Kindergarten - Mrs. Kelly Pekala
My name is Mrs. Kelly Pekala and I am extremely excited to be your child’s kindergarten teacher this year! This is my 6th year of teaching here at Saint Mark School. I absolutely love Kindergarten! It is such an amazing age and I enjoy working with the children and families of the Saint Mark community! I am so blessed to be here and I could not be happier. I graduated from Holy Family University with a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education and special education. I am also a product of Catholic Education and value my faith very much.
I am happily married to my husband Chris, and we have 3 children. CJ is 6, and attends 1st grade here at Saint Mark. Avery is 3, and Mason is 1. We also have a puppy named Bailey! During my free time I love to spend time with my family outside and at the beach. I can’t wait for another great year with all my little friends!
Sometimes hearing that it is full day Kindergarten scares some families. They wonder how their child will make it an entire day at school so young. They can do it! Your child will love Kindergarten!
Kindergarten Supply List:
Please send in supplies from your child's kindergarten supply list on the first day of school. Names should be written on everything you send to school with your child. You may send a water bottle to school with your child that they may keep at their table to drink throughout the day.
- schoolbag
- lunchbox
- paint smock (a large t-shirt will do)
- plastic supply box (approx 8" by 5")
- sharpened pencils (please no mechanical)
- 2 glue sticks
- 1 pair of child sized scissors
- 24 pack crayons
- 10 pack thick markers
- 2 2 pocket folders
- 1 dry erase board
- 1 pack of dry erase markers
- cup of playdoh
- head phones for computer class
- 2 packs of white index cards
School Begins at 7:35 a.m. each day and ends at 2:00 p.m.
Uniform/dress codeNeatness and cleanliness in personal attire is expected and each student must be in full uniform every day. Kindergarten students are to wear their summer or winter gym uniform.
No jewelry is to be worn except for a necklace with a cross or religious medal and girls may wear small post earrings. No nail polish may be worn and hairbands must be simple without ornaments. Other simple hair accessories are also acceptable. There will be dress down days throughout the year. You can reference this policy in your school handbook.
Attendance
The doors will open at 7:15 each morning. Your child may arrive between 7:15 and 7:35. We encourage parents to drop off at the door and allow your child to independently walk to our classroom.
If you arrive after 7:35, we ask that you please take your child to the office and get an attendance slip.
If your child is absent, send me a message, email me, or please call the school office at (215)-785-0973. Please send a note when your child returns explaining the reason for the absence. This is kept in a file. A doctor's note is required after 3 consecutive days.
Your child MUST stay home until they are 24 fever free.
You may also reference the attendance policy in your school handbook.
Snack/Lunch
Snack is usually between 8:45 - 9:00. If you are packing your child's snack, please be sure to keep in mind that recess is only 20 minutes.
Lunch and afternoon recess is from 11:00 - 11:45.
Snack and lunch will be offered everyday at no cost. A monthly order form will go home at the beginning of each month with a menu. Please send this back ASAP if your child will receive lunch from school. If your child happens to forget their snack or lunch they may add on in the morning. There is a cost of .25 if your child wants to order milk for a day without a meal. You are more than welcome to pack your child his/her own snack and lunch, please be mindful of allergies.
Communication
Communication is extremely important to me and there are several ways in which I share classroom information with you. A weekly homework sheet will go home every Monday with the homework for the week and important reminders. All information will go home in your child’s communication folder. If a special event is coming up, or there is an important reminder that will always be shared on classdojo also. There are also several ways you can reach me.
Ways to contact me
Class Dojo is the best way to contact me about your child.
Email: You can email me at kpekala@stmarkmail.com.
Call the office: You may also call the office at (215)-785-0973 at any time and leave a message for me and I can get back to you at my lunch break or prep time.
Homework
Your child's homework each night will usually consist of reading, writing, and a math worksheet. All homework will reinforce skills we are learning in the classroom. All printing must be done in pencil and all coloring should be done in crayon.
Transportation
Your student has the option of being picked up by bus, car, walking, or going to CARES at the end of the day. It is extremely important I have a schedule for what your child is supposed to do each day. All students will only be dismissed to a person designated by you. Please let me know as soon as possible so I know how your child will go home on the first day of school.
