I’m so glad we made the choice to
What Happens in a What Happens in a What Happens in a Transitional Kindergarten Classroom? What Happens in a Transitional Kindergarten Classroom? Transitional Kindergarten Classroom? In transitional kindergarten, teachers help children Transitional Kindergarten Classroom? In transitional kindergarten, teachers help children In transitional kindergarten, teachers help children through activities that build develop social skills In transitional kindergarten, teachers help children develop develop social social skills skills through through activities activities that that build build confidence and communication. They also expose develop social through activities that build confidence confidence and communication. They also also expose expose communication. skills and children to and reading math They in an exciting, confidence and communication. They also expose children children to to reading reading and and math math in in an an exciting, exciting, interactive way by using educational games to children to reading and educational by by using using educational math in an exciting, to interactive interactive way way games games to teach children about words and sentences and help interactive way by using educational games to teach children about words and sentences and help teach children about words and sentences and help them understand mathematical concepts like teach children about words and sentences and help mathematical them them understand understand mathematical concepts concepts like like counting and patterns. them understand mathematical concepts like counting and patterns. counting and patterns. Durham’s Transitional Kindergarten Program: counting and patterns. Durham’s Transitional Kindergarten Program: Durham’s Transitional Kindergarten Program: Durham’s Transitional Kindergarten Program: Classroom facility and teacher: Depending Classroom facility and teacher: Depending Classroom facility and teacher: Depending upon enrollment, Transitional Kindergarteners Classroom facility and teacher: Depending upon enrollment, Transitional Kindergarteners upon enrollment, Transitional Kindergarteners have their own classroom with their own upon enrollment, Transitional Kindergarteners have their own classroom with their own have their own classroom with their own teacher or will be in a combination TK/K class. have their own classroom with their own teacher or will be in a combination TK/K class. teacher or will be in a combination TK/K class. Length of school day: Students attend daily teacher or will be in a combination TK/K class. Length of school day: Students attend daily Length of school day: Students attend daily for 3 hours and 20 minutes in the morning Length of school day: Students attend daily for 3 hours and 20 minutes in the morning for 3 hours and 20 minutes in the morning with the same start time as DES. for 3 hours and 20 minutes in the morning with the same start time as DES. with the same start time as DES. Shared activities: They participate in school‐ with the same start time as DES. Shared activities: They participate in school‐ Shared activities: They participate in school‐ wide enrichment activities such as music and Shared activities: They participate in school‐ wide enrichment activities such as music and wide enrichment activities such as music and art throughout the year. wide enrichment activities such as music and art throughout the year. art throughout the year. art throughout the year. Curriculum and learning: Children learn Curriculum and learning: Children learn Curriculum and learning: Children learn important new skills that build on what they Curriculum and learning: Children learn important new skills that build on what they important new skills that build on what they may have learned in preschool and help them important new skills that build on what they may have learned in preschool and help them may have learned in preschool and help them adjust to the elementary school environment. may have learned in preschool and help them adjust to the elementary school environment. adjust to the elementary school environment. The curriculum focuses on developmentally adjust to the elementary school environment. The curriculum focuses on developmentally The curriculum focuses on developmentally appropriate skills presented in a hands‐on The curriculum focuses on developmentally appropriate skills presented in a hands‐on appropriate skills presented in a hands‐on manner. appropriate skills presented in a hands‐on manner. manner. manner. Learning environment: They learn by working with the teacher in small and large groups and Learning environment: They learn by working Learning environment: They learn by working Learning environment: They learn by working with the teacher in small and large groups and with the teacher in small and large groups and with the teacher in small and large groups and also have opportunities for independent also have opportunities for independent also have opportunities for independent exploration. also have opportunities for independent exploration. exploration. exploration. I’m so glad we made the choice to I’m I’msosoglad gladwe wemade madethe thechoice choicetoto enroll my son in transitional enroll transitional enroll myson son transitional I’m somy glad weinin made the choice to kindergarten. He’s very confident in kindergarten. He’s very confident kindergarten. He’s very confidentinin enroll my son in transitional school now and he’s excited to learn school he’s excited totolearn schoolnow nowand and he’s