New Kindergarten Students
Welcome to Kindergarten
at Manheim Township!
Welcome to Manheim Township, home of the Blue Streaks! On this page, you'll find a variety of resources to help you settle in, get connected, and make the most of your Manheim Township Experience.
Important Documents for Kindergarten Parents
Kindergarten Parent Presentation
Age Eligibility
Children must be 5 years-old on or before August 31st
How do we register for Kindergarten?
Registration is Live!
Registration takes place online at our Student Registration site
Please upload required documents to complete registration.
Health Services Information
Certified School Nurse (CSN)/Health Room Nurse
Immunizations:
https://www.mtwp.net/about/health-services/immunizations/
Significant Health Concerns -- contact the CSN
Medications
Update Emergency Contacts
District Website Information: https://www.mtwp.net/about/health-services/
What is Envisions?
Before and After School Care
Envisions Program Information
What does the kindergarten school day look like?
Breakfast - Grab & Go is available 8:45-9:00am
Arrival - Morning Meeting
English Language Arts (ELA)
- Phonemic Awareness
- Phonics
- Vocabulary
- Fluency
- Comprehension
- Writing
- Direct reading instruction
- Small group instruction- flexible and based on student needs
- Reading stations
Math
- Counting & Cardinality
- Operation & Algebraic Thinking
- Numbers & Operations in Base Ten
- Measurement & Data
- Geometry
- Direct math instruction
- Small group instruction- flexible and based on student needs
- Math stations
Lunch (30 minutes a day)
Recess (30 minutes a day)
Content (approx. 30 minutes a day - may be integrated in ELA and/or Math)
- Science/STEM
- Social Studies
- Health
Specials
- 4 specials per 6 day cycle- art, music, physical education, library
- 50 minutes per art/music/physical education class
- 30 minutes for library + 10-15 minutes for book exchange
- Art, music, movement, and physical activities are also integrated in the classroom
Technology
- All students in MTSD are issued a 1:1 device, an iPad. A balanced use of the iPad will be utilized in various ways throughout your child’s instructional day.
PBIS: Positive Behavior Interventions & Support
- Be respectful
- Be responsible
- Be safe
- Teaching appropriate behavior in all settings.
- Interventions when behavior expectations are not met.
- Recognition when behaviors are met.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What are the school hours?
- 9:00-3:40 (doors open at 8:45)
- Is transportation provided?
- Yes, to and from school (unless your child is in the walker zone). Be sure to accompany your child to and from the bus stop.
- When do I find out about my child’s teacher?
- Teacher assignments will be mailed in August.
- When does my child get to see his/her classroom?
- Drop-in Kindergarten Open House is on 8/26/24. You may drop-in at this event midday OR evening time. More information will be coming soon.
- When is the first day my child will go to kindergarten by him/herself?
- 8/27/24
Kindergarten Check-In
We will do a quick check-in of your child’s letter and number literacy. This helps us develop an understanding of your child’s readiness skills.
Check-ins will take place May 21, 22, 23 at the District Office. Please contact Kelly Gillis, enrollment coordinator, at gilliske@mtwp.net to schedule a check in for one of these dates.
How do you know if your child is ready for kindergarten?
- Is your child 5 years-old on or before August 31st?
- Have you asked your child’s preschool teacher for input?
- Does your child demonstrate readiness skills?
What are readiness skills we should look for?
Does your child know his/her:
- birthday?
- address?
- basic colors?
- phone number?
- first and last name?
Can your child write his/her name?
What are some additional skills to practice?
- Cutting with scissors
- Self-control - hands & feet to self
- Working & playing cooperatively with others
- Raising hand to participate
- Listening quietly
- Following directions
What are some things we can practice this summer?
- Cutting with scissors
- Play
- Talk with your child
- Read with your child
- Review the ABCs (lower and uppercase) and numbers daily
- Encourage coloring and writing
- Practice holding a pencil correctly
- Practice making and playing with friends
- Have a set bedtime
- Practice getting dressed, zipping coats and tying shoes
- Establish predictable routines
- Teach and practice good hygiene
- Teach and practice good safety
- Role play the first day of school
Kindergarten Storytime
The storytime event for incoming Kindergarten students takes place in the spring.
You can look forward to a storytime once you have registered your child for Kindergarten.
More information about Kindergarten storytime will be shared by your building principal.
Transportation/Safety Orientation
The transportation/safety orientation is an opportunity for you to learn important bus safety tips and learn about riding the school bus. The orientation typically takes place in August.
More information about the format of the orientation will be shared with you by your child’s building principal.
How can you get involved at school?
- PTO
- You can see PTO events on your school’s website.
- Volunteer
- Visit the district website for information about how to obtain your volunteer clearances.
https://www.mtwp.net/community/volunteer-information/ - School Calendars and Seesaw
- Calendars for each elementary school are available online. Your child’s teacher will connect you to Seesaw to see assignments and classroom information.
- Sapphire Community Portal
- Your link to your student’s general information, transportation, classes, grades, and report cards
Create an Account at https://www.mtwp.net/community/sapphire-community-portal/
MTSD Early Childhood Programs
Do you have younger children at home? Be sure to check out the MTSD early childhood programs:
- Plant the Seed of Learning- Birth to age 2
- Grow the Seed of Learning- ages 2-4
- Sprouting Learners- ages Birth to 2 & 3-5
- Pre-K Counts (Owl Hill)- ages 3-5
- Thrive to Five (Community Action Partnership) - ages 3-5
- Stem Starts Now- Birth to age 5- online digital STEM program
More information about early learning can be found on our website at this link:
https://www.mtwp.net/community/mt-early-childhood-education/
A message from our Kindergarten teachers
Questions?
Contact building principals and be sure to check out the district website at
https://www.mtwp.net/
