Welcome to Kindergarten

at

Spencer Elementary School

SCHOOL INFORMATION

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Spencer School

207 Westfield Street

Middletown, CT 0645

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School Hours 8:40 a.m. to 3:25 p.m.

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School Phone Numbers:

Main Office Number: (860) 344-0711

Absence Line #: (860) 344-0711

Fax #: (860) 344-0490

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Spencer School Webpage (Parent and Student Information):

https://spencer.middletownschools.org/

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Kindergarten Teachers

Ms. Sutton

Ms. Bafumi

Mrs. Dickes

Mrs. Belair

Kindergarten Team

Mrs. Serrano Secretary

Mrs. Steffman

School Nurse

Mrs. Martinez

Principal

Mrs. Sullivan Elementary Instructional Support Teacher

School Health

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The school nurse has the proper blue form for the physical exam. If you need one, please let her know.

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• All medication, including over the counter, must have a medical authorization from the doctor. If your child will need medicine during school hours, please call the nurse.
• Allergies: You will be notified of any restricted food items in the class due to allergies.

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If your child is ill, we have a 24 hour voicemail. You can leave a message by calling 860-344-0711, select option 1.

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If you have any specific medical questions, please don’t hesitate to call Mrs. Steffman, our School Nurse, at 860-344-0711.

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ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

Arrival:

• Children arrive between 8:40 a.m. and 9:00 a.m.
• Buses start to unload and parent car rider/drop off starts at 8:40 a.m. in our side parking lot.
• Students are tardy if not in class at 9:00 a.m.

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Dismissal:

• The regular school day ends at 3:25 p.m.
• Early Dismissal Days: School ends at 1:00 p.m.

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Notes:

• Students who live less than a mile from school are designated as a walker.
• Bus information and bus stop times will be available on our website (www.middletownschools.org) in August.
• PM Parent Pick Up:
• Please bring photo ID to sign out your child. Only adults you list on your dismissal form can pick up your child.
• Change in dismissal: You must notify the school (preferably in writing) about any change in dismissal.

ATTENDANCE

• Please have your child attend school every day unless your child is ill.
• Regular attendance helps children internalize routines and maximize growth.
• Please review this document to help familiarize yourself with our attendance policies: Middletown Schools Attendance Q & A
• Please call the school attendance line the morning your child will be absent.
• Hand written notices are required for absences within 10 days of the absence.
• Scheduling doctor’s appointments and vacations around the school calendar is appreciated.

CARES Expectations at Spencer

Kids Korner- YMCA

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BEFORE & AFTER SCHOOL CHILDCARE

KIDS' KORNER PROGRAM K-5

A FUN WAY TO BEGIN & END THE DAY!

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Kids’ Korner is a place for children to explore new interests, meet new friends, complete homework, participate in an enrichment club, run, play, and have some fun!

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For more information: https://www.midymca.org/before-after-school

BREAKFAST & LUNCH

• Each school serves breakfast.

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• Breakfast in the classroom at 8:40.

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• Children can bring their lunch from home or select one of the school options.

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• Lunch period is 30 minutes.

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• The menu is available on the MPS Food Services webpage: Menu

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Snacks- we have snack time every day

• Families provide a daily snack. Healthy snacks are recommended.

DAILY ACTIVITIES

• Breakfast
• Recess
• Lunch
• Snack Time
• Fine and Gross Motor Skills Development
• Morning Meeting
• Academics
• Literacy- HMH Reading Program
• Writing
• Math- IM Math Program
• Science -PLTW- STEM Project Based Learning
• Social Studies
• SEL-Social Emotional Learning
• Purposeful Play

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FINE MOTOR SKILLS

• Work time will include fine motor skills, such as tracing, cutting, gluing and coloring.
• Proper formation of letters and numbers.
• Play with playdoh, clay, sand, etc.
• Proper pencil grip.

MORNING MEETING TIME

• Meeting Time is an opportunity for students to participate in:
• Singing
• Movement
• Calendar Skills
• Morning Message, Greeting, Sharing, Activities/Games
• Social Emotional Learning

LITERACY

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• Phonics- letters to sounds to words
• Encourage reading as a daily habit.
• Comprehension- Read Alouds
• Discuss characters, setting, and events for fiction text
• Discussing nonfiction text; naming topics and facts
• Drawing and writing written responses related to text read alouds.

