Spring Early Learning Newsletter
Vancouver Public Schools April/May 2019
Dear Early Learning Families,
I hope you had a restful and fun spring break! As we roll right into spring, we enter an exciting time – kindergarten registration! For parents and students, this new milestone may be a bit nerve-wracking, but please note teachers & school staff are well prepared to reduce any anxieties and answer any questions you or your child may have. Vancouver Public Schools recognizes the transition into kindergarten is a big step. In order to help ease into this time, there are steps and programs offered to families.
First, office staff at every elementary school are ready with paperwork for you to complete for your student to enter kindergarten. All you need to do is stop by and request a kindergarten registration packet. Second, plan to attend the Kindergarten Visitation day hosted at your neighborhood school (see box below). Incoming students will get to see their school, meet teachers and new friends while parents/guardians attend an information session. Third, plan to attend Jump Start (see box below). Jump Start is a tuition-free summer session designed to help your child transition into kindergarten. It is a wonderful opportunity for your student to experience school before the first official day! Although, teachers would love for students to attend every day, students are not required to do so. Just a few days of attendance can help ease nerves and increase excitement on this new adventure! If you have any questions, as always, do not hesitate to ask.
Enjoy!
Kendra Yamamoto
Early Learning Teacher
Dates to Calendar
April 22nd: forty minute early release
April 29th: forty minute early release
May 6th: forty minute early release
May 13th: forty minute early release
May 20th: forty minute early release
May 27th: Memorial Day - no school
Kindergarten Readiness Skills: Social and Emotional
- My child can follow 2-3 step directions.
- My child can remember and follow routines (for example: eat dinner, take a bath, brush teeth, read a bedtime story and go to bed).
- My child can tell about his/her own feelings (for example: I feel happy, I feel sad, I feel frustrated).
- My child can calm him/herself when frustrated or upset.
- My child can put on his/her own coat.
- My child can independently use the bathroom.
- My child can wash his/her hands.
- My child can put toys away, clean up small spills and pick up after him/herself.
- My child shares, takes turns and helps others.
- My child adjusts to new situations and/or people.
- My child plays cooperatively with others.
- My child can comfort others.
- My child has the opportunity to play with the same friends his/her age.
Your Child's Hearing & Understanding for ages 3-4 years old
- My child can hear me when called from another room.
- My child hears the television and radio at the same volume level as other family members.
- My child understands colors (like point to the green bear).
- My child understands words for some shapes (like circle, square and triangle).
- My child understands words for family members (like brother, sister, grandmother and aunt).
From the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
Literacy Activities for your 3-5 year old
- Expand vocabulary and the length of your child's utterances by reading, singing, rhyming and talking about what you are doing and where you are going.
- Read books and talk about the story line with your child.
- Help your child retell a story or act it out with props or dress-up clothes.
- Look at family pictures and have your child explain who is in each photo as well as what is happening.
- Work on comprehension skills by asking your child questions from the story and then flip it by having him ask YOU questions. You can make this game playful by pretending you have been fooled by some of his really hard questions.
VPS Kindergarten Visitation Schedule
May 21, 2019 @ 4:00-5:00 pm
Chinook
May 31, 2019 @ 9:00- 10:00 am & 1:00-2:00 pm
Eisenhower
May 17, 2019 @ 10:00-11:00 am
Felida
May 23, 2019 @ 9:00 - 10:00 am
Franklin
June 6, 2019 @ 9:00-10:00 am
Fruit Valley
May 9, 2019 @ 9:30-10:30 am
Harney
June 4, 2019 @ 5:00-6:00 pm
Hazel Dell
May 23, 2019 @ 5:00-6:00 pm
Hough
May 23, 2019 @ 9:00-10:00 am
King
June 5, 2019 @ 1:00- 2:00 pm
Lake Shore
May 30, 2019 @ 1:00-2:00 pm
Lincoln
June 6, 2019 @ 5:30-7:00 pm
Marshall
May 20, 2019 @ 5:00-6:00 pm
Minnehaha
May 23, 2019 @ 5:30-6:30 pm
PS Ogden
May 29, 2019 @ 9:00-10:00 am
May 30, 2019 @ 6:00-7:00 pm
Roosevelt
May 30, 2019 @ 5:30-6:00 pm (dinner); 6:00 - 7:00 pm (session)
Sacajawea
June 4, 2019 @ 4:00-5:00 pm
Salmon Creek
May 31, 2019 @ 1:30 - 2:30 pm
Truman
May 30, 2019 @ 4:00-5:00 pm
Walnut Grove
May 16, 2019 @ 4:30-5:30 pm
Washington
May 23, 2019 @ 1:30-2:30 pm
Jump Start Kindergarten
When you register for kindergarten, be sure to register for Jump Start Kindergarten as well. The program is offered at all VPS elementary schools.
Jump Start Kindergarten – 10 Day Program:
Location: Anderson, Fruit Valley, Harney, Hazel Dell, King, Lincoln, Marshall, Minnehaha, Ogden, Roosevelt, Truman, Walnut Grove & Washington
Begins: Monday, August 5th
Ends: Friday, August 16th
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Jump Start Kindergarten – 5 Day Program:
Location: Chinook, Eisenhower, Felida, Franklin, Hough, Lake Shore, Sacajawea & Salmon Creek
Begins: Monday, August 12th
Ends: Friday, August 16th
Time: 9:00am – 11:30am
Transportation is not provided
Social & Emotional Learning
The preschool years are a fundamental time for kids to learn about emotions. It is crucial for kids to learn about their own emotions and also what to do with those big emotions. Start by helping your child identify emotions, such as, "I see you are feeling ______ (fill in the emotion such as sad, upset, frustrated, etc.)" Supporting kids through their emotions is not always easy, but very important.
Some tips and tricks to support your child when he/she is overcome with emotion:
Deep belly breaths
Blow on a pinwheel
Blow bubbles
Pretend fingers are candles and have child "blow out birthday candles"
Hug a stuffed animal
Watch a glitter jar settle
Create a calm down cave with blankets, pillows, etc.
- Kelli Nye, VPS Special Services
And finally...
"The first five years have so much to do with how the next 80 turn out."
- Bill Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation