EarlyChildhood

Educatio

n

A Handbook for Families

Pre-Kindergarten & Kindergarten

and Childcare Providers

This handbook was originally prepared by a dedicated committee ofteachers, including Gene Casqueiro, Carolyn Johnson, Marcia Miller,Dawn Nelson, Ginni Vick and Anne Shalas.

Please submit your comments on our Early Childhood EducationHandbook to pubinfo@pps.k12.or.us.

ENGLISH

This information is very important. If you are unable to read it, please have someone explain it

to you in a language you understand, or call 503-916-3230.

SPANISH

Esta información es muy importante. Si usted no es capaz de leerlo, por favor obtenga a alguien

que se lo explique en un idioma que usted pueda entender, o llame al 503-535-2927.

RUSSIAN

. , ,

- ,

503-535-2925.

VIETNAMESE

Tµi li·u nµy r`t quan trãng. Nøu quû vÔ khäng {ãc {õïc tµi li·u nµy, xin vui làng nhì ngõìi quen gi i thflch bÅng ngän ngù mµ quû vÔ cß thÚ hiÚu {õïc, ho c gãi {i·n tho”i så 503-535-2928.

CHINESE

503 535-2922.

A note to childcare providers: We rely on you to help us reachfamilies of preschool age children. We appreciate you passing thisinformation on to your families. Please let us know if you need morehandbooks or brochures by calling 503-916-3230.

January 2005

1

Welcome!Welcome to the Portland Public Schools Early ChildhoodEducation Program. Our early childhood educationprograms are designed to help your child get the best startpossible in school. Through these programs, your child willbe exposed to language, science, math, music, art, socialstudies and physical education.

We want this experience to be as positive and productive aspossible for both you and your beginning student. To helpyou get off to a good start, this handbook answers the mostfrequently asked questions about enrolling children in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs. Please read itcarefully, so that you can help make your child’s experiencein school a good one.

The most important part of any child’s success in school isfamily participation in the learning process. Parents andguardians should begin to read and study with their childand to model an interest in learning and understanding theworld around us. Your commitment nowcan set the tone for the rest of yourchild’s school years.

With your help and activeparticipation in school programs,committees and support activities,we can bring the best of educationto your child. We look forward togetting to know your child and yourfamily, and to working with you for thebenefit of all children for many years to come.

2

In kindergarten, children learn best through activeexperience. Teachers combine subject areas to createlearning opportunities that resemble real life—for example,playing store as a way of learning letters, numbers andsocial skills.

What your child will doDevelop understanding by

Learning about one’s self and othersMaking decisions and choicesBecoming more self-directedCommunicating effectively with others

Increase knowledge by

Listening, exploring and investigatingCollecting, observing, identifying and naming objectsEnjoying books, pictures and hands-on experiencesUsing natural curiosity to explore the environment

Broaden interests by

Getting ideas from othersUsing many materials and technologyTaking field tripsExploring community resources

Develop positive self-esteem by

Setting goalsBeing aware of progressDeveloping self-confidenceBeing aware of strengthsLearning to solve problemsDealing with frustrationBeing an effective communitymember Taking responsibility for one’s own actions

3

What your child will learnYoung children develop at varying rates and enter schoolwith a variety of experiences. Early childhood educationopportunities include:

Language and Literacy Development

Your child will:Read and discuss books, stories, rhymes, and songsBecome familiar with the alphabet through experienceswith printWrite and draw about his or her own ideasParticipate in activities that promote talking andlisteningBe read to daily

Mathematics

Your child will:Be introduced to concepts of numbers, comparisons,measurements and geometric shapesLook for patternsLearn counting strategiesTalk about mathematical ideasCollect and analyze dataCommunicate mathematical concepts using a variety ofmethods

Science

Your child will:Observe and explore characteristics of people, objects,animals, plants and eventsLearn that scientific knowledge is used in our daily livesRecord and communicate scientific experiences

