Kindergarten Handbook

Welcome to Kindergarten Dear Parent/Guardian: Your child is about to start a new adventure— kindergarten. This is an exciting time for your family, and we look forward to our part in the adventure. You may anticipate a year of great wonder, enthusiasm, and engagement as your child meets new friends and enjoys a wide variety of learning experiences. This booklet contains basic information you will need and want to know about your child’s kindergarten year. The kindergarten teacher, school nurse, principal, and other staff members at the school will give you more detailed information and are available to answer your questions. As your child’s first teacher, we pledge to keep you informed of classroom expectations and your child’s progress. We urge you to become involved in the numerous activities available at your school for you and your child. Working together, we will continue to nurture your child’s curiosity and natural wonder for the world and all of its opportunities. Sincerely,

Joshua P. Starr, Ed.D. Superintendent of Schools

Contents Kindergarten is…. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Goals for kindergarten. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Getting ready for school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Attendance is important . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Finding your school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Your child is starting kindergarten. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Safety between home and school—riding the school bus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Walking to school. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 School closings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 Kindergarten program. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 Keeping your child healthy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Keeping your child home from school . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Your child’s progress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Parents are teachers too. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Parent-teacher conferences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Visiting your child’s school. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Children with disabilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Choosing child care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Telephone numbers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Appendix: Activities to use at home with your kindergarten child. . . . . . . . . 16

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Kindergarten is… ■■ a place where your child can continue to grow and learn in a safe environment; ■■ a place where you and your child’s teacher form a partnership that is vital to your child’s future success; ■■ a place where children are at different stages of development, and the instructional program matches their needs; ■■ a place where your child will engage in various instructional experiences, including reading, writing, and mathematics, large- and small-group lessons, and learning centers; ■■ a place that encourages your child’s curiosity and joy of discovery; ■■ a place where your child is accepted as a unique person; and ■■ a place where self-esteem and confidence are strengthened.

Goals for kindergarten Develop self-esteem by— ■■ being respected and valued ■■ experiencing success ■■ expressing feelings appropriately

Learn by— ■■ exploring and making choices ■■ working and playing independently, in pairs, and in large and small groups ■■ expressing thoughts and ideas ■■ solving problems appropriately

Increase knowledge and skills by— ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

listening, reading, speaking, and writing collecting, observing, naming, and categorizing objects counting and comparing sharing stories and ideas from books and experiences

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Getting ready for school You can help your child prepare for this new experience by talking about school as a happy, friendly place. Try to answer questions positively—use information in this booklet or call the school if you need more information. Your attitude about school is very important to your child’s success. Hearing positive things from you now will help develop good habits. If you have concerns about school, share them with the teacher or principal, not your child. Give your child opportunities to play with other children and to share toys and play space. This will make the adjustment to school easier if your child has not had any preschool experience. Encourage your child to be independent by having him or her manage clothing and footwear, toys, and toilet needs. Have your child practice buttoning, snapping, zipping, and tying shoe laces. Make sure clothes have easy-to-use buttons and zippers or Velcro® and are easily washable. Shoes should be comfortable and secure. Boots, hats, and mittens are important on cold days. If you bring your child to school the first day, leave as quickly as you can and let the teacher start the day’s activities. Reassure your child that you will see him or her at the end of the day.

Attendance is important Coming to school regularly and being on time are significant factors in the attitude your child will develop about school. Going to school every day can be compared with a parent going to work. The sense of responsibility and the establishment of a routine will help your child feel comfortable and secure. A positive attitude about school and regular attendance will pay off for years to come. Being in school every day is especially important in kindergarten. It is hard to make up the kinds of hands-on activities that constitute the learning experiences.

Finding your school Schools in Montgomery County have boundaries that determine your child’s home school. To determine which school serves your neighborhood, call the Boundary Information Line at 240-314-4710 between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. You also can use the School Assignment Locator found on the Internet at www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org.

