Dear Parents,
We had a great field trip to the farm last Wednesday-- the weather held for us and the kids enjoyed feeding geese and goats, petting roosters, rabbits, and sheep, observing cows and pigs, and going on a hay ride! Thank you to our parent chaperones and to all of you for making field trips possible through your participation in the Consolidated Classroom Payment at the beginning of the year.
Our Cinco de Mayo dance will be this Friday, May 4th, at 11:15 a.m. Please arrive on time so that you
don't miss it! All four kindergarten classes are involved in this dance, so
parking may be tricky. If your children have any festive, bright
dresses or bright colorful tops, those always make the scene even more
vibrant. Remember that if work constraints only allow you occasional
days off that we would prefer that you are present for the Muffins with
Mom event next Friday the 11th. If you cannot come, please consider
sending a grandma, aunt, good friend, etc. Thank you!
This week, we introduce our final two letters. The consonant is Jj and the Alphafriend is Jumping Jill. Our final vowel is Uu, and the Alphafriend is Umbie Umbrella. We will also have a new word, are.
We are also finishing our topic on time in math.
Our sharing this week is toy in a bag. Your child should write three clues about it so that we can guess. They have been doing a great job writing their own clues!
We
will be doing some painting and other messy projects this week at center time, so please don't wear any super special outfits! We are also beginning our final science unit on animals. We start by studying pond snails and land snails, which we already have in the classroom. The children will enjoy many hands-on lessons in the upcoming weeks, including watching a snail race!
The
district's parent survey is up on the Alta Vista website, and it is
really important that you participate. Thank you to the many families who already have. For those who would still like to, please go to the Alta Vista website and look for the link in the scrolling "Announcements" area. Please let me know if you've participated by
either sending in the form that was sent home via email over a week ago, or just
sending us an e-mail stating that you've participated. I will give a
Cougar Gold Card to each child whose family participates. Thank you for
your help with this.
Also, a reminder that STAR
testing for grades 2-5 begins this week. At drop-off time, please be mindful of the fact that the older
children are test-taking during the entire morning block. This is not a
good week to be making a lot of noise outside the classrooms or as you walk around
campus during the school hours. Thanks so much for your cooperation.
Please check out the Upcoming Events below-- we have set many end-of-year dates, including "Doughnuts with Dad."
Upcoming Events:
5/4: Cinco de Mayo Hat Dance @ 11:15
5/11: Muffins with Mom
5/16: Open House 7:00 pm
5/18: Fantasy Fair 5:00-8:30 pm
5/23: YSI's "Life in the Pond" Presentation
5/28: No School: Memorial Day
5/30: May's Wacky Wednesday
6/4: Doughnuts with Dad
6/5: End-of-Year Class Party
6/7: Kindergarten Promotion Ceremony
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Week of 4/22
Dear Parents,
We are very excited for our field trip to Emma Prusch farm on Wednesday! Remember that it is a Wacky Wednesday schedule, so please arrive promptly at 10:00. The bus will leave shortly thereafter. Please send your children in their "Grist Grasshoppers" t-shirt, and put a shirt underneath for warmth if needed. There is a slight chance of rain projected for Wednesday, so we will need to be prepared for that. Definitely send your children in close-toed shoes that are appropriate for walking around a potentially muddy farm! Please also pack a fully disposable snack (with your child's name visible on the bag) so that we don't have to worry about losing lunchboxes, etc. Parent helpers for this trip are: Chris Barbara, Heddi Shariat, Michelle Martin, Angela Valera, and Amy Olofsen. Thank you!
This week, we have another review week with letters. We only have one consonant and one vowel left to formally introduce, so we will have many review weeks ahead of us. We will be reviewing both w and y, as those are more difficult sounds which are often confused. Our sight words are if and was.
We will begin the math topic on telling time. This topic covers telling time to the hour and half hour on both a digital and an analog clock. It also covers estimating how much time something takes, sequencing events, as well as things that happen during the day versus during the night.