Music and Art

Your child will:Experience music and sound through singing, listening,creative responses and playing rhythm instrumentsExplore music and art from a variety of culturesExpress creative ideas through a variety of artisticmethods

Social Skills

Your child will:Work independently and in groupsWork and play cooperatively with other childrenFollow school rulesListen and follow directions

Physical Education and Health

Your child will:Practice basic principles of a healthy and safe lifestyleDevelop self-reliance and learn skills that will promotephysical and social well-being

4

5

Important information for parentsSchool Locations

Most students attend a neighborhoodschool close to home. You candetermine which school is yourneighborhood school bytelephoning the School District’sEnrollment and Transfer Center at503 916-3205 and providing yourhome address. School boundaryinformation is also available on thedistrict’s Web site. Go tohttp://www.pps.k12.or.us and click on “Schools.”

ECEC Pre-kindergarten programs

Early Childhood Education Centers (ECEC) provide half-day,pre-kindergarten programs for four year olds in the PortlandSchool District. A student must be 4 years old on or beforeSeptember 1 to enroll in pre-kindergarten. These schoolsalso offer a free, full-day kindergarten program as well asgrades 1-5.

Ball, 4221 N. Willis, 503-916-6250 (no pre-k program)Beach, 1710 N. Humboldt, 503-916-6236 (includes Dual Spanish Immersion program)Boise-Eliot, 620 N. Fremont, 503-916-6171Humboldt, 4915 N. Gantenbein, 503-916-5468King, 4906 NE 6th , 503-916-6456Sabin, 4013 NE 18th, 503-916-6482Vernon, 2044 NE Killingsworth, 503-916-6415Woodlawn, 7200 NE 11th, 503-916-6282

6

Head Start Pre-kindergarten programs

Eight Head Start programs are available at districtelementary schools for families who qualify under federalincome guidelines. Children who are four years old bySeptember 1 are given priority for enrollment. Childrenwho are 3 ½ are enrolled if there is space available.

Beach, 1710 N Humboldt, 503-916-6236Creston Annex, 4620 SE Powell, 503-916-6219Faubion, 3039 NE Portland Blvd, 503-916-5686James John, 7439 N Charleston, 503-916-6266Kelly Center, 9015 SE Rural, 503-916-5729Lent, 5105 SE 97, 503-916-6322Peninsula, 8125 N Emerald, 503-916-6275Sacajawea, 4800 NE 74, 503-916-5724

Kindergarten Round-Up

Many elementary schools host aKindergarten Round-Up in thewinter. The schedule forKindergarten Round-Up is postedon the school choice website:www.schoolchoice.k12.or.us. Atthe Round-Up, families have anopportunity to tour the school anddiscuss the kindergarten program withschool staff. Schools will also pre-register neighborhoodstudents (bring birth certificate and immunization records)for the following year. Call your school for moreinformation.

7

Kindergarten Options

Portland Public Schools offers families a variety ofeducational options for children entering kindergarten.Inquire at your school or refer to the school catalog(available in all schools and atwww.schoolchoice.pps.k12.or.us) for more informationabout:

Your Neighborhood school. Most families enroll theirchildren in their neighborhood school. Neighborhoodschools offer a variety of innovative programs, thematicteaching approaches, and extracurricular activities.

Student transfers. Families may request a transfer toany neighborhood school or program by submitting aschool choice form by the student transfer deadline inMarch. For the precise date and for more informationabout the student transfer process and lottery, log on tothe school choice website.

Kindergarten Programs.

Half-day kindergarten. Schools offer morning orafternoon kindergarten (or both)

Full-day. Many schools offer a full-day kindergartenoption

Fee for Service full day: Twenty-five schools offer afull-day kindergarten where the family pays tuitionfor the second half of the day.

Some kindergarten programs offer specializedprograms such as language immersion, the arts, orother curricular themes.

8

Before and after school care

Most elementary schools offer before and after school careby state certified providers. For more information, pleasecontact the PPS Childcare Coordinator at 503-916-3230 orvisit the Childcare website athttp://www.pps.k12.or.us/depts/childcare.

