Week of 10/3

Our extended days begin on Monday! Our schedule for the remainder of the year will be:

• Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays: 8:15 to 1:40
• Wednesdays and modified days during conference weeks: 8:15 to 1:15.**Please plan accordingly on these days as the rest of the school releases at this time, so parking will not be available on the street in front of our classroom.

I am looking forward to the additional time with your children. The first week+ will probably be very tiring for your students. Please make sure they get to bed early so they are well-rested and ready for their longer day.

Lunch will be from 11:30 to 12:15.  Children will be supervised by yard duties at that time, and will play on the playground before eating. When they are done with their lunch, we pick them up from the lunch tables and take them back to class. Please help us with this transition to lunch at school by reviewing all the tips we sent in an email on Friday.

Drop-Offs & Pick-Ups

• Please DO NOT park in the parking lot by Gate F. This lot is closed every day between 7:45 am and 2:50 pm. The cones blocking the exit will be there daily during those hours, as this lot is a staff-only lot for safety reasons.
• Please DO NOT bring dogs onto the Alta Vista campus during school hours. The campus includes the parking lot and all areas near entry and exit gates. Several children are fearful of dogs, and this is preventing them from feeling comfortable coming to school.
• Please arrive on time. The gates close at 8:15 in the morning. After that, you will need to escort your child to the office, get a tardy slip, and enter campus through the office.
• If you exit campus after the gates have closed, please make sure the gates latch behind you. This is for the safety of our entire campus.

Rhythm & Moves P.E./Indoor P.E.
Beginning Monday, students will have weekly P.E. with either Rhythm & Moves or indoor P.E. in the OT Room. 

• Children should wear shoes and clothing appropriate for fitness on Mondays. 
• Shoe choice is extremely important, since when we go to the OT room, children will be removing their shoes and putting them back on again.
• Children need to be able to do this independently. I highly recommend slip-on/velcro sneakers every Monday, unless your child already knows how to tie shoes on their own (a great skill to start working on!)

Language Arts
This week, we will introduce our final Daily 5 activity, the Writing Center. The goal is that within the next couple of weeks, we will be able to fully launch Daily 5. Once that happens, a small group of students will be meeting with me each day while the rest of the class is engaged in various other literacy centers. Your children will be receiving lessons targeted for their ability level in a small group instruction setting.
 
Our letters this week are Dd and Ss. These are more difficult letters to form in handwriting, and it's really important to form both letters correctly to prevent reversals. Please check the Fundations formation guide for these letters, and reinforce this as much as possible at home.

Our sight words this week are a and go. You can find the sight words we've introduced on the classroom website. Go to the tab called "High Frequency Word List."

Math
In math, we will continue working with numbers to 10. This week, we will focus on the concept of "more" and "fewer."
 
Kimochis
This week, the Kimochis® Character named Cloud will join our classroom to teach your child about the feelings happy, sad, and mad. Cloud is the Kimochis® Character who can be moody, so sometimes it is hard for him to get along with his friends. When Cloud is happy, he spreads sunshine everywhere, which makes everyone feel fantastic! But when Cloud feels mad or sad, he might snap or yell. Because he has a hard time controlling his anger, he might do things that hurt feelings, even though he doesn’t mean to. Cloud helps children develop patience, tolerance, and understanding for friends who are still learning how to express upset feelings in positive, healthy ways.

Classroom Centers

We are excited to welcome parents into the classroom for center time beginning Tuesday! If, for some reason, you are unable to join us on your scheduled day (illness in the family, etc.), please email me as soon as possible so that I can put an email out to the class and get a substitute for you. Please arrive early (5-10 minutes before centers start) to allow time to check in at the office and have your driver's license scanned. Discuss with your child ahead of time that when you are in the classroom, you are another teacher, and will need to be helping all the students-- in fact, sometimes parents may not even be at a center that their child goes to on that day. Thank you for your help at centers-- this allows me to offer small group instruction in the afternoon.