excited learn kindergarten. He’s very confident in more. more. more. now and he’s excited to learn school -Transitional Kindergarten Parent more. -Transitional -TransitionalKindergarten KindergartenParent Parent -Transitional Kindergarten Parent Why is Transitional Kindergarten Why is Transitional Kindergarten Why is Transitional Kindergarten Good for Kids? Why is Transitional Kindergarten Good for Kids? Good for Kids? Transitional kindergarten provides children with an kindergarten provides children with an Good for Kids? Transitional Transitional kindergarten provides children with an opportunity to learn in an enriching and academically opportunity to learn in an enriching and academically kindergarten children with an Transitional provides opportunity to learn in an enriching and academically opportunity to learn in an enriching and academically challenging environment that nurtures their growth. opportunity to learn in an enriching and academically challenging challenging environment environment that that nurtures nurtures their their growth. growth. Research shows that children who attend challenging environment that nurtures who their growth. Research Research shows shows that that children children attend attend kindergarten readiness programs like who transitional Research shows that programs children like who attend kindergarten kindergarten readiness readiness programs like transitional transitional kindergarten are more likely to do well in school and kindergarten readiness programs like transitional kindergarten are more likely to do well in school and kindergarten are more likely to do well in school and attend college. kindergarten are more likely to do well in school and attend college. attend college. attend college. Parents all over California recognize the benefits of Parents all Parents all over over California California recognize recognize the benefits benefits of of transitional many the parents have Parents all kindergarten, over California and recognize the benefits of transitional transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, and and many many parents parents have have already been kindergarten, enrolling their in similar transitional and children many parents have already already been been enrolling enrolling their their children children in in similar similar programs, public and private, for years. Offering already been enrolling their for children in Offering similar programs, programs, public public and and private, private, for years. transitional kindergarten will help all years. of our Offering kids get programs, public and private, for years. Offering transitional transitional kindergarten kindergarten will will help help all all of of our our kids kids get get the best start possible, with curriculum that is transitional kindergarten will help all of our kids get the the best best start start possible, possible, with with curriculum curriculum that that is is designed just for them. the best start possible, with curriculum that is designed just for them. designed just for them. designed just for them. How Can I Learn More? How Can I Learn More? How Can I Learn More? How Can I Learn More? To learn more about transitional kindergarten To learn more about transitional kindergarten To learn more about transitional kindergarten in Durham, call To learn more about transitional kindergarten in Durham, call in Durham, call in Durham, call Barbara Jelicich, Principal 530.895.4695 Barbara BarbaraJelicich, Jelicich,Principal Principal 530.895.4695 530.895.4695 Barbara Jelicich, Principal 530.895.4695 For answers to some frequently asked questions For answers to some frequently asked questions For answers to some frequently asked questions For answers to some frequently asked questions on transitional kindergarten, visit on transitional kindergarten, visit on transitional kindergarten, visit on transitional kindergarten, visit www.durhamunified.org/des/ www.durhamunified.org/des/ www.durhamunified.org/des/ www.durhamunified.org/des/ Durham Elementary School Durham DurhamElementary ElementarySchool School Durham Elementary School Who Attends Who Attends Who Attends Who Attends Transitional Kindergarten? Transitional Kindergarten? Transitional Kindergarten? Transitional Kindergarten? What is Transitional Kindergarten? What is Transitional Kindergarten? What is Transitional Kindergarten? What is Transitional Kindergarten? Transitional kindergarten is a bridge between Transitional kindergarten is a bridge between Transitional kindergarten is a bridge between Transitional kindergarten is a bridge between preschool preschool preschool and and and kindergarten kindergarten kindergarten for for for children children children preschool and kindergarten for children turning turning turning 5 5 years 5 years years old old old between between between September September September and and and turning 5 years old between September and December. December. December. It It It gives gives gives young young young learners learners learners a a a head head head December. It gives young learners a head start start start and and and provides provides provides them them them with with with an an an opportunity opportunity opportunity start and provides them with an opportunity to to to learn learn learn and and and grow grow grow in in in an an an environment environment environment that that that is is is to learn and grow in an environment that is tailored tailored tailored to to to meet meet meet their their their academic academic academic and and and social social social tailored to