Big Hollow Primary School 2021-2022 Kindergarten Q & A

● Do you live in the Big Hollow School District? ● Do you have a child that will be turning 5 on or before September 1st, 2021?

If you answered yes to both questions above,

SAVE the DATE for our Virtual Kindergarten Q & A

DATE: Tuesday, March 30 Time: 6-7 pm Enter your email address in this form and the zoom link will be sent to you.

· We will answer any questions you have about the 2021-2022 Kindergarten Program

· You will have an opportunity to sign up to be notified of Kindergarten Screening

· Please help spread the word by letting other families know to visit the website for information! Big Hollow Primary School

KINDERGARTEN Parent Information Night 2021-22

Lenayn Janusz, Principal Big Hollow Primary School Meet the Principal- Mrs. Janusz Big Hollow School District #38

Our Vision: “Big Hollow School District #38 will be a model of student achievement for elementary school districts in the State of Illinois.”

Our Mission: “Inspiring a diverse school community to be passionate and empathetic learners.” At Big Hollow Primary School we believe . .

- Parents/Guardians are their child’s first teacher. - All children can succeed. - Students learn by doing and thinking. - Young children deserve a multisensory and differentiated program within a joyful, caring community of learners. - Children should be provided with an environment where they feel safe to explore and initiate learning. - Success is a great motivator. Kindergarten Admission Requirements

❏ Age: To be eligible for admission, a child must be 5 years old on or before September 1 of that school term. September 1, 2021 ❏ A certified copy of the student’s birth certificate must be on file. (county issued - not the hospital issued record with footprints) ❏ Proof of residency, as required by Board Policy 7:60, Residence. ❏ Proof of disease immunization or detection and the required physical examination, as required by State law and Board policy 7:100, Health, Eye, and Dental Examinations: Immunizations; and Exclusion of Students. Full Day/Half Day Kindergarten

Full Day - ● 8:45 am to 3:30 pm ● Includes lunch and recess ● Includes bus transportation to and from school/home

Half Day- ● 8:45 am to 11:15 am (2 1/2 hours) ● Does not include lunch or recess ● Includes bus transportation to school; parent must provide mid-day transportation at 11:15 am ● Does not provide same level of academic time as full day program ● We can slowly add time to the day so that by the end of the year the student is a full day student! On-line learning: Curriculum & Instruction New Illinois Learning Standards Imagine Learning Lexia Resources: DreamBox ★ Reading - SchoolWide RazKids ★ Phonics - Open Court ★ Handwriting - Handwriting Without Tears ★ Math - Eureka ★ Science - Mystery Science ★ Socials Studies - Scholastic ★ Social/Emotional Learning - Second Step, Calm Classroom Daily Schedule ● Each class follows a daily and weekly schedule.

● Teachers provide families the schedule at curriculum night.

● Specific times may vary between classes

● Breakfast is offered daily at arrival - 8:30 - 8:45 am

● Lunch periods are 20 minutes daily & Recess periods are 20 minutes daily Weekly Specials Physical Education - 5 days a week - 25 minutes a day

Art - 1 day a week - 30 minutes

Music - 1 day a week - 30 minutes

Library - 1 day a week - 30 minutes ● ½ day students Technology/STEM - 2 days a week - 30 will not receive minutes all specials. Behavior PBIS - Positive Behavior Interventions & Supports ● We are a PBIS school district ● Students are taught Academic expected STAR Kindergarten students behaviors of participate in benchmark Safety assessments 3 times per school Take Responsibility year - fall, winter, and spring. AND ● NWEA Map for Primary Respect Grades ● DESSA ● KIDS ● NWEA Map Reading If a student needs support, teachers and support staff begin working with Fluency the student to meet their specific

needs. Morning Arrival Procedures

- All students will wear a color coded Big Hollow Lanyard/name tag - Only Big Hollow School buses will use the drop-off/fire lane in the front (west side) of the school. - Parents/Guardians must use the drop off lane in the back (east side) of the school. Children must exit curb side and parents must not exit the vehicle. Parents should pull forward as soon as it is safe to do so. Please do not wait for your child to enter the building. - Staff is posted inside and outside the front (east) and back (west) of the school. - Parents who have business to attend to in the office should drop students off in back and then drive around to the front of the building, park, and enter the school after 8:50 am Click Here for more info about Breakfast Breakfast at School