This Week's Helpers & Activities:

Monday: P.E.-- wear shoes & clothes appropriate for fitness

Tuesday: Return library books, centers (Brittny & Kami)

Wednesday: Library (Stephen & Bora), dismissal @ 1:15

Thursday: Return white envelopes, centers (Mike M. & Fadime)

Friday: Centers (Bora & Mikyoung)

Upcoming Events

Monday, 10/3: First Day of our Extended Day

Monday, 10/3: First Day of Rhythm & Moves PE Program

Thursday, 10/13: First Clay Lesson 

Wednesday, 10/19: Field trip to Emma Prusch Farm

Friday, 10/21: First Art Vista lesson

Friday, 10/29: Alta Vista Walkathon

Week of 9/26

We are just one week away from extending our kindergarten day! For those of you with students who currently go home at 11:35, I recommend that you practice with them on opening any lunch items, as well as keeping them busy during the time period after lunch to build their stamina in staying focused all the way until 1:40. It is an adjustment for them at the beginning, but they are ready for it! 

 

Parent Volunteers

With just one week left before we launch classroom centers, I just want to remind everyone the importance of completing the Volunteer Code of Conduct Form. It would be a great idea to do this now, if you have not already, so that you are ready to go whenever you are first volunteering (even if it's not for another month+). If you have not completed this form when you arrive in the office, you will not be permitted to enter campus. Remember, it must be completed a minimum of one week before volunteering so that it can be processed at the District Office level. Thank you for your cooperation with this!

 

Language Arts

We are beginning the 5th week of the Fundations program this week. So far, we've introduced the letters and sounds of: Tt, Ff, Bb, Mm, Nn, Ii, Uu, Cc, and Oo. This week we will introduce another vowel, and another consonant: Aa and Gg. Please check in with your children and make sure they recognize all the letters we've introduced so far, as well as know their sounds. For helpful resources to reinforce learning at home, please check out the activities mentioned each week in the Fundations Family Letter. In this week's letter, there are some great ideas about how to build comprehension and story retelling skills, which we've also been working on in class. Ask your children to retell the story of Echo the Owl in the forest. This is a story we've been working on for the past 3 weeks, and hopefully, your children will be able to tell it to you in their own words.

This week, we also add two more sight words to our list: am and can. The sight words we've introduced so far are all composed of letters that we've introduced. This is intentional-- the science behind teaching reading shows that children need to be able to orthographically map these words (form letter-sound connections to spell/read) to truly retain them.

Math

In math, we will continue with the topic Numbers to 10. More information on this topic can be found here. I have noticed that many children need additional reinforcement on writing numbers to 10. Check out how your children are forming their numbers. All numbers should be written by starting at the top and moving downwards. Encourage them to practice correct number formation-- the quicker you break bad habits, the easier writing will become.

 

Be Seen & Heard Assembly

As you have heard in communications from Union School District, the district will be hosting the "Be Seen & Heard" assembly virtually (we will view the livestream in the classroom) this Thursday. If you were not able to attend the parent information night they hosted, more information about the assembly can be found here. Here is a brief summary about the K/1st grade content: This assembly will address the dangers of child sexual abuse, the differences between a safe and unsafe touch and a safe and unsafe secret, strategies to stay safe, and how to identify trusted adults. The phrase “sexual abuse” is not used. Please refer to the message sent through ParentSquare on 9/18 if you have any further questions about this assembly.

**Remember to return your child's library book each week by Tuesday at the latest so that they can check out a new book on Wednesday.

