Daily attendance is very important to helping your child retain their learning.  If your child must be absent, please let his or her teacher know and remember to send a note regarding why your child was absent when he or she returns to school.  School starts promptly at 7:50. Please have your child here in the cafeteria at that time.  If your child will be eating breakfast please allow enough time for that.

B-Birthdays 

We welcome celebrations in our classroom!  Birthdays are a special time for your child.  FMNV rules do not apply to birthday celebrations.  If you like, you may send a special treat to school with your child or bring it later in the day.  Please do not send noisemakers, balloons, etc. as these are distractions to the other students.  Students who ride the bus are not allowed to carry balloons home on the bus.

C-Cooking 

We will have cooking experiences that go along with our letter of the week or our unit theme.  You will be asked to donate items for one cooking experience.  If you are unable to donate at that time, please let your child’s teacher know and you can be rescheduled to another time. The children love it when we cook and they learn many science and math skills while having fun!

D-Discipline 

Each classroom has a colored chart with each child’s name.  If a rule infraction occurs, the student will be given a verbal warning.  If disruptions continue, the child will be asked to move his or her name from green (excellent-keep going!) to yellow (slow down and think!) to red (stop!).  Severe or continued disruptions will result in a trip to the principal’s office.  Your child’s daily conduct will be recorded on his or her homework calendar.  Consequences can include loss of recess privileges, loss of center privileges, classroom time out, time out in another classroom, or loss of special activities.

E-Excellence 

We expect the best from our Kindergarten kids!  Your child will be expected to work to their full potential each day.

F-Fun Field Trips 

Hopefully we will be able to take some trips this year.  If you are interested in going on a field trip with us or volunteering at school you will need to fill out a background check form and return it to the office.  Siblings are not allowed to attend kindergarten field trips and parents will be responsible for their own transportation.

G-Grades 

Your child will receive letter grades on their report card in kindergarten.  E (excellent) is mastery of 90-100% of skills.  S (satisfactory) is mastery of 80-90% of skills.  N (needs improvement) is mastery of 70-79% of skills.  U (unsatisfactory) is mastery of less than 70% of skills and constitutes a failing grade.  Skills that are not mastered will be highlighted on the report card.

H-Home Folder 

Your child’s folder will be sent home each night.  It needs to be returned to school each day.  In the folder will be important classroom and school notes as well as a daily conduct chart.  Please check and empty the folder each night and return to school the following day.

I-Internet 

Bluebonnet Elementary is on the web!  Please check our website for information about our school.  Your child will have the opportunity to work on the computer both in the computer lab (30 min weekly) and in the classroom (center time and stations).  The games on the computer reinforce our language and math skills.

J-Jackets 

Remember your child will need a jacket when cooler weather comes.  Please label ALL outer garments with your child’s first and last name.  This includes jackets, sweaters, coats, hats, gloves/mittens, lunchbox, etc.  We have a lost and found at school if your child should lose his or her jacket or other items.

K-Kids 

Kindergarten is all about the KIDS!!  We have a lot of fun in a learner-centered environment.  Your child is encouraged to learn through centers, socialization, language and math time, lab experience, and lots more.  All learning is linked to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Kindergarten and is exciting and fun!

L-Library 

Your child will have the opportunity to check out a library book once a week.  Your child must be responsible for the care and return of the book.  We recommend your child keep his or her book in the backpack so it will get returned on time!  If the book is damaged or lost the fine must be paid before your child can check out any more books.

M-Meetings 

If you need to meet with your child’s teacher the best time is 9:00-9:45, our conference time.  Meetings can be arranged before and after school as necessary.  Please schedule meetings ahead of time; many times we are not available on a “drop-in” basis due to campus meetings and material preparation.

N-Nap 

All kindergarteners will have a daily rest or nap time.  Please send a large bath towel with your child each Monday.  Towels will be sent home on Fridays for washing.  Stuffed animals are not permitted.  Children do not have to sleep but they do have to rest quietly to allow their brains and bodies to grow.

O-Orders

Each teacher will send home book orders periodically through the year.  This is a great way to buy cheap books!  Also, each dollar earns bonus points for our classroom to buy books.  Watch for book orders in your child’s folder.

P-Parties 

We will have 2 class holiday parties this year:  Valentine’s Day and Easter.  FMNV rules do not apply on these days.  Parent volunteers will be needed on these days.

Q-Questions 

If you have questions please email your child’s teacher.  We check our email several times daily and can respond quickly.  Please only call us in emergencies or at our conference time 9:00-9:45.  At other times we are teaching and may not be able to answer the phone.

R-Recess 

We will have a daily 30 minute recess.  Weather permitting we will be outside.  Please dress your child according to the weather.  Children need to wear tennis shoes to school for safety and comfort.  Please no flip-flops or high heeled shoes.

S-Snacks 

We will have a class snack daily.  Each child will be asked to bring a large box of snack, enough to feed 22 children, several times this year.  FMNV guidelines must be followed.  Some good snacks are a large box of cereal, a large box of Goldfish crackers, cheese sandwich crackers, fruit snacks, popcorn, etc.  Also throughout the year we will need bathroom size paper cups to put the snacks in. 

T-Tracking progress 

Progress reports will be sent home during each 9 week grading period.  The copies of the progress reports are yours to keep.  Report cards will be sent home at the end of each 9 week grading period.  Report card envelopes need to be signed and returned to school.  Progress in between those times will be monitored through your child’s daily activities and homework.

U-Updating information 

Should you have a change in vital information (phone numbers or address) please let your child’s teacher know as well as the main office.  We must have a working phone number to reach an adult in case of emergency.  Also, if your child plans to go home in a different way than normal we must have a note or phone call.  IF THERE IS NO NOTE OR CALL THE CHILD WILL BE SENT HOME IN THE NORMAL WAY.

V-Volunteering 

There will be several times this year that we will need parent volunteers.  These include material preparation for the classroom, parties, field trips, special class projects, and special school events.  Let your child’s teacher know if you are willing to volunteer.

W-Wish list 

Each teacher has a wish list of items that are needed this school year.  Check with your child’s teacher to see what items are needed and when to send them to school.

X-Xtra items 

Periodically you will be asked to send extra items to school.  This includes snack, cooking items, materials for a special project, etc.

Y-YOU! 

Parents are a vital part of a child’s education.  We encourage you to take an active role in your child’s learning by volunteering, reading to/with your child, helping with work at home, eating lunch with your child, or simply asking them specific questions about his or her day.

Z-Zero the Hero 

We count each day we are in Kindergarten.  On days that end in zero (10, 20, etc. all the way to 100) we have a special visitor-Zero the Hero!  He helps us learn more about this important number.  Zero comes for the last time on the 100^th day of school—a big celebration day for his favorite number!