Kindergarten Connection
September 18, 2020
Welcome to Our School!
From Mrs. Healey
After our second week of school, I'm happy to report that we have settled into a good routine. It's amazing how quickly 5 and 6 year olds catch on to routines and procedures. We've seen students enter the building knowing exactly how to get to their classes and most are insisting on walking by themselves. The classrooms routines are in place. Students can social distance while waiting in the cafeteria line and they know how our cafeteria works (The KA Cafe). I had an opportunity to introduce students to our school theme, "We are a bucket filling school!" during lunch time by reading the story, Fill a Bucket. We learned our "Bucket Fillers Pledge". Our beginning of the year screenings are complete. We are getting to know our students really well and are ready to plan for their academic levels. Much has been accomplished in such a short. time.
What are some helpful hints for using School Dismissal Manager?
Please note, that I left the information about setting up an account through School Dismissal Manager below so those who have not yet set up an account, can still have the information. Below are some tips for using the system.
- Only the app will scan the QR code.
- The QR code will not work until 1:45.
- Make sure when you are scanning the QR code that you are in the "calendar" and not the "event" section of the app.
- If you are do not get the notification that you were successful with checking in, please pull into the parking lot and walk to the door to pick up your child.
- The only time you need to change your child's pick up for the day is if you are doing something different than the default dismissal assigned to your child. This should impact only the bus riders that are going to be car riders for a day. The car riders do not need to do anything on a daily basis.
- If you have any other questions or are having trouble, there are plenty of resources on the SDM website or you can contact the office for help.
What do I need to know about remote attendance and accountability?
Attached is a link for you to view how attendance will be taken during remote learning days. Please take time to read over the document. If you have any questions, please contact your child's teacher.
How is the beginning of the year screening data used to benefit students?
Our school uses a system called Fastbridge to screen students in early literacy concepts. That test looks briefly at phonemic awareness and phonics. We then use an instrument called the Texas Primary Reading Inventory. This assesses the students' knowledge further in phonemic awareness and touches a bit on letter naming and letter/sound relationships. We look at both of these assessments to determine if a student qualifies for an extra reading lesson each day that they are here. If your child qualifies for the extra reading instruction each day, you will receive a letter with more details. We intend for those letters to go out by mid-week. Also, this year, our school will be receiving Title 1 Funds to support reading instruction. Please review the letter in the link below or the attached PDF to learn about your right to request information about the qualifications of the classroom staff working with your child.
What should I know about food service at the Kindergarten Academy?
- All meals which include, breakfast, lunch and take home meals are now free to all students. The USDA is paying for these meals through the end of December. Feel free to take advantage of our meal program.
- The USDA is only covering the cost of full meals. If your child is buying milk only via "ala carte", there will still need to be money in the child's account to purchase it.
- We continue to ask each student if they would like breakfast when they enter the building. The breakfast is in a plastic bag which they take to their classroom to eat.
Mark Your Calendars!
September 21 (Cycle Day 5)
- Group A F2F and Group B Remote
- Fastlane Scanning Begins
September 22 (Cycle Day 5)
- Group B F2F and Group A Remote
- Fastlane Scanning Begins
September 23
- All Students Remote
September 24 (Cycle Day 6)
- Group A F2F and Group B Remote
September 25 (Cycle Day 6)
- Group B F2F and Group A Remote
Contact Us
Email: kaoffice@mbgsd.org
Website: https://kindergartenacademy.mbgsd.org
Location: 600 S. Norway Street
Phone: (717) 506-0852
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kindergarten-Academy-at-MASD-112617443429712/?ref=page_internal