❖ Menus are available on the Big Hollow website each month ❖ Parents can add money to student lunch accounts online ❖ School breakfast cost currently $1.55 ❖ Served daily from 8:30-8:45 am ❖ Students will eat breakfast in the cafeteria. Click Here for more info about Lunch Lunch ❖ Menus are available on the Big Hollow website each month ❖ Parents can add money to student lunch accounts online ❖ Lunch cost currently $3.05 ❖ Milk cost currently $0.50 ❖ Students may also bring a lunch from home ❖ Peanut/tree nut and allergy safe tables are available for students in need (please contact the primary health aide) Afternoon Dismissal Procedures - If you are picking your child up from school at dismissal (3:30 pm), you must notify the school office by 2:15 pm. You can call earlier in the day or even days ahead of time. It is also helpful to notify your child’s teacher. - If you have an emergency situation occur after 2:15 pm, please notify the office and a one time exception will be made - If your child will be picked up daily, you may indicate that on the transportation form during registration. - Pick Up begins at 3:15 pm. Parents/Guardians must enter the lot from the Fish Lake Rd entrance near the bus lot. Family number placard must be hanging from rearview mirror. - Proceed to back of school and follow directional arrows for pick up at elementary and/or primary schools. - Drive SLOWLY! School Bus

★ Be consistent - start on the first day ★ Every student is given a color coded bus tag for their backpack ★ Staff meet students outside at arrival ★ Staff greet students daily ★ Staff walk students to bus at dismissal each day ★ ADULT must be present at bus stop after school everyday! This adult must be listed as an emergency contact in your Skyward account. Attendance Procedures, Early Pick Up, Late Arrival Please email [email protected] and [email protected] if your child will be absent from school. Please include if the absence is due to illness or a symptom of COVID-19. You may also call the attendance line at 847-740-5320 and leave a message. The attendance line is available 24/7. If no one answers, please leave a message. We will call you back. If you must pick your child up early, please notify the office. Please call at least one hour before the pick up time so that your child can be ready when Late arrivals - If your child arrives late to school, you arrive. If your child always rides the bus and you will need to park in the parking lot in front you would like to pick them up, you must notify the (west) of Big Hollow Primary and walk your child to office at least one hour in advance or your child the front door. Staff will check your child’s will be sent on the bus. temperature before admission into the building. Both you and your child must be wearing a mask. EL & BiLingual Programming Home Language Survey

Big Hollow has an excellent English language and Spanish bilingual program. Please be sure to read and respond when completing the Home Language Survey. Please call or email with any questions. On-line registration will be open soon! Be sure you register for the 2021-22 school year.

Visit www.bighollow.us

-Parents tab -Registration for 2021-22 Let’s get ready for kindergarten! Independence

❖ Be sure your child can use the bathroom and wash hands independently. This includes being able to button and unbutton clothing, snaps, zippers, and belts. ❖ FYI - we have automatic flushing toilets which can frighten some children - if your child is unfamiliar, please introduce them to this type of toilet at a local store. ❖ Be sure your child knows how to take responsibility for themselves by raising their hand and asking for help. Please role play and practice this skill with your child. Some great board games to play with young children! Why should you play board games with your child(ren)

1. Brings people closer and strengthens relationships 2. Increases brain function 3. Teaches how to set goals and be patient 4. Creates happiness and laughter 5. Enhances creativity and self-confidence 6. Teaches how to take turns and follow rules 7. Helps teach children how to win and lose with grace! Kindergarten Screening

Who? - a kindergarten teacher When? - this spring, will meet with your child one on dates TBD one

What? - they will Why? - It’s a great ask your child some opportunity for your getting to know you child to visit the questions and some school. It helps us to basic skills questions plan balanced classes.

Where? - at Big Hollow Primary School

Help children create routine charts to encourage independence and self-discipline. 1. Create routine charts with your child 2. Brainstorm tasks that need to be done (morning routine, bedtime routine) 3. Take pictures of child doing each task 4. Let the routine chart be the boss. “What is next on your routine chart?” 5. Praise your child, but do not take away from feelings of capability by adding rewards.

