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SCHOOL DISTRICT OF RIB LAKE
4 Year Old Kindergarten Handbook
2014-2015
Rib Lake Elementary School 1236 Kennedy Street
Rib Lake, WI 54470
715.427.5818
www.riblake.k12.wi.us
revised 01.14.2014 nb
Table of Contents
Staff 2
Welcome 1
Mission Statement 3
Orientation 3
Program Philosophy & Goals 3
Registration 3
Absences 4
Attendance 4
Class Schedule 4
Supply List 5
Accident Insurance 5
Arrival/Dismissal 5
Emergency Closing 5
Emergency Forms 6
Health Requirements & Immunizations 6
Early Childhood 6
HeadStart 6
Home-School Communication 6
Library 6
Lost & Found 6
Meals 7
Medication 7
Monthly Calendar/Newsletter 7
Parent/Teacher Involvement 7
School Clothing 7
School Security/Safety 8
Transition to Kindergarten 8
Transportation 8
Early Admission Policy 9
Reports of Student Progress 10
Dear Parents,
Welcome to Rib Lake Elementary School. On behalf of our teachers and staff, I would
like to thank you for choosing to begin your child’s educational experience with us and look
forward to providing your child a nurturing and academically stimulating first year of school.
Our school recognizes the importance of early enrichment opportunities for the youngest
in our communities. Therefore, we seek to develop positive relationships with parents and offer
children and families high quality services through the available programs.
1. Early Childhood Special Education Program is integrated with our
4 year old kindergarten and provides specialized services to 3-5
year olds with disabilities.
2. Rib Lake Elementary School’s 4 year old Kindergarten is available
to all children who are age 4 by September 1st of the school year.
This handbook contains valuable information to help parents and children learn about your
first year with us. If at any time you have questions, please contact me at Rib Lake Elementary
School. In the meantime, I look forward to meeting you and your child at the 4 year old
kindergarten orientation on August 19, 2014.
Sincerely,
Angela Woyak, Elementary Principal
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Staff
Principal/Director of Special Education Angela Woyak
Guidance Counselor Elizabeth Simurdiak
Speech Christina Tingo
School Psychologist Kathleen Alexander
Teachers
(4 year old program) Julie Swan
(Early Childhood program) Chris Pilch
(Art) Sara Robisch
(Music) Katherine Levendusky
(Physical Education) Robert Anderson
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Mission Statement of District The mission of the School District of Rib Lake is to provide the highest possible
education for students in a safe, nurturing environment. This will be accomplished by providing
meaningful opportunities and experiences, with a competent staff, and with quality facilities and
equipment, resulting in responsible contributing citizens.
Orientation Save the Date! August 19, 2014! A parent/student orientation for students enrolled
in the 4 year old kindergarten program will take place prior to the start of the school year.
School personnel will cover topics such as daily schedule, necessary supplies, calendar,
breakfast/lunch program, library books, parents sending notes to school, ways to help at home,
birthdays and a building tour, to name a few. Prior to the date, an invitation to orientation will
be mailed to you giving specific details.
4 Year Old Kindergarten Program Philosophy & Goals The School District of Rib Lake’s 4 Year Old Kindergarten Program provides a safe,
nurturing environment that encourages family involvement and promotes the physical, social,
emotional, and cognitive development of young children. Our mission for 4 Year Old
Kindergarten is to provide developmentally appropriate, hands-on learning experiences to foster
each child’s individual needs in a welcoming, literature rich, and challenging learning environment.
The curriculum contains developmentally appropriate activities for the young child based
on thematic units. The following curricular goals are the emphasis of all activities in 4 Year Old
Kindergarten.
To establish play as the primary vehicle of learning.
To allow for exploration and discovery.
To provide an environment promoting social interaction.
To encourage self help skills.
To enhance communication development.
To further develop the thought process.
To allow for multi-sensory experiences.
To enhance small and large muscle development.
To develop an awareness of music.
To encourage creativity through various mediums.
To introduce early mathematical concepts
(shapes, numbers, sorting, classifying).
To introduce and develop early literacy skills.
Registration All children four years old, on or before September 1st are eligible for 4 Year Old
Kindergarten. If parents feel their five year old is not ready for a full day of
Kindergarten, they may choose to send their child to 4 Year Old Kindergarten.
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Registration will be at the same time as Kindergarten registration. A parent/guardian of
an eligible child will need to fill out the appropriate forms.
