A Guide to ENS Sharjah Kindergarten

2017/2018

ENS Mission Statement

ENS Sharjah mission is to inspire students to take a leading, creative and caring role in an
internationally-minded learning community that empowers them to be independent thinkers,
open-minded and global contributors, so that they actively achieve their full potential in a
changing world while preserving their national identity.

IBO Mission Statement

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young
people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural
understanding and respect.

To this end the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations
to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These
programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong
learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.
 Welcome to KG
Your class teachers will be:
KG 1 A: Ms Amy Meegan KG 2 A: Ms. Karina Adoum
KG 1 B: Ms Sinead Farrell KG 2 B: Ms. Tiffany Velazquez
KG 1 C: Ms Aimee Naughton KG 2 C: Ms. Catriona Folan
KG 1 D: Ms Amy Dempsey KG 2 D: Ms. Aoife Osullivan
KG 1 E: Ms Emer Dillane KG 2 E: Ms. Safina Kosar
Collection

Kindergarten begins at 7:30 and finishes at 12.30pm and 12:30pm on Tuesdays. Children who do not go on the
bus must be collected no later than 1:00pm and 12:45pm on Tuesdays. If someone else is collecting your child
please inform your childs teacher.

Homework

Homework will be sent on a Sunday and returned on Thursday

Our Curriculum Our Curriculum

Here at ENS we follow the IB-PYP Program in which Here at ENS we follow the IB-PYP Program in
we explore 5 Transdisciplinary Themes in KG 1. which we explore 6 Transdisciplinary Themes in
KG 2.
Who We Are
Who We Are
How We Express Ourselves
How We Express Ourselves
How we organise ourselves
How we organise ourselves
How the World Works
How the World Works
Sharing the Planet
Sharing the Planet

Where We Are in Place and Time

We also use the Everyday Math Program.
We also use the Everyday Math Program.

KG Student Stationery List

Dear Parents

The items listed below are requested for every student in KG for the new
academic year September 2017/2018.

.
For classroom use

Quantity Item Photo

 A packet of Triangular
1 pack
lead pencils

Box of water color paints

1 set

20 Large UHU glue sticks

Boxes of triangular
1 coloring pencils

1 box Tissues

2 Large packets wet wipes

A change of clothes
(trousers, t-shirt, underpants,
1
socks etc.) for your child in
a bag with NAME ON
 6 A4 plastic files (like
envelopes.( 6 )
2 &
Pocket A4 file (80 pocket)

1 painting overall with NAME

Sketch pad. A4, no lines,

1
blank pages.

1 Small whiteboard for your child to

practice drawing

20 Small Whiteboard markers:

Please get your child's

name on ALL jackets.

ABC's of
Many Thanks, KG Teachers

Kindergart
en
ABSENCES Regular attendance will help ensure your childs success. If your child is
absent, please contact the ENS school. Please notify the office in advance if you are going
to be out of the city for five or more school days.
APPOINTMENTS If you make dental or doctor appointments for your child, we would
encourage you to schedule them in the afternoon. Our mornings will be full of
instructional, active learning through play. Your child would benefit greatly everyday he
or she is at school.

ARRIVAL - Your child should be at school at 7.30. We will begin our day at the with a
whole school assembly at 7.30 for the National Anthem and flag ceremony. . Parents are
welcome to attend and then say goodbye to your child as they line up to enter the
classroom.

ATTITUDES These are the IB Attitudes that we will be the base of building the IB
Learning Profiles: Appreciation, Commitment, Confidence, Cooperation, Creativity,
Curiosity, Empathy, Enthusiasm, Independence, Integrity, Respect, and Tolerance.

BACKPACKS - Your childs backpack should be big enough to hold a

pocket folder. Backpacks help your child carry the communication book, folders, notes,
projects, and books to and from school. Please check your childs backpack DAILY. We
will send home the communication book daily with important information. For safety
and storage reasons, backpacks with wheels are not preferred.

BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS / Essential classroom agreements

Our kindergarten will follow the Golden Ruletreat others, as you want to be treated
and * Be respectful * Be safe * Be responsible * Be productive

BIRTHDAYS We will celebrate your childs birthday if this is your wish, on or as close
to the date as possible. You can send a non-food treat for your child to share with their
classmates or a book to donate to our classroom library. Birthday invitations for
private parties may not be distributed at school unless every child is receiving
one.

BOOK FAIRS - The kindergarten organises two book fairs a year. You will be advised of
the dates and details closer to the time, and are most welcome and encouraged to come
along to enjoy the book fair experience with your child.

CALENDAR We will be putting important dates and events in our kindergarten

newsletters and on the Parent Message Board in Managebac. The communication book
also has important event information for families.

CELEBRATIONS, EVENTS, AND ACTIVITIES -We will have various celebrations

throughout the year and you will always be advised of these prior to the time of the
event. We welcome families to participate in all our events and encourage you to
participate whenever possible.

CLOTHING The children are required to wear their school uniform complete with the
correct coloured (brown or black) shoes. Students should wear shoes that are
appropriate for physical education and recess. PLEASE be sure to label all clothing that
might be lost, such as sweaters or coats. Shoes should be very safe athletic type shoes.
Kindergartners are playing, running, jumping, and doing PE every day. Sandals or shoes
with heels can be unsafe and uncomfortable.
COMMUNICATION Communication between home and school is very important. If
you need to speak to us, please call or e-mail us. We will get back to you as soon as
possible. There are links directly to contact teachers on their weebly sites. This is
the best way to reach them, as they can respond directly to you.

COMPUTERS Each department has a computer room and Students will be taught the
proper way to use a computer and will have access to educational programs that
support our units of inquiry or your childs needs.

CONFERENCES These will take place three times a year to discuss your childs
progress and you will be advised of the dates. Other conferences or meetings can be held
on an as needed basis, through contact with our Parent Communication Office.

DISMISSAL Dismissal time is 12.30. Children to be taken to the bus pod at 12.30 as the
buses depart from school at 12.45. Car children will stay with their homeroom teacher
until they are picked up. We will not release a student to another adult or sibling unless
we have received permission from you.
.
EARLY DISMISSAL This will be every Tuesday at 12.30. The buses will leave at 12. 20
and car children need to be collected by 12.30 p.m.

FIELD TRIPS -We will take lots of educational field trips during the year. Our goal is to
have has many chaperones joining us, as possible. If you want to volunteer for field
trips, please advise the homeroom teacher.
.
HANDWRITING Kindergartners will have hands on manipulatives and activities that
make writing easy and fun. A supportive website for parents to take a look at is
www.hwtears.com.

HOMEWORK Homework is sent weekly.

INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE We will encourage a positive attitude to learning

by encouraging students to ask challenging questions, to critically reflect, to develop
research skills, and to learn how to learn. We encourage community service. Our
primary goal is to develop your childs intellectual, personal, emotional and social skills
to live, learn and work in a rapidly global world. For more information please see
www.IBO.org

LIBRARY -We will have a scheduled library time every week. .

LUNCH We will be having a snack time and lunch every day for those families who
wish their child to use the canteen providers. Please contact registration for further
details of payments for the canteen. It is important we have a record of who is eating at
the canteen and who is bringing their food to school. Please make sure your child has
their lunchbox clearly labelled. A copy of the menu is available at your request.
PARENTS - We value, appreciate and encourage Parent involvement! You are your
childs first teacher and we count it a privilege to parent with you in your childs
education. We know youll want to be active in your childs kindergarten year as much as
you can. We would encourage you to participate with us in activities and learning and
look forward to you sharing your expertise or talents with us.

PERSONAL AND SOCIAL GROWTH Students will develop an awareness of their self-
identity and their strengths and weaknesses. They will learn self-confidence and self
-worth. They will learn to communicate and manage their own feelings and emotions.
They will reflect on their own abilities and behaviour and will set achievable goals.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION We have physical education on a regular basis.