Upcoming Events
Wednesday, 9/28: Trip to the Library (Irena & Aparna help)

Thursday, 9/29: Be Seen & Heard Assembly

Monday, 10/3: First Day of our Extended Day
Monday, 10/3: First Day of Rhythm & Moves PE Program

Thursday, 10/13: First Clay Lesson
Friday, 10/21: First Art Vista lesson
Friday, 10/29: Alta Vista Walkathon

Week of 9/19

Thank you so much for filling up our center helper schedule through the end of 2022! I am so grateful for your help & look forward to seeing you in the classroom soon, and in the library even sooner (this week)! If you haven't filled out your Union School District Volunteer Code of Conduct Form, remember to complete that at least a week before you first volunteer, to allow time for it to process. As of last week, Union School District is no longer requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to volunteer. You simply have to fill out the Code of Conduct form once, and do the daily symptom check each time you volunteer. Thank you for your cooperation with this.

Language Arts
In language arts, we continue introducing letters and letter sounds using the Fundations reading program. We are introducing another vowel this week, Oo, as well as a consonant, Cc. Fundations uses a multi-sensory approach, emphasizing the correct formation of the letters while practicing them on a whiteboard and repeating aloud the letter name, sound, and key word (a picture that starts with the sound). You can get some valuable parent tips that include several ideas for practicing different skills with your child here. If you're also interested in further review of the letter sounds with your child, you can find the letter sound video we watch in class, called "The Better Alphabet Song" here. Our sight words this week are on and not.

Math
In math, we will continue with the topic Numbers to 10. This week, we will have some math centers that focus on counting as well as number formation. More information on this topic can be found here.

SEL
I hope you were able to hang your child's Zones of Regulation poster somewhere in your house so that you can start using that language to talk to your children about how they are feeling. This week, we will introduce our first Kimochi (Kimochi means "Feeling" in Japanese), Lovey Dove, who will teach your child about the feelings proud, kind, and friendly. Lovey is the Character who is sweet and nurturing. She is very wise and calm. She likes to cuddle and make everyone feel better when they are upset. But sometimes Lovey Dove worries. Children who have a temperament like Lovey’s can benefit from staying compassionate and learning to worry less. Lovey taught your child how important it is to greet people using their name and a “Friendly Signal.” Friendly Signals are communication tools, such as a smile, wave, head nod, or saying hello. Being friendly is a rewarding habit that children can learn to develop and use throughout their lifetime.

Upcoming Events

Wednesday, 9/21: First trip to the Library (Bora & Brittny help)

Thursday, 9/29: Be Seen & Heard Assembly

Monday, 10/3: First Day of our Extended Day

Monday, 10/3: First Day of Rhythm & Moves PE Program

Thursday, 10/13: First Clay Lesson 

Friday, 10/29: Alta Vista Walkathon

Week of 9/12

Thank you everyone for bringing your children for their afternoon assessments. This will help me to best meet the differing needs of the students in my class during small group instruction. I am continuing to meet with students both this week and next week. If you need to check the schedule, you can view it here. Please note that you can no longer edit this document. When you arrive for your assessment, please wait by Gate F (the gate we enter through in the morning). I will see you out there and let you in when you arrive. If you need to reschedule your child's time, please email me.

Language Arts
In language arts, we continue introducing letters and letter sounds and will introduce our first vowels this week, Ii and Uu. For information about the formation of these letters, please see the Fundations Family Letter. We will also introduce the sight words in and it. If you're also interested in further review of the letter sounds with your child, you can find the letter sound video we watch in class, called "The Better Alphabet Song" here.

We will also launch our beginning writing unit, which starts with teaching drawing. We will be working on directed drawings of people this week. As children take an interest in writing more, parents can support them by encouraging independent spelling. If your child asks, "How do you spell ____?" respond by asking them how they think it is spelled. It's ok if their spelling is not correct at this time! We want children to go through the process of connecting sounds to spelling themselves at this age. Encourage your children in their writing by having them make lists or write notes to friends and family.

Math
In math, we will continue with the topic Numbers to 10. More information on this topic can be found here.

