Welcome to Kindergarten!
Kindergarten Meet and Greet
Come to Elk Creek on Monday, August 15th to meet your child's kindergarten teacher!!
- Meet and Greet your child's teacher!
- Bring those school supplies to help with classroom preparations
- Go on a Scavenger Hunt with your child to familiarize them with the classroom and school
Times are assigned to help with crowds during your kindergarten visit! Please refer to your teacher's welcome letter to determine which window of time you should visit.
*Please be advised that we do have very small parts throughout our classrooms that could pose a choking hazard for very young children! Please keep a watchful eye on younger siblings during your visit!
Red Carpet Ceremony
We will begin gathering kindergarten students at 8:50 in the school's gym just to the right of the carpool lane on the east side of the school. Please check in with your child's teacher so that attendance can be taken. Adults can then proceed to the front of the school with cameras ready! Students will stay with their teacher in the gym and wait for our turn on the carpet!
The teachers will be walking with their students down the sidewalk and onto the red carpet where they will enter the school as the school bell rings. SMILE and rest assured that we will have an exciting first day of school with your child!
**It will be helpful to park on the soccer field and use the steps that lead you to the sidewalk. Proceed to the outside doors of the school's gym. We will meet you and your child there.
**If this event is unusually stressful for your child. We ask that you stay with your child and watch the "Red Carpet" together. Following the ceremony you can meet our assistants on the preschool playground and we will invite your child into the classroom at the conclusion of the ceremony so that they can begin their day with us. Please keep reading for hints about departures:)
First Day of School
The first official day of school for all kindergarten students is August 16th!
First departures can be tearful and chances are that it will be harder for the parent than the child. This should not be seen as a major concern and it's quite normal for some children. Separation from a parent is a developmental milestone. The more emotionally mature the child, the easier it seems for the separation.
Kindergarten teachers and their support staff are trained to help children adjust to their first few days of school. We suggest a brief but very loving goodbye. Then, please depart immediately. Uncertainty and constant returns by parents for more hugs and kisses only prolong the child's anxiety (and yours).
Remember that quick departures from the very beginning will make this transition easier on your child.
Should we find that the departure was unusually stressful for your child and your child is having difficulty adjusting to school we would be glad to notify you.
Future Goodbyes...on your child's next return to Elk Creek, the kindergarten students will arrive and find school staff members holding sunflowers (Kindergarten Hint Slide Show). These trusted adults will direct the students into the building where they will be greeted by their kindergarten teachers at the classroom doors and welcomed into the classroom. The children will be encouraged to independently enter the classroom and take care of their own belongings. We will show the children where all their items belong and will begin our morning routines. This is just the beginning of their independence and they will be proud to know they can do it themselves:)
Modified Contact Days
Please watch for a SignUp Genius link that will be sent to your email account giving you the opportunity to choose the date and time of your child's Modified Contact Day. Your child will only attend ONE half day session on ONE of these dates in August.
Morning Arrival Procedures
- Follow the line of cars
- For everyone's safety...please no cell phone use during drop off and pick up
- Pull forward as directed by staff
- Student unloads on curb side and will be directed by staff
- Kinder-Students gather by staff holding sunflowers
- Staff will help Kindergarten students navigate to their classroom
Bus Students:
- Students will arrive to the front of the building
- Students unload the bus
- Kinder-Students gather by staff holding sunflowers
- Staff will help Kindergarten students navigate to their classrooms
Departure and Pick Up Procedures
- Students are taken to the music room to prepare for car loading and departure
- Student names are called as you enter the carpool lane
- For everyone's safety...please no cell phone use during pick up
- Please continue to pull forward until you are curbside by staff loading students
- Staff will open the car door curbside for loading. Do not exit your car.
- If you need additional time for buckling into car seats, please pull forward to a parking spot to secure your child into their car seat. This keeps the line moving!
Bus Students:
- Students are taken to the cafeteria to prepare for bus boarding and departure
- Make sure your child knows their afternoon bus number!
- Staff escorts students to bus
- If the bus is running late, a Messenger will be sent to your email
If there is a change to your child's afternoon transportation schedule, please call the front office! Do not rely on your child to relay this information to their teacher!!
