Kindergarten FAQs

WHAT ARE YOUR SCHOOL HOURS?

Our school day runs from 8:30 am-3:10 pm. We believe that full-day Kindergarten allows for extended study of academic subjects, social interaction, outdoor play, field trips, dramatic play and relaxation. It helps provide a smooth transition into first grade.

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DO YOU HAVE SNACK?

Breakfast and milk are provided as part of our food service program at no additional cost to your family. 
We take special care when providing snacks in regard to allergies

​​HOW MANY RECESSES DO YOU HAVE?

We start the year with three recesses a day. As the year progresses and the winter months come upon us, we drop down to two outdoor recesses. We have Physical Education three times per week and free time to provide many opportunities for brain breaks, movement, and active play.

DO YOU HAVE PLAYTIME?

We realize the importance of not only academics in Kindergarten but also social development. We provide the students with many opportunities to work on their social skills. Daily recesses provide many opportunities to work and play with peers. We also have Free Choice time daily where students are able to have free play and use their imagination with their peers. We have Centers 3-4 times each week that incorporate learning and practicing new skills while interacting with peers as well.

DO YOU HAVE REST TIME?

Yes, we have rest time most days for around twenty minutes. The children do not have to sleep; however, they do need to rest their minds and bodies. We typically play classical music while they relax on their towels brought from home. They can also look at books or journal quietly during this time.

HOW DO YOU TEACH READING?

We focus on phonemic awareness and use a whole language approach to learning. We begin the year by teaching two letters per week. We introduce the letter, sound and proper printing formation. We incorporate a multi-sensory approach to teaching and learning the letters, their sounds, and blending and segmenting sounds to make/form words. We also incorporate reading new sight words and word families each week. Once we have completed all of the letters of the alphabet, we focus on blending and segmenting words, reading leveled readers, and sounding out and writing words on our own. We write many stories in Kindergarten related to our themes each week where students can practice spelling.  

DO YOU TEACH RELIGION IN KINDERGARTEN? | DO THE KINDERGARTENERS ATTEND MASS?

We teach Religion in Kindergarten and incorporate faith into our daily conversations and lessons. We use the Allelu learning packets to teach religion lessons. In Kindergarten, students learn a new prayer each quarter and are assessed on their ability to recite the prayer. We start off each day by praying together and also pray before snack and lunch. We end each school day with an all-school prayer. We have Mass about twice a month and Kindergarteners attend all Masses with the school. The Kindergarteners are in charge of planning the Mary Mass at the end of the year. They will sing songs, do the readings, prayers of the faithful, and act out the homily. We have all school Prayer Services and Adoration several times throughout the year.

WHAT SPECIAL CLASSES DO THE KINDERGARTENERS PARTICIPATE IN?

• Physical Education three times per week
• Music, Spanish, Computer twice per week
• Library once per week
• Art and STEM incorporated in the classroom regularly

HOW DO I KNOW MY CHILD IS READY FOR KINDERGARTEN?

• They can say their first and last name.
• They can recognize and print their first name.
• They know how to use zippers, buttons, and can use the bathroom independently.
• They know how to use scissors, glue and pencils properly.
• They can take responsibility for their own actions.
• They can sit and listen to a story quietly.
• They can share things, take turns and play by the rules.
• They can communicate their needs appropriately to an adult.
• They can recognize most/all of the letters of the alphabet in random order.
• They can recognize numbers 1-10 in random order.
• They know their colors and basic shapes.

WHEN WILL I FIND OUT WHO MY CHILD’S TEACHER WILL BE?

We will send out postcards in August indicating who your child’s teacher is for Kindergarten!

HOW CAN I GET INVOLVED AT GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOOL?

We love having parents involved in our classroom and school. You will receive this information
at Open House in August and at Parent Night in September.

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DO YOU HAVE UNANSWERED QUESTIONS?

We would be happy to answer any questions you may have about Good Shepherd School and
our Kindergarten Program.

Feel free to contact the Main Office at (763) 545-4285 or email the Kindergarten teachers:
Catie Corken: [email protected]
Angela Lee: [email protected]