Hello! My name is Derrick Fleuranvil and I am excited to be your child’s kindergarten teacher! This is my second year at Briar Vista Elementary School.
Kindergarten is such an important time in a child’s educational experience. This is a time of excitement and nervousness for both parents and students. In kindergarten, emphasis is more on concept and processes rather than play. Children will quickly transition into kindergarten if we work together as a team. The pulse of your child’s education relies on the parent-teacher relationship and our communication. I believe that open, active communication needs to take place between home and school in order for your child to have a successful year.
My goal is to have students enjoy school, become responsible, and learn to work independently. Students will rely on their learned skills in order to grow academically and socially. I understand that many parents today lead very busy lives; however, working together will allow both of us to maximize your child’s educational time in kindergarten.
Curriculum
In reading, we will use zoo phonics reading program as well as other reading resources. These programs includes phonics, shared reading, and response activities. This series gives flexibility to work on skills, comprehension and small group instruction.
Math is a fundamental year in kindergarten as the students will learn new concepts such as patterns, addition, subtraction, money, measurement and time. You can assist your child in these areas by practicing at home. I try to make math fun and realistic for the students which in turn make it easier for them to understand.
Social Studies in kindergarten focus on self and family along with learning about school and community. We will be using the social studies series to emphasize these concepts throughout the year.
Science topics covered in kindergarten will be emphasized through our science and reading series. These topics include: the five senses, weather, gravity, motion, day sky, night sky, living things, nonliving things, plants, animals, matter, rocks and soils.
Assessments
Georgia Kindergarten Inventory of Developing Skills (GKIDS)-your child will be tested throughout the year on literacy and math skills. The first window of testing will take place during the first nine weeks of school.
Notes
Any type of correspondence from parents should be dated and placed in students folders.
Homework
Homework is used as reinforcement in my classroom. No material will be sent home unless we have reviewed it in class. As the year progresses, the homework will change and become more challenging. We will have projects that will be sent home throughout the year. Homework should be done in small increments for young children to grasp the concepts. Fifteen to twenty minutes a day should be set aside for homework with your kindergarten student. This does not include story time which should occur nightly.
Transportation
You will fill out a transportation form and a new form needs to be filled out if there are any permanent changes. If your child’s transportation will be changing daily or weekly, please send in a note with the specified changes. Transportation is something that needs to be communicated with the teacher and the office. We cannot rely on the student to tell us how he/she is getting home.
Behavior
All students at Briar Vista Elementary are responsible for their learning and their behavior. I am a firm believer in positive reinforcement, but disciplinary actions such as “cool down areas” or silent lunch, or if warranted, an office referral may be needed to maintain a structured classroom for all students. It is my concern that the students are aware of themselves at all times. Recurring behavioral challenges may require me to notify you.
We will use a traffic light system for behavior management. Each child’s name will be on a clothes pin/clip and they will start the day on green. The student’s clip will move up the traffic light from green to blue to yellow to red.
Green= Excellent behavior
Blue= Satisfactory behavior
Yellow= Need improvement
Red= Unacceptable behavior
Birthdays/Holidays
Birthdays are a big milestone for young children. However, if you do not wish to celebrate your child’s birthday and/or any holiday, please notify me as soon as possible. If you decide to celebrate your child’s birthday, please contact me at least one week in advance if you plan to bring cupcakes and/or treats that will be shared during snack time.
Additional Clothing
Extra clothes are a good idea because accidents sometimes happen. These items will be kept at school.
Attendance
Attendance is critical for school success. It is important that your child comes to school daily because in Kindergarten we introduce brand new skills. School begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 2:15 p.m. Your child must be in class no later than 7:30 a.m. every morning. If your child arrivers after 7:45a.m, he/she is counted tardy. Please adhere to the attendance policy located in the Dekalb County Public Schools Student handbook.
Absences
If your child is absent from school, you will need to provide a note. When your child returns to school the note must be sent in within three days (after the absence) addressing why your child was absent from school and the date of the absence(s).
Together we can make this a great year for your child! I’m excited about the school year and hope that you are too. Please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. You can contact me at the school at 678-874-5902 or (cell) 561-767-2446. I am also accessible through email: Derrick_P_Fleuranvil@dekalbschoolsga.org
Sincerely Yours,
Mr. Derrick Fleuranvil
Have Fun!
The Team at Educator Pages 