**You must send a note or call the office of any transportation changes. If we do not have notice from you, we have to follow the child's usual routine.**
Behavior Plan
Learning how to behave in a school setting is a big part of the Kindergarten year. I use a classroom behavior plan to help students learn to follow school rules and reward positive behavior. I want students to value good behavior but also understand that we can learn from our mistakes!
It is so important to praise and reward positive behavior. I have a couple ways that I do this in my classroom. One way is our class bean bowl. This is a way all students can work together as a team. When the jar hits a goal line the students will earn a reward.
Another great way I praise good behavior is individually. Each student will have a clip on the clip chart. They will start on green every day and will have opportunities to move up and down the chart depending on their behavior. This gives you the opportunity to see how your child does every day and earn rewards individually.
My Student Progress
The "My Student Progress" website is where you can find all your child's grades. Please check "My Student Progress" daily so you know how your child is doing. You will need to reach out to Erin Melling our office secretary to get set up with a login and password.
Test Folder:
A test folder will go home periodically on Fridays. Please sign and return each test inside at the beginning of the following week.
Birthdays:
I love celebrating birthdays! It is very important to me to make my friends feel special on their special day. Students will receive a special birthday hat, a pencil, and a book from me for their birthday. You may send in a treat for your child’s birthday. We usually sing at snack time. Again, please be mindful of allergies.
Class Pet:
Each week we will randomly choose a student to take our traveling class pet home with them for the weekend! Your child will have the opportunity to complete a journal entry about everything Piper did that weekend and share it with us Monday morning.
Star Of The Week
At the end of each week, we will randomly pick a student's name and that student will be the "Star of the Week." The Star will enjoy special privileges and will be able to bring something special to share each day. When your child brings home a "Star Student" letter, please plan on completing a star poster, which will also be sent home on Friday.
Parent Volunteers
There are many opportunities for parents to volunteer in our classroom and for school events. If you would like to volunteer you must have your clearances completed. You also must complete the “Protecting God’s Children” class through the archdiocese .
I am extremely excited to be working with your child this year! Please know that more information will be coming your way the first few weeks of school including emergency cards and more. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns anytime throughout the year. Again, please keep this packet handy for future reference throughout the year.
Homework week of February 6-10
I am the to a can little like for
and in is it you have he my we
make look me see she with at big red
up play you do of are that yellow they
go one two three four five what here green
her how down away give blue some funny six
know seven orange from over again now all
find going were some live purple please know black brown white good open want every this
be our pink love eight yes said
Monday: Write capital H in homework copybook
Math worksheet
Study sight words
Tuesday: Write lowercase h in homework copybook
Study sight words
Wednesday:
complete 100 day mystery bag with 3 clues
Study sight words
Thursday: Math worksheet
Write sight words love, pink, yes, in homework copybook
Bring something for Hh show and tell
Friday: NO HOMEWORK - ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND
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Just a few reminders:
Please label ALL things that come in with your child. This helps keep track of everything that is theirs.
Valentine’s day is a free dress down day. Students may bring treats for valentines day for their friends.
100th day celebration is Thursday, February 16th
There is no school Monday, February 20.
Father Daughter Dance is February 18th please RSVP ASAP
Please label EVERYTHING that comes to school with your child. Sweatshirts, water bottles, etc. get mixed up very easily.
🙂♥️Thank you for all you do for our school and our children ♥️🙂
- Come prepared for class
- Use a quiet voice.
- Listen the first time.
- Be kind.
- Share.
- Keep hands and feet to yourself.
- Walk. Do not run.
- Treat others the way we would like to be treated.
- Have fun!
Monday:Religion |Snack | Writing | Phonics | ELA | Spanish | Lunch | Math | Social Studies
Tuesday: Religion | Snack |Writing| Phonics ELA | Lunch |Music| Math | Science
Wednesday: Religion |Snack | ELA |Writing | Lunch | Technology | Math
Thursday: Religion | Snack| ELA |Writing | Lunch | Art| Math
Friday: Gym | Snack | Religion | ELA| Lunch | ELA | Math
READING TIPS: SOUND OUT WORDS, PICTURE WALK, SKIP OVER WORD YOU DO NOT KNOW AND READ THE REST OF THE SENTENCE FOR CLUES. CHUNK SMALLER WORDS THAT YOU KNOW THAT ARE HIDDEN WITHIN THE LARGER WORD PICTURE CLUES
