Canyon Vista Elementary School

PRINCIPAL'S MESSAGE August 2007

Dear Canyon Vista School Families:

On behalf of the Canyon Vista Elementary School staff, welcome to the 2007/2008 school year. We are looking forward to another successful year!

School Starting & Dismissal Times/Class Lists
The first day of school is Tuesday, September 4, 2007. K-5 class lists will be posted on Friday, August 31, 2007 at 3:30 PM in the MPR. Monday, September 3rd the office is closed for the Labor Day Holiday. Parents and students in all grades are invited to the "Meet and Greet" on the first day of school from 7:30 AM to 7:45 AM in the classrooms. Parents and students should go directly to their assigned classrooms. Students who are not present on the first day of school may be assigned to a different classroom.

The PTA would like to invite parents to the Meet and Greet at 7:45 AM to enjoy coffee and refreshments on the first day of school as you leave the classrooms.

The School hours are:

Grade Level Hours

Grades 1 through 5: M, T, W, F 7:45 AM to 2:05 PM M, T, W, F

Grades 1 through 5 Thursdays Only 7:45 AM to 12:50 PM Thursdays only

Early Bird Kindergarten M, T, W, F 7:45 AM to 11:45 AM M, T, W, F

Late Bird Kindergarten M, T, W, F 9:30 AM to 1:30 PM M, T, W, F

First Day Kindergarten Schedule: Parent should plan to stay for the entire hour on the first day only. Early Birds 7:45 AM to 8:45 AM
Late Birds 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM

Kindergarten Thursday Schedule: Most Thursdays ex. Parent Conference, Open House & Back To School Night

Kindergarten Thursday Schedule: Most Thursdays ex. Parent Conference, Open House & Back To School Night

Early Bird Kindergarten Thursdays Only 7:45 AM to 11:15 AM Thursdays Only

Late Bird Kindergarten Thursdays Only 9:15 AM to 12:45 AM Thursdays Only

Schedules Detailed schedules will be in the handbook as there are several different daily schedules for this school year.

School Calendar Please refer to (and keep for future reference) the 2007/08 school calendar.

Canyon Vista Parent Information Booklet A Parent Information Booklet highlighting schedules, procedures and services will be sent home with your child on the first day of school. Please take the time to review our school policies.

Enjoy the remaining weeks of summer and we look forward to seeing you on September 4th the first day of school for our "Meet and Greet" at 7:30 AM in the classrooms.

The office is now open daily from 8:00 AM to 12:00, and beginning August 23rd through Sept. 1, 8-12 and 1:00 to 3:30 PM. (closed on Labor Day)

Sincerely,

Principal
pwatkins@capousd.org

Kindergarten Readiness How do you know if your child is ready for kindergarten? Kindergarten readiness is a frequently asked question of the principal. Only you as the parent know the answers to these questions. Below are some items to ponder, keeping in mind that students are in a classroom with 30 other children at times and need to be as self sufficient as possible. Teachers look at readiness in five major categories. Notice that a child's intelligence is not a factor for consideration. The categories are as follows:

Social Skills and Kinesthetic
Does your child...

Share with others willingly?
Play alone without adult assistance?
Cooperate?
Work individually and in small groups?
Ask questions?
Have the confidence to separate from a parent or caregiver and stay with another adult. Is he/she a cling on?
Know how to roll, throw and catch a ball?
Know how to run, hop on one foot, jump, swing and gallop?

Academic Readiness
Does your child...

Show an interest in print and books?
Write his/her name in upper and lower case letters?
Use pencils, crayons, and markers?
Draw and recognize objects?
Count 10 objects and recognize numerals 1-10?
Know shapes and colors?
Recognize the names of upper and lower case letters out of sequence?
Know most letter sounds?
Sit still for 10 to 15 minutes?
Follow simple two-step directions?
Enjoy coloring and drawing?
Recognize his/her own name?

Hygiene Skills
Does your child...

Wash his/her hands?
Use a tissue to wipe nose?
Attend to bathroom needs with total independence?

Verbal Communication
Does your child...

Use the English language to express personal needs?
Express himself to be clearly understood by other adults beyond just family members?
Speak in complete sentences?
Engage other children and adults in conversation?

Personal Autonomy
Does your child...

Dress self?
Feed self?
Tie shoes or close Velcro?
Clean up after self?
Zip, button, snap clothing?

There are definite developmental issues unique to each child that can determine a child's successful transition into kindergarten. It has little to do with a child's intelligence. My gifted child was the least ready to enter kindergarten with a summer birthday. I often think that moms know in their hearts what's best for their child. We need to listen to our heart. The "gift of an extra year" for a young child may be just what is needed to allow time for a little extra maturation. That time should be wisely spent preparing students for the items listed above.