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Your child is starting kindergarten The Maryland State Board of Education has set birth date guidelines for children entering prekindergarten, kindergarten, and Grade 1 for all public schools in Maryland. This includes the elementary schools in Montgomery County. Children need to be 5 years of age by September 1 to enter kindergarten. The Montgomery County Board of Education has a policy governing early entrance to kindergarten for children whose birth dates fall beyond the prescribed date of September 1. Parents who wish to apply for early entrance should contact their local school to request an assessment appointment during kindergarten orientation and complete MCPS Form 271-6: Application for Early Entrance to Kindergarten. In the spring of each year, kindergarten orientation programs are held in each elementary school. At these orientation programs, you can register your child for kindergarten, meet the teachers and other school staff, visit the kindergarten classroom, and learn about the school. Custodial parents or guardians should register children at their home school. Families moving into the county during the summer should register their children as soon as possible. School offices are open year-round. It is recommended that you call the school and schedule an appointment. Documentation is needed to register your child for school. Please have one of the following forms of identification for each of the categories below:

Proof of child’s age ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

Birth certificate Passport/visa Hospital certificate Doctor’s certificate

Proof of identity of custodial parent or guardian ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

Photo ID Driver’s license Passport Permanent resident alien card Court order Separation or divorce decree 4

Proof of residency in Montgomery County ■■ If homeowner, copy of current property tax bill. A copy can be obtained from the Montgomery County Department of Finance. Call 240-777-8950 (or see the Montgomery County Property Tax Home Page), or ■■ If renter, copy of current (less than one year old) lease. If lease is older than one year, copy of lease and a current utility bill, or ■■ If living in shared housing, notarized MCPS Form 335-74: Shared Housing Disclosure (available at all schools) and either a copy of the current property tax bill of homeowner or copy of lease of renter with whom student and parent are living and other supporting documents. Supporting documents for shared housing must be in the name of parent/guardian at address shown on MCPS Form 335-74: Shared Housing Disclosure. Examples of acceptable supporting documents are W-2, current pay stub, income tax return, two consecutive bank statements, medical bills, car registration, car insurance policy/bill, current utility bill, current phone bill, voter registration card, United States Citizen and Immigration Services (formerly known as INS) application, and government or official correspondence at residential address.

Proof of physical examinations and immunizations ■■ Maryland Immunization Certificate ■■ Documentation from doctor’s office Consult with your doctor or call the Montgomery County Customer Service Center at “311” to determine what immunizations are required by state law for entrance into kindergarten. Children will be excluded from school if they have not had their immunizations. Exceptions are made only for medical and religious reasons. Vaccine requirements for school and the Maryland Immunization Certificate are available at http://ideha.dhmh. maryland.gov/OIDEOR/IMMUN/SitePages/back-to-school-immunizationrequirements.aspx. Children returning from living outside the United States also must show that they are free of tuberculosis. If your child is not a United States citizen, you must enroll him/her through the School Counseling, Residence, and International Admissions Unit, 4910 Macon Road, Rockville, Maryland 20852, 301-230-0686. Schedule an appointment to register, and be sure that your child is accompanied by a parent/guardian with proper identification (passport or official identification). Foreign students should bring a passport or a permanent resident card. In addition to the above requirements, a tuberculosis test is required.