School Eligibility

Your child is eligible for kindergarten if he or she is fiveyears old on or before September 1 of the year he or she isenrolling in school. Your child must be four years old bythat date for pre-kindergarten enrollment.

Oregon law allows early entry to kindergarten for a childwho exhibits maturity skills significantly higher than ageexpectancy. If you believe your child should start schoolearly you may apply at your neighborhood school afterApril 15. To qualify, your child will go through severalevaluation steps including interviews and assessments of hisor her social, emotional and intellectual readiness to begin13 years of schooling.

It is the school district’s goal to ensure that arecommendation for early entry is appropriate for thechild’s entire education, as well as for the current schoolyear.

School Hours

There are morning and afternoon kindergarten classes atmost neighborhood schools. Your school will make everyeffort to register your child for the time period you prefer,but it is in both your child’s and the program’s bestinterests to balance class sizes between the two sessions.Many schools provide full-day kindergarten programs. Forbell times, please call the school.

9

English as a Second Language (ESL)

Two Welcome Centers help the families of students whosehome language is not English with school registration,initial English language assessment and placement in agrade and school. For more information contact the ESL at503-916-5840.

Welcome Centers:Kelly Center, 901 SE Rural, 503-916-5729Kenton Elementary, 7528 N Fenwick, 503-916-5875

Special Education

A variety of special education programs throughout thedistrict ensure that the needs of all eligible students aremet. For more information contact Special Education at503-916-3152.

Bus Schedules

Bus routes and schedules will be determined before thebeginning of school. Each parent will receive thisinformation as soon as possible. Call your school office ifyou have any questions.

10

Immunization

Oregon Law requires your child’s immunization record tobe documented on a signed and dated Certificate ofImmunization Status form (CIS). The CIS must have:

The month and year of each dose of each vaccinereceived, and/or aMedical examination (section B completed and signedby health care provider), and/or aReligious exemption (signed and dated byparent/guardian).

One dose of each (age appropriate) vaccineis required at initial attendance or anappropriately signed medical orreligious exemption. Minimumvaccine requirements for childrenentering school for the first time are:

Diphtheria-tetanus;Polio;Measles, mumps, rubella (measles datemust be at or after 12 months of age);Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), required only forstudents younger than 5 years;Hepatitis B; andVaricella or history of chickenpox disease.

If your child was born in another country and the countryis listed as needing proof of a tuberculosis test (a list is onfile in every school office), a completed and read TBCertificate is needed before your child may start school.

11

School/Home Communication

Communication is an integral piece of the educationalprocess. Portland Public Schools offers a variety of methodsof communication such as:

ConferencesOpen housesNewslettersCurriculum nightsProgress reportsBack-to-school events

Parent Involvement

Parent involvement is an important part of a successfulschool program. Schools welcome the involvement, interestand shared skills of parents.

You can become involved by:Volunteering to help in the classroomServing as a resource person, media aide or technologyaideAssisting with classroom projects and field tripsPreparing materials at homeProviding supplies for classroom activitiesBecoming an active member of the PTA and otherschool organizationsEating a meal with your child at school

12

Helping Your Child to Be Successful

Read to your child every day. Reading to children is themost important thing parents can do to help theirchildren become good readers.Establish family routines such as frequent meals togetherat the table and a consistent bedtime on school nights.Establish a few rules at home and see that your childfollows them.Limit and monitor television watching and electronicgame playing.Provide encouragement for attempting or accomplishingtasks.Expect children to accept responsibility andconsequences for their choices and actions.Take your child places: library, parks, festivals, zoo,museum, post office, airport, etc.Provide opportunities for your child to share and makefriends.

About your child’s safety:

Help your child learn his or her:First and last nameTelephone numberStreet addressParents’ names

Walk your child to school or to the school bus stop severaltimes so he or she will be able to routinely follow the safestroute. We recommend that Pre-K students be walked to thebus stop each day. Safety procedures help children feel moresecure about this exciting transition in their lives.