meet their academic and social needs. needs. needs. needs. Transitional kindergarten: Transitional kindergarten: Transitional kindergarten: Transitional kindergarten: Is part of the public school Is part of the public school Is part of the public school Is part of the public school system and is free for families system and is free for families system and is free for families system and is free for families Uses a unique, specialized Uses a unique, specialized Uses a unique, specialized Uses a unique, specialized curriculum that is based on the curriculum that is based on the curriculum that is based on the curriculum that is based on the kindergarten standards and is kindergarten standards and is kindergarten standards and is kindergarten standards and is designed to support young 5 designed to support young 5 designed to support young 5 designed to support young 5 year olds year olds year olds year olds Is taught by credentialed Is taught by credentialed Is taught by credentialed Is taught by credentialed teachers with extra training to teachers with extra training to teachers with extra training to teachers with extra training to teach young kindergarteners teach young kindergarteners teach young kindergarteners teach young kindergarteners Starting Starting school school is is is a a very exciting exciting time time for for children children Starting school a very very exciting time for children Starting school It is It begins a begins very a exciting time for children and and their their families! families! a new chapter chapter in in their their and their families! It begins a new new chapter in their and their families! It begins a new chapter in But their lives lives and and sets sets the the tone tone for for children's children's future. future. But lives and sets the tone for children's future. But lives and sets the tone for children's future. But California’s California’s kindergarten kindergarten standards standards and and curriculum curriculum California’s kindergarten standards and curriculum California’s kindergarten standards and curriculum have changed over the years, and many of the skills have changed over the years, and many of the skills have changed over the years, and many of the skills have changed over the years, and many of the skills children children were were once once taught taught in in first first grade grade are are now now children were once taught in first grade are now children were once taught in first grade are now expected expected kindergarten. This can make the expected in in in kindergarten. kindergarten. This This can can make make the the expected in kindergarten. This can make the transition transition into kindergarten difficult for some transition into into kindergarten kindergarten difficult difficult for for some some transition into kindergarten difficult for some children, children, and and the the youngest youngest children children entering entering the the children, and the youngest children entering the children, and the youngest children entering the kindergarten classroom often struggle to adjust. kindergarten classroom often struggle to adjust. kindergarten classroom often struggle to adjust. kindergarten classroom often struggle to adjust. The The good good news news is is that that California California recently recently passed passed a a a The good news is is that California recently passed The good news that California recently passed a law law to to create create transitional transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, giving giving law to create transitional kindergarten, giving law to create transitional kindergarten, giving children children an an opportunity opportunity to to learn learn in in a a a hands‐on, children an opportunity to learn in hands‐on, children an opportunity to learn in a hands‐on, hands‐on, interactive way that supports their development, interactive interactive way way that that supports supports their their development, development, interactive way that supports their development, while still maintaining the rigor and high standards of while still maintaining the rigor and high standards of while still maintaining the rigor and high standards of while still maintaining the rigor and high standards of kindergarten. kindergarten. kindergarten. kindergarten. In our district and throughout the state, transitional In In our our district district and and throughout throughout the the state, state, transitional transitional In our district and throughout the state, transitional kindergarten will be offered to children turning kindergarten kindergarten will will be be offered offered to to children children turning 5 5 5 kindergarten will be offered to children turning turning 5 years old between September 1 and December 2 to years years old old between between September September 1 1 and and December December 2 2 to years old between September 1 and December 2 to to give them an opportunity develop the social and give give them them an an opportunity opportunity develop develop the the social social and and give them an opportunity develop the social and academic skills and the confidence that will help academic academic skills skills and and the the confidence confidence that that will will help help academic skills and the confidence that will them succeed in kindergarten and beyond. them succeed in kindergarten and beyond. them succeed in kindergarten and beyond. them succeed in kindergarten and beyond. When When When Scott Scott Scott first first first began began began transitional transitional