Transitional Kindergarten
WELCOME TO....
Hi TK Parents!
I am excited to meet you and your child on the first day of school - Tuesday, August 20th!
Stacy Dorr, Room 8
Important Dates
Thursday, August 15, 2019
- Your child’s Early Bird/Late Owl placement will be announced through the School Messenger message system between 4:00-6:00pm. This will be an automated message that you will receive from Mrs. Schaefer on the primary phone number that you have provided. All late owl requests were granted this year.
First Week Of School - Helpful Info For Parents
Tues. August 20, 2019 – First Day of School
- TK parents attend school with their child on the first day.
- Early Birds – 8:00 – 9:13
- Late Owls -9:30 – 10:43
- Please meet on the kindergarten playground before coming into class.
- No first day flag salute for students.
Wed. August 21, 2019 - Regular WEDNESDAY Schedule
- All TK students follow the Early Bird schedule on Wednesdays. 8:00 – 11:53am.
- Students meet at the TK/K lines in the back of the school for flag salute.
- Students should wear name tags provided on the first day, bring a snack and return their completed Champion Folder with your signature on the back.
- Plan to say goodbye to your child when you drop them off at the classroom. Keep a cheerful demeanor and let your child know how proud you are of them for going off to class on their own. If your child is having difficulty separating from you, reassure them that you will see them in just a few hours and then do not linger. Generally children will calm down fairly quickly once they know mom or dad has left. I have stuffed animals to hold and lots of hugs for any child needing some extra reassurance after you've left :).
Thurs. August 22, 2019 - Regular Schedule.
- Early Birds 8:00 – 11:53: Drop-off is on the line numbers in the back of school for flag salute. Please plan to walk your child to line. Our class lines up in the line closest to our classroom. Pick-up is at the classroom.
- Late Owls 9:30 – 1:23: Drop-off and pick up is at the classroom.
Fri. August 23, 2019 - Regular Schedule
- First “Spirit Day” (every Friday) – Students are encouraged to wear Chaparral Spirit Wear purchased through the PTA or their favorite sports jersey.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will I be doing with my child on his/her first day of school?
All parents should plan on attending the first day of school with their child on Tuesday, August 21st. Parents will be helping their children get acquainted with their classroom and teacher. On this special day I have activities set up for you do to with your child, give you important information and hand outs, and I will answer any questions you have. Please do not bring younger siblings with you on this day.
How are Early Bird and Late Owl classes determined?
Chaparral tries our very best to accommodate people’s work schedules and older siblings’ school schedule. YMCA hours and the number of students enrolled in their program affects this schedule. For the 2019-20 school year, more people requested the Early Bird schedule than there are spots, so not everyone was able to be accommodated. We work hard to balance classes so that the teacher:student ratio and boy:girl ratio is the same for both groups.
What do we do with school supplies?
School supplies are optional but very much appreciated. If you have school supplies on the first day of school please bring them to the K playground and sort them on the labeled tables. The only item that needs a label is your child's pencil box. If you bring them on a different day, please place them in the hall area outside our classroom. Thank you!
Why not backpacks and lunch boxes?
We don’t use backpacks in TK because it is much easier for a young child to independently use a bag for packing/unpacking. If you wish, you can purchase a Chaparral canvas bag in the office for $10. We have them in a variety of great colors! These bags help staff to identify your child as a TK/K child also. Any other bag that you would like to provide should be large enough to comfortably hold a folder and hang easily on a hook. Students need to bring their snacks in a disposable bag each day to school. All snack bags are disposed of after recess because of ants and birds.
Does my child need to wear his/her name tag back to school?
Yes. On the first day of school all students will receive name tags. Name tags need to be worn everyday for approximately the first two weeks. These name tags help teachers, recess aides, staff, and students learn names and identify Early Birds from Late Owls.
When can we sign up to volunteer in the classroom?
