes are planning to have a snack break in the afternoon. Please plan to send a snack with your child each day if you would like your child to have a snack at that time. Be sure to discuss this decision with your child ahead of time.
Kids in Our Class
It is our policy to respect the privacy of every child and family in our classroom. As a result, information regarding a particular child may only be shared with his/her parents. At the beginning of the year, parents are sometimes eager to set up play dates or gatherings. Please remember however, that I am not allowed to give out phone numbers, addresses, or e-mail accounts of classmates. Keep an eye out for the student directory that is distributed in the beginning of October. Thanks for your patience!
Birthdays
You are welcome to come in on or near your child’s birthday to read a short story to the class. If your child has a summer birthday, you’re welcome to choose another date during the school year. (In the past, summer birthdays have found half birthdays work well.)Students can go to the media center before the 9:15bell rings in order to be on the morning announcements with our principal and receive a birthday pencil. Your child can choose a book from home and you can read it to the class. The class may have questions or comments for you at the end.
As noted by our principal in the beginning of the year, Creek Valleyhas a no birthday treats policy. Instead, you may wish to consider a book donated to the Creek Valley library in your child’s honor. If you are interested in donating a book, please contact the media center for further details.
In addition, please do not send party invitations to school with your child unless everyone in the class will be invited, as this can result in hurt feelings.
ToysPlease help your child remember that toys are to stay at home. Toys in the classroom tend to be a distraction to learning and can be lost or broken.
Dates Ahead
Room Parties- October, December, and June
Friendship Celebration- February
Field Day- May
Field Trips
September/October – Nature Center
January – Bowling
May/June – Nature Center
Online sign-ups for volunteers will be posted closer to each event.
Conferences
August 29 – early conferences kindergarten only
November - fall conferences
March – spring conferences
Report cards sent home for 1st semester (winter) and 2nd semester (end of year)
Kindergarten Supply List
2 boxes of 24 count Twistable Mini Crayola crayons
1 set of Crayola watercolor washable markers
2 Expo dry erase markers (broad tipped, any color)
1 black Flair pen
6 large glue sticks (.77 oz.)
1 bottle of Elmer’s white glue (4 fl. oz.)
1 doz. # 2 plain yellow Ticonderoga pencils sharpened
Watercolor paints, Prang brand
2 box of facial tissues
3 large containers of Clorox disinfectant wipes (75 ct)
Earphones (please remove from packaging and send to school in a labeled ziplock bag)
1 spiral notebook (8”x 10 ½”)
1 box Ziploc quart size bags (zip or slide).
2 white 3 ring binders- 1” with clear pocket cover
6 clear page protectors
Backpack
Child’s name on notebook, earphones and backpack only. All supplies will be pooled.
Please put your child’s name on notebook and backpack only. All supplies will be pooled.
Website edinaschools.org
Our school website is a great resource for families! Our kindergarten pages include curriculum, schedules and links.
Contact Information
Katie Pinto Phone 952-848-3263