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Papillion-La Vista School District Kindergarten Handbook 2010

Table of Contents

Introduction
Enrolling in Kindergarten
Registration
Notes to Remember
Physical Examinations
Immunization Requirements
What will my child learn to do?
Open House/Safe Walk
Self-help Skills
Preparations at Home
Parent Assistance
School Lunch
Important Dos and Don'ts for beginning school
Child Find Notice/Notice of Nondiscrimination

Introduction
In the Papillion-La Vista School District, we provide a full day kindergarten program.

The full-day program:

Allows time to explore topics in-depth.
Reduces the ratio of transition time to class time.
Provides for greater continuity of day-to-day activities.
Provides an environment that favors a child-centered, developmentally appropriate approach.
Integrates new learning with past experiences through project work.
Uses mixed-ability and mixed-age grouping in an unhurried setting.
Involves children in firsthand experience and informal interaction with objects, other children, and adults.
Gives the students many opportunities to explore and practice.
Works with parents to share information about their children.
Sets the stage for parent-teacher partnerships.
Offers a balance of small group, large group, and individual activities.

We look forward to continue offering to our kindergarteners a program with a strong emphasis in all social and academic areas.

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Enrolling in Kindergarten
All children must be five years of age on or before October 15 of the current year to enter kindergarten. There are no entry tests or skills required. We encourage all 5-year olds to attend school. Any child who reaches the age of 6 years old prior to January 1 of the current school year must enroll in school.

Registration
Kindergarten registration for students residing within the district boundaries is held each spring in conjunction with Kindergarten Roundup. This provides the students with the opportunity to visit the building. At this time, the school nurse should be made aware of any special medical or physical considerations (such as tubes in the ears or medications).

State law requires that parents enrolling a student for the first time must provide:

A. A certified copy of the student’s birth certificate or other reliable proof of the student’s identity and age accompanied by an affidavit explaining the inability to produce a copy of the birth certificate

And

B. The student’s immunization record which verifies compliance with the immunization requirements or a signed waiver (see immunization requirements).

In addition, all families entering the District for the first time must provide proof of residency (address).

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Notes to Remember

If your child must bring money to school, please put it in an envelope. Write on the envelope your child's name and the purpose for which the money was sent.
If your child will be absent or tardy, a parent/guardian must notify the school before 8:15 a.m. If this is not done, the school will contact the parent/guardian to determine the reason for the absence.
If your child should become ill while at school, teachers will send the student to the nurse or health assistant. First aid may be given, and you will be contacted.
If your child needs medication at school, please send a permission slip that includes a parent’s signature. This permission slip may be obtained from the nurse’s office. In addition, a doctor’s statement must accompany any prescription medication.

Physical Examinations
Students must receive a physical examination, including a vision exam no more than six months before entering kindergarten. State Law requires a printed or typewritten form, signed by a licensed physician, physician’s assistant, or nurse practitioner stating that a physical and visual examination was given. The form must also specifically name the person who received the exams and the date when the exams were given. By law, parents have the option to sign a waiver to refuse a physical examination and/or vision exam for their child. Waiver forms are available from the school nurse.

Physical Examination Form
Physical and Vision Waiver Form

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Immunization Requirements
All students are required to present their immunization record before beginning the enrollment process.

The minimum immunization requirements must include the day, month and year of administration for:

3 doses of DtaP, DPT, DT or Td vaccine with at least one dose given on or after the 4th birthday
3 doses of oral or injectable Polio vaccine
2 doses of MMR vaccine given no earlier than 4 days before the 1st birthday and separated by at least one month
3 doses of Hepatitis B vaccine
1 dose of Varicella (chicken pox) vaccine or written documentation (including year) of varicella disease from the parent, guardian or doctor

A waiver option is the only alternative for enrolling students who do not meet the immunization requirements.

The waiver is limited to one of the following:

1. A statement signed by the physician stating that the immunizations required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student,

Or

2. A notarized document signed by the parent/legal guardian stating the immunization conflicts with the practice of a recognized religious denomination to which the student belongs.

What Will My Child Learn To Do?
As a part of kindergarten, your child will:

Retell and comprehend stories.
Use own experiences to tell and write about themselves.
Read books using pictures and words.
Understand alphabetical principle.
Spell words using known sounds.
Express ideas through writing.
Choose reading and writing activities for enjoyment.
Develop mathematical concepts and number sense.
Learn science and social studies through hands-on opportunities.
And lots, lots, more!

Open House/Safe Walk
The week before school starts, you and your child are encouraged to attend each school’s Open House/Safe Walk activity specifically designed to provide the opportunity to acquaint families with the school and the safest walking route to school. This is another opportunity for you to become acquainted with the kindergarten teachers and principal.

Other goals of the Open House/Safe Walk activity:

To respect traffic lights, police officers, adult crossing guards and school safety patrols.
To walk (not run) across the street - particularly when it is slick.
To cross streets only between the white crosswalk lines.
To use the route the parents want them to take to and from school.

Self-help Skills
Self-help skills make the day go more smoothly and add confidence in the student’s daily routine. Your kindergartener should be capable of dressing and using the bathroom alone. Please practice zipping, snapping, buttoning and tying. All of these accomplishments help decrease frustration and make students proud of themselves.

Students’ clothing should be suitable for the weather. Boots, hat, and gloves or mittens are essential during the winter months. Please make sure the boots fit properly (over shoes if necessary). Every clothing item should be marked with your child's name or initials in case something should get lost. Also, clothing should be easy to manage with closures that are simple for young children to handle.