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Safety between home and school— riding the school bus School bus transportation is provided for elementary school children who live more than one mile from their home school. Schools distribute information about bus routes, times, and stop locations prior to the start of the school year. This information also is available on the MCPS website. If you live near the school and do not see a stop on the list that is in your neighborhood, your child may not be eligible for transportation. Questions about transportation should be directed to your transportation depot. Your school or the MCPS website can provide you with contact information for your transportation cluster manager. Parents are responsible for their children on the way to and at the bus stop. Children should arrive at the stop at least five minutes before the established pick-up time. Parents are responsible for children once they arrive at the afternoon bus stop and should plan to meet the bus or arrange for a caretaker or other responsible adult to accompany children safely home or to the child care provider. Parents should discuss with their children where to get off the bus prior to the first day they will ride the bus, especially if they are going to a different stop in the afternoon to attend a child care program. An adult must be at the bus stop when the bus arrives. Please instruct your student not to get off the bus if they are not sure of their surroundings or if they do not see a parent or caregiver who normally meets them at the bus stop. A bus driver will return students to the school if no one is at the bus stop to meet them. If you normally meet your child at the bus stop, and cannot make it on a given day, call the school before dismissal time and ask that your child be kept at the school to be picked up rather than being put on the bus. This is an emergency back-up plan that should only be used in those rare circumstances when you are unexpectedly and unavoidably delayed in making it to the bus stop. Keep the school phone number in your cell phone or other convenient place so you will be ready should an emergency arise. Establishing a buddy plan for your child with an older sibling or schoolmate also is advised. Bus schedules are approximate and may vary due to traffic, weather conditions, and student changes. The kindergarten teacher will discuss bus safety in detail during the first week of school. Following safety rules when boarding, riding, and getting off the bus is very important. Reviewing safety rules with your child will help to ensure bus safety.

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Walking to school Adult crossing guards and student safety patrols are on duty at many busy intersections and at some schools in the morning and afternoon. Teach your child to follow safe walking rules and instructions from those who are on duty. A kindergarten child should never walk alone. Walking with a parent, caretaker, sibling, friend, or older student is advised. If your child will not be accompanied by an adult, show your child the best route to walk to and from school. Be sure to consider traffic, visibility along streets and at intersections, use of crosswalks, and possible hazards. Walk along this route with your child a few times before school starts. Practice good safety habits and make sure your child knows exactly where to go. Impress upon your child to take the route you have practiced and the need to go directly to school and come directly home after school. Teaching children safe walking practices when they are young, even though they do not walk alone, will help to build safe walking habits for later years when they may walk alone or with same-age peers. Parents should develop a back-up plan with instructions for what to do if they arrive home and no one is there to take care of them. In cases where they walk home alone or with older children, there must be an emergency plan in place to address this possibility.

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School closings There are times when it is necessary to delay or cancel school for the day, or to send students home early. The safety of children is the primary factor in making decisions to alter the school schedule. When bad weather is occurring or expected, there are several ways to find out about school closings or delays. If school is going to be canceled, delayed, or closed early a message will be posted on the MCPS website (www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org), the MCPS Twitter account (twitter. com/MCPS) and on MCPS TV (Channel 34 on Comcast, 36 on Verizon; and 89 on the RCN cable). Messages will also be sent out via the QuickNotes e-mail service and the Alert MCPS (to sign up visit montgomeryschoolsmd.org/info/ emergency/sources/). You can also call the MCPS recorded information line at (301) 279-3673. Closing information will also be broadcast on local radio and television stations. Information about closings and delayed openings is communicated early in the morning, usually by 6 a.m. If schools are closing early, announcements are made by 11 a.m. Sometimes water, heating, or electric problems make it necessary to close an individual school for all or part of a day. Individual schools generally inform parents of a closing of this type using ConnectEd, a recorded phone system that uses emergency contact numbers supplied by parents. It is important that you prepare for these or other emergencies by providing your child’s school with telephone numbers where you can be contacted, as well as the name and number of an emergency contact who has agreed to care for your child if you cannot be reached. Please inform the school immediately if these numbers change. If you sign up for the MCPS Alert system (alert.montgomerycountymd.gov) you may choose to receive emergency messages for your child’s specific school.

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Kindergarten program The MCPS kindergarten program is based on a curriculum that promotes students’ reading, writing, and mathematics competencies. It emphasizes the integration of the content areas­—science, social studies, and the arts—and offers challenging learning experiences for all students. Children participate in a variety of learning activities that include large- and small-group instruction and guided practice. During the kindergarten day, there are many opportunities for them to use a variety of materials, to talk and play with other children, and to apply what they learn through centers and projects. The kindergarten teacher carefully observes and records each child’s progress as a means of documenting his/her acquired knowledge and skills. In addition, teachers provide many active, hands-on learning experiences to promote students’ problem-solving skills. (Refer to Appendix, pages 16–17, for additional information on kindergarten students’ capabilities.)

