Kindergarten Readiness Program

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Kindergarten Readiness Supply List

  • 1 Box of Large Crayons (8 count)
  • 2 Large Size Glue Sticks
  • Standard-size backpack with 1 or 2 compartments only large enough for 9x13 paper.
  • Hand Sanitizer
  • Lunch Box (Your child may purchase a school lunch from the cafeteria)
  • Change of clothes, including socks and underwear. Please put in a labeled bag.
  • 1 Box of Tissues
  • Lysol Wipes



Wish List
  • Sealable quart and gallon bags
  • Paper towels
  • Stickers

Kindergarten Readiness Program Goals

Our Four-Year-Old Program is our Kindergarten Readiness Program. The Program is geared toward children who are one year away from Kindergarten. It is designed to help four-year-olds expand and understand their world. We build reading readiness skills. We share Catholic religious beliefs and values. Your child will have many opportunities to learn respect, and responsibility and develop a routine. They will share many experiences that meet children's needs for their physical, social, and emotional development. Our teachers help to develop high self-esteem in your child through a positive feeling toward learning. Most of all, we provide your child an environment that is safe and based on trust and affirmation!

Typical Behavior of Four Year Olds

Parents need to understand that every child is an individual and that not all children behave alike. Some children reach the customary stages of development at the appropriate time, while others may experience them sooner or much later. The following section describes some of the typical behaviors that a 4 year old might exhibit. You may observe that your child exhibits some, all or none of these behaviors.

The Four Year Old
Most four-year-olds:
  • Move quickly from one activity to the next.
  • Are very inquisitive, constantly asking "Why?"
  • Enjoy dramatic play by pretending to be a police officer, a doctor, a teacher, a farmer, etc.
  • Seek approval and praise from friends and adults.
  • Enjoy playing with children their own age.
  • Are able to share, take turns and cooperate with others.
  • Develop strong friendships with other children.
  • Love to exaggerate and boast.
  • May quarrel and become aggressive and obnoxious with siblings.
  • Make up stories that are violent in nature and may include: Monsters, accidents, deaths or killings. 
  • Experiment with swear or "bathroom" words.

Why Kindergarten Readiness Program?

The aim of Kindergarten Readiness Program is to provide a basic foundation for your child’s education. It is a program geared to make the transition from home to school as smooth as possible and to make each child’s first experience with school a successful and enjoyable one.

The Southtowns Catholic Kindergarten Readiness Program is designed to help stimulate a good self-concept, providing each child with many experiences of achievement. Children will work and create independently and learn to cooperate with others in a group. The program will provide opportunities for social and emotional development, inspire language development and expand physical and mental growth.

How Parents can Help:

  • Let your child share in-home responsibilities, conversations, and activities.
  • Give your child duties around the house to develop self-confidence and responsibility. (Putting away toys, setting the table, helping with siblings, etc.)
  • Establish a regular pattern for sleep, meals, and play.
  • Teach your child to get dressed independently (how to put on, take off and hang outer clothing).
  • Be sure your child listens to others and follows directions (one at a time) and check to see that the directions are carried out.
  • Teach your child to help others (brothers, sisters, pets)
  • Supervise television use.

Programs

  • NYS Early Childhood Core Curriculum
  • Library, Art, Music and Gym
  • Daily Lunch Program
  • Phonics and Letter Recognition
  • Religion / Friday Mass
  • Self-Help Skills
  • Field Trips!

What is Kindergarten Readiness All About?

Your child's first year is a new experience for both parent and child. There are many things your child will learn to do, that will be the cornerstone of their education. 


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Our Kindergarten Readiness Program is
​Common Core aligned and will teach you child to:

  • Develop an interest in books.
  • Be a good listener
  • Express oneself
  • Follow directions
  • Develop good work habits
  • Share
  • Increase attention span
  • Learn body awareness
  • Recognize handwriting skills & letter formation
  • Pre-primer sight words exposure
  • Letter / sound recognition
  • Pre reading skills
  • Numerical concepts using problem solving and reasoning skills
  • Improve vocabulary
  • Master Basic concepts: (in, on, under, beside, in front of, next to, in back of, etc.)
  • Sequencing
  • Listening to stories & comprehend them
  • Build fine motor skills: cutting and drawing

What is Expected In Addition To Academics?