transitional kindergarten kindergarten kindergarten hehe he When Scott first began transitional kindergarten could could could not not not sitsit sit still still still oror or focus focus onon on the the the teacher. teacher. teacher. Having Having Having could not sit still orfocus focus on the teacher. Having Transitional kindergarten gives the Transitional Transitional Transitional kindergarten kindergarten kindergarten gives gives gives the the the developmental activities and curriculum has been developmental developmental developmental activities activities activities and and and curriculum curriculum curriculum has has has been been been gift of time to children who are smart and wonderful gift gift gift of of of time time time toto to children children children who who who are are are smart smart smart and and and wonderful for him. He has learned so much, he’s wonderful wonderful for for for him. him. him. He He He has has has learned learned learned soso so much, much, much, he’s he’s he’s capable but need another year to grow. confident confident and loves school. Transitional capable capable capable but but but need need need another another another year year year toto to grow. grow. grow. confident confident and and and loves loves loves school. school. school. Transitional Transitional Transitional kindergarten was perfect fitfor for him. kindergarten kindergarten kindergarten was was was a aperfect aaperfect perfect fitfit fit for for him. him. him. - Transitional Kindergarten Teacher -Transitional Transitional Kindergarten Teacher - -Transitional Kindergarten Kindergarten Teacher Teacher A A A new new new law law law was was was recently recently recently passed passed passed in in in California California California to to to A new the law recently in can California to change change change the the was age age age when when when passed children children children can can begin begin begin change the Under age this when children can must begin kindergarten. kindergarten. kindergarten. Under Under this this new new new law, law, law, children children children must must kindergarten. Under this new law, children must turn 5 years old on or before September 1 to enroll turn 5 years old on or before September 1 to enroll turn 5 years old on or before September 1 to enroll turn 5 years old on or before September 1 to enroll in in in kindergarten. kindergarten. kindergarten. Previously, Previously, Previously, children children children could could could be be be in kindergarten. Previously, children could be enrolled enrolled enrolled in in in kindergarten kindergarten kindergarten if if they if they they turned turned turned 5 5 years 5 years years old old old enrolled in kindergarten if they turned 5 years old by December 2. While this change of a few months by December 2. While this change of a few months by December 2. While this change of a few months by December 2. While this change of a few months may seem small, it can mean a big difference during may seem small, it can mean a big difference during may seem small, it can mean a big difference during may seem small, it can mean a big difference during these early years when children are rapidly growing these early years when children are rapidly growing these early years when children are rapidly growing these early years when children are rapidly growing and developing. and developing. and developing. and developing. The The The law law law also also also created created created transitional transitional transitional kindergarten, kindergarten, kindergarten, so so so The law also created transitional kindergarten, so the the the children children children who who who will will will be be be affected affected affected by by by this this this change change change – – – the children who will be affected by this change – those those those with with with birthdays birthdays birthdays between between between September September September and and and those with birthdays between September and December December December – – will – will will have have have an an an opportunity opportunity opportunity to to to continue continue continue December – will have an opportunity to continue building building building their their their skills skills skills and and and abilities. abilities. abilities. Their Their Their time time time in in in building their skills and abilities. Their time in transitional kindergarten transitional kindergarten transitional kindergarten will will will help them help them help them to succeed to succeed to succeed transitional kindergarten will help them to succeed in in in kindergarten, kindergarten, kindergarten, become become become leaders leaders leaders in in in the the the classroom classroom classroom in kindergarten, become leaders in the classroom and confidently navigate the school day routine. and confidently navigate the school day routine. and confidently navigate the school day routine. and confidently navigate the school day routine. Transitional Kindergarten isdependent dependent upon Transitional Transitional Kindergarten Kindergarten isis upon upon Transitional Kindergarten isdependent dependent upon funding remaining inthe the state budget for the funding funding remaining remaining inin the state state budget budget for for the the funding remaining in the state budget for the program. program. program. program. DURHAM DURHAM DURHAM UNIFIED UNIFIED UNIFIED UNIFIED SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL SCHOOL DISTRICT DISTRICT DISTRICT
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