Sunday, October 24, 2004
October 18-22
October 22, 2004
Dear Families,
What an active week we have had! We made applesauce, and we read Frank Asch books. The boys and girls enjoy reading his books because he uses animal characters and has surprise endings. On Monday, Steve Fuller, Martin Herker, Stephen Herker, and Al Cannon brought one of Traer’s ambulances up to the school so that the children could see it. They told them about their jobs and informed them about the equipment they would use if someone were sick or hurt. The apples brought from home were compared, and the different colors of apples were tasted.
Next week we will be studying the letter Hh. There will be NO SHARING next week because it is such a short week. Next week we will be continuing to evaluate the students for the report cards. We will be checking to see if they know the letters Ll, Ff, Aa, and Hh and the sounds for Ll, Ff, and Hh. We will also check to see if they recognize the numbers 0-10. We will continue checking them on their addresses, colors, and shapes.
Please remember that our Halloween party is on Wednesday, October 27th. The kindergartners may BRING their costumes to school that day. After the big recess we get dressed up and then travel to the nursing home by bus. When we return we will do some Halloween activities in the room, parade through the classrooms, and enjoy Halloween snacks.
Next Thursday and Friday, October 28th and 29th, the students do not have school!!!! The teachers get to attend important meetings.
The weather is getting cooler outside, and we try to go outside at LEAST 2 times a day for recess if it is not raining. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather because he/she will go outside whether or not they have the necessary clothing. Remember that if there is measurable snow on the ground, the boys and girls need boots.
Please make sure that your child has an extra set of clothing in their school bag. Kindergartners have bathroom accidents, lunch tray spills, illnesses that soil clothing, and dirty recess catastrophes every now and then, and they feel more comfortable in their own clothing, especially underwear. We do have some extra clothing here, but it is a lot easier to get extra clothing out of school bags than it is to dig out clothing they will wear out of our supply.
Some children are beginning to arrive to school before 8:10. If the children are not eating breakfast, then they need to wait on the playground for the 8:10 bell unless your family has talked to the teachers. Teachers are not always in the classrooms because we are making final arrangements for the day, and we do not like to leave the kindergartners unsupervised. We realize that clocks at home are set at different times, and that occasionally children get here early. If you bring your kindergartner and you discover that you are a couple of minutes early, you can wait in our little entryway for the 8:10 bell.
We hope you have an absolutely great weekend!
Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Herink
Dear Families,
What an active week we have had! We made applesauce, and we read Frank Asch books. The boys and girls enjoy reading his books because he uses animal characters and has surprise endings. On Monday, Steve Fuller, Martin Herker, Stephen Herker, and Al Cannon brought one of Traer’s ambulances up to the school so that the children could see it. They told them about their jobs and informed them about the equipment they would use if someone were sick or hurt. The apples brought from home were compared, and the different colors of apples were tasted.
Next week we will be studying the letter Hh. There will be NO SHARING next week because it is such a short week. Next week we will be continuing to evaluate the students for the report cards. We will be checking to see if they know the letters Ll, Ff, Aa, and Hh and the sounds for Ll, Ff, and Hh. We will also check to see if they recognize the numbers 0-10. We will continue checking them on their addresses, colors, and shapes.
Please remember that our Halloween party is on Wednesday, October 27th. The kindergartners may BRING their costumes to school that day. After the big recess we get dressed up and then travel to the nursing home by bus. When we return we will do some Halloween activities in the room, parade through the classrooms, and enjoy Halloween snacks.
Next Thursday and Friday, October 28th and 29th, the students do not have school!!!! The teachers get to attend important meetings.
The weather is getting cooler outside, and we try to go outside at LEAST 2 times a day for recess if it is not raining. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather because he/she will go outside whether or not they have the necessary clothing. Remember that if there is measurable snow on the ground, the boys and girls need boots.
Please make sure that your child has an extra set of clothing in their school bag. Kindergartners have bathroom accidents, lunch tray spills, illnesses that soil clothing, and dirty recess catastrophes every now and then, and they feel more comfortable in their own clothing, especially underwear. We do have some extra clothing here, but it is a lot easier to get extra clothing out of school bags than it is to dig out clothing they will wear out of our supply.