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ACADEMICS

• Some academic LA goals are:
• Identify all 26 uppercase and 26 lowercase letters.
• Learn 26 letter sounds.
• Hear and identify sounds in words.
• Read and Spell CVC words (cat, mop)
• Reading decodable readers
• Recognize 36 heart words
• Comprehension- ask and answer questions- understanding and discussing stories read aloud
• Writing- writing words and complete sentences
• Math- Count to 100 by 1s and 10s, number recognition 0-20, build sets for numbers, add/subtraction within 10, solving story problems, and 2D/3D shape recognition
• Language Skills:
• Talking about topics of discussion
• Learning to Turn and Talk- having discussions with a partner

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Purposeful Play

• Children are encouraged to explore various centers.
• Emphasize student choice.
• Centers help reinforce sharing, creativity,

language and social skills.

We do play scenarios; Building a Community- Construction and Weather Station.

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STEM/SCIENCE

PLTW- Project Lead the Way

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Motion:

Ramps, Push, Pull

Weather and Seasons

HOMEWORK

• Given weekly for the practice of concepts learned in class.
• Ultimately, homework should help to foster independence, but parents/guardians can help.
• Homework should not be stressful. Please talk to your child’s teacher if your child is having difficulty with homework.

DAILY SPECIALS (Art/Music/PE/Library)

• Kindergarten classes receive 45 minutes each day of either art, music, library or physical education.

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• Teachers will let you know your child’s special schedule.

RECESS

• Children will have indoor or outdoor recess each full day of school for 25 minutes.
• We try and get outside as much as possible so weather appropriate attire is necessary.
• BE SURE to label jackets, clothing, lunch box, backpack and any other personal items.

Tips For

A

Successful Year

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• Read to your child every day.
• Play every day.
• Practice recognizing their name and name writing.
• Help your child practice coloring and cutting skills.
• During the summer, please feel free to bring your child to the Spencer primary playground to play.

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Tips For Summer

• Foster independence:
• Take on/off jacket,
• Zip jacket,
• Pack and zip own backpack,
• Open snacks, milk, and juice box containers.
• Tie shoes, if wearing laces.
• Practice recognizing all uppercase and lowercase letters, as well as, numbers 0-10. Practice counting objects.
• Play interactive board games
• Facilitates language development, turn taking, counting
• Help your child learn safety information:
• Full name, address, and birthday.

Tips For A Successful Year

• Make sure your child is well rested each day.
• Gather school items the night before.
• Set a routine.
• Homework
• Playtime
• Early Bedtime
• Check your child’s folder/zipper pouch every evening.
• Communicate with teacher or staff as needed.
• Read our school updates (ParentSquare), PTA correspondence, messages, district and school website.
• Participate in school events
• PTA
• Parent Teacher Conferences

Tips For A Successful Year

Registration

IN PERSON REGISTRATION DATES

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Thursday March 26, 2026

and

Friday March 27, 2026

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Between the hours of 9:30-2:30

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Appointments Only

Screenings

Call the main office for an appointment - 860-344-0711

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Online Registration

• Middletown Public Schools use an online registration system. Registration Information

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• Parent portals need to be set up to use this system.

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• Please register at home if you can. After setting up your account, you will need to be approved and an email will be sent to you with next steps.

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• Please go to the MPS website to register your child.
• District Information
• Kindergarten Registration

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Registration Documentation

• MPS website lists all the information needed for registration:

https://www.middletownschools.org/page/new-student-and-kindergarten-registration

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• Documents for Registration:
• Full page birth certificate (with raised seal),
• Proof of Residency in Middletown, CT
• Health Records - Due before 1st day of school
• Immunization records
• Physical
• Photo ID of parent/guardian,
• Any applicable court orders (such as custody, guardianship)

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• You can upload these documents into your PowerSchool Portal or you can bring these documents to school to be copied.

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Need Help With Registration?

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If you need any help with your child’s registration,

please reach out to our Spencer School Secretary,

Mrs. Tammi Serrano,

at 860-344-0711

or

you may email her at

serranot@mpsct.org

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We are looking forward to a great school year!

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