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Keeping your child healthy All students new to Maryland public schools are required by law to have a physical examination by a physician or nurse practitioner no more than nine months before or no later than six months after enrollment. A dentist also should examine your child before he/she starts kindergarten. If your child does not have a doctor or dentist, he/she may be eligible for the state’s Maryland Children’s Health Program (MCHP) or the county’s Care for Kids program. The application for either program may be obtained from the school, or the Internet. To download and print an application from the Internet, go to http://mmcp.dhmh.maryland.gov/chp/docs/MCHP_Application_Form_08.pdf. Complete the application and mail it to the nearest Montgomery County address listed on the application. Contact the school nurse for assistance. If your child will need any medication during the school day, you must provide the school with a physician’s order. The medication must be properly labeled by a pharmacist and must be brought to school in their original container and box. If your child has any health problems, particularly those that may require emergency action, such as asthma, diabetes, seizures, or allergy to insect stings or food, please notify the principal and school nurse. The school nurse is the liaison for health matters between the school, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the physician. It is important to talk to the nurse about health concerns so appropriate accommodations can be made. Your child will be scheduled for vision and hearing screenings during the kindergarten year. You will be notified if your child fails the screenings and you should contact your health care provider for further hearing or vision testing. Parents must submit a written request if they do not want their child to participate in hearing and vision screenings.

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Keeping your child home from school If your child has any of the following, please do not send him or her to school: ■■ Communicable disease ■■ Vomiting ■■ Diarrhea ■■ Severe headache ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

Earache Fever (100˚ or greater) Head lice Inflamed eye Upset stomach

■■ ■■ ■■ ■■ ■■

Skin infection or rash Sore throat Swollen glands Thick nasal discharge Persistent cough

If there is any doubt about whether to send your child to school, it is probably best to keep him or her at home. Children who have a fever 100˚F or greater should be kept home for 24 hours after they are fever free without the use of fever-reducing medications. This not only benefits your child but other children and staff in the school. If your child is going to be absent, please call the school. If your child is absent and the school doesn’t hear from you, someone will call to see if your child is ill or has been delayed. There is a health room at the school, but it is for emergencies and is not equipped or staffed to care for a sick child for more than the short time until a parent arrives at the school. Parents are urged to make a plan to have their designated emergency contact pick up their sick child if they are unable to do so themselves

Your child’s progress At the beginning of the school year, parent meetings provide a time for the principal and teacher to discuss many details with you, including how you will be informed about your child’s progress. Individual conferences with the teacher generally are scheduled by the middle of the year. If you have concerns, you may call your child’s teacher at any time to make an appointment to discuss them. You also may want to contact the school counselor, who is available to meet with parents about school concerns.

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Parents are teachers too Until now, you have been your child’s primary teacher. Now you have another teacher to help you, but your role continues to be very important. Children learn all the time, not just when they are in school. You can reinforce what is learned in school with activities at home. Here are some things you can do to help your child learn: ■■ Be a good listener. Let your child talk. Ask questions that prompt your child to think, such as “Why do you think so?” or “What do you think that means?” ■■ Read to your child every day. Both school and public libraries will help you select books your child will enjoy. ■■ Look at the schoolwork your child brings home, and comment on it. If you ignore it or throw it out, your child may think that work done at school is not important. ■■ Watch appropriate TV programs with your child and talk about them together. ■■ Be sure your child knows you are pleased with his or her progress. Children learn at different rates and shouldn’t be compared with their classmates or brothers or sisters. ■■ Provide a special place where your child can keep books and papers. This can be a drawer, a shelf, a box, or anywhere that schoolwork can be stored.

Parent-teacher conferences Conferences with the classroom teacher provide an excellent opportunity to share information about your child. The teacher can tell you how your child is doing in school, and you can describe for the teacher what the child is like at home. Together, you and the teacher may discover how your child learns best. A lasting partnership between the home and school can be built from this kind of ongoing communication. When such a partnership is created, your child has a better chance for a happy and successful school experience.

