Eastern Elementary School uses D'Nealian Handwriting.

Handwriting.  This topic is sometimes more debated than politics.
 
Eastern Elementary still teaches handwriting.  Many schools have removed it from their curriculum because of technology.  Or, they don't designate what specific system they use.  We proudly use D'Nealian at Eastern Elementary School.  We notify our local preschool programs of this so they can start introducing it to their 3 and 4 year olds.  Here are a couple of examples of D'Nealian with and without the stroke arrows.

If you have any questions about handwriting or any other Kindergarten Readiness topics, please contact me at the school.

Parent Night for Kindergarten Round Up

Kindergarten Roundup will have a Parent Only Night on April 14, 2015 at 6:00 at Eastern Elementary School.  The night will include presentations from the administration, teachers, guidance counselor, nurse, speech teacher, and special education service coordinator.  We'll have a question and answer secession following to answer all of your questions and help you feel comfortable and excited about Eastern Elementary!  We will talk about a typical day in kindergarten, kindergarten readiness, and forming a good school and family relationship.

You are welcome to bring a copy of your child's birth certificate, proof of residence, and up to date shot records (if they received their kindergarten shots already).  Those items will be necessary to start school.

We ask that this night be with parents only so we can get all of our information out there.  We will have an Open House for Kindergarten students and with fun activities for them to do on April 21, 2015 from 6:00-7:30pm.  We welcome you to both events!

Kinder Quotes- Follow the Leader?

As I have mentioned previously, the students help me with the morning announcements and the Pledge of Allegiance.  One morning I had a group of Kindergarten students come to the office to help me.  I welcomed them and had them come over by my desk.  One young man asked how I did the announcements so everyone in the school could hear.  I showed them the intercom system.  Expecting  them to ask more questions about it, very quickly, the next four sentences from them were:
"I'm going to be the principal of this school soon."
"I'm going to be seven."
"I like the Justice League."
"I have a DS at home."

To which I replied, "What?"

Their attention spans are short lived.  Props to our teachers who keep kids on task and topic while allowing a little wiggle room in our days!

Please subscribe to this feed to receive updates on kindergarten readiness for you and your student by clicking here.

Kindergarten Immunizations

Parents of a future Kindergarten student need to schedule a doctor's appointment now for their child to receive the required immunization boosters.  Don't wait til the last minute.  Routine Kindergarten vaccines usually include: Dtap, Polio, MMR, Chicken Pox, and Hepatitis A.
Kelly Darling, RN, BSN
Eastern Elementary School Nurse
628-0322 ext. 417

Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten Round Up Information-Updated!

Ready, Set , Go to Kindergarten!

We are looking forward to welcoming all of those new little Comets into our program!  Kindergarten is a very exciting time for new students and their parents!  Eastern Elementary School will be having their Kindergarten Round Up this year on two different nights:

• April 14 6-7:30 p.m. will be a PARENT ONLY information night.  We will do our normal presentation with them, but this will give them the opportunity to ask questions, meet the teachers and other staff, and get as much info as they can without the worry of the kids.  Parents should bring a copy of the child's birth certificate, proof of residence, and updated immunization record (if available).
• April 21 6-7:30 p.m. will be an Open House format for the parents and kids to come in and meet the teachers, see the classrooms, get a picture taken with a race car and driver, PTO can make popcorn and serve a snack, the bus can take them for a ride around the block, HS groups will do some face painting or the like with them, iPads will be on desks with (get this) some Professional Kindergarten Ambassadors showing parents and kids how they use the iPad in class.

Keep following this feed for scheduling, registration information, fun facts, examples from the classroom, parent involvment and information, Kindergarten Readiness, and much, much more.

--Mr. Maurer

Kindergarten Readiness

I will be making posts to this blog pertaining to Eastern Elementary School's Kindergarten Program and kindergarten readiness.  Please subscribe to this feed to receive updates on kindergarten readiness for you and your student by clicking here.

Our Kindergarten Round Up will be on two different nights this year.

Knot your typical blog...maybe knot your typical principal.

At the end of every morning announcements, I set up and send out the cheer for the day.
Mr. Maurer:  "Every day is what you make it."
All of Eastern Elementary School: "Make it a great day!  Yahoooooooo!"

And, at the end of every morning announcements, I ask the students who have come in to help with the Pledge of Allegiance for the morning announcements to pick me out a tie off of an ever changing collection of ties.  Some are cartoons.  Some are landmarks.  Some are from NASA.  Some are created by kids.  Some have pictures of my own kids.  Some have pictures of food on them.  And, some have stains left on them from food.  Some are...well, I'm not sure what that one from Cleveland, Ohio is actually of.  Some are from garage sales bought with a handful of change.  Some were brought back to me from the nation's capital.  All are special.  All help create the image of me.

I tell them to take a look at what I am wearing and pick out one that will match.  They always pick out a winner, and it might even match, too.  And, when they see me in it they beam!  "I picked that out," you might hear several whisper.

If a student wears a collar on their shirt, they are welcomed to come down and pick out a tie to wear on that day.  They know my rules. "When using the restroom or eating lunch, the tie goes over your shoulder."  They giggle.  Ok, so do I.

Over, under, over, wrapping around.  Take the fat side up through the neck hole and then through the loop.  Bring it down tight and push up on the knot.  Position it.  Position it again.  Check it out.  Smile.  Those kids are making you look good today!

Now, let's go see what we can find!  The Principal's Tie Rack provides me with at least one great surprise everyday.  The kids, parents, teachers, and staff provide the rest.  Everyday is a mixture of unplanned adventures and a few scheduled occurences.  Simply, every day is what YOU make it.  (You) Make it a great day!