Some children are beginning to arrive to school before 8:10. If the children are not eating breakfast, then they need to wait on the playground for the 8:10 bell unless your family has talked to the teachers. Teachers are not always in the classrooms because we are making final arrangements for the day, and we do not like to leave the kindergartners unsupervised. We realize that clocks at home are set at different times, and that occasionally children get here early. If you bring your kindergartner and you discover that you are a couple of minutes early, you can wait in our little entryway for the 8:10 bell.
We hope you have an absolutely great weekend!
Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Herink
Thursday, October 14, 2004
October 11 - 15
October 15, 2004
Dear Families,
The letter Ff was concentrated on this week. We had fun talking about frogs, fire safety, fish, fall, and football. We all practiced stop, drop, and roll and earned a certificate. (Many of the children expressed interest in practicing fire drills at home.) J.J. Owens visited with some of his football equipment and told us about the game.
This week the kindergartners brought home 2 little booklets; one about fall and one about fire safety. For “homework” families can read these booklets and have the kindergartner finish coloring the book. Families should do the activity page(s) at the end of these booklets. Kindergartners that bring the finished booklets back will get to pick out a sticker.
This week we had one student move away from our district. Kalianna Orcutt moved to California.
Next week we will be studying the letter Aa and learning about apples. We need every child to bring in an apple by Wednesday. We will be comparing them and making them into applesauce. If you have an abundance of apples at your house, extras would be appreciated.
Sharing for next week is free choice, or it could be something that starts with the letter Aa.
This past Wednesday was Ms. McGowen’s last day with us. She will get to work with 5th and 6th graders at North Tama Elementary. We will all really miss her!
Last week our bake sale went really well. Each child had some kind of job for the bake sale. Bake sale jobs included poster decorating, packaging, arranging, selling, quarter exchanging, and greeting. We raised approximately $103.41 in this bake sale.
We will be having our Halloween party on Wednesday, October 27th at 2:15. We will probably be going to Sunrise Hill Care Center for a costume parade around 1:00 that same day. Children should BRING their costume to school that day, NOT wear it to school. The less help they need from adults the better. (i.e. makeup) We already sent notes to those volunteers that will need to send treats, napkins, or help at the party.
Please check with your kindergartner about the condition of the glue stick in his/her crayon baggy. Because we have been using them a lot lately, some students need to have new glue sticks in their crayon baggie.
We have already been evaluating the children for their report cards. We will be checking the students on knowing their addresses, birthdays, and identifying the numbers 0 - 10. The children will also be expected to correctly count objects up to 10.
Please continue sending jackets and sweatshirts to school everyday. The weather is getting cooler, and the recesses have been chillier. We’d rather have the children get a little warm than shiver through the recesses. We would also like to remind you to send extra clothes with your child to school. The children feel more comfortable in their own clothes if they would happen to need to change them. We would greatly appreciate if borrowed clothes from the kindergarten room would be returned.
Make sure that you have marked our inservice day on your October calendar. On Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th the boys and girls do not have school. The teachers get to attend important meetings.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Howard, and Mrs. Herink
Dear Families,
The letter Ff was concentrated on this week. We had fun talking about frogs, fire safety, fish, fall, and football. We all practiced stop, drop, and roll and earned a certificate. (Many of the children expressed interest in practicing fire drills at home.) J.J. Owens visited with some of his football equipment and told us about the game.
This week the kindergartners brought home 2 little booklets; one about fall and one about fire safety. For “homework” families can read these booklets and have the kindergartner finish coloring the book. Families should do the activity page(s) at the end of these booklets. Kindergartners that bring the finished booklets back will get to pick out a sticker.
This week we had one student move away from our district. Kalianna Orcutt moved to California.
Next week we will be studying the letter Aa and learning about apples. We need every child to bring in an apple by Wednesday. We will be comparing them and making them into applesauce. If you have an abundance of apples at your house, extras would be appreciated.
Sharing for next week is free choice, or it could be something that starts with the letter Aa.
