The Kindergarten teachers of Chico Unified School District would like to welcome you and your child to school.  We hope that your child is looking forward to the first school experience with a feeling of delight and anticipation.

Our philosophy is to enable your child to have a meaningful school experience in a learning environment that will meet his/her developmental needs, and achieve the best possible education.

There must be communication and understanding between the school and home.  We hope you feel comfortable enough to ask questions and express your pleasures and concerns.  As part of our home/school communication program, we schedule parent conferences during the 1st quarter and as needed to discuss your individual child.  You are a vital part of this network and your active participation is encouraged.

Hopefully, this will answer some of your questions.  It is our attempt to bridge the gap between school and home.  We all want the important kindergarten year to be a happy and satisfying one for you and your child.

Good attendance, and being at school on time, are crucial for a pupil's successful school experience.  The educational foundation starts in kindergarten and is one of the most important years in the child's educational career.  The interruption in learning through excessive absenteeism can hinder a child greatly in the learning of the basic skills.

Secondly, there is another factor to consider.  Kindergarten children are picking up many messages from the adults in their world.  If parents do not think it's important to go to school and be on time, a child may develop a similar attitude.  This type of attitude encourages a lack of responsibility.

We realize that children are highly susceptible to common colds, etc. and we would expect the child to stay home if he/she is sick.  Please help us make your child's first year a healthy happy one.

The CUSD Kindergarten program provides a learning environment and learning experiences designed to take into account the developmental needs of all children.  Growth in auditory, visual motor, and language areas are fostered through active participation in an experience rich curriculum.  A positive self-concept is nurtured by providing opportunities for success at the appropriate developmental levels.  Process and conceptual development are more important than product at this stage.  For example, a developmentally younger child will count concrete objects such as blocks to develop the concept of number.  A developmental five-year-old will count the objects and write the symbol using paper and pencil.

These skills and concepts represent the ideal.  School readiness skills are best taught in small doses, with repetition over months, and without pressuring your child.

Motor Skills -run -build with blocks -walk a straight line -complete simple puzzles -jump -zip clothes -hop -handle scissors -stand on one foot 5-10 seconds -cut simple shapes -throw a ball -button clothes -clap hands -draw and color beyond a simple scribble

Listening and Sequencing -follow simple directions -retell a simple story in sequence -pay attention -repeat a sequence of sounds -recognize common sounds in the environment -repeat a sequence of orally given numbers

Size, Position, and Direction Big and little Hot and cold Long and short Empty and full Up and down More and less In and out Fast and slow Front and back Top and bottom Over and under

Time Understand day and night Know age and birthday COLORS AND SHAPES Recognize primary colors Is aware of triangles, circles, squares, and rectangles SOCIAL-EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT Express self verbally Identify other children by name Can be away from parents for 2 to 3 hours Can take care of toilet needs Care for own belongings Join in family conversations Get along with other children Recognize authority Share with others Meet visitors without shyness Work independently Put away toys Help with family chores Know own first and last name Aware of parent's name Aware of home address and phone number READING READINESS Remember pictures from a printed page Repeat a 6 to 8 word sentence Answer questions about a short story Pretend to read (and has been read to frequently) Identify own first name in writing. Aware of letters of the alphabet Know nursery rhymes Understand meaning of simple words

- Read to your child each day.  Have a regular time set aside in a relaxed atmosphere. Take trips to the library.  You might even subscribe to a children's magazine. - Stay in contact with the teacher.  Whenever possible, participate in the classroom or make a classroom visit. - Talk about schoolwork being brought home.  Ask specific questions; for example, What was your story today? or What song did you learn today?  If you are not specific, you will most likely receive an answer such as Nothing or Played! - Listen to your child patiently and take time to respond. - Talk to your child.  Help your child increase his/her vocabulary.  Speak to your child in complete sentences and encourage him/her to speak the same way. - Give your child responsibilities: follow home rules, pick up belongings, make his/her bed, care for a pet, dress self, etc. - Help your child become an observer.  Detect likenesses and differences in sizes, shapes, colors, textures, and sounds. - Encourage your child to be a collector.  Provide a special place to put collections  - a drawer, bookcase, or even a shoebox would do. - Go on excursions and talk about the places seen. - Keep your child healthy.  Start each day with a nutritious breakfast. - Be sure your child is well rested. - Allow your child to exercise, walk dogs, play in the park, climb, ride bikes, move to music. - Limit the amount of time your child is allowed to watch television.  Discuss programs with your child. - Discuss with your child ways to protect him/her from strangers. Each child has his/her unique rate and pattern of growth.  Praise your child.  Everyone needs praise everyday!