It’s Time To Read!

 

It’s time to let the children practice their reading skills. We will open our classroom library of easy readers for the kids to check out and read. These easy readers are multi-level books that will allow every child success at reading. After your child has mastered a book, we will let them sign up for a time to read their book to the class. Books from home may also be brought to class to read to the class. Below are a few guidelines we would like to follow for classroom reading.

 

-No child may read a book to the class unless they have read the book to a

 parent first. If your child struggles with words, practice the book a few times.

-We ask that Dr. Seuss books or books that are long in length not be brought to

 school for reading, as all of our students want a chance to read and these books

 tend to take a while with early readers.

-Students who have not read a book in a given week will be allowed to read their

 book before students who have read to class in that week.

- Books will come home in a bag. Please make sure the book is kept in the bag

 when not in use and returned in the bag it came home in. There will be a fee for any lost or unreturned books.

- If your child brings a book home that is too hard for them to read please return it with a note stating what she or he had trouble with.  We will gladly find an easier book for them.  We want them to enjoy reading not struggle with it. 

 

Books will be checked out starting Monday, Jan. 30^th.

 

Where is the Respect

R-E-S-P-E-C-T-- sure we probably hear the music when we hear the word; but what does respect really mean?  We seem to be struggling with this in our classroom.  We have discussed what it means to be respectful, but it does not seem be making a difference.  Therefore we are asking for your help at home.  A great way to teach respect is to reinforce manners and how important they are.  We have days where repeated reminders need to be given on how we treat teachers and friends with not much improvement seen.  You can help by not only teaching but by being a great role model for them to learn from.

 

Manners

We say, "Thank You."

We say, "Please."

We don't interrupt or tease.

We don't argue. We don't fuss.

We listen when folks talk to us.

We share our toys and take our turn.

Good manners aren't too hard to learn.

It's really easy, when you find.

Good manners means

JUST BEING KIND!

 

Toys

Where do the toys belong?? At home, not here at school.  This has been becoming an increasing problem lately.  Not only during school but at after care also. It does state in the family handbook "Absolutely no toys, electronics, or cell phones are allowed at school or after care."  If your child brings a toy to school it will be taken from them and kept until the last day of school.  Headbands have also become a problem in our classroom.  If your child cannot leave their headband on and instead play with it, it will be taken away.

 

God's Amazing Creation

Brian Young from the CIA came to visit us on Monday. No not THE CIA, but the CIA, creation instruction associations. He taught us all about how amazing God has created his animals. They could not have evolved to the point of their intelligence only God could have created this amazing intelligence.

 

Conferences

Don't forget to stop in or call the office to schedule a conference time with me.  I look forward to sitting down and visiting with all of you.  Conferences are February 7th and 9th.

Auction Time

Here we go...yep...over here...yep...now here...

SOLD!  Ahhh the sounds of an auction; the excitement of the bidding and the thrill of beating out all the other bidders. Doesn't it sound fun?  That's because it is!  Save the date and plan to join us at the annual Grace Auction.  The theme this year is Reflecting God's Glory.  Come Saturday, February 25th to the Ramada Plaza & Suites Crystal Ballroom.  Social & Silent Auction start at 5:00pm, Dinner at 6:30pm and Live Auction at 7:15pm.  Tickets are $40 a person and you must be 18 to attend.    We look forward to seeing you all there.  Make sure to look for and bid on the class project.

 

Fire Safety

Fireman Joe came to see us last week and taught us some great lessons on fire safety.  He taught us what to do if we ever catch on fire.  Stop-Drop-Roll-Cool It.  Stop what we are doing, drop to the floor, roll until it is out and cool it with some water.  Ask your child to show you what they learned.  We look forward to  more visits from Fireman Joe this year.

 

Conferences

Parent/Teacher conferences will be held for kindergarten on Tuesday, February 7th and Thursday, February 9th from 4:00pm-8:00pm.  Please call the office and schedule a time to meet with me on either night.  Conferences will be scheduled in 20 minute time slots.  I look forward to meeting with all of you and having the chance to share  your child's progress.  Please make sure to write down any questions you may have so we can discuss them.  Report cards will be handed out at conferences.

