A child must be 5 years old by September 1, 2021 to enroll in Kindergarten at OLV.
A child ready for Kindergarten should demonstrate:
Religion, Language Arts (including Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking), Math, Science, Social Studies, Art, Physical Education, Music, Library, Health, Computers, and Spanish.
We use the Sadlier "We Believe" Religion series and Pflaum Weekly Gospels. Houghton-Mifflin's "Journeys" is our Reading program, Sadlier Oxford's "Progress in Mathematics" is our Math textbook, and we use the FOSS Science program.
Our goal is to keep Kindergarten classes at no more than 17 students. We have 3 Kindergarten classes at OLV.
No. Reading is taught in whole group and small groups, and we will help all students improve their reading and comprehension skills. We also focus on other academic areas, as well as spiritual, social, and large and small motor skill development. All Kindergarten classrooms have students with a wide range of abilities. Appropriate activities will be provided to meet the needs of each student in the classroom.
We have a daily rest time of 30 minutes. This is a time for students to relax and rest, read a book, or just listen to the soothing music that is played during this time. They are asked to stay quiet and not disturb others, as some children do take advantage of the time and nap. It is a long day for them, especially at the beginning of the school year as they get used to our busy days. Students need to have a break during the day to allow their minds to relax and refresh.
Uniforms are available through Educational Outfitters. Kindergarten boys wear navy blue pants or shorts, light blue polo with the OLV logo, socks, and shoes. Kindergarten girls wear navy blue pants or shorts, navy blue skort, light blue polo with the OLV logo, socks, and shoes. Athletic shoes may be worn provided there are minimal decorations. Uniforms also include an optional full zip fleece, cardigan, and 1/4 zip sweater. The kinders also wear a gym uniform consisting of light blue T-shirt and navy blue sweatpants, socks, and gym shoes.
Each family at OLV is required to serve 4 shifts a year (2 per semester) during recess. In a traditional year, parents are encouraged to join the PTO and volunteer directly with their child's classroom - assisting at class parties, coordinating book orders, reading in the classroom, completing prep work at home, etc. Due to COVID, we have not been able to have parents in the building for the 2020-21 school year, but we're looking forward to having parental involvement again next year.
A typical day:
First graders go to spanish, computers, library, music, and gym once a week.
We teach whole group in all subjects in first and second grade, but there are opportunities to work on activities at their own level during silent reading, writing, centers, iPads, etc.
Reading homework is online nightly (M-TH). There are phonetic reading stories, main story for the week, and leveled readers for homework throughout the week. We have Reading/Spelling tests each week. There is a math page as well each night. We work nightly on XtraMath or flashcards to put our math facts to memory.