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Visiting your child’s school You are encouraged to visit the school and your child’s classroom. Call the school office to arrange a visit. Remember to stop in the school office to get a visitor’s badge as soon as you enter the building.

Children with disabilities Students with disabilities are educated using the same MCPS curriculum as their nondisabled peers. Instruction is adapted to accommodate individual learning styles and needs. Related services such as speech/language therapy and physical and occupational therapy are provided for children with identified disabilities, as required by their Individualized Education Program (IEP). To the maximum extent appropriate, students with disabilities are educated with students who are not disabled. Special class placements occur only when an IEP team determines that instruction in general education classes with the use of supplementary aids and services would not provide an appropriate education for the student. If you have a child currently enrolled in an MCPS preschool special education program, consult your child’s teacher to discuss the process for determining appropriate kindergarten services.

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Choosing child care Parents who need a child care provider can call LOCATE: Child Care at 1-877261-0060 for free assistance with finding a licensed child care provider, schoolage program, summer camp, preschool, and nursery school program. LOCATE identifies providers based on each family’s individual needs such as hours of care, location, number and ages of children, and child care cost. For school-age children, LOCATE can identify providers located in or near the school’s service area. In addition, the counselors will provide tips on how to identify quality programs and easy-to-follow tips to help parents choose the right program for their child. LOCATE: Child Care identifies both family child care providers and child care centers that have been approved by the Maryland State Department of Education’s Office of Child Care. Parents should look for high-quality programs that exhibit the following characteristics: the staff understands the developmental needs of the children; the program has a variety of educational materials, supplies, and games geared to the ages served; parents are welcomed and involved; and staff works with school personnel regarding schedules, policies, procedures, and programming. State and county laws require that children under the age of 8 be supervised at all times by a parent or guardian, child care provider, or babysitter who is at least 13 years old. Parents also can search for child care information online at www.marylandfamilynetwork.org.

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Telephone numbers MCPS phone numbers Board of Education. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-279-3617 (information about Board meetings)

Call Center, MCPS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-309-6277 (general information about MCPS; including multilingual and hearing-impaired access)

Child Find. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-947-6080 (educational services for children with disabilities, ages 2 years 9 months to 5 years)

Early Childhood Programs, Division. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-230-0691 Emergency announcements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-279-3673 (recorded message during inclement weather)

English for Speakers of Other Languages. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-230-0670 Facilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240-314-1060 (information on starting or improving school-age care at school sites)

Infants and Toddlers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240-777-3997 (intervention services for children with developmental delays, ages birth to 3 years)

LOCATE: Child Care Special Needs Enhanced Service. . . 1-800-999-0120 (free assistance in finding child care for children with special needs)

School Counseling, Residency and International Admissions (SCRIA). . . 301-230-0686 (enrollment assistance for students from other countries)

Magnet programs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-279-3163 PreK/Head Start. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-230-0676 (preschool program targeting economically disadvantaged children)

Public Information Office. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-279-3853 School Boundary Information Line. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240-314-4710 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (to find out which school serves your neighborhood)

Special Education Services. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-279-3135 Volunteer in a school. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 301-279-3100

Non-MCPS phone numbers ChildCare Subsidy InfoLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240-777-1155 (information and access to county child care subsidy programs)

Child Care Resource and Referral Center. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 240-777-3110 (provides training, technical assistance and resources for child care professionals)

LOCATE: Child Care. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 877-261-0060 (free referral service assists parents in finding child care for children of all ages) 15

Appendix Activities to use at home with your kindergarten child In creating an optimal learning environment where all children’s needs are met, they should be involved in a variety of activities that fall under seven broad developmental domains. To prepare your child for school success, you can complete many of these activities with your child at home.