Teach your child to:Ask a trusted adult before picking up unfamiliar objectsRefuse rides with strangersCross streets safelyNot step between parked carsGo directly home from schoolTell a trusted adult when your child is feeling unsafe

About the Talented and Gifted Program

Students may become eligible for Talented and Giftedservices (TAG) when they enter kindergarten, or at any timein their school career.

TAG services are for students of exceptional ability who arein the top three to five percent of theirage group in:

Intellectual ability orAcademic ability in readingor mathematics.

Parents or teachers or any schoolstaff member may nominate achild. Children also may choose tonominate themselves. TAG brochures, aparent handbook and nomination forms are available inthe school office or on the Portland Public Schools Web siteat www.pps.k12.or.us/district/depts/tag.

Call your school principal or the TAG Office for moreinformation. TAG can be reached at 503 916-3358 orawelch@pps.k12.or.us.

13

Children’s Books aboutKindergartenA Bug, a Bear, and a Boy Go to School by David McPhailAlice Ann Gets Ready for School by Cynthia JabarAnnabelle Swift, Kindergartener by Amy SchwartzBeginning School by Irene SmallsBenjamin Bigfoot by Mary SerfozoDavid Goes to School by David ShannonFirst Day, Hurray by Nancy PoydarHarry and Tuck by Holly KellerKindergarten Kids by Ellen B. SenisiThe Kissing Hand by Audrey PennListen for the Bus: David’s Story by Patricia McMahonLittle Miss Spider at Sunny Patch School by David KirkMinerva Louise at School by Janet Morgan StoekeMiss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Joseph SlateMonster Goes to School by Virginia MuellerMy First Days of School by Jane Hamilton-MerrittMy School, Your School by Bette BirnbaumSchool by Emily Arnold McCullySee You Later, Alligator! by Laura KuasnoskyTimothy Goes to School by Rosemary WellsTiptoe into Kindergarten by Jacqueline RogersWhen You Go to Kindergarten by James Howe

Check these out at your local library branch!

This list of books was compiled by the Helen Gordon Child DevelopmentCenter.

14

Portland Public Schools PhoneNumbersBefore and After School Care . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-3230

General child care program information. www.pps.k12.or.us/depts/childcare

Communications. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-3304Public information services to schools and the community.

Enrollment and Transfer Center . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-3205Enrollment, student transfers and school choice, registration,confirming neighborhood school and more. www.schoolchoice.k12.or.us

ESL (English as a Second Language) . . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-5840Educational support for English Language Learners. www.pps.k12.or.us/.docs/pg/4581

Family Involvement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-5840, ext. 247Partnerships with families, school staff, and the larger community.

Fee-for-Service Full Day Kindergarten . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-3230Full-day kindergarten programs.www.schoolchoice.k12.or.us

Head Start Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-5724District preschool programs. www.pps.k12.or.us/depts/headstart

Nutrition Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-3399Eligibility for Free and Reduced Lunch services and menus. www.pps.k12.or.us/depts/nutrition/parents.php

Parent Teacher Association (PTA). . . Call neighborhood schoolInformation about getting involved in your school.

Special Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-3152Assistance to students eligible for special education services.www.pps.k12.or.us/depts/speced

Talented and Gifted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-3358Eligibility for early entry to kindergarten and first grade and more. www.pps.k12.or.us/.docs/pg/2995

Transportation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 503-916-3901Eligibility for transportation provisions. www.pps.k12.or.us/depts-c/bus

15

Portland Public Schools • 501 North DixonPortland, Oregon 97227 • 503-916-2000

http://www.pps.k12.or.us/

Portland Public SchoolsBoard of Education

Julia Brim-Edwards

Derry A. Jackson, Sr.

Douglas Morgan

Lolenzo Poe

Bobbie Regan

Dilafruz Williams

David Wynde

Suleima Cortez, Student Representative