Grandville Public Schools

West Elementary
Kindergarten Handbook

Mr. Thornton

Welcome!
I am excited to welcome both you and your child to Grandvilles West Elementary Kindergarten
program!

This packet contains information and insight as to what your childs kindergarten experience will
look like. If you ever have questions, please feel free to contact me, Mr. Heath Thornton. I will
be your childs kindergarten teacher this year!

Kindergarten provides many first-time moments for your child. Experiences such as going to
school for the full day, lunch in the cafeteria, and going to specials (physical education, art,
library) are all things you and your child can expect. Even though it is their first time, none of
your children will be alone in this experience. I have coached and worked with children for nine
years, and this will be my first full-time year teaching. Some things we will learn together. This
will help all of us achieve a wonderful, and enjoyable, kindergarten experience! Below is some
information to retain for future reference:

West Elementary Contacts

Principal: Brian Mulder

Building Secretary: Kelly Jenison

Office Phone: (616) 254-6250

Attendance Line: (616) 254-6388

Mr. Thorntons Classroom: (616) 254-6276

Mr. Thorntons Email: hthornton@gpsbulldogs.org

*The easiest way to get in touch with me throughout the day is with e-mail. I will check it
periodically throughout the day. If it is an emergency, please call the building secretary.

Schedule
Start Time: 8:23 A.M.

Lunch/Recess: 11:55-12:55 P.M.

Dismissal: 3:41 P.M.

Attendance
It is important for your child to be at school every day (Monday-Friday). Please call the
attendance line at 254-6388. Leave your name, your childs name, teachers name, and reason for
absence for our building secretary.

Health Concerns
Healthy Learners are better learners! In order to keep our classroom a safe and healthy
environment, I stress good hygiene by washing hands frequently and disinfecting surfaces to
prevent spreading germs. Students who do not feel well have a tough time participating each day.
It is a better, and more comfortable, choice to have them rest and recover at home. Please keep
your child home if they have these symptoms:

-A fever -Diarrhea -Vomiting

-Sores on skin -Sore throat -Discharge from eyes

-Rash -Bad cough -Yellow/Green mucus with runny nose

Health Department policy states that children must be fever-free without help from
medication for a full 24 hours before returning to school. Also, students should stay home at
least a full 24 hours after vomiting. Please refer to Kent County Health Departments
guidelines/booklet for When to Keep your Child at Home. Again, please remember to call the
school office if your child will not be at school due to illness.

Morning Procedure
If your child if arriving to school by bus, there will be staff members waiting for them as they get
off the bus to ensure they get to the correct door and into their classroom. Bus riders will be
dropped off at school in the North parking lot and will report to the playground until the bell
rings. Walkers and parent drop-offs should also report to the playground prior to the start of
school.

I will let the students in our classroom doors at 8:23 when the first bell rings. Children arriving
later than 8:28 must report to the office prior to coming to class. I ask for parents to stay by the
entry doors when dropping off superheroes-in-training at school. The classroom can be a very
busy place in the morning and full attention needs to be given to the arriving students. If you
have any special instructions for the day please write a note and send with your child, contact me
by email, or tell the building secretary. If you child is riding their bike or walking to school,
please stay on the sidewalks!
Breakfast & Lunch
Both breakfast and lunch will be available for your child in the cafeteria/gym area. Breakfast is
served starting at 8:00 a.m. Students will eat in the cafeteria/gym area and will not be considered
tardy if they check in at their classrooms before the tardy bell at 8:38 am. If your child is eating
breakfast at school, he or she MUST eat breakfast BEFORE going outside.

For lunch, our kindergarteners will eat together in a designated area. Lunch supervisors will be
attending to your childs needs. Hot lunch menus are sent out monthly. Students will make their
choice between hot lunch and cold lunch in the morning after arriving at school. Milk and juice
are also available for students.

Your child will have a lunch account that you can access online. This allows you to put money
into your childs lunch account electronically. You can also send money in with your child, but
please be sure to send the money in an envelope marked lunch money with their first and last
name on the front. If you need assistance paying for hot lunch, please see the building secretary.

Dismissal
The bell to dismiss the students rings at 3:40 p.m. Children who ride the bus will be walked to
their bus by some of our older students (bus safeties). Students being picked up by a parent or
daycare provider, will be walked to the North parking lot area. If you are picking up your child
from school, please park and walk into the commons area to get your child from their teacher. If
you have someone new picking your child up after school please let us know (e.g. friend,
grandparents, Aunt, Uncle). Teachers will not allow students to cross the parking lot to a
parked vehicle without a parent or approved guardian! If there is a change in
transportation for your child, please have students bring a note to school, or e-mail to make
their teacher aware of the change. You may also call the building secretary. Without a
note, email, or phone call the regular dismissal arrangement for your child will be
followed! This all helps us keep your child safe.