I really appreciate volunteers and can’t wait to have you help us in the classroom! We will have regular sign-ups on Back-to-School-Night in September, but I'd love help before then. Please email me if you are interested in volunteering along with your availability (day/time) and I will contact you to set it up. TK loves and appreciates our volunteers @ Chaparral - you make all the difference in our classroom!!
What are TK Tickets?
When I catch a student being a role model, following the rules, participating, being kind to others, etc. they can receive a TK Ticket. Children will be encouraged to keep them in a safe spot at home because when they receive a total of 20 they can bring them into class to visit the classroom “prize wall.” Yeah!!!!
I look forward to having a great year!
Important Dates to remember 2018-2019
August
20 - 1st day of school for TK students. Parent attends with child. It is a short day.
September
2 - Labor Day - no school
11 - Back to School Night - min. day schedule (all TK students attend 8:00-11:35 am)
12 - Back to School Night Presentation at 5:00 pm
October
28 - Parent Conferences - minimum day (all TK students attend 8:00-11:35 am)
29 - Parent Conferences - minimum day (all TK students attend 8:00-11:35 am)
30 - Parent Conferences - minimum day (all TK students attend 8:00-11:35 am)
31 - Parent Conferences - minimum day (all TK students attend 8:00-11:35 am)
November
1 - Parent Conferences - no school
11 - Veteran's Day - no school
25-29 - Thanksgiving Week Recess - no school
December
20 - No school students (staff development day)
23-31 - Winter Recess
January
1-3 - Winter Recess continues (school resumes January 6th)
20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday - no school
February
14 - Lincoln's Birthday - no school
17 - Washington's Birthday - no school
March
3 - Parent Conferences - minimum day (all TK students attend 8:00-11:35 am)
4 - Parent Conferences - minimum day (all TK students attend 8:00-11:35 am)
5 - Parent Conferences - minimum day (all TK students attend 8:00-11:35 am)
6 - Parent Conferences - minimum day (all TK students attend 8:00-11:35 am)
April
6-10 - Spring Recess - no school
13 - school resumes
May
25 - Memorial Day - no school
June
4 - Last day for students - minimum day (all TK students attend 8:00-11:35 am)
Big day curriculum for TK
August-September
Theme: Ready for School
Social/Emotional Focus: Cooperation
Knowledge Focus: Children learn the expectations, routines, and behaviors of school.
Big Ideas
Week 1: My School - I am getting to know my school.
Week 2: Making Friends - I will make friends at school.
Week 3: Learning Together - I work and play with my friends at school.
Week 4: Getting Along - I know how to share and I care about the feelings of others.
October
Theme: Growing Up Healthy
Social/Emotional Focus: Self-Awareness
Knowledge Focus: Children learn about their bodies and how to take care of themselves.
Big Ideas
Week 1: My Senses - The 5 senses help me explore my world.
Week 2: Take Care of Myself - I know how to be healthy.
Week 3: Eating Well - I eat healthy foods.
Week 4: Staying Safe - I know what to do to be safe.
November- December
Theme: My Family
Social/Emotional Focus: Kindness
Knowledge Focus: Children learn about family members, family roles, and unique qualities of families.
Big Ideas
Week 1: Who's in My Family? - I am an important part of my family.
Week 2: We Take Care of Each Other - I love my family and they love me.
Week 3: Family Fun - I share special times with my family.
Week 4: All Kinds of Families - Every family is unique.
Big Day Themes - Yearly Plan
August-September – Ready for School
October – Growing Up Healthy
November/December – My Family
January – Imagine It, Make It
February – Our Community
March – Awesome Animals
April – Nature All Around Us
May-June – Moving On
Number Poems
We are learning the following poems to help us remember how to form the numbers correctly.
0 - Around and around and around we go – now we have the number zero.
1 - Down the slide it's lots of fun...that's the way you make a one!
2 - A candy cane, a tail for you...that's the way you make a two!
3 - Around a tree... around a tree... that's the way you make a three.
