Kindergarten FAQ Page

• What time does Kindergarten start?  School hours for Kindergarten-5th grade: 8:10am-2:30pm (Monday-Thursday).  School dismisses on Fridays for all students at 12:30pm.  The first week of school will be minimum days for Kindergarten only, class will dismiss at 12:30pm.  We have playground supervision and breakfast services available for students daily, beginning at 7:30am.  *Read below to see what to do if your child will arrive late.
• How does drop-off/pick-up work?  We have a great, orderly system!  Achieve/Life Church has two parking lots (one near the CVS parking lot, and another closer to Ceanothus Ave.  Kindergartners use the "Yellow Gate" (Ceanothus Ave. parking lot) for drop-off and pick-up.  At the beginning of the school year, your family will receive a tag with a number to hang on your rearview mirror during dismissal time.  As you pull onto campus our staff will enter your family's number in our dispatch system.  The system notifies each student's teacher, your child will be sent to the gate.  Our staff will assist your child in your vehicle.  If your child needs seatbelt assistance please leave the roundabout and park in the parking lot area to help your child buckle up (instead of doing this in the roundabout while others are waiting behind you).  Please do not park in the roundabout and out of respect for our neighbors, we ask that you do not arrive before our dismissal time of 2:30pm, leaving your vehicle idling in the roundabout.  If you arrive for pick-up before 2:30pm, please park in our parking lot and walk up to the gate.  Parking in the parking lot and walking up to the gate with your tag is always an option!  Families walking up to the gate will be directed to stand in a certain area inside our gates so our hallways are clear for students to navigate and we can supervise those exiting the gate more easily.