Visiting School
If you or other friends and family will be visiting, we ask you arrive through our front doors to
our office. A building secretary will have you sign in with your name and reason for visit. You
will be given a nametag to wear during your visit. Visitors are not allowed to enter through any
other doors! They are locked during the day to ensure the safety of staff and students.
Parent Volunteers
It takes a lot of parent volunteers to make our school successful. Bulletin boards, filing, reading,
games, crafts, and field trips are just a few of things our parents help with during the year. If you
would like to volunteer in your childs class, you will need to have a background check every 2
years to ensure the safety of our students. I have included a volunteer sheet in your handbook.
Please fill out and return to school if you plan on volunteering this year.

Specials Classes
Your child will get to enjoy special classes while at school. Each week they will attend library,
physical education, and music.

Your child will need a pair of tennis shoes for physical education. Consider keeping a pair
at school to ensure they will not forget on P.E. days.

Your child will also enjoy doing arts and crafts in the classroom. Please send in an old t-shirt
with your child to protect their clothing from fun projects.

Report Cards/Parent Teacher Conferences

We will have conferences in October and March. You will receive report cards two times this
school year; December and June. Parent teacher conferences are held 2 times a year; fall and
spring. This is a time to speak openly about your childs success in the classroom as well as
discuss some things to work on. We ask children do not attend.

Classroom Rules
In order to have an environment that is safe, loving, and respectful our classroom will follow
these rules:

*Follow directions quickly

*Raise your hand for permission to speak

*Raise your hand for permission to leave your seat

*Make smart choices

*Do your best work

Each child is different, therefore, situations where students make poor choices will be dealt with
on an individual basis involving both teachers and parents.
Person of the Week (VIP)
Each week we will have a Superhero of the week to highlight one friend in our classroom. At
the beginning of the year, you will receive a backpack poster to complete with your child. Please
return the completed poster to school. The poster will be posted in the classroom for one week
during the school year and your child will get to share special things about themselves.

Folders
Each day, your child will come home with a folder containing important notes and school work
from the week. The folder is provided and will have your childs name on it. Please take time to
go through the folder. This will keep you up to date on what is going on in the classroom.
Return the folder on Monday so, we can continue sending vital information home.

Mailboxes
In our classroom, your child will have two places to keep their supplies. Their mailbox will keep
school work throughout the week and any notes that need to go home. We will use book boxes
for the books. The book boxes are stored on the corner shelves under the windows. They will
hold books, folders, journals, and personal projects they are working on. Please do not send in
pencil boxes. There will not be enough room to store all of them.

Newsletter
A bi-weekly newsletter post will let you know what we are working on in the classroom. It will
also provide information on upcoming events and special news such as birthdays and
announcements. This can be found at gpswestkinder.weebly.com.

Book Orders
Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home monthly. The date the orders are due is on the back of
the form. The book orders are done online. The class code is RBC4D. This is so I can place the
total order when everyone has chosen what they want. There are many book titles and they are
reasonably priced. These are optional, but provide some fun opportunities for young students to
practice their reading skills.
Snacks
Each day time will be given for students to enjoy a snack. This is optional, but our young
learners can get hungry. Some good snack options include graham/goldfish/animal crackers,
string cheese, pudding, pretzels, fresh fruit, fruit snacks, applesauce, granola, dry cereal, and
pudding. If your childs snack requires a spoon, please remember to pack one! Due to allergy
concerns, each child will need to bring in their own snack. Snacks are provided if your child does
not have one, but please notify me of any allergy concerns. PLEASE NO PEANUTS,
PEANUT PRODUCTS, NOR TREE NUTS FOR SNACK TIME!

Birthday Treats
Birthdays are a time to celebrate! If you would like to send in a birthday treat with your child, it
will need to be store-bought and cannot contain peanuts. Please be sure to send enough for the
whole class. If your child has a summer birthday, you may send in a treat on their half-birthday.

Allergies/Restrictions/Medications
If there are any restrictions in your childs diet, please let me know! Any medications your child
needs will be kept in the office. Proper forms need to be filled out in the office before we can
administer any medication, including inhalers. Please contact the building secretary to handle
these concerns. Do not send your child in with medication in their backpack.
Mr. Thorntons Specials Schedule:

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

A.M. N/A P.E. N/A N/A

8:45-9:15

P.M. Art Music Library P.E.

1:45-2:25 2:40-3:20 1:45-2:15 2:15-2:45