There are many social, developmental and cognitive (thinking) skills that a child is expected to perform while in the Kindergarten Readiness Program. These skills help a child become a successful student. 

Some activities are:
  • Working and playing together
  • Respecting the rights of others
  • Developing self-control
  • Displaying good manners
  • Getting into line when asked to do so
  • Taking care of personal belongings
  • Raising his / her hand when wanting to speak
  • Talking in front of the class
  • Walking in hallways and outdoors safely
  • Listening to the teacher and other students when they are speaking
  • Being able to answer questions when called upon
  • Treating others with kindness 

Uniform Policy

All Kindergarten Readiness Program students MUST wear a uniform.
Girls:
  • SCS Plaid Jumper - knee length. Navy SCS Logo Polo Shirt, Long or Short Sleeve
  • Khaki Slacks (with Brown, Navy or Black Belt) with Navy SCS Logo Polo Shirt, Long or Short Sleeve
  • Khaki Walking Shorts (Knee Length) with Navy SCS Logo Polo Shirt  - Spring Uniform
  • White or Navy Socks, Knee Highs or Tights (Socks must be above the ankle)
  • Sneakers - White, Gray, Navy or Black based sneakers. No bright colors (no shoes)
Girls Gym
  • Gym Uniform - White SCS Logo Tee Shirt or Navy Sweatshirt
  • Navy Blue Shorts, Sweatpants or Wind pants (NO STRIPES)
  • White socks (above ankle length)
  • Sneakers
Boys
  • Khaki Slacks (with Brown, Navy or Black Belt) with Navy SCS Logo Polo Shirt, Long or Short Sleeve
  • Khaki Walking Shorts (Knee Length) with Navy SCS Logo Polo Shirt  - Spring Uniform
  • White or Navy Socks (Socks must be above the ankle)
  • Sneakers - White, Gray, Navy or Black based sneakers. No bright colors (no shoes)
Boys Gym
  • Gym Uniform - White SCS Logo Tee Shirt or Navy Sweatshirt
  • Navy Blue Shorts, Sweatpants or Wind pants (NO STRIPES)
  • White socks (above ankle length)
  • Sneakers

Vendors:
McKay's (85 Abbott Rd, Buffalo   824-7900)​

Kindergarten Readiness Policies

1. Immunization Records, Physical Examination Form and Dental Health Form must be on file by the first day of school.

2. Children are to be brought into school and left in the care of the staff members. They are not left at the door, curb or unattended in the classroom.
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3. When your child is to be picked up by anyone other than the parents, a note should be sent naming the person who has permission to pick up your child. Identification will be required before releasing your child. 

4. Please notify the school if your child will be absent.

5. School field trips will be limited to school children and adult supervisory helpers. Parent supervisory help will be open to all parents (most field trips require no more than 4-5 parents).

6. Any informational changes, such as addresses or phone numbers, should be given to the school as soon as possible after they occur. 

Kindergarten Readiness Health Requirements

Immunization records must be on file prior to the first day of school. 

1. Immunization Requirements
  • 3 does Oral or Injectable Polio
  • 4 does DPT
  • 1 dose MMR (Measles, Mumps & Rubella)
  • 3 doses Hepatitis B
  • 1 dose Varicella
  • 1-4 doses Pneumococcal Conjugate

2. Physical Examinations
New York State Educational Law requires all new registrants and all students entering the Kindergarten Readiness Program, have a physical examination. 

A copy of the most current physical exam must be on file prior to the first day of school.

3. Dental Examination
New York State Educational Law requires all Kindergarten Readiness registrants have proof of comprehensive dental examination.