Other good habits the child should bring the first day (and every day) includes: getting enough rest, eating a well balanced breakfast, arriving on time each day and displaying good manners.

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Preparations at Home
Memory capacity varies with each child. However, if the child is able, please encourage memorization of certain facts such as the student’s full name and address, important telephone numbers, and parents’ full names. Babysitter or nursery school information and how the child is transported are also important items.

Parent Assistance
As a parent, you are a vital contributor to our educational system. A parent's interest and enthusiasm helps generate success during the first and following years. Every school offers an active parent/teacher group with exciting events planned annually for the students and community to enjoy. This volunteer program has added valuable hours and many great benefits to the learning process. We encourage your participation.

Open communication between the parents and teacher is critical to the success of each student. We encourage you to provide the school and your child’s teacher with your email and contact information. Help start the year off right by sharing with your child’s teacher information about your child and the best way to communicate with you. Teachers throughout the Papillion-La Vista School District are encouraged to communicate with parents via email, telephone, newsletters, web pages and most importantly face to face meetings. Periodic reports will be shared with you to help you monitor academic progress. Anytime you have a question or concern about your child’s education, contact your child’s teacher immediately. When school and home partner together, the academic gains for a child are endless.

The best way to learn about your child’s school is to get involved!

School Lunch
Here in the Papillion-La Vista School District, we know students need fuel for learning. That’s why we are committed to offering nutritious meals to students each day. Your child is invited to join us for lunch where we will provide a meal which meets one third of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for key nutrients and includes an entrée, vegetable, fruit, grain and milk. For your convenience, our menus can be viewed on our District Web site.

School Breakfast is available at Carriage Hill, G Stanley Hall, Golden Hills, La Vista West and Parkview Heights Elementary Schools. Breakfast is planned to meet one fourth of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for key nutrients and includes grains, protein, juice and milk. We offer a grab and go breakfast so there is no need to arrive at school early to enjoy breakfast. Breakfast menus are also available on the Web site.

Meal prices are approved by the Board of Education each summer and are posted on the Web site following approval.

Your child will have a meal account with us which they will access with a Personal Identification Number (PIN). Our staff will assist them in entering and memorizing their number as they go through the lunch line.

We offer a convenient online deposit system to parents and students, eliminating the worry of sending money to school for lunch. Instead, you can make all deposits online using a debit or credit card. This service is available to parents at no cost. For detailed instructions on enrolling in the online system, visit our Web site in the Online Lunch Accounts section. Cash or checks can also be sent to school.

Students may qualify for free or reduced price meals if they meet federal guidelines. Free/Reduced Price Meal Applications are available on the District Web site and will be sent home the first day of school. Applications can be submitted starting in July for each school year.

We welcome your feedback. If you have any questions about our programs, please feel free to contact the Food Service Office at 537-6250.

In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TTY). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

Important Dos and Don’ts for beginning school:

DO!

Treat going to school like any other daily activity
Answer questions on what children can expect – informed children are confident children
Be honest
Help children meet school responsibilities
Make transportation plans clear
Keep a normal routine at home during the first week of school
Meet your child’s teacher before school starts
Make plans to visit your child’s classroom
Show appreciation toward your child’s efforts
Make separations quick and easy

DON’T!

Talk about school daily during summer
Let older children tease or scare younger children
Give children the idea that there is a choice with school
Try to force enthusiasm
Think children will be the only ones anxious about school
Use threats about school

DO ---
LOOK FORWARD TO SCHOOL!

Child Find Notice
The Papillion-La Vista School District has an ongoing goal of locating and identifying all children, birth through age 21, who have special needs. The district will provide any child or youth who has a disability an appropriate public education at no cost to the parents of the child. Children or youth with disabilities are those who have hearing impairments, vision impairments, behavioral disorders, both deafness and blindness, health impairments, specific learning disabilities, speech and language impairments, physical disabilities, autism or traumatic brain injuries. In addition, children and youth with any disability which substantially limits a major life activity may receive modifications to allow them access to an appropriate education (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, as amended).

The Papillion-La Vista School District requests your help in locating children and youth with disabilities who are eligible to benefit from Special Education. If you know of a child or youth who is a resident of the district who may have a disability and is not receiving needed services, please contact Mr. George Spilker, Director of Special Services, 420 S. Washington Street, Papillion, NE 68046, 537-6221. Also, if you know of someone who may need this notice translated to another language, given orally, or delivered in some other manner, please contact the same person.

Notice of Nondiscrimination
The Papillion-La Vista School District does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, marital status, disability, or age, in admission or access to, or treatment of employment, in its programs and activities. The following persons have been designated to handle inquiries regarding complaints, grievance procedures or the application of the policies of nondiscrimination: Employees: Dr. Renee Jacobson, Assistant Superintendent Human Resources, 420 S. Washington Street, Papillion, NE 68046. Students: Dr. Brad Conner, Director of Student Services, 420 S. Washington Street, Papillion, NE 68046, Phone: (402) 537-6214.

If parents, employees and students do not feel that their complaints regarding Title IX, Title VI, or Section 504 have met with resolution at the local level, they can appeal their grievances to the regional Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.

Office for Civil Rights
8930 Ward Parkway, Suite 2037
Kansas City, MO 64114
816-268-0550
FAX: 816-823-1404; TDD: 800-437-0833