This past Wednesday was Ms. McGowen’s last day with us. She will get to work with 5th and 6th graders at North Tama Elementary. We will all really miss her!
Last week our bake sale went really well. Each child had some kind of job for the bake sale. Bake sale jobs included poster decorating, packaging, arranging, selling, quarter exchanging, and greeting. We raised approximately $103.41 in this bake sale.
We will be having our Halloween party on Wednesday, October 27th at 2:15. We will probably be going to Sunrise Hill Care Center for a costume parade around 1:00 that same day. Children should BRING their costume to school that day, NOT wear it to school. The less help they need from adults the better. (i.e. makeup) We already sent notes to those volunteers that will need to send treats, napkins, or help at the party.
Please check with your kindergartner about the condition of the glue stick in his/her crayon baggy. Because we have been using them a lot lately, some students need to have new glue sticks in their crayon baggie.
We have already been evaluating the children for their report cards. We will be checking the students on knowing their addresses, birthdays, and identifying the numbers 0 - 10. The children will also be expected to correctly count objects up to 10.
Please continue sending jackets and sweatshirts to school everyday. The weather is getting cooler, and the recesses have been chillier. We’d rather have the children get a little warm than shiver through the recesses. We would also like to remind you to send extra clothes with your child to school. The children feel more comfortable in their own clothes if they would happen to need to change them. We would greatly appreciate if borrowed clothes from the kindergarten room would be returned.
Make sure that you have marked our inservice day on your October calendar. On Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th the boys and girls do not have school. The teachers get to attend important meetings.
Have a fantastic weekend!
Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Howard, and Mrs. Herink
Friday, October 08, 2004
October 4 - 8
October 8, 2004
Dear Families,
This week we learned about the letter Ll. We enjoyed reading the book Lions and Gorillas and making our own versions of the story. The students learned about living and nonliving things. We also read the book The Grouchy Lady Bug and practiced counting while adding spots to ladybugs on a worksheet. Fire Prevention Week was also this week. We had firefighters visit our classroom and talk about fire safety. Attached to this newsletter is an “Ll” poem. We would like our families to read the poem with the kindergartner. The kindergartner should then highlight, underline, or circle the words that begin with Ll. Students that return this type of homework will get to pick out a sticker from the sticker box. There will be a poem for every letter of the alphabet.
Next week we will be learning about the letter Ff. Next week’s sharing needs to be something that starts with the letter Ff.
Remember that picture day is Wednesday. Kindergartners are normally scheduled to get their pictures taken at 8:20 SO PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD IS AT SCHOOL ON TIME! (Bus students will not have a problem with this.) If you have special instructions concerning hair or smiles, write us a note, and we will do our best to help your student take a great picture. Children are welcome to change out of special picture outfits when pictures are finished.
The weather is now cooler. We try to go outside for recess everyday, and the boys and girls need to be dressed appropriately. (Some of the children don’t want to wear their coats outside on a chilly day). We have them wear whatever the family sends them in. By the way, one rule our school has is if there is snow on the ground, the students need to wear boots outside. We know that the thought of snow is depressing, but we wanted you to be aware and prepared.
The flu and cold season is coming soon (if it is not already here)! According to our elementary handbook, children need to stay home if they have the following: an earache, severe headache, a fever of 99.6 or above, an acute cold, a communicable disease, mattering or an inflammation of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or untreated head lice. In the handbook there is also a guideline that will help families determine if a child may return to school. Please refer to this so that children do not come back to school too early.
On October 26th the kindergartners get to participate in a special assembly during the school day called “Rock In Prevention”. “Rock In Prevention” teaches refusal skills to students when faced with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Character education, positive youth development, and violence prevention are emphasized to help kids live drug free and to help them be more successful. Exercises and fun alternatives are modeled to increase positive school climate.
There are 3 days in October that you will want to mark on your calendar. On Wednesday, October 27th, the boys and girls will have the Halloween parties. On Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th the students do not have school. The teachers have meetings that fill both days.
Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Herink, and Ms. McGowen
Cut this off and keep for future reference!
