Helping a Kid Ease Into Kindergarten

From an Eagle Rock mom:

It’s been a big month for our family. My 5-year-old son has just started kindergarten in Eagle Rock. He went to nursery school in Pasadena and so doesn’t have a lot of local friends—and none in his class.

He has been happy about going to school right down the street but the experience has also left him a little nervous. The kids in his class are nice enough but many of them have known each other since they were toddlers.

My son can't compete with that history. He says that the other boys play with each other and that he hasn't really made any friends yet.

Can anyone who has kids at the Eagle Rock elementary schools offer some advice? What are the kids generally like? What can I do to ease my son's first few weeks? Should I talk to the teacher about his lack of old friendships?

Finally, any special treats or notes I should put in my son's backpack or lunch box?