Kindergarten Kickoff

Tennessee’s academic standards are used for English language arts, math, science, and social studies. Visit the Tennessee Department of Education website to access them. Learning goals are based on these standards.

Some of the academic standards for reading/language arts include recognizing and writing alphabet letters, using letter sounds and other clues to read simple words, answering questions about details in stories, speaking clearly to express thoughts, feelings, and ideas, and using a combination of drawing, dictating and writing to create a story. In math, children count, sort and classify objects, compare quantities, identify and describe basic shapes, add and subtract small numbers and use addition and subtraction to solve word problems. In science, children explore the world around them, including plants and animals. They build knowledge based on experiences with their families, schools, and communities in social studies.

In addition to these academic goals, kindergarteners continue to develop skills for collaboration and adjusting to a classroom environment.  In FSSD, the focus is on the whole child, including their physical, social, emotional and academic growth.  Experiences in movement, art and music are a vital part of the kindergarten curriculum.

The kindergarten transition period is a 5-day phase-in leading up to the first full day of kindergarten on Monday, August 14, 2023  Watch the Kindergarten Round-Up video (to the right) to learn more about signing your child up for a screening day and an orientation day.

Screening Day
On August 4th and 6th , your child will be scheduled to take a short basic skills assessment. This screening provides the teachers with information necessary to plan instruction that will best meet the needs of your child. While you will not accompany your child to the screening room, please plan to remain in the building until this brief screening is completed. 

Orientation Day
Students will be dismissed at 1:00 on this day after having an opportunity to tour the building, meet school staff and begin to understand school procedures in a small group setting. This day provides a gradual introduction to school and enables students to feel happy and confident as they start their year. You must provide transportation to and from school on this day.

You will receive a report card four times during the year in addition to other teacher communication. This is a chance for us to share your child’s academic achievement, challenges, work habits, and social development. 

FSSD uses a standards-based report card that measures progress toward academic goals in reading/language arts, mathematics, science and social studies. Curriculum benchmarks are specifically identified on this report card. It is the progress toward these goals that we will monitor and report to you. This enables us to better recognize academic needs, to tailor teaching strategies to meet them, and to provide parents with the resources to help reinforce specific skills at home. Our teachers differentiate instruction, so each child learns at a pace that is comfortable, yet challenging. The report card will also communicate your child’s progress in developing responsible behavior that is essential to learning.

Thank you so much for your support and partnership as we begin an exciting journey with you and your child. Kindergarten is a special year full of wonderful experiences. We look forward to sharing them all with your child.

Here are some ways that you can help your child learn and reinforce what is being taught in school:

• Help your child develop a positive attitude about school and his or her ability to learn. It is important that children come to school well rested, fed and ready to learn.
• Make every effort to bring your child to school regularly and on time. It begins the day on a positive note and sets a good work habit.
• Talk to your child about their school experiences. Ask them about the best thing that happened in school each day. Show interest in what they are learning and doing at school.
• Establish a routine for reviewing information that is sent home with your child.  Be sure to return information as requested.
• Talk with your child’s teacher regularly about your child’s progress.  Ask about what you can do to help them learn and grow. 
• Volunteer to help in your child’s classroom or school.
• Set high expectations for your child. Make it clear that school and learning is a priority.  Encourage your child to work hard, even when presented with learning challenges. 
• Dedicate at least 15 minutes a day to talking with your child and reading together. This will help develop literacy skills important for reading and writing.
• Limit the amount of time your child spends watching television and playing video games.
• Take opportunities to help your student learn as you go about your daily routine. Talk about how objects are alike and how they are different. Name letters and numbers on signs and in other printed materials. Ask the student to count objects and to put sets together and take them apart to build understanding of addition and subtraction.
• Help your child practice writing his or her name. Also, encourage them as they work on self-help skills, such as zipping, buttoning, and mastering bathroom skills.
• Give your student jobs around the house and offer praise when those jobs are successfully completed.  This can foster a sense of responsibility and a feeling of importance.
• Encourage your student to listen and follow directions. 

In accordance with requirements of the Tennessee Department of Health and the policies of Franklin Special School District, all Kindergarten students are required to have proof of a physical examination and a valid Tennessee Department of Health “Certificate of School Immunization.”  This document is available from your child’s healthcare provider who provided your child’s immunizations or from the local health department (you will need to provide a copy of your child’s vaccine record).  For students who have medical or religious vaccine exemptions, the “Certificate of Immunization” is still required to document the physical examination and the exemptions. 

The health department is anticipating that their facility and area pediatricians will be extremely busy in the upcoming few months and are requesting that families go ahead and make appointments as soon as possible for their physical exam and necessary vaccines. If your child is not yet five years old, you should schedule the appointment now for a date on or soon after their fifth birthday.

Additional items required to complete enrollment for Kindergarten students includes completion of the online enrollment application, a copy of the child’s birth certificate, and two proofs of residency. 

All items must be on file for your child to start kindergarten.  If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact the school where your child will attend.