Transcript Hopkinton Public Schools pilots Full Day Kindergarten

Hopkinton Public Schools
Kindergarten Program
2011-2012
KINDERGARTEN PHILOSOPHY
 Kindergarten is a critical year for children, as it represents
the transition from preschool or home to formal schooling.
The kindergarten program in Hopkinton builds upon
children’s natural curiosity and enthusiasm, and it is
designed to meet the varied needs of our students. Our
kindergarten program engages children in multiple areas
of learning, including: academic skill development,
cooperation, sharing, respect for self and others, respect
for property, self-control, a sense of responsibility, and
positive self-image.
KINDERGARTEN CURRICULUM
 The Hopkinton kindergarten curriculum was developed using
the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks and researchbased educational practices. We embrace a hands-on,
integrated approach that encourages children to stretch
themselves and grow cognitively, socially, emotionally, and
physically. We are committed to providing a kindergarten
experience which fosters confidence in our students by
helping them to realize their own capabilities and strengths
as independent learners. The kindergarten year provides
Hopkinton’s students with an enduring foundation for their
future learning experiences.
Sample Schedule for Half-Day Kindergarten (HDK)
8:45-9:15
Morning Routine
arrival, free choice time, journal writing (as year progresses)
9:15-9:45
Circle
calendar, day tally, weather, message, news, poem, agenda, sight word review, Open Circle (1-2
times a week, circle and centers are shortened when we do social skills)
9:45-11:00
Learning Centers (Teacher directed small/whole group instruction and independent learning
activities)
•Core Skills and Activities from Treasures and Everyday Math taught and integrated with science,
social studies, and art
•Extend learning experiences by engaging in activities in the various work centers such as
reading/writing, art, dramatic play, blocks
•Independently practice and generalize skills such as writing, counting, problem solving
•Work one on one with a teacher
•Cooperate with a classmate or work in a small group
•Snack and clean up
11:00-11:25
Thematic Story and Outdoor Time
11:25-11:30
Dismissal
*On days with specials (library,pe,music), whole group/teacher directed instruction is provided.
8:55-9:15
9:15-9:45
Sample Full Day Schedule
(FDK)
Morning Routine - arrival, free choice time, journal writing (as year progresses)
Circle (LA and math integrated)
calendar, day tally, weather, message, news, poem, agenda, sight word review
9:45-10:45
Learning Centers (Teacher directed small group instruction and independent learning activities)
 Core Skills and Activities from Treasures and Everyday Math taught and integrated with science, social studies, and art
 Extend learning experiences by engaging in activities in the various work centers such as reading/writing, art, dramatic play, blocks
 Independently practice and generalize skills such as writing, counting, problem solving
 Work one on one with a teacher
 Cooperate with a classmate or work in a small group
10:45-11:00
Thematic Whole Group Story and Snack
11:00-11:20
Outdoor Time varies according to classroom schedule (may be before lunch or may be at end of day)
11:20-11:40
Shared Reading or Open Circle
11:40-12:20
Special
Library, Music, PE
12:20-12:50
Lunch/Recess
12:50-1:00
Transition Time
Put away belongings, Bathroom
1:00-1:20
Quiet Time
Music, Relaxation, Books, Teacher Read Aloud
1:20-2:20
Learning Centers (Teacher directed small/whole group instruction and independent learning activities)
 Reinforce math, language arts, science and social studies concepts
 Extend learning experiences by engaging in activities in the various work centers such as reading/writing, art, dramatic play, blocks
 Independently practice and generalize skills such as writing, counting, problem solving
 Work one on one with a teacher
 Cooperate with a classmate or work in a small group
2:20-2:40
Reflection
Verbal sharing of day
Author’s Chair
3:00-3:10
Dismissal
FDK and HDK
We will refer to
Full Day Kindergarten
by using the acronym FDK
and
Half Day Kindergarten
as HDK
KINDERGARTEN HOURS
 HDK hours are:
AM 8:55 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
PM 12:30 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
 FDK will be on the same schedule as
first grade students:
8:55 a.m. – 3:10 p.m.
FDK will be dismissed at 12:55 p.m. on all
early release days.
2011-2012 School Year
 We will be offering 3
sessions of FDK.
 FDK class size will be
@ 20-22 students.
 HDK class size will be
@ 18-21 students.
SPECIALS, LUNCH, AND RECESS
 All kindergarten students will have music,
library and PE each week.
 FDK students will have a 30 minute
lunch/recess period. FDK may have an
additional recess period each day, as
determined by the kindergarten teachers.
 HDK will have a 30 minute lunch/recess
period on six early release days during
the year.
FDK LOTTERY INFORMATION
 Expected class size will be @ 20-22 students per
class.
 Twins/triplets will be entered as one lottery entry
per family. Therefore, the first 63 children whose
numbers are drawn will all have a secure FDK
space provided that the $200 deposit is received
no later than 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 11th, 2011.
 All FDK applications will be assigned a number
before the Feb. 3rd lottery. After 63 children’s
names are confirmed (through the lottery) the
remainder of entrants will comprise our waiting list
(in the order drawn).
Lottery Numbers