Sample Bedtime Routine 1. Pick up toys 2. Brush Teeth 3. Bedtime Story 4. Go to Bed Social Emotional Skills One of the most important things you can do for your child to prepare them for kindergarten is to equip them with the coping skills and strategies to problem solve social and emotional situations. You can help your child with this ❏ Manage Feelings list! You lead by example. The ❏ Follow limits and expectations adults in a child’s life must ❏ Balance needs of self & model expectations they have others for their children. Reflect on ❏ Form relationships how you problem solve. Share ❏ Respond to emotional cues out loud with your child the steps you take when solving a ❏ Take care of own needs problem. appropriately ❏ Solve social problems Physical Skills/Expectations

When entering kindergarten children should be able to do the following physical activities:

Hold a pencil, crayon, and marker with a three point grasp. Use scissors Pinch objects with two fingers (such as beads, tissue paper, or play dough) Walk in a line with a group Utilize small manipulatives (such as dice, dominoes, legos) Participate in physical education activities Literacy Skills

To help prepare your child for kindergarten, you can help them to . . . ❏ Rhyme ❏ Identify uppercase and lowercase letters ❏ Identify the sound a letter makes ❏ Use and appreciate books - both fiction and nonfiction ❏ Retell stories ❏ Use clues in pictures to tell a story ❏ Write first name - First letter capitalized and all others lowercase ❏ Write to convey ideas - use invented spelling - use pictures Math skills

To help prepare your child for kindergarten, you can help them to . . .

❏ Count to 20 ❏ Connect numbers with quantities ❏ Identify shapes ❏ Identify patterns ❏ Extend patterns ❏ Create patterns ❏ Measure objects Ready for Kindergarten - Top 10 tips for parents

1. Read together every night. Choose simple books so your child can follow along. Point to words as you read aloud. 2. Help your child know how to share with others and take turns. 3. Practice identifying shapes and colors in real life. 4. Encourage your child to advocate for themselves and to speak clearly in full sentences. 5. Practice fine motor skills by encouraging your child to color, use scissors, and play with play doh. 6. Take a simple word and together come up with words that rhyme. (Ex. bat - cat, hat, sat) 7. Find letters in the real world and talk about the sounds they make. 8. Find everyday opportunities to count out loud, and encourage your child to count with you. 9. Give your child two- or three-step directions to follow, and ask him/her to repeat them. 10. Get your child used to putting on his/her own jacket and shoes. Help your child know how to clean up after him/herself. Help your child learn to tie their shoes. DATE to be ANNOUNCED - CAMP KINDERGARTEN!

Camp Kindergarten -DATE - TBD - 12:30 to 2:00 pm - attend school with your child - meet your teacher If we are unable to hold - experience a “mini day of this event, an alternate school” with your child! event to introduce kindergarten students to their teacher will be planned! Frequently Asked Questions

➔ When will I learn who my ➔ What school ➔ Will we have an child’s teacher will be? supplies will my opportunity to ◆ Teacher information and bus child need? meet the teacher information is provided in ◆ Every grade before school August following general level school starts? registration. Parents who supply list will ◆ Yes, Meet and have completed the be posted on the Greet is a great registration process will Big Hollow opportunity for have access to that website. PTO parents and information in Skyward. offers a link to students to This will occur before Camp purchase supply meet the Kindergarten. kits for each teacher before grade level. school begins! Kindergarten FAQ’s continued ➔ How secure is the building? ◆ All exterior doors are locked during the school day. ALL visitors must be buzzed through two sets of doors. All visitors ➔ What if my child has special are required to check in at the medical concerns or allergies? main office and provide state ◆ Please contact the school nurse issued identification to receive a aide, Mrs. Melissa Strand visitor’s pass and enter the building. ➔ ◆ Big Hollow Schools utilize video Is there before and after school care surveillance equipment. available? ◆ Students, staff, and visitors will There are a variety of options be recorded both inside and available. Many local providers bus outside of the facilities. to and from Big Hollow. Contacts

Lenayn Janusz, Principal [email protected]

Lisa Muns, Secretary [email protected]

Christy Niernberg, Secretary [email protected]

Melissa Strand, Nurse Aide [email protected] Stay Informed - Follow Us!

➢ Big Hollow Website - www.bighollow.us

➢ Twitter - @BigHollowPri

➢ Instagram- @BigHollowPri Welcome to ➢ the Big Facebook - @BigHollowPri Hollow Family! Questions? Do you still have questions? Please use this link to submit your questions. Questions?

Your question will get answered and may be added to the slide show to benefit all families of Big Hollow Primary School!

Click here to Register Now!