Week of 1/15

Dear Parents,

I hope you are enjoying some fun family time on this long weekend. Of course, we have Monday off school in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. On Tuesday, it will be very important to return the Blue Bags on time since we only have a day to turn them back around. So please put them by the door or wherever you will remember them Tuesday morning.

This week, we will hit the half-way mark in our kindergarten year. This is where the kindergarten curriculum really takes off, and your continued support with the curriculum will be especially important at this time. Helping children complete their writing journals, reading to your children and asking them questions about what they are reading, and reinforcing math facts and sight words is really important at this time. I want to ensure that everyone is prepared for first grade, and I definitely need your help :).

Speaking of journal writing, I hope that it has gone successfully this week. My goal is that the children are excited about writing, not stressed out by it, so please let me know if there were any problems. A few other reminders about the journal page:

• Writing should always be in PENCIL.
• Above the writing, in the blank box, children should draw a neat, (at least) four-color picture.
• Encourage your children to spell high-frequency words that we've introduced correctly. A reference sheet of those words is in the homework folder.
• Please DO NOT copy a sentence from the book.

Language Arts:
Our story this week is a classic, Snowy Day, by Ezra Jack Keats. We will introduce the sight word for.  Please review the "High Frequency Word" tab on the right to learn which words we've introduced.  A good way to practice reading and spelling the sight words is by logging onto http://www.spellingcity.com/k2grist.  "Missing Letter" and "Audio Word Match" are great games for younger players.

Math:
We will continue with Module 3, Comparison of Weight, Length, Capacity, and Numbers to 10. Parent tips for this module can be found here.

***Please continue donating glue sticks to the class. Thank you for your help!

Also-- please take note below at some upcoming events that have been posted.  They are:

• Kindergarten Registration Info Night 1/23 6:00-7:30:  If you have friends with incoming kindergartners who live in the AV attendance area, please let them know about this informational evening about the upcoming 2018-19 school year.
•  Snow Day 1/26: children will dress up in whatever snow gear they have-- hats, mittens, coats, scarves, etc. and we will have a fake snowball fight with K1.  
• 100 Day 1/30-- we celebrate the 100th day of school with some special activities.  
• Alta Vista Family Valentine's Dance 2/09: Come to the Alta Vista Cafeteria from 6:30 to 8:30 pm for this fun family evening. There will be a DJ, photo booth, desserts & drinks. Tickets are on sale now at MySchoolAnywhere for $5/person.
• Back to the 80s Auction 3/03 6:00-11:00 @ The JCC:  Tickets are on sale now for this fun event--go to MySchoolAnywhere to purchase. It is sure to be a fun evening, raising money for Alta Vista's Enrichment programs. Tickets have sold out very quickly in the past-- don't miss out!  Contact Jayme Monroe if you have any questions: jlmonroe78@yahoo.com

This Week's Helpers & Activities:
Monday: NO SCHOOL: MLK Day
Tuesday: Blue Bags returned (Jillian), Centers (Anastasia & Josie)
Wednesday: Recess 101, Blue Bags w/ Journals go home

Thursday: Daily 5, Centers (Emily & Tanya)
Friday: Daily 5, STEAM Centers (Lynda & Chris)

Upcoming Events:

Monday 1/15: Martin Luther King Day, No School
Tuesday 1/23: Incoming Kindergarten Orientation (tell your friends!)
Friday 1/26: Snow Day
Tuesday 1/2: 100 Day
Friday 2/9: Valentine's Dance @ 6:30 pm
2/19-2/23: President's Week Vacation
Saturday 3/3: Back to the 80s Auction @ 6:00-11:00