• Where do I buy uniforms?  Our uniform t-shirts can be purchased at https://diamondsandsilk.net/collections/all.  More information about our Uniform Policy and Dress Code can be found on our website:    https://www.achievecharter.org/Students--Parents/Uniforms/index.html.  We also have gently used uniforms in the office, which are available for free.  Students wear the uniform t-shirt each Monday-Thursday.  All Fridays are "Free Dress Fridays," uniform optional.  Please see the above link for dress code guidelines.  Please save costumes, make-up, or distracting clothing/jewelery for spirit dress-up days.  
• Can my child wear sandals during school?  Our dress code states that K-5th-grade students need to wear closed-toe shoes.  
• Does my child need to wear a uniform to our PLP Conference or Orientation?  Uniforms are optional these days, please have uniforms ready for our first day of school.
• Is Orientation mandatory?  Orientation is not mandatory.  It's another opportunity for your child to make a positive connection with the school before our first day of school.
• How does drop-off work on the first day of school?  The first day of school is so special!  Please park and walk your student to our classroom on the first day.  The classroom will be open at 8:10am.  Please help your student find a seat and begin morning work.  After a while, Mrs. Wright will direct students to the carpet area for our first morning meeting and story.  Parents are encouraged to leave the classroom by the time our story ends.  Families are welcome to take pictures and videos (Mrs. Wright will be available for photos!).  Please do not post pictures/videos of other children on social media without obtaining permission from their parents.
• How can I help calm my child's first day jitters?  First day jitters are normal!  See Mrs. Wright's tips in this blog post:   https://acskindergartenrocks.blogspot.com/2018/07/calming-first-day-jitters.html
• What does my child need to bring to school each day?  Please send your student with a full-sized backpack, nutritious snack (the school does not provide snacks), and a filled water bottle daily. Water bottles with sports lids (closed tops with flip-up spouts) work best in kindergarten and help us prevent large water spills.  Please leave all toys and extra items at home.  A small stuffed animal or comfort item from home is OK for the first few weeks.  Please label ALL items your child brings to school (snacks, lunchboxes, jackets, etc.)  Thanks!
• Where is the lost and found?  Our Lost and Found area is labeled and located near the playground.  Please label all of your child's items from home!
• What if my child occasionally has accidents?  If your child occasionally has accidents please consider packing an extra set of clothes in a ziplock baggie in your child's backpack.  Students will need to take care of changing themselves without staff help if an accident occurs.  We will contact you if needed.  If your student has difficulty independently navigating bathroom needs, please practice at home!  Our staff is unable to assist students in the bathroom.
• How do I enter the campus gates or check my child out during the school day? During school hours our gates are locked.  If you are bringing your child to school mid-day, or visiting for your volunteer time please park on the Blue Gate side (parking lot closest to CVS).  Ring the camera doorbell, and our staff will unlock the gate for you.  All visitors must check in at the office.  
• What should I do if my child is sick?  If your child is staying home please notify the school by 9:00am.  Contact the office (530) 872-4100 or email the office (msobrero@achievecharter.org) and your student's teacher (awright@achievecharter.org).  You can read about our illness guidelines in our Handbook:     https://www.achievecharter.org/documents/Reports%20and%20Policies/ACS-Parent_Student-Handbook-2024-2025.docx.pdf
• Can I help out in the classroom?  We love volunteers!  Each month I will send out a volunteer sign-up link for in-class volunteer time.  There will also be opportunities throughout the year to help with at-home projects, field trips, school-wide needs and opportunities to get involved with our Parent Advisory Council.  Classroom volunteer sign-ups will be emailed home sometime in September.
• Do I need to be fingerprinted to be a volunteer?  All school volunteers are accompanied by staff members and do not need to be fingerprinted to work on campus with students.
• Can kindergartners go to the after-school care program?  Absolutely!  Kindergartners LOVE our after school program, Achieve-More.  Learn more and sign-up for the month here: https://www.achievecharter.org/Achieve-More-E-L-O-P-After-School-Program/index.html
• How does the meal program work?  All Californian students can receive free breakfast and lunch service.  A meal program number and practice sheet will come home with your student at the beginning of the year.  Have your kindergartner practice entering their number on the picture of the keypad.  Teachers will take lunch orders each morning.  (If your child will be tardy please contact the office before 9am to submit your student's order).  Staff will assist your student with entering their meal number and getting meals.  The menu of offerings changes several times throughout the year and can be found on our website: https://www.achievecharter.org/Students--Parents/BreakfastLunch-Menu/index.html.  Students may also bring lunches from home.  Please send items in baggies or plastic containers (no glass please) and with an ice pack.  
• How can I find information on upcoming school events?  Stay up-to-date on school events and happenings by regularly checking the email address you provided to the office.  Download the ParentSquare app to access our archived and most current communications.  Follow us on Facebook at Achieve Charter School Chico:   https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063571871171 and Instagram: achievecharterschoolk_8 
• Will my kindergartner go on field trips?  Yes!  Your child will attend several field trips per year.  You may drive just your child on the field trip, or volunteer to also drive other children.  Please see the school office for a Driver's Application and LIVESCAN paperwork.
• Can I attend the daily Morning Assembly?  Please join us!  Families are welcome to watch our daily morning assembly (8:10am in the Life Church Sanctuary) from the back of the sanctuary.  Fridays are popular days to attend, we do awards weekly. We'll notify you ahead of time if your student will be earning an award!

Feel free to email me with additional questions!  

awright@achievecharter.org

 

 

What in the world is a PLP?

As the parent of an incoming kindergartner, you are about to add a handful of new acronyms to your lexicon.  While these acronyms won't earn you street cred among texting tweens (LOL), you'll be "in the know" with happenings at Achieve.  

PLP - this stands for a Personalized Learning Plan.  A PLP is essentially a conversation we will begin in kindergarten, the document recording that conversation will be used as a tool for helping your child challenge him/herself through their stay here at Achieve. PLP’s are a unique feature of ACS, they give teachers a jump start to best meet your child's needs.  We'll meet together several times throughout the year, noting progress towards academic/social goals and addressing learning gaps.  PLPs put students in the driver seat of their own educational journey.  It's a pretty powerful thing to witness end-of-year ACS kindergarten students leading their PLP Conference discussion - communicating their own well-thought-out goals.  Baby steps.  For our 1st conference, we will get to know each other and you can give me some tips on how I can best help your child learn.

