Special Information for Parents of Kindergarteners
Get Ready for an Exciting Year
Kindergarten is a big year! At Golden Pond, we make the transition feel welcoming, personal and exciting from the very beginning.
Below, you’ll find helpful information about what to expect in our Kindergarten Program, from orientation and daily routines to field trips, progress reports and ways to support your child at home.
Learn About Our Kindergarten Programs
Orientation
About two weeks before the school year begins, our Kindergarten teachers visit each student at home. This gives your child and teacher a chance to meet, connect and begin building a relationship before the first day.
We also host a Kindergarten open house the Friday before school begins. During the open house, you and your child can visit the classroom, meet the teacher, ask questions, review school policies and learn more about the curriculum and daily routine.
Dates for home visits and the open house will be included in the orientation letter sent in the July mailing.
Snacks and Lunch
Golden Pond Kindergarteners eat morning snack and lunch together each day, both provided by Golden Pond. Breakfast and afternoon snack are provided for children enrolled in the Extended School program.
Menus for breakfast, lunch and snacks are posted throughout the building and available to download on our website.
Golden Pond is a NUT-FREE school.
Parent-Teacher Conferences
Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled throughout the year to share information, discuss your child’s progress and plan educational goals together. Ongoing communication between parents and teachers is an important part of each child’s success.
Report Cards
Parents receive written progress reports four times during the school year. These reports share the teacher’s evaluation of your child’s growth and development, including critical thinking, academic skills, social interaction, speaking, listening and following directions.
Parent Handbook
The parent handbook is given to all parents upon Kindergarten registration. It includes important information about medication, snow days, injury, school safety, discipline, holidays and confidentiality policies.
Field Trips
Golden Pond Kindergarteners visit educational destinations throughout the DC area to enrich their classroom learning. Children also visit the library every other week to check out books and enjoy a special story time.
Field trips are taken on Golden Pond buses under the supervision of teachers and parent chaperones. Parent permission is required before any child attends a field trip.
Calendar
Our Kindergarten Program generally follows the Loudoun County School calendar. Kindergarten children do not attend on days when county schools are closed, and our Extended School program generally follows county school closings as well.
Because our Kindergarten Program is full day, there may be a few additional days of closure. These dates will be listed on the school calendar, which is distributed the summer before school begins.
Attendance Policy
Regular attendance and punctuality help Kindergarten children adjust academically and socially.
Kindergarten instructional hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Classes begin promptly at 8:30 a.m., so we recommend using carpool, which begins at 8:10 a.m.
If your child will be absent, please call Golden Pond that morning. If we do not hear from a parent, the school will call to confirm the absence and make sure every child is accounted for.
How to Support Your Kindergartener
- Read together every day.
- Listen and show interest in what your child shares.
- Teach healthy and safe habits.
- Give your child simple responsibilities, such as putting away toys.
- Emphasize that school is a positive and important experience.
- Limit screen time and monitor what your child is consuming online and on TV.
- Plan family activities.
- Establish a bedtime routine that allows for at least 10 hours of sleep.
- Stay positive and encouraging as your child grows.
- Join the GPS Parent Group to stay involved.