Wanting Comments on Kindergarten Experiences

I am having similar feelings (as my 5 yr old will be starting school in Aug) about all this.. I was reassured by the school that the teachers are VERY patient and know how to deal with the situations. A very good DVD to buy is called "Stranger Danger" you can get this at Wal-Mart (I believe) the only thing I want to say about it is....Don't be in the same room while she is watching it....It is a REALLY ANNOYING DVD! LOL....but it is very helpful and teaches a child how to interact with strangers.
I hope this helps.
~AJ

Become room mom. I found that being room mom has given me the chance to be very involved with my kids. You get to know the teacher, and see how your daughter interacts with other kids. I am not the type of room mom that hangs out all of the time, but just the little bit of help I do offer gives me a chance to feel more involved with the teacher and my kids. She will express to you if your daughter is having problems along the way. My 5 year old starts kindergarden in the fall too at Sundance Elementary. Good luck.......bring kleenex the first day......FOR YOU!

Alot of it depends on what school you are at.
It's pretty easy to get involved. It Copper Creek (where my kids go) 2 days before school starts there is an open house type of thing for the kinder classes to meet the teacher. Also they don't release a kinder child unless it's to a parent. I was homeroom mom for my sons kindergarten class, and am this year for my third grader. The key is getting to know your kids teacher. Knowing that you can always contact the teacher if you have questions. Just don't go overboard, calling everyday etc. Have faith. If you were at copper creek I would recomend Mrs Hoelzen, she's amazing. the kind of person who was born to be a kindergarten teacher. She has numerous teaching awards, and gets so emotionally involved with the kids each year. At the end of the year she was crying so much, because she loves each and every one of the kids.

At the beginning of the year, you will also be sent home with TONS of things you can volunteer for. Most teachers ask for parent volunteers, especially in the younger grades. So it's pretty available to get involved.

My son in kindergarten was diagnosed with a learning disability and add. The teachers are VERY competent, and can handle any child.

Hi Z.,
I was also very nervous about sending my daughter to school. She is a late(nov) birthday but we put her in school early. She was very ready. She is also a very active and talkative girl. She adapted very well, her teacher was very involved with helping her progress as well. My suggestion is make sure that the school that your daughter is going to has all the safety measures in place such as not releasing your child to just anyone and making sure that they are being watched. Also being involved even if you can't be there talking with her teacher and going to PTO meetings. It can be a really scary thing for us parents with our first going to Kindergarten. Good Luck i am sure that she will do great. But as stated before bring a tissue. I cried all the way home the first day. :)

Call the school that she will be attending and ask them what paper work you will need to bring with you to get her enrolled into school. Don't worry to much about how she will act with the teacher and the other kids she will be just fine. My daughter is also very hyper and I worried about the same things with her. She adapted very well. At my daughters school the teacher would look for the childs parents before releasing them out of the classroom. Most schools now have security measures that they follow. Ask the school what they are. They do learn about talking to strangers as well. As for being involved with her school keep in close contact with her teacher as well as volenteer work. Most of the schools love to have volenteers in the classroom or other things on the school grounds. Also you may want to consider joining your schools PTA/PTSA. This is another great way to stay involved with the school. I know and understand that it is hard when they start school because they are growing up so quick. My daughter is finsihing up with kindergarten in 2 weeks. Then she will be in 1st grade.

Good Luck,
H.

PS Don't forget to take 2 boxes of kleenex with you the first day. One for the classroom and one for you. You will needed! I needed it every morning for the 1st week.

Hi Z., well first of all Happy Mothers Day. Well the first thing you can do is look on the internet to see where the schools rank to pick a good school for your daughter. That's if you don't want to inroll her in your district. About being more involved in her school once it starts, usually there is a sheet where it asks if you could volenteer and let them know you have time. Also talk to her teacher about it. Since there are so many parents that work and can help around school.Those who can are always helpful. You also need to know that any time you want to just walk in to your childs class you can. You are always welcomed in the classrooms. It is also very important to go to the parent meetings, because everything that goes on at your childs school depends on all the parents. It is very important to advocate for our kids.
Well I hope this really helps. Don't be nervus about her going to school she is really going to love it. About her talking to strangers just keep talking to her about it being wrong to talk to them. But also let her know that it is good to make friends with kids her age. Just so she won't grow up to be a loner. Good Luck!!!!!

Hi Z.,
Usually, all you need to do is let her teacher know that you want to be involved, whether you want to volunteer or just be kept very up to date, and her teacher will probably be greatful! Also, a good teacher work with kids to develop life skills, as well as academics. So...she should be teaching the kids not to talk to strangers and so on. My advice would be to be very open with her teacher. Tell her your concerns and ask her to help you. That is what she is there for.

As far as talking to strangers, there is a great program for kids called radKids which teaches awareness and protection. Here in Tucson, there is a great instructor, Al Ortiz
www.defensiveinstincts.com or you can do a radKids search online in your area.

Hi,

I have a six year old who is completing kindergarten this year. It is going to be such a change for you and your family! I cried almost a week after my son started school. But now, the end of the year, it is all second nature.

First of all, you will need to contact the district office to find out which school your daughter will go to due to boundary lines. They just changed them this year. The district will direct you to which school your daughter will attend for the year.

You can visit the school and request an application for enrolment. You will need to provide a birth certificate, and know whether you will drop off and pick up, (they also bus to daycares in Casa Grande)as well as all medical information. They will need shot records, or a wish to decline shots. Once they receive this info, a letter will be sent home to you for enrollment, and you will b registered for the year. The letter will also explain which teacher your daughter will have, room numbers, etc.

Orientation for the casa grande school district is August 3, but times will vary based on which school you enroll in.

I hope this helps you, and good luck to you

E.