October Sharing Schedule
October 11 - 15: Something that starts with the letter Ff
October 18 - 22: Free choice
October 25 - 27: No Sharing due to short week
November 1 - 5: Something that starts with the letter Tt
Dear Families,
This week we learned about the letter Ll. We enjoyed reading the book Lions and Gorillas and making our own versions of the story. The students learned about living and nonliving things. We also read the book The Grouchy Lady Bug and practiced counting while adding spots to ladybugs on a worksheet. Fire Prevention Week was also this week. We had firefighters visit our classroom and talk about fire safety. Attached to this newsletter is an “Ll” poem. We would like our families to read the poem with the kindergartner. The kindergartner should then highlight, underline, or circle the words that begin with Ll. Students that return this type of homework will get to pick out a sticker from the sticker box. There will be a poem for every letter of the alphabet.
Next week we will be learning about the letter Ff. Next week’s sharing needs to be something that starts with the letter Ff.
Remember that picture day is Wednesday. Kindergartners are normally scheduled to get their pictures taken at 8:20 SO PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD IS AT SCHOOL ON TIME! (Bus students will not have a problem with this.) If you have special instructions concerning hair or smiles, write us a note, and we will do our best to help your student take a great picture. Children are welcome to change out of special picture outfits when pictures are finished.
The weather is now cooler. We try to go outside for recess everyday, and the boys and girls need to be dressed appropriately. (Some of the children don’t want to wear their coats outside on a chilly day). We have them wear whatever the family sends them in. By the way, one rule our school has is if there is snow on the ground, the students need to wear boots outside. We know that the thought of snow is depressing, but we wanted you to be aware and prepared.
The flu and cold season is coming soon (if it is not already here)! According to our elementary handbook, children need to stay home if they have the following: an earache, severe headache, a fever of 99.6 or above, an acute cold, a communicable disease, mattering or an inflammation of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or untreated head lice. In the handbook there is also a guideline that will help families determine if a child may return to school. Please refer to this so that children do not come back to school too early.
On October 26th the kindergartners get to participate in a special assembly during the school day called “Rock In Prevention”. “Rock In Prevention” teaches refusal skills to students when faced with alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs. Character education, positive youth development, and violence prevention are emphasized to help kids live drug free and to help them be more successful. Exercises and fun alternatives are modeled to increase positive school climate.
There are 3 days in October that you will want to mark on your calendar. On Wednesday, October 27th, the boys and girls will have the Halloween parties. On Thursday, October 28th and Friday, October 29th the students do not have school. The teachers have meetings that fill both days.
Mrs. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Herink, and Ms. McGowen
Cut this off and keep for future reference!
October Sharing Schedule
October 11 - 15: Something that starts with the letter Ff
October 18 - 22: Free choice
October 25 - 27: No Sharing due to short week
November 1 - 5: Something that starts with the letter Tt
September 27 - Otober 1
October 1, 2004
Dear Families,
We began learning about the alphabet and enjoyed reading the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. The children learned that there are 26 letters in the alphabet, that letters make words, and that letters have sounds. We played a BINGO game using the letters in their first names, which the children really enjoyed. We also did a guessing game activity, where the children had to decide who was holding a certain letter. At the end of the week, we made a chart using the first letter of their names, to see what letters we had the most and fewest of. We read a lot of alphabet books, too. Mrs. Owens opened a real coconut, and the boys and girls were able to taste it.
This week we worked with counting coconuts. Each child was given a bag with one coconut tree and ten coconuts. The students learned to add more coconuts when they needed a larger number and take a way coconuts when they needed a lesser number. They can use these to practice counting at home.
This week we also began practicing writing names the kindergarten way. Next week we will continue practicing. We will expect them to write their name the kindergarten way on all their papers. Reinforcement at home is greatly appreciated. Remember, if your kindergartner practices writing at home, and they bring the paperwork in, they can earn a sticker.
Next week we will be studying the letter Ll. We will learn to write the lowercase and capital letter, learn the sound, and talk about things that start with the letter Ll. Sharing next week should be one item that begins with the letter Ll.