All student names for the FDK lottery will be alphabetized and
assigned sequential numbers.
1. Andrews, David
2. Ayers, Thomas
3. Brooks, Susie (twin)
3. Brooks, Sally (twin)

In order to obtain your lottery number, you must email Center
School at [email protected] with FDK Lottery Number
in the subject heading and give us your child’s name.

Lottery results will be posted online by 4:00 p.m. Friday,
February, 4th.

Phone calls will be made to the first 63 families on Friday
advising them of their reserved space and deposit deadline.
TUITION
 At this time, Full Day Kindergarten tuition will be $ 3700.
 If you obtain a FDK slot, in order to secure your space, your 1st
payment (a deposit of $200) is due by 2 p.m. on February 11th.
 If we don’t have your deposit by this time, you will lose your
FDK slot.
 Two additional payments of $350 (1st and last month’s tuition)
will be due, respectively, by April 1st and June 1st, 2011.
 Remainder of payments will be due on the 1st of each month
beginning Sept. 1st. There will be a total of 8 monthly
payments from Sept. 1st , 2011– April 1st, 2012. Each payment
will be for $350.00
ADDITIONAL FEES/INFO
 Late fees will be imposed if payment
is not received by the due date.
 A returned check fee of $25 will be
imposed.
 Additional updates regarding tuition,
fees, etc., will be provided to families
as soon as more information is
available.
HOW CAN YOU PAY?
 The February 11th deposit of $200 will be payable by
check to the Hopkinton Public Schools with a note
indicating FDK in the memo section.
 Deposit checks must come directly to Center School.
 Money should not be sent in with your child.
 All remaining payments will be paid through the
District’s secure online payment service (Unibank). This
can be accessed on the District’s website.
 Questions can be directed to the Center School Office.
 Deposit checks (due Feb. 11th) may be dropped off in
person to the Center School Office between
8 a.m.-2 p.m. or by mail.
REMEMBER:
January 27th
 All completed registration papers must be on
file at the Center School office by in order
to be included in the FDK lottery. This
includes birth certificates,
immunizations/physicals, and any other
outstanding papers, pre-school forms,
emergency contact information, etc.
 To be in the lottery, you must have filled out
the yellow FDK lottery application form.
 If you change your mind and do not want to
be included in the lottery, please notify us.
Parent Questions ?
Contact Information
Center School Office telephone # 508-497-9875
Hopkinton District website:www.hopkinton.k12.ma.us
Center School website:www.hopkinton.k12.ma.us/center
How to get your lottery number:
[email protected] with FDK lottery number
in the subject heading and tell us your child’s name.
Additional questions by email:
[email protected]