4 - Down...across... (lift pencil up) and down some more, that's the way you make a four.
5 - Down and around, jump up to dive, that's the way you make a five!
6 - Start at the top...mix and mix...that's the way you make a six!
7 - Across the sky and down from heaven...that's the way you make a seven!
8 - Make an S and close the gate...that's the way you make an eight!
9 - Make a loop, dive down the line...that's the way you make a nine!
School Supplies
Listed below are supplies I suggest students bring to class this year to support the delivery of the curriculum. Your purchase of these items is very much appreciated, however is voluntary. This supply list is the same as the Kindergarten supply list (except TK students will NOT need a 3-ring binder).
Canvas Book Bag (Can be purchased in front office for $10 in a variety of colors). No backpacks please. This style of bag helps identify your child as a TK/K student and will be used to carry their snack, homework folder, Champion Folder, and other items to/from school each day. If you buy one at a store, make sure the opening is WIDE enough to easily slide in a folder so that packing and unpacking is easy for your child. Please label your child's bag with their name (feel free to be creative here!) Thank you.
(No Rose Art brand supplies please.)
1 Plastic Pencil Box - 8.5" x 5.75" x 2.5" (label with child's name & teacher INSIDE - I will provide an outside label)
8 boxes 24 count Crayola Crayons (traditional colors)
1 box of 8 count Crayola Classic Thick Markers
1 5" Fiskar Scissors12 small glue sticks - no generic please
12 Large Primary Pencils (Ticonderoga only)
1 8 oz Pump Hand Sanitizer
1 Box Ziplock style bags (any size)
2 boxes Kleenex
2 boxes Kleenex
4 white "Magic Rub" erasers
1 ream white copy paper
1 container Wet Ones Wipes
Thank you!
Daily Early Bird & Late Owl Schedules
Early Birds: 8:00 - 11:53 am
Late Owls: 9:30 - 1:23 pm, except Wednesdays 8:00 - 11:53 am
Snack & Outdoor Recess: 10:20-10:50
NOTE: All TK/K students attend school on Wednesdays 8:00-11:53
Drop Off and Pick Up: M, T, TH, F
Early Birds 8:00-11:53
Drop off is at the line numbers in the back of the school for flag salute. You will learn your child's line number on the first day of school. Pick-up is at the classroom.
Late Owls 9:30-1:23
Drop off is at the classroom. Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before school begins. Pick up is also at the classroom.
Weekly Dates to Remember
EVERY Wednesday - Library (please remember to return your books)
- Recycle Day (bring cans and plastic bottles to morning flag salute)
EVERY Thursday - Champion Folders go home with your child (please sign and return)
EVERY week we will have a music time with Mr. Healy
EVERY Friday - School Spirit Day (wear Chaparral spirit wear or your favorite sports jersey/shirt)
Character Counts
One child will be chosen as Champion of the Month who has demonstrated the character trait for that month. We will let you know ahead of time if your child is chosen so you can attend the morning flag salute when your chi
Years teaching: 4
Grades taught: TK, K
Hometown: Michigan
Raised in: Lake Forest, CA
College: Cal State Fullerton and UCI
Family: Husband (Rodgers IV), Daughter (Rylee 2years) Son (Rodgers V. 5months)
Favorite Baseball Team: Angels
Favorite Football Team: Chargers
Hobbies: Running, Hiking, Yoga, and camping
Favorite food: Turkey Sandwiches with lots of veggies, and Kind bars
- Fifth Grade Home Links
- First Grade Home Links
- Fourth Grade Home Links
- Second Grade Home Links
- Third Grade Home Links
- TK and Kindergarten Home Links
- Coping Skills for Students
- Stress and Anxious Feelings
- Western Youth Services Presentation
- 1st Trimester Goals - Math.doc doc
- 1st Trimester Goals - Reading.doc doc
- By the End of the 2nd Trimester - Language Arts
- By the End of the 2nd Trimester - Math
- CH SC Report 2017-2018
- CH SC Report 2018-2019
- CH SC Report T1 2018-2019
- CH SC Report T2 2018-2019 Update
- CUSD Calendar 2018-19
- CUSD Calendar 2018-19
- Growth Mindset Handout
- Parent Friendly CUSD Calendar
- School Supply List
Please label items
Please remember to label your child's jackets, sweatshirts, tote bag, etc. with their name so they are sure to make it back home.