Physical well-being and motor development

Reading and language arts development

Has the health, alertness, and motor skills needed to function successfully by— ■■ climbing on playground equipment ■■ playing games ■■ jumping, running, skipping, and galloping ■■ building with blocks ■■ buttoning, zipping, and tying ■■ writing, drawing, and painting ■■ putting puzzles together

Uses listening, speaking, reading, and writing to communicate and understand print by— ■■ naming letters of the alphabet ■■ recognizing name in print ■■ writing own name ■■ looking at pictures in a book and predicting what the book might be about ■■ reading books ■■ retelling stories read ■■ visiting the public library ■■ listening to stories on tape ■■ telling stories ■■ reciting nursery rhymes and poems ■■ talking about everyday events, trips, outings ■■ using magnetic alphabet letters ■■ learning new words

Personal and social development Shows ability to interact positively with peers and adults by— ■■ learning to take turns ■■ helping with household chores ■■ expressing feelings ■■ picking up toys and personal belongings ■■ playing with other children ■■ learning to problem solve

Mathematic thinking Exhibits an awareness of number relationships through interaction with everyday objects by— ■■ recognizing and extending simple patterns

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■■ talking about when daily events occur ■■ sorting objects by color, shape, or size ■■ comparing sizes (longer, shorter)

Scientific thinking Uses cognitive skills to explore and make sense of the world by— ■■ taking walks ■■ observing and talking about plants and animals ■■ using senses to describe an object or an activity ■■ using simple tools (magnifying glass) to investigate objects

■■ counting (blocks, beans, etc.) up to 10 ■■ recognizing numerals 1–9 ■■ using words to describe location such as over, under, up, down, top, bottom, inside, outside ■■ identifying groups of objects with more, less, or the same amount by matching ■■ recognizing and describing circles, triangles, and four-sided shapes

The arts Engages in movement, music, and drama to express feelings and ideas by— ■■ singing songs ■■ drawing and painting ■■ dancing to music ■■ exploring with paints, crayons, chalk, and clay ■■ using imagination to role-play characters

Social studies Shares knowledge of self, family, school, and community by— ■■ discussing how things change ■■ talking about family events ■■ drawing pictures of family and friends ■■ understanding safety rules ■■ learning to use technology

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Board of Education Mr. Christopher S. Barclay President

Mr. Philip Kauffman Vice President

Ms. Shirley Brandman Dr. Judith R. Docca

VISION A high-quality education is the fundamental right of every child. All children will receive the respect, encouragement, and opportunities they need to build the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to be successful, contributing members of a global society.

Mr. Michael A. Durso Mrs. Patricia B. O’Neill Mrs. Rebecca Smondrowski Mr. John Mannes Student Member

School Administration Dr. Joshua P. Starr

Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Larry A. Bowers

Chief Operating Officer

Dr. Beth Schiavino-Narvaez

Deputy Superintendent of   School Support and Improvement

Dr. Kimberly A. Statham

Deputy Superintendent of   Teaching, Learning, and Programs

850 Hungerford Drive, Rockville, Maryland 20850 www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org

This document is available in an alternate format, upon request, under the Americans with Disabilities Act, by contacting the Department of Public Information and Web Services, at 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 112, Rockville, MD 20850, or by telephone at 301-2793391 or via the Maryland Relay at 1-800-735-2258. Individuals who request (need) sign language interpretation or cued speech transliteration in communicating with Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) may contact Interpreting Services in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Program at 301-517-5539. MCPS prohibits illegal discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, ancestry, national origin, marital status, socioeconomic status, age, disability, physical characteristics, or sexual orientation. Inquiries or complaints regarding discrimination or Title IX issues such as gender equity and sexual harassment should be directed to the Office of the Deputy Superintendent for Teaching, Learning, and Programs at 301-279-3126, via the Maryland Relay at 1-800-735-2258, or addressed to that office at 850 Hungerford Drive, Room 129, Rockville, MD 20850.

Published by the Department of Materials Management for the Division of Early Childhood Programs and Services 0980.13ct • Editorial, Graphics & Publishing Services • 2/13 • 11,453 Copyright © 2013 Montgomery County Public Schools, Rockville, Maryland