Happy Fall!

We have been so busy this month. The students are settling right into our routine and I love the way they work so hard. They are all so cute and are becoming good friends.

For the next couple of days we will be talking about Fall, apples, and practicing for centers. We will officially start centers on Monday, October 7. If you have signed up to help in our class plan to start that week. Centers are on Monday, Tuesday, and Friday each week at 9:40-10:10 or 1:00-1:30.

We have been working hard on the alphabet letters, sounds and correct writing. I have seen great improvements already and I am so pleased with the progress. Remember homework is always with a pencil, and for letter practice they need to write at least 5 times in their BEST handwriting on each line. I have had several students reworking some pages and we will continue to practice.

We have started our reading groups in the morning class. It is our "Power 1/2 Hour". The students are ability grouped (4-6 students) during this block of time and work on specific literacy skill with a highly qualified reading teacher. Every two weeks we look at the groups and move any student that might fit into a different group better. We try to keep the groups very fluid to meet the needs of each student the best we can. The afternoon group will be a pilot group for a new program our school is trying called "Waterford". Many of you may have heard of it before. It has been around for quite a while. We will be working in the computer lab with the program four days a week. I am excited to see how the students respond to the program and track their progress.

I hope you all got to hear about our special visitor "Zero the Hero"! He made quite a splash when he came to visit our room. He will be here every 10 days as we count the days we are in school and learn about the amazing things the number zero can do! I will post pictures from the first day.

Our first AR assembly is this Friday, September 27 at 10:00 in the gym. One student from each class will receive the "Catch The Vision" award. It is given to a student with outstanding performance in class that month.  Teachers watch for academics, citizenship, and student improvement. If you would like to come you  are always welcome. I will notify the parents of awarded students in advance so they can attend.

Reading calendars are due back on October 1. Our goal for Kindergarten is 15 minutes 4 days a week=4 hours a month. Starting next month we will participate in the "Book-It" program through Pizza Hut. Students can earn a free personal pizza by meeting the reading goal and turning in their calendar.

Our T-shirt order is due no later than Wednesday, October 2. I would like every student to have a T-shirt if possible. We have already drawn our self-portraits and are ready to send them to the printing company.

On Monday, October 14 we are going on a fieldtrip to Judd's pumpkin patch in Paragonah. It is always a student favorite. They let the students pick any pumpkin they can carry and ask for $1.00 donation. They have a great hay maze the students can go through as well. I will need (1) parent to go with us (2 or 3 for the p.m. class). We will be restricted on seating on the bus, but if you are interested and could go with us please send me a note and I will contact you.

Next week, September 30-October 4 is SEP week. We will NOT have conferences as we just met for the preassessment, however, if you would like to meet with me for any reason please call or text me and we can set up an appointment. We will still follow the district early out schedule. The a.m. class will be out every day at 10:55 (students staying for extended day will go with their extended day teacher). The p.m. class will be held every day from 12:30-2:30 including Wednesday. (note the time change).

Picture day is Friday, October 4. Make sure to send your child with a cute smile!

Harvest Holiday is Thursday, October 17-Monday, October 21. We will be back in school on Tuesday, October 22.