Absences Regular school attendance is an important habit to develop, as it is necessary for
academic success and school adjustment. If a child is going to be absent, parents are asked to
notify the teacher by sending a note or calling the school. Parents are also encouraged to get
written physician excuses for medical appointments. Children entering school after 10:00 am
will have a ½ day absence recorded on their behalf. Children leaving school previous to 2:00 pm
will also have ½ day absence recorded on their behalf. Parents who come to pick up their
children before regularly scheduled dismissal times should sign the child out in the office.
Children reporting to school after the 8:20 am bell must be signed in by their parent at the
office upon entering the building.
Attendance Classes meet Monday through Friday, full days. At this time, student enrollment numbers
determine if 2 sections will be offered.
Group A
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, during Semester I
Tuesday & Thursday, during Semester II
Group B
Tuesday & Thursday, during Semester I
Monday, Wednesday & Friday, during Semester II
If enrollment numbers dictate only 1 section, classes will meet Monday, Wednesday and
Friday, full days.
Class Schedule 8:05 - 8:40 a.m. Free Choice and/or Breakfast
8:40 - 9:00 a.m. Circle Time---whole group activity involving a story,
morning skill review, the calendar, songs, weather
and daily news.
9:00 - 9:55 a.m. Unit Work---activities related to our
theme/specials
9:55 -10:15 a.m. Recess
10:15 -10:55 a.m. Small Groups---skill development in small groups
or one-on-one
10:55 -11:00 a.m. Bathroom, wash hands and get ready for lunch.
11:00 -11:40 a.m. Lunch
11:40 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Recess
12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Story and Rest time
1:30 - 2:15 p.m. Unit Work Review/Centers
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2:15 - 2:40 p.m. Snack
2:40 - 3:00 p.m. Recess
3:00 - 3:10 p.m. Dismissal
* 4 year old kindergarten children participate in physical education, art, music
and developmental guidance classes, as scheduled.
Supply List 1 back pack (large enough to hold an 14” x 18” folder + snow pants and boots)
4 glue sticks
2 boxes of 24 crayons
1 box of Kleenex
1 plastic school supply box (name on ends)
1 large beach towel or blanket (for rest time), label with name
1 full change of clothing plus 2 pair of underwear (in case of any accidents)
PLEASE LABEL ALL CLOTHING AND WINTER BOOTS.
Accident Insurance Student Assurance Services, Stillwater, MN is the insurance furnished by the school
district for every student. This is a scheduled insurance and gives you certain, but not
complete protection in case of an accident which may occur while participating in regular school
or school sponsored activities. Since this is not a complete coverage plan, the student should
file under his/her own insurance as well. Report injuries immediately to the faculty member in
charge or to the office and complete the necessary form.
Arrival/Dismissal Door opening time is 7:45 am. Students should not arrive at school before this time.
Students arriving before 8:05 am should sit on the bench outside their classroom until the 8:05
am bell rings. For the purpose of safety, the only door that will be open is the Elementary
Office door. Parents should walk their children into the building. Parents who plan to pick up
their child from school must enter through the Elementary Main Office door. Four year old
kindergarten students are dismissed at 3:05 pm.
Emergency Closing In the event of inclement weather or emergency breakdowns, school may be closed or
starting times delayed. The same conditions may necessitate early dismissal. The following
stations will announce the district’s plan for school closing:
Medford WIGM/WKEB FM 99.3
Wausau WYCO FM 108
WAOW/TV 9
WSAW/TV 7
Eau Claire WEAU/TV 13
Wisconsin Rapids WGLX FM 103.3
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Emergency Forms for Illness & Dismissals It is important that you thoroughly complete and return emergency forms. Information
requested on this form is used frequently when contacting parents if/when children become ill
at school. Please indicate alternative transportation in case of an emergency dismissal. For
location changes on an individual day, please call or send a note to the elementary office.
Health Requirements & Immunizations A physical examination completed by your physician is recommended. The state requires
the following vaccinations (or signed waiver) for admission:
4 DPT/DT 3 Polio 1MMR 3 Hepatitis B 1 Varicella
Early Childhood Students ages 3-5, who have been identified with a disability, receive services within the
4 year old kindergarten program. The programs are integrated. Children are screened and if
necessary evaluated to determine eligibility for services including but not limited to specialized
instruction, speech/language therapy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Parents
should notify the school with any concerns regarding their child’s development.
HeadStart HeadStart is another federally funded pre-school option for children ages 3-4. The
program is located in Medford. Classes meet two or three full days/week opposite of the
district’s 4 year old kindergarten program. Children age 4 by September 1st may be dual
enrolled in the district’s 4 year old kindergarten and in HeadStart if eligible, as the programs
can operate on alternate days. To learn if your child is eligible for HeadStart apply in the
spring by contacting IndianHead Community Action Agency HeadStart at 715.532.5594.