Next week is homecoming! The Redhawk cheerleaders have brainstormed some fun dress up days to help the kids gear up for the big game. Children may participate if the families allow it. Here is the list of dress up days: Monday - Roll Out of Bed, Tuesday - Hat/ Western, Wednesday - Character (Mickey Mouse, Goofy, etc.) or Movie Star (Raven, Lizzy, etc.), Thursday - Beach day, Friday - Spirit/Red and white.
Halloween is fast approaching, and many families are beginning to think about their child’s costume. The elementary has a policy about costumes. We do not allow any blood or weapons with the costumes.
Our kindergarten bake sale is Thursday, October 7th. Please send AT LEAST 6 individually wrapped items. (Examples: 6 individual cookies in baggies, 6 fruit roll ups, 6 Little Debbies, etc.) Kindergartners will be able to purchase items also that day. Each item will cost 25¢.
Don’t forget about October 13th! We will be having our pictures taken on this day. You will receive the order forms soon. Please try to have these forms returned before picture day. On Wednesday, October 13th, the kindergartners need to be here by 8:20. We are usually the first class to have pictures taken, and they come for us at 8:20. If you want your child to change out of the picture clothing, please send another outfit. If you have special instructions concerning hair, jewelry, or outfits, please write us a note with the directions.
One last important date to note is the Christmas program. It will be on December 15th at 1:30 p.m.
Have a great fall weekend!
Mrs. Howard
Mrs. Owens
Miss McGowen
Mrs. Herink
Dear Families,
We began learning about the alphabet and enjoyed reading the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. The children learned that there are 26 letters in the alphabet, that letters make words, and that letters have sounds. We played a BINGO game using the letters in their first names, which the children really enjoyed. We also did a guessing game activity, where the children had to decide who was holding a certain letter. At the end of the week, we made a chart using the first letter of their names, to see what letters we had the most and fewest of. We read a lot of alphabet books, too. Mrs. Owens opened a real coconut, and the boys and girls were able to taste it.
This week we worked with counting coconuts. Each child was given a bag with one coconut tree and ten coconuts. The students learned to add more coconuts when they needed a larger number and take a way coconuts when they needed a lesser number. They can use these to practice counting at home.
This week we also began practicing writing names the kindergarten way. Next week we will continue practicing. We will expect them to write their name the kindergarten way on all their papers. Reinforcement at home is greatly appreciated. Remember, if your kindergartner practices writing at home, and they bring the paperwork in, they can earn a sticker.
Next week we will be studying the letter Ll. We will learn to write the lowercase and capital letter, learn the sound, and talk about things that start with the letter Ll. Sharing next week should be one item that begins with the letter Ll.
Next week is homecoming! The Redhawk cheerleaders have brainstormed some fun dress up days to help the kids gear up for the big game. Children may participate if the families allow it. Here is the list of dress up days: Monday - Roll Out of Bed, Tuesday - Hat/ Western, Wednesday - Character (Mickey Mouse, Goofy, etc.) or Movie Star (Raven, Lizzy, etc.), Thursday - Beach day, Friday - Spirit/Red and white.
Halloween is fast approaching, and many families are beginning to think about their child’s costume. The elementary has a policy about costumes. We do not allow any blood or weapons with the costumes.
Our kindergarten bake sale is Thursday, October 7th. Please send AT LEAST 6 individually wrapped items. (Examples: 6 individual cookies in baggies, 6 fruit roll ups, 6 Little Debbies, etc.) Kindergartners will be able to purchase items also that day. Each item will cost 25¢.
Don’t forget about October 13th! We will be having our pictures taken on this day. You will receive the order forms soon. Please try to have these forms returned before picture day. On Wednesday, October 13th, the kindergartners need to be here by 8:20. We are usually the first class to have pictures taken, and they come for us at 8:20. If you want your child to change out of the picture clothing, please send another outfit. If you have special instructions concerning hair, jewelry, or outfits, please write us a note with the directions.
One last important date to note is the Christmas program. It will be on December 15th at 1:30 p.m.
Have a great fall weekend!
Mrs. Howard
Mrs. Owens
Miss McGowen
Mrs. Herink
