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,