Name writing
You can support your child this month by helping them practice writing their first name correctly.
What did my child learn today?
It's a good idea to get into the routine of asking your child about their day. If your child isn't sharing about their day, here are some questions you can ask them to help them remember:
What did you play at recess?
Who did you play with?
Did you earn any TK Tickets? How?
What was your favorite thing about school?
What did you do in centers today?
What did you write in your journal?
What math center games did you play today?
What did you count in counting collections?
What songs did you sing in music today?
You'll enjoy hearing about their new experiences and it helps them to feel that school is important to you too.
Homework
Please read to/with your child 15 minutes every day. Tk homework is assigned at the beginning of the month and collected at the end of the month. The homework will be short activities you will complete with your child. The most important part about TK Homework is to keep it FUN for you and your child.
Homework will officially begin after Back-to-School Night.
School Supplies
Listed below are supplies I suggest students bring to class this year to support the delivery of the curriculum. Your purchase of these items is very much appreciated, however is voluntary. This supply list is the same as the Kindergarten supply list (except TK students will NOT need a 3-ring binder).
Canvas Book Bag (Can be purchased in front office for $10 in a variety of colors). No backpacks please. This style of bag helps identify your child as a TK/K student and will be used to carry their snack, homework folder, Champion Folder, and other items to/from school each day. If you buy one at a store, make sure the opening is WIDE enough to easily slide in a folder so that packing and unpacking is easy for your child. Please label your child's bag with their name (feel free to be creative here!) Thank you.
(No Rose Art brand supplies please.)
1 Plastic Pencil Box - 8.5" x 5.75" x 2.5" (label with child's name & teacher INSIDE - I will provide an outside label)
8 boxes 24 count Crayola Crayons (traditional colors)
1 box of 8 count Crayola Classic Thick Markers
1 5" Fiskar Scissors12 small glue sticks - no generic please
12 Large Primary Pencils (Ticonderoga only)
1 8 oz Pump Hand Sanitizer
1 Box Ziplock style bags (any size)
2 boxes Kleenex
2 boxes Kleenex
4 white "Magic Rub" erasers
1 ream white copy paper
1 container Wet Ones Wipes
Thank you!
Daily Early Bird & Late Owl Schedules
Early Birds: 8:00 - 11:53 am
Late Owls: 9:30 - 1:23 pm, except Wednesdays 8:00 - 11:53 am
Snack & Outdoor Recess: 10:20-10:50
NOTE: All TK/K students attend school on Wednesdays 8:00-11:53
Drop Off and Pick Up: M, T, TH, F
Early Birds 8:00-11:53
Drop off is at the line numbers in the back of the school for flag salute. You will learn your child's line number on the first day of school. Pick-up is at the classroom.
Late Owls 9:30-1:23
Drop off is at the classroom. Please arrive no more than 10 minutes before school begins. Pick up is also at the classroom.
Weekly Dates to Remember
EVERY Wednesday - Library (please remember to return your books)
- Recycle Day (bring cans and plastic bottles to morning flag salute)
EVERY Thursday - Champion Folders go home with your child (please sign and return)
EVERY week we will have a music time with Mr. Healy
EVERY Friday - School Spirit Day (wear Chaparral spirit wear or your favorite sports jersey/shirt)
Character Counts
One child will be chosen as Champion of the Month who has demonstrated the character trait for that month. We will let you know ahead of time if your child is chosen so you can attend the morning flag salute when your child is recognized.