Home-School Communication One of our goals is to build a positive relationship with parents/guardians to better meet
your child’s needs. Parents are welcome to volunteer in the classroom and/or visit the
classroom. Regular communications are also sent home in children’s backpacks to inform parents
of the daily activities. Checking your child’s backpack every day offers opportunities to discuss
the day and learn about your child’s progress.
Library Library time is scheduled for students in the 4 Year Old Kindergarten program. 4 Year
Old Kindergarten students will be able to check out 1 book at a time. Please send a written
request if you do not want your child to bring home library books.
Lost and Found Any articles found on school premises are placed on the “Lost and Found” table located
near the office. Disposal of unclaimed articles is made at the end of the school year. The
school is not responsible for lost or stolen items. 6
Meals Breakfast and Lunch are available to students. Students may bring a sack lunch from
home. The cost for breakfast/lunch coincides with elementary breakfast/lunch prices. Parents
are strongly encouraged to send weekly/monthly lunch money with older siblings or in a sealed
envelope with child’s name on it. School lunch prices are established by the Board of Education
and posted in the RLES Student Handbook at the beginning of the school year.
Medication All medication to be taken at school must be accompanied by a parent note, labeled with
all necessary information including the child’s name, date, name of drug, exact dosage, and exact
time or time intervals the medicine is to be taken. All medication will be stored in the office
and given by office personnel. In order for school staff to administer prescribed medication, a
physician’s statement on school forms is required. These forms are available upon request, in
the office.
Monthly Calendar/Newsletter A monthly calendar of class themes and activities will be sent home in children’s
backpacks, in addition to a school newsletter. Both contain important notices and information
about school events and programs. We encourage parents to participate in events occurring
throughout the year.
Parent/Teacher Involvement 1. Conferences: Parent conferences are scheduled twice per year for the purpose of
personal communication between the school and the home, regarding the progress of
individual students. Exact dates are listed on the school calendar which you will
receive at the beginning of the school year.
2. Parent Volunteers: Volunteering to assist in the classroom is a great way to
lend a hand and support your child’s early learning. Parents may sign up to
volunteer at our annual September volunteer orientation.
3. Family Events: RLES holds after-school or evening family events each month
to promote academic enrichment and recreational interests. These events are listed
on monthly calendars.
School Clothing During the colder months, students will continue to go outside for recess if
weather permits (+5 F wind chill or warmer). Students should be prepared with appropriate
winter clothing/coats, caps, mittens, boots, and snow pants. Students need to be prepared for
the walk to/from school or waiting for their bus.
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School Security/Safety Measures Our priority at Rib Lake Elementary School is to create a safe and positive learning
climate in which students are motivated to meet our high behavior and academic expectations.
This requires a collaborative effort among all stakeholders including staff, students, outside
agencies and parents. At present, the district has a safety committee and comprehensive plan
which is reviewed and updated. Parental and community input is always welcomed and valued.
The following safety and security measures are currently in place at RLES:
A focus on maintaining a positive school atmosphere which is inclusive and encourages
respect.
Staff training in crisis intervention and responsiveness.
Prevention and intervention programs for students.
Safety policies, e.g. bullying, visitor controls.
All exterior doors are locked during school day with entrance available through main
office security doors.
Regular facility safety audits.
Evacuation and lockdown drills.
Transition to Kindergarten After your child finishes the 4 Year Old Kindergarten program, they will attend
Kindergarten the following year. Parents and the teachers may also decide that another year of
4 Year Old Kindergarten would be best for the child’s development. This is a collaborative
decision discussed in parent-teacher meetings during the 2nd semester of the school year.
Transportation Transportation is provided for 4 Year Old Kindergarten students by district routes.
Children riding the bus should be picked up and dropped off at the same location every day.
This can be a daycare provider’s home or your own home. The bus driver needs some visible sign
to know that you are home when dropping off your child.
If your child will not be riding the bus home from school on a particular day, please notify
the school office or send a note to your child’s teacher. If we do not receive a written request
or phone call, your child will be placed on the bus. If someone other than you or your spouse will
be picking up your child, please notify the teacher in writing. For your child’s safety, your bus
drop-off and pick up site must remain stable. Changes will only be accepted in the case of an
emergency.
If you choose to transport your child to school in the morning, please walk him/her into
the building by entering through the Elementary Main Office doors. These are the only doors
open during the school day.
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