 

Baby it’s Cold Outside

Winter is here and boy is it cold.  We were not able to get outside this week because of the cold.  Please make sure your child has all of the appropriate outdoor attire so that when we can get out they are not cold.  Please make sure your child is not coming to school in short sleeves without a sweatshirt.

 

Flashcards

Keep working on the flashcards your child has brought home.  These are all of the words they should know by the end of kindergarten.

 

Auction Basket

Quick Fix... Quick Fix... What does this mean?  Bean soup mix, vegetable soup mix, cheese soup mix; veggie dip mix, spinach dip mix, mexican dip mix; brownie mix, cookie mix, cheese cake mix; drink mixes, seasoning mixes. There are so many different types and kinds of mixes out there that will work perfect in a quick fix. We need you to be creative and help us out.  Our class is putting together baskets of Quick Fix ideas.  Please send your donations to school by February 13th so that basket assembly can begin. Don't forget to stop into the office and get your auction tickets today.  Invite your family and friends to come and enjoy this fun filled event.  Our school relies greatly on the funds raised from this event.

 

Reading Logs

Notes went home yesterday letting you know how many reading logs your child has completed.  At this point they should have turned in 10 logs.  It is very important that you spend time reading with your child and going over the flashcards that have come home.  The last set of cards went home earlier this week.  Once your child can say all of the words with little to no hesitation send a note to school and they can take the STAR test.

 

Book Orders

Book orders went home yesterday.  Please take the time to look through these and see if there is anything your child would like to read.  There are some great beginner readers.  The best way to encourage reading is to surround them with some great books.  You not only help your child but you help our classroom.  We earn points and free books with each classroom order.  You can place your order by sending in the form or by going online.  If you go online you will also find a larger selection of books than what is in the forms. Orders are due by noon on Friday, January 20th.

 

BRRRR

The cold winter weather is here and I am sure it is here to stay.  There are still children coming without proper outdoor attire.  They must have; snow pants, hats, mittens/gloves, winter coat, and boots.  We don't want anyone being cold outside or not being able to play with their friends because they have to stay on the sidewalk.

 

Reminders

No school on Monday, January 16th 

Skateland, Tuesday, January 17th. Sponsored by the PTL

Auction

It is time! It is time! It is time to get into the auction spirit.  We are ready for those donations to start coming in.  Our class theme is "Quick Fix".  What does this mean?  We are looking for items that can be put together for a meal or snack with not many extra ingredients.  Dips, Soups, Brownie Mixes, Cookie Mixes, etc.  Get creative; if you need some inspiration check out such web sites as Simply Tasteful.  There are lots of great items out there so please help us out.  Our school greatly relies on the funds raised at our annual auction so we pray for a successful turnout.  Tickets are on sale now in the office so make sure you stop in and get yours today.  The auction will be Saturday, February 25, at the Ramada.

 

Flashcards

Your child needs your help! Please spend time in the evening going over the flashcards they have brought home.  We are going to be working really hard on our reading.  The next set of flashcards will be going home next week.  It is very important that you help your child learn these words.  Play games with the words, put them into sentences, sort them into sounds; there are lots of fun ways to help your child learn their words.

 

Just some reminders...

We still have some kids coming without proper outdoor clothing.  Everyone needs to have SNOWPANTS, BOOTS, HAT, MITTENS AND A WARM COAT.  Even though there is not a lot of snow on the ground and sometimes there isn't any; doesn't mean it isn't cold or that it won't snow while we are at school.  If your child does not have the appropriate attire they have to stay on the sidewalk and they are not able to go and play.

Don't forget to fill out and bring in the reading logs. The kids are working on filling up the wall with stars.

 

Thank You

Thank you for the wonderful classroom gifts.  The kids have really enjoyed playing with the new Polly Pockets this week.  The stickers that have been on the papers this week were also a gift that the kids have enjoyed seeing on their papers.  We will be making use of the new flashcard game next week when we break into phonic groups.

 

Happy New Year

We would like to wish you all a very happy new year! We hope that you had a very blessed Christmas season surrounded by loved ones. Happy 2012!!