PORTFOLIOS Each child has a learning portfolio where pieces of work are chosen by
your child. This is an opportunity for your child to talk about their learning and show
you their best work.

PROFILES IB Learners strive to be Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers,

Communicators, Principled, Open-Minded, Caring, Risk-Takers, Balanced, Reflective.

REPORT CARDS and ASSESSMENTS We will be assessing students continually

through informal observations and formal assessments, and progress data recorded in
the Managebac program, from which the reports are generated.

SCHEDULE - Each class has their daily timetabled schedule

SCHOOL SUPPLIES We will be asking students to bring a variety of school supplies, a

copy of which is sent home at the beginning of the year. There may be times we may
asking for more donations if necessary, when things run out or we have special activities
and we thank you in advance for your cooperation and generosity on these occasions.

SNACKS Snacks are important to our Kindergarten students. Five and six year olds
have relatively small stomachs but an ongoing need for nutrient rich calories in order to
meet the energy demands of an all-day Kindergarten program. Healthy habits and skills
learned as young children are critical for your childs optimal growth and development.
We are asking you as parents to support our healthy school food policy by sending in
healthy snacks and lunches each day. Please choose foods that are nutrient rich but
without excessive calories. We ask that you
discuss your food preparation/shopping with your child and get his/her buy in to a
selection of healthy and appropriate snack/lunch foods based on fruits, veggies, and
whole grain products

TRANSDISCIPLINARY THEMES - The International Baccalaureate

program is based on the following six transdisciplinary themes:
Who we are,
Where we are in place and time,
How we express ourselves
How the world works,
How we organize ourselves
 Sharing the planet.

UNITS OF INQUIRY - An Inquiry Unit of instruction, the teacher will use the
transdisciplinary theme as a framework to drive instruction through every subject area
(language arts, social studies, mathematics, arts, science and technology, personal, social
and physical education). Students gain knowledge that is relevant and of global
significance. They will develop an understanding of concepts, which allows them to
make connections throughout their learning. These units of inquiry are relevant and
meaningful to a childs education. Childrens interests and
Question's are incorporated into each of the units so that the children learn how to ask
constructive questions, plan investigations, solve problems and find the answers to their
questions. Through the process of inquiry, or asking questions, IB students are able to
construct meaning from their learning experiences.

VISITORS Visitors are welcome in our classroom with prior knowledge to the
administration and teachers. Please make sure that you sign in and receive the visitors
badge at the office before you go to the classroom.

VOLUNTEERS- Kindergarten volunteers are critical to our program! If you would like to
come in, please let us know!

WATER BOTTLES Labelled Water bottles are needed at the beginning of school when
it is so hot outside. We want your child to stay hydrated during the day and water bottles
are a convenient way to get water quickly. Water bottles will be sent home every day to
be washed. Dont forget to send them back each day.

WEBSITES ENS website www.ens.sch.ae

WEEBLY- The website for the kindergarten is www.enssharjahkindergarten.weebly.com

From this website, you will be able to access the links specifically for your childs class.
Please check the main page for school updates/news and the teachers individual
websites for news specific to their class. links for contacting the teacher are also on this
page. .

What can you do to help your child?

Ensure that your child goes to bed early and has a good night sleep the day
before school.
Be on time for school or call if your child is going to be absent.
Communicate with your childs teacher about your childs progress.
Share some of their learning experiences that have taken place at home.
Read with your child every day.
Support your child when they are doing their homework.
Most importantly teachers and parents need to work in partnership.
 And Finally
If you would like to come into school to help out in the KG we are always
grateful for volunteers!!!
If you have any worries or concerns please come in and speak or write to
the class teacher and they will do their best to help you. If you are still
unhappy with the outcome, kindly speak to the KG Coordinator or School
Principal
We look forward to working with you and your child during this Academic
Year