This week's sharing is "Homemade Item". The children should bring in a craft project, art project, etc. that they mostly made themselves, and tell about how they made it.
Remember that we have canceled centers this week due to the assessments of the incoming kindergartners. Center helpers, enjoy a week off this week because, as many of you know, this is the time of year when it gets incredibly busy at Alta Vista!
Moms, remember that Muffins with Mom is coming up on May 11th at 2:00, and it is most important that you come to that. If for some reason you are unable to join us, please consider sending another "representative," such as Grandma, Aunt, a special neighbor, etc. The kids are always so excited to host their mothers for this event, so it is important that someone is there. Thank you!
Upcoming Events:
4/25: April's Wacky Wednesday
4/25: Field Trip to Emma Prusch Farm
5/4: Cinco de Mayo Hat Dance @ 11:15
5/11: Muffins with Mom @ 2:00
5/16: Open House 7:00 pm
5/18: Fantasy Fair 5:00-8:30 pm
5/23: YSI Presentation, "Life in the Pond"
5/30: May's Wacky Wednesday
We are very excited for our field trip to Emma Prusch farm on Wednesday! Remember that it is a Wacky Wednesday schedule, so please arrive promptly at 10:00. The bus will leave shortly thereafter. Please send your children in their "Grist Grasshoppers" t-shirt, and put a shirt underneath for warmth if needed. There is a slight chance of rain projected for Wednesday, so we will need to be prepared for that. Definitely send your children in close-toed shoes that are appropriate for walking around a potentially muddy farm! Please also pack a fully disposable snack (with your child's name visible on the bag) so that we don't have to worry about losing lunchboxes, etc. Parent helpers for this trip are: Chris Barbara, Heddi Shariat, Michelle Martin, Angela Valera, and Amy Olofsen. Thank you!
This week, we have another review week with letters. We only have one consonant and one vowel left to formally introduce, so we will have many review weeks ahead of us. We will be reviewing both w and y, as those are more difficult sounds which are often confused. Our sight words are if and was.
We will begin the math topic on telling time. This topic covers telling time to the hour and half hour on both a digital and an analog clock. It also covers estimating how much time something takes, sequencing events, as well as things that happen during the day versus during the night.
This week's sharing is "Homemade Item". The children should bring in a craft project, art project, etc. that they mostly made themselves, and tell about how they made it.
Remember that we have canceled centers this week due to the assessments of the incoming kindergartners. Center helpers, enjoy a week off this week because, as many of you know, this is the time of year when it gets incredibly busy at Alta Vista!
Moms, remember that Muffins with Mom is coming up on May 11th at 2:00, and it is most important that you come to that. If for some reason you are unable to join us, please consider sending another "representative," such as Grandma, Aunt, a special neighbor, etc. The kids are always so excited to host their mothers for this event, so it is important that someone is there. Thank you!
Upcoming Events:
4/25: April's Wacky Wednesday
4/25: Field Trip to Emma Prusch Farm
5/4: Cinco de Mayo Hat Dance @ 11:15
5/11: Muffins with Mom @ 2:00
5/16: Open House 7:00 pm
5/18: Fantasy Fair 5:00-8:30 pm
5/23: YSI Presentation, "Life in the Pond"
5/30: May's Wacky Wednesday
Sunday, April 15, 2012
Week of 4/15
Dear Parents,
I hope you all enjoyed a nice week off with your children. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we are now into the "final stretch" of kindergarten, and the time will fly by very quickly! I am looking forward to some great fun and learning in the weeks ahead.
We have a new letter this week, Yy, and the Alphafriend is Yetta Yo-Yo. We will also have a new sight word, she. Our art projects this week will be around the Farm theme, in preparation for our field trip on the 25th. We will finish our math topic on weight & capacity.