Here's how to prepare for your family's first PLP Conference:

• Inform your child that they will see their Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Wright.   I will ask your child about some of his/her interests (practice with your child at home!)  After we talk for a few minutes the kindergartner may be excused to play with toys.
• Parents: be prepared to share your child's strengths and areas for growth.  Share any food allergies, if your child wears glasses, if he/she is right or left-handed, or concerns at this time.  
• Conferences will last 20 minutes.
• It is alright to have siblings at conferences if needed, however, I recommend making other arrangements for siblings for our initial meeting.  
• Feel free to have your kindergartner bring a favorite stuffie, toy, or vacation souvenir to show me!

Welcome Kindergartners!

What you've heard is true; we ARE a family here at Achieve.  Happy families go out of their way for each other, stick together through thick and thin, allow each member to be true to themselves, communicate, keep promises, take responsibility for happiness, and practice patience and forgiveness. Being a part of the Achieve family since 2005, I've had the privilege to participate in this particular type of school family. ACS is a learning environment that seeks learners at their level and empowers them to reach the next. It supports students and families in the everyday struggles of life, a place where each child is believed in, poured into, and held accountable to high expectations.  YOU are now a part of this family, and we are SO glad you are a part of Achieve!

• Our first opportunity to meet will be during our Parent/Teacher/Student Personalized Learning Plan (PLP) Conferences on August 15th or 16th.  Check out this BLOG POST to learn how to prepare for your child's PLP.   

• K Orientation is August 19th.  This will be your child's first time to meet fellow classmates and get a little snapshot of kindergarten fun.  Uniforms are optional. See my email for details about how to sign-up for your family's orientation visit.  

• Our first week of school (August 20th-23rd) are minimum days for kindergarten students.  Our whole school dismisses every Friday at 12:30pm.  We will begin our full-day schedule on Monday, August 26th, kindergarten dismisses at 2:30pm on full days.  

I look forward to meeting you soon!  Please email me if you have any questions! 

Calming First Day Jitters

The kindergarten countdown is on!  Your kindergartner's countdown chain is growing smaller, and so is my to-do list - it's almost time to welcome in a new batch of recruits.  Here are some ideas to calm first day jitters.

• Take a low-key approach.  It’s natural to be excited about your child starting kindergarten, but talking about it too much can actually make him more anxious. 
• Compare Kindergarten to something familiar such as preschool or TK.  Explain that kindergarten will be a place where he will make friends, play with new toys, and learn.
• Get familiar with the school.  Attend your child’s PLP Conference together, bring your student to Orientation, come to our Ice Cream Social. 
• Put a family photo in your child’s backpack.  If necessary your student may bring a small stuffed animal or comfort item to keep in the backpack for the first few days of school.
• Create an easy-to-follow morning routine.  Establish a regular early bedtime, and leave plenty of time in the morning for a healthy breakfast. 
• Try not to outwardly show your own anxiety.  Model confidence and excitement for your student.  
• Don’t stay too long.  Reassure your child that you will be back and say a quick goodbye, lingering will only make it more difficult for your child to see you go.  As wrenching as it may be for you to walk away while your child is sad or crying, chances are that she will be happily playing soon after you are out of sight.  We love to love on your children – kindergarten staff will help them through it!
• Identify his anxiety.  What exactly is he afraid of?  Once you establish what his specific fears are you will be better able to address his concerns and work with your child and ACS staff to find ways to handle them.

Ideas adapted from: 
          Lee, Katherine.  "Calming First Day Kindergarten Anxiety."  About Parenting.  Web. 13 
          August 2014.  http://childparenting.about.com/od/schoollearning/a/first_day_kindergarten_anxiety.htm

See you soon,