SEL

We begin our SEL (social-emotional learning) curriculum this week by discussing the "Zones of Regulation." If you'd like more information about the Zones, this website has a lot of good resources. Your children will make their own poster representing the Zones in class on Friday, which they will bring home. This is a great tool for you to use at home to encourage children to talk about how they are feeling. 

Picture Day

Picture Day is Friday, September 16th. There is no need to pre-order. Proofs will be emailed to you in about two weeks, and you can choose to order at that time.

Classroom Centers & Library Time

Beginning on September 21st, we will take weekly trips to the Alta Vista library. Children will check out one book each week, and return it the following week. We also get to have a "guest reader" each week in the library, who reads a favorite story to the students before they check out books. I am going to send out a Sign-Up Genius this week for both library story readers (our library time is 9:10 to 9:30) and classroom center helpers. Classroom centers begin when we extend our day the week of 10/3. I run centers on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays, from 12:25-1:40. I hope you will all be able to join us at least once for classroom centers! In order to volunteer this year, you must complete the Volunteer Code of Conduct Form, and either upload your vaccination card (if vaccinated) or provide a negative COVID test (if not vaccinated) 24 hours before volunteering. Information about the process for volunteering can be found here. I am looking forward to having parents in the classroom beginning 10/4. Please keep an eye out for the Sign-Up Genius!

Week of 9/6

I hope you are off to a nice start to your long weekend. We will get right back into the swing of things on Tuesday, with another fun week ahead, including Movie Night on Friday the 9th!

Thank you for signing your child up on my assessment schedule. This will help me to best meet the differing needs of the students in my class during small group instruction. I was able to complete about half of the assessments of all extended care students last week, and I look forward to meeting with the rest of the students in the upcoming weeks. If you need to check the schedule, you can view it here. Please note that you can no longer edit this document. If you need to reschedule your child's time, please email me.

Language Arts 

In language arts, we continue introducing letters and letter sounds, along with the handwriting of those letters, using the Fundations program. We have introduced Tt, Bb, and Ff, which are all "sky-line letters" and this week, we will introduce Mm and Nn, which are "plane-line letters." If you'd like more information about the formation of these letters to support your student at home, as well as posters that are similar to the ones we use in the classroom, please read this week's home support letter. 

 

We will also introduce our first sight word, I, this week. We will introduce 1 to 2 sight words per week now, and children are expected to master the reading of 40+ sight words by the end of kindergarten. The complete list (there are more than 40 words listed here, but they will be exposed to all of them) can be found on the "High Frequency Words" tab of my website.

 

STEAM Projects

This week, we will be reading several different fairy tales & nursery rhymes, and then doing follow-up STEAM challenges. We will be testing which materials will protect Humpty Dumpty from breaking, building houses that will stand up to the Big Bad Wolf, building bridges for the Three Billy Goats, and making webs to keep the spiders away from Little Miss Muffett. We look forward to learning how to collaborate as a group to solve these challenges.

Math
In math, we will continue with the topic Numbers to 10. This week, we will continue looking at each number and different ways to represent them (numeral, 10 frames, etc.) More information on this topic can be found here. 

Wednesday Envelopes

Thank you so much for returning all the envelopes on Thursday, and for signing the permission slips for Miss Howe's student teaching video recordings. She likely will only do 2-3 recordings during the school year, so we appreciate your cooperation with this. If you were not able to return your envelope on Thursday, please return it on Tuesday, when it will already be time to pack them again.

P.E./Enrichment Update
Beginning the week of October 3rd, we will get to have P.E. lessons with the Rhythm & Moves P.E. program. This program is funded by your donations to the AVHSC C.A.G.E. drive. Children will participate twice a month in P.E., and this program is a huge hit! Thank you for your continued donations to the C.A.G.E. drive for programs like this. If you haven't had a chance to donate yet, please consider donating by going to this link: https://altavistahsc.membershiptoolkit.com/home

Thank you for answering the call for supporting our enrichment programs! I think the only opening