On May 4th, you may have noticed in the "Upcoming Events" that we have our Cinco de Mayo hat dance. This is an annual tradition in kindergarten, and you are all invited to come and watch! All the kindergarten classes dance the Hat Dance together, and it is a sight to see! The dance will start at 11:15, which means that afternoon classes will need to bring your children to school a little earlier that day. Don't be late, or you will miss it! Please plan on joining us if you can, but if your work schedule only allows for one day off, I would MUCH prefer that moms join us for Muffins with Mom the following week. Thank you!
The sharing this week will be Book Share. Please have your child prepared to state the title of the book, and a bit about what it's about. Please also have the favorite page bookmarked. Thank you!
Alta Vista's Multicultural Family Night is this Friday from 5:00 to 7:30. This event began last year and was so wonderful, they decided to make it an annual event. A few students in our class are participating by having a board on display of their family's culture or even taking part in cultural performances! Check it out if you can!
I will look forward to seeing the children tomorrow and hearing all about their adventures over the past week!
Upcoming Events:
4/20: Multicultural Family Night 5:00-7:30
4/25: April's Wacky Wednesday
4/25: Field Trip to Emma Prusch Farm
5/4: Cinco de Mayo Hat Dance
5/11: Muffins with Mom @ 2:00
5/16: Open House
5/18: Fantasy Fair
5/30: May's Wacky Wednesday
I hope you all enjoyed a nice week off with your children. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, we are now into the "final stretch" of kindergarten, and the time will fly by very quickly! I am looking forward to some great fun and learning in the weeks ahead.
We have a new letter this week, Yy, and the Alphafriend is Yetta Yo-Yo. We will also have a new sight word, she. Our art projects this week will be around the Farm theme, in preparation for our field trip on the 25th. We will finish our math topic on weight & capacity.
On May 4th, you may have noticed in the "Upcoming Events" that we have our Cinco de Mayo hat dance. This is an annual tradition in kindergarten, and you are all invited to come and watch! All the kindergarten classes dance the Hat Dance together, and it is a sight to see! The dance will start at 11:15, which means that afternoon classes will need to bring your children to school a little earlier that day. Don't be late, or you will miss it! Please plan on joining us if you can, but if your work schedule only allows for one day off, I would MUCH prefer that moms join us for Muffins with Mom the following week. Thank you!
The sharing this week will be Book Share. Please have your child prepared to state the title of the book, and a bit about what it's about. Please also have the favorite page bookmarked. Thank you!
Alta Vista's Multicultural Family Night is this Friday from 5:00 to 7:30. This event began last year and was so wonderful, they decided to make it an annual event. A few students in our class are participating by having a board on display of their family's culture or even taking part in cultural performances! Check it out if you can!
I will look forward to seeing the children tomorrow and hearing all about their adventures over the past week!
Upcoming Events:
4/20: Multicultural Family Night 5:00-7:30
4/25: April's Wacky Wednesday
4/25: Field Trip to Emma Prusch Farm
5/4: Cinco de Mayo Hat Dance
5/11: Muffins with Mom @ 2:00
5/16: Open House
5/18: Fantasy Fair
5/30: May's Wacky Wednesday
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Week of 4/1
Dear Parents,
As we head into our final week before Spring break, I hate to say it, but the weeks after the break are going to just fly by! We have a lot to pack in and a lot of upcoming events, so keep updating your calendars with the information at the bottom of this e-mail.
This week, we have a new letter, Ww. The alphafriend is Willy Worm. We have a new word, play. We also have a new vowel, Ee. The alphafriend is Edna Elephant. After this week, we only have one vowel and two consonants remaining! In math, we will begin a new topic on weight & capacity. The children will be comparing baskets and containers by looking at how much they hold. They will also be ordering items by weight (heaviest to lightest, etc.)
We really enjoyed our science unit on Wood & Paper! Last week we had the chance to make paper mache, as well as our own paper by creating our own paper pulp, then drying it. We also took apart boxes and looked at how the flat template appears before being folded into a box. Finally, we used the remaining boxes to create structures with our friends from the morning class. It was a lot of fun. Our next science unit will be on animals and will begin in May.
We have Spring Fling this Friday, of course. Thank you again for answering the call for help!! I believe all items are now covered, but if anyone else would like to join us for the day, feel free to do so.
"Reading is Cool" book logs for March are now due. Please send them in tomorrow's Blue Bags. Also, the permission slip for the upcoming field trip to Emma Prusch Farm went out in last week's Wednesday envelope. Please try and return those in tomorrow's Blue Bag (if you haven't already) so that they don't get forgotten over the Spring Break. Blue Bags will not go home this Wednesday due to the upcoming vacation week.
This week's sharing is Song, Poem, or Nursery Rhyme. Please have your children come prepared with a song, poem, alphafriend song, nursery rhyme, etc. that they can recite in front of the class.
A reminder again that we've set the date for Muffins with Mom (May 11). Please come join us for this important event honoring all the moms!
Please note that the week of April 22nd, we do not need center helpers. We will be doing "Kindergarten Round-Up," that week, where we do our pre-assessments on the incoming kindergartners to assist us in balancing the classes. However, I may need a volunteer or two that week for some special art projects. Thank you for your flexibility.
Upcoming Events:
4/6 : Spring Fling
4/9-4/13: Spring Break
4/25: April's Wacky Wednesday
4/25: Field Trip to Emma Prusch Farm
5/4: Cinco de Mayo Hat Dance
5/11: Muffins with Mom
5/16: Open House
5/18: Fantasy Fair
5/30: May's Wacky Wednesday
As we head into our final week before Spring break, I hate to say it, but the weeks after the break are going to just fly by! We have a lot to pack in and a lot of upcoming events, so keep updating your calendars with the information at the bottom of this e-mail.
This week, we have a new letter, Ww. The alphafriend is Willy Worm. We have a new word, play. We also have a new vowel, Ee. The alphafriend is Edna Elephant. After this week, we only have one vowel and two consonants remaining! In math, we will begin a new topic on weight & capacity. The children will be comparing baskets and containers by looking at how much they hold. They will also be ordering items by weight (heaviest to lightest, etc.)
We really enjoyed our science unit on Wood & Paper! Last week we had the chance to make paper mache, as well as our own paper by creating our own paper pulp, then drying it. We also took apart boxes and looked at how the flat template appears before being folded into a box. Finally, we used the remaining boxes to create structures with our friends from the morning class. It was a lot of fun. Our next science unit will be on animals and will begin in May.
We have Spring Fling this Friday, of course. Thank you again for answering the call for help!! I believe all items are now covered, but if anyone else would like to join us for the day, feel free to do so.
"Reading is Cool" book logs for March are now due. Please send them in tomorrow's Blue Bags. Also, the permission slip for the upcoming field trip to Emma Prusch Farm went out in last week's Wednesday envelope. Please try and return those in tomorrow's Blue Bag (if you haven't already) so that they don't get forgotten over the Spring Break. Blue Bags will not go home this Wednesday due to the upcoming vacation week.
This week's sharing is Song, Poem, or Nursery Rhyme. Please have your children come prepared with a song, poem, alphafriend song, nursery rhyme, etc. that they can recite in front of the class.
A reminder again that we've set the date for Muffins with Mom (May 11). Please come join us for this important event honoring all the moms!
Please note that the week of April 22nd, we do not need center helpers. We will be doing "Kindergarten Round-Up," that week, where we do our pre-assessments on the incoming kindergartners to assist us in balancing the classes. However, I may need a volunteer or two that week for some special art projects. Thank you for your flexibility.
Upcoming Events:
4/6 : Spring Fling
4/9-4/13: Spring Break
4/25: April's Wacky Wednesday
4/25: Field Trip to Emma Prusch Farm
5/4: Cinco de Mayo Hat Dance
5/11: Muffins with Mom
5/16: Open House
5/18: Fantasy Fair
5/30: May's Wacky Wednesday