Happy Summer to our incoming TK Spring Valley Families,

How excited we are to meet you this fall!  Our Transitional Kindergarten class is expanding to two classes from only one last year.  

I imagine you find yourself feeling a lot of emotions about your child beginning elementary school.  You probably even have some anxieties about what to expect and how your child will adapt to a new place, people, and routine.  Though I can’t possibly answer all of your questions, please use this Frequently Asked Questions document to help to put your mind at ease and provide you a glimpse into what is to come.  

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I help my child be prepared to start TK?  

Chances are you have been doing many of these things all along!  Talking, singing, playing, and reading with your child are simple, free, and enjoyable ways to get your child school ready.  

First 5 California also suggests:

Social-Emotional/Behavior:

• Let your child play! Activities like imaginary/make-believe, board games, and “cooperative” or team games (like soccer) are great examples.

• Read books about preschool or kindergarten or going to school and talk about them together.

• Encourage independence throughout the day. This can include having your child get dressed on her own (or with minimal help) in the morning or taking on small daily tasks and routines like clearing her plate or filling her water bottle.

• Encourage consistent hygiene skills like washing hands before and after meals.

Language:

• Read with your child, and point out letters, numbers, and shapes as you turn each page.

• Sing with your child. Rhyming songs and songs with repeated rhythm patterns are fun – along with your own favorite tunes, of course!

• Talk with your child, tell him about your day and what you’re doing, and ask him questions about his day.

• Give your child simple, step-by-step directions to follow. For example, when cooking together, explain the steps you’d like your child to complete along the way.

Motor:

• Let your child practice large muscle movements, like running, climbing, and jumping.

• Encourage your child to play using small muscle movements. Stringing beads, building blocks, and rolling out play dough are all great ideas.

• Encourage writing using all types of materials, including crayons, chalk, and paint brushes.

• Help your child learn how to use blunt-tipped safety scissors – not just cutting skills, but how to hold scissors safely.

• Encourage drawing and coloring, and talk about your child’s artwork together.

• Work with your child to learn to write her name.

Academics:

• Sing, read, and talk about the alphabet.

• Talk about colors and shapes.

• Count numbers up to 30, and even sing about them.

• Teach your child her full name, parent’s names, and phone number.

What is TK Like?   

 Below is a sample TK  daily schedule for a typical day at school. The schedule may vary based on special projects or events. 

Each week students will also have designated times for PE with Legarza instructors (60 minutes a week), music with Music for Minors instructor (30 minutes a week) and some CAM Ed Science, Technology, and Engineering activities. Many of these activities are provided through the generous donations from our community groups, the Millbrae Education Foundation and the Spring Valley Parent Teacher Organization.  

Will I Get a Chance to Meet the Students and Families Before the First Day of School?  

In August, you will receive an invitation to a TK community event designed to help you and your child get to know TK classmates.  The PTO organizes these events and a Spring Valley staff member will be in attendance.

In addition, you will receive a SignUpGenius invitation to have your child spend 20 minutes or so with a few friends and the TK teachers in our school library.  This is an opportunity for us to get to know your child and they us. We will ask them a few questions and play a little  just to get comfortable. The date will be August 6th. 

Who Will My Child’s Teacher Be? 

You will receive an email on Wednesday, August 13, 2025 from your child’s teacher introducing themselves.  Though I know you’d like to know sooner, we still process registrations over the summer months.  

What are Drop Off and Pick Up Procedures? What do I do on the first day of school? 

The first two weeks of school, TK families will be able to walk and stay with their child in line to help the transition.  Your child’s teacher will give you more information on where to go within the introductory email. On the third week and moving forward, TK drop off will be at the side gate of the primary playground at the front of the school.  The gate opens in the morning at 8:05 am, students say goodbye to their caregivers before entering the playground area, and walk up to the blacktop to their class line.  Please note that students do not play on the equipment in the morning to support a smoother transition to the classroom and start to the day.