Room K1 • Room K2 • Room 101 • Kindergarten FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Kindergarten
at Olympic View

What are the hours for 3/4-day and full-day kindergarten?
3/4-day kindergarten starts at 9:15 and ends at 1:30. Full-day kindergarten starts at 9:15 and ends at 3:20.

Will my child ride a school bus?
Full- and 3/4-day kindergarten students who live within the north cluster boundary and who live at least one mile from the school are eligible to receive bus transportation. Exceptions are made for students with special needs or special circumstances.

How much is the tuition for kindergarten?
For the 2008-09 school year, full-day kindergarten is $1,800. Tuition is payable in monthly installments of $180 per month for nine months (Sept. through June) plus a non-refundable deposit of $180 due in the spring prior to the start of kindergarten. ¾-day tuition is $800. Tuition for ¾ day kindergarten is payable in monthly installments of $80 per month for ten months plus a non-refundable deposit of $85 due in the spring prior to the start of kindergarten. Any student whose family qualifies for free or reduced price lunch will receive a tuition exemption. A discount of 10% is available for families with twins or if the entire tuition is paid in advance.

When will my child eat lunch?
Kindergarten students join first grade students in the lunchroom. This year, kindergarten lunch is from 11:55 – 12:30. Students are required to remain in the lunchroom for at least 10 minutes – before going out to the playground for recess.

When will my child have recess?
Full-day kindergarten students have two 15-minute recesses in addition to their lunch recess. 3/4-day kindergarten students have one 15-minute recess in addition to their lunch recess.

Do kindergarten students have computer classes?
All students are scheduled into the computer lab for 40 minutes each week. Computers are available in the classrooms for student use, and the lab is open for teachers to use with their students.

Do kindergarten students have physical education classes?
¾-day kindergarten students have a 30-minute physical education class each week. Full-day kindergarten students have two 30-minute classes each week.

Do kindergarten students have time in the library?
Yes. Each class is scheduled in the library for 30 minutes each week to check out and return books from the school’s collection.

Will my child have sharing time?
We believe sharing time is an important tool in developing oral communication skills and self-confidence. Each of our kindergarten teachers structures time for students to share information about people, events and objects that are important in their lives.

Do parent volunteers work in the classrooms?
YES! Our amazing parent volunteers assist in countless ways including preparing materials, providing one-on-one tutoring, driving on field trips… Your child’s teacher or our school’s volunteer coordinator can help you determine ways to become involved that fit your schedule.

Do kindergarten students receive homework?
Our kindergarten teachers send home a monthly homework calendar filled with interactive, hands-on activities that reinforce skills and concepts being developed in class. The homework calendar is flexible – families can work on homework when their schedules allow – and the entire month’s homework is turned in at the end of the month. On average, kindergarten students have about 30 minutes of homework per week.

What policies are in place to address the needs of students with allergies or other health concerns?
There are several students at Olympic View who have a variety of health related concerns. In addition to being a peanut free school, we make every effort to accommodate the needs of each of our students. With parental permission, our school nurse and office personnel are authorized to dispense prescription medications. Health concerns about individual students are shared with staff members on a “need to know” basis.

How do the teachers meet the needs of all of the students?
Kindergarten students arrive at school with a wide range of physical, social and academic capabilities. Our kindergarten curriculum is designed to foster exploration and discovery, and to maximize each student’s growth. Highly engaging, interactive, hands-on instruction, and the use of techniques such as cooperative learning, learning centers, and cluster grouping based on students with similar needs are all techniques our teachers use to customize the kindergarten curriculum.

Do kindergarten students go on field trips?
Yes. Our teachers plan a variety of engaging, fun trips that enrich the kindergarten curriculum.

Will I need to provide school supplies?
Kindergarten families will receive a letter in August with a list of recommended school supplies.

Will there be an orientation prior to the start of school?
Yes. Kindergarten families will receive a letter in August informing them of the date and time of our kindergarten orientation. It is typically scheduled sometime during the week prior to the start of school.

What can I be doing between now and September to best prepare my child for the transition to kindergarten?
Our teachers are experts at facilitating a smooth transition to kindergarten and the vast majority of our students transition with ease. It is helpful (but not required) if students can write their names, count to 20, and recite the alphabet. Perhaps the best preparation for school, however, is lap time with a parent reading a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction picture books.