Kindergarten Readiness Information
Kindergarten curriculum
Kindergarten Curriculum
English Language Arts
Open Court Reading is a comprehensive, phonics-based K-5 reading, writing, and language arts curriculum that emphasizes explicit, systematic instruction and a structured approach to literacy development
Math
enVision Mathematics is grounded in problem-based and visual learning to create fun and engaging environments that invite inquiry and discovery, hands-on, problem-based activities to promote deep understanding of concepts, and easy, flexible differentiation to ensure students' learning.
PBIS
What is PBIS?
PBIS stands for Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports. This helps to create a positive school climate, where safety and hard work are always encouraged. BOth students and staff collaboratively participate in PBIS to foster our school environment. We identify schoolwide and behavioral expectations, and work to promote these in all MPS school settings (classrooms, cafeteria, bus, etc.)
How does it work?
At Monroe Primary School, our staff uses consistent expectations with our students. These expectations are regularly taught and reviewed throughout the school year to ensure understanding. When our staff observes a student displaying our expectations, they are rewarded with a verbal praise and a Happy Hornet. Happy Hornets can be exchanged for schoolwide or classroom rewards!
MPS Expectations
- Be Respectful
- Be Responsible
- Be a Problem Solver
- Be Prepared
Does it work?
PBIS is a research-based model that is encouraged and supported by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce. Our school uses data to inform behavioral interventions and decisions in order to maintain a safe environment.
Student success in PBIS: How can you help?
- Review our expectations.
- Ask your child about their day.
- Encourage appropriate voice level and language outside of school ("Thank you," "I'm sorry," "Excuse me," etc.)
- Praise appropriate behavior at home by stating the expecation they displayed and why you thought it was important.
- Stay in touch with your student's teacher.
- Ask your child about Happy Hornets and how to earn them!
How to build reading partnerships
Click here to view additional tools and resources provided by the Institute for Multi-Sensory Education (IMSE).
What does kindergarten readiness look like?
Kindergarten readiness toolkit
Letter Recognition Activities
Form letters - Form letters using materials such as cotton balls, sand, beans, cereal, PlayDoh, etc.
Letter sort - Use magnetic or foam letters to sort letters by shape: straight lines, curves, slants, tunnels, dots.
Environmental print - Point out and discuss letters seen on signs, labels, cereal boxes, etc.
Drive to letters - Make a roadway out of tape and parking spots out of sticky notes. Write a letter on each sticky note. Call out a letter and have the child drive to the letter with a toy car.
Spray the letters - Write letters on the side walk or on pieces of paper. Call out a letter and have the child spray it with a spray bottle.
Writing Activities
Fine motor skills
Building the hand strength of your child can be done in fun ways:
- Hide objects inside of playdoh or putty, and have your child use their fingers to remove the object.
- Use scissors to cut playdoh or straws into pieces.
- Cut strips of paper that are straight, curved or shapes.
- Lacing string board or pipe cleaners with beads.
- Play with Legos, jigsaw puzzles and brain flakes.
- Color pictures with crayons and markers.
Beginning writing
- Write their first and last name.
- Shopping list:
- Create a grocery or to-do list with your child sitting next to you. Provide paper and pencil so your child can make his or her own list. Then, take the list to the grocery store and use it as you shop to show the words on your list have meaning.
- Label CVC pictures:
- Give your child pictures of words such as cat, pig and map. Model sounding out the word and writing the letters while your child copies you on their own paper.
Number Recognition Activities
Neighborhood number hunt - As you walk around your neighborhood, look for numbers on addresses, cars, etc. You can also count the number of objects, such as cars, houses, flowers, etc.
Bath time fun - During bath time, use bath crayons and/or foam bath numbers to practice tracing, writing and identifying numbers.
Connect the dots - Connect the dot puzzles are a fun way to practice counting and number sequencing.
Pipe cleaner bead counting - Write numbers on a small strip of paper and tape them around the top of the pipe cleaner. The child will count and add the matching number of beads to the pipe cleaners.
Social and Independent Skills
Self control
- Keeping hands to self
- Sharing and taking turns
- Cooperating and playing with others
- Using supplies appropriately
Self awareness
- Knowing first and last name
- Writing first name
- Naming letters in name
- Knowing name of primary caregiver(s)
Self help
- Using the restroom independently
- Putting on and zipping own coat
- Tying shoes
Classroom tools
- Cutting with scissors
- Holding and using pencils, crayons and markers
- Building with blocks or Legos
Reading Activities
Exposure to print concepts
- Model pointing to each word as you read from left to right.
- Point to a picture on the page
- Ask questions such as:
- Where is the title?
- Where does the story end?
- Where do you read next?
Comprehension
Identify story elements:
- Who are the characters?
- Where did the story take place?
- What was the problem?
- How did they solve the problem?
Kindergarten readiness checklist
Click here to view a kindergarten readiness checklist from the Ohio Department of Education & Workforce.
Summer activity calendars
Click here to view summer activity calendars to help your child prepare for school this fall.
Preparación para la guardería de las familias españolas
Meet the Kindergarten Team
Click here to meet your child's Monroe Primary kindergarten team.
Kindergarten Screener & Staggered Start/ Beginning of Year Info
Staggered start info
Each class will be divided into thirds. Your child’s first day will be one of the following dates:
Wednesday, Aug. 13 (last names A-G)
Thursday, Aug. 14 (last names H-P)
Friday, Aug. 15 (last names Q-Z)
Monday, Aug. 18, all Monroe Primary students will attend together and all following days will be on the regular school schedule. You will be notified by email of your child’s staggered start day during the second week of August.
Please visit www.monroelocalschools.com/resources/calendars/ for more details.
Benefits of staggered start
- Provides teachers with time to go over school rules and procedures, classroom expectations, and practice going to lunch and recess in a small group.
- Allows teachers to get to know your child on a more personal level, while allowing your child to not feel so overwhelmed by a new environment.
- Allows for teachers to complete required individual assessments.
Transportation info
Please have your child follow their normal transportation routine from day one. A consistent transportation routine is very important for your child’s safety and security.
Transportation is facilitated by Petermann Bus and is available to all Monroe Local School District students.
Car Riders can be dropped off at the back doors of the school beginning at 8:35. Please follow the car rider drop off route and rules included below. If your child is a car rider in the afternoon, you will be assigned a car rider number to display when picking up your child. It will match the number on their bag.
In an effort to keep the parking lots safe for everyone, it is necessary to address parking lot safety during drop off and pick up times.
Morning drop-off/Afternoon pick-up
- Establish a drop off and pick up routine with your child.
- Drop-off begins at 8:35 a.m. Please do not drop your child off at the back doors before supervision is in place. Please do not leave your child(ren) unattended at any time or allow them out of the car before 8:35 a.m. Supervision will not arrive before this time (preschool utilizes a different drop-off area).
- Help your child have their school items readily accessible in the car, shoes tied, coat on, and the backseat and car floor free of debris that may hinder them from safely exiting the car.
- If possible, have them seated in the back right side of the vehicle for safe exiting.
- Please have your goodbyes completed before you approach the drop off zone.
- Parents are to enter the drive on Elm Street and follow the drive around to the playground to enter the back parking lot drop-off lane. The lane will progress forward to the drop off zone, where staff members will be supervising children and directing them to and from the building. Preschool parents will enter from Macready Avenue.
- Pull up as far as the staff member instructs. We will unload/load multiple cars at the same time.
- When exiting the lot, please go out the same way you entered. Please DO NOT enter or exit through either of the Macready Avenue entrances at any time during arrival or dismissal, unless you are a preschool parent. The front lot entrance is for buses only (from 8:20-8:50 a.m. and from 3:30-3:50 p.m.). The east entrance is for buses and afternoon preschool.
- Please do not pass cars in front of you.
- If you arrive at school at 8:55 a.m. or later, your child will be marked as tardy. You will need to come to the front office window and sign your child in.
- We understand that there may be a time when you have to help your child carry something into the school, or you need to visit the office for some reason. Please park on Macready Avenue and enter through the main entrance.
- If you are dropping off a preschooler in the morning with older students, they should all be dropped off and picked up at the preschool door entering from Macready Avenue.
- For pick-up, please have your number prominently displayed on your passenger side visor throughout the entire drop-off zone. If you need more numbers, please see the office.
- Help your child learn their number.
- Your child is to only enter/exit on the passenger side and parents are to stay in their car at all times. A staff member will help your child with the car door.
- To keep the flow moving, please pull around to the back parking lot to fasten seat belts.
- Please do not arrive before 3:30 p.m. pick-up to avoid blocking the fire lane.
Your patience and cooperation are appreciated!
Supply list
- Supply lists are available in English, Spanish and 12 additional languages.
- Families can either print the list to take to the store with them or click "Shopping in Store?" to view a checkable shopping list directly on their phones (no app required).
- Families can also choose to shop for school supplies online with one-click shopping at major retailers, including Amazon, Wal-Mart, Target or Staples. All items on the list will be added to the cart, but any item not desired may be removed.
Upcoming events
Kindergarten Screening - Aug. 1 & 4, 2025
Screening sign-ups are done online. A link to sign up will be posted on the Monroe Primary website. Mrs. Giffen will send an email with the link to sign up in July. Please contact the Monroe Primary School office if you have any questions.
*Please note the office is closed in June and July, but the secretary, Mrs. Griffis, can be reached at jgriffis@monroelocalschool.com.
Monroe Primary Open House - Aug. 11, 2025
This will be an opportunity to meet your child’s teacher and see their classroom! This year's open house will be held on Aug. 11, 2025. Last names A-K from 5-5:30 p.m. and last names L-Z from 5:45-6:15 p.m.
Please stay tuned for more information, as well as announcements of other PTO or school events throughout the year.
Kindergarten quick facts
- Kindergarten is a full-day program.
- School hours are: 8:55 a.m. -3:55 p.m. (car rider drop-off begins at 8:35 a.m.)
- There are nine kindergarten classes.
- 24:1 approximate student-to-teacher ratio
- Lunch is $2.80 (including milk), milk only is $0.60 cents.
- Breakfast is $1.55 and is available beginning at 8:40 a.m.
- The Monroe Primary School webpage contains a school calendar as well as all school news, events and newsletters posted on the school website.
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment Revised (KRA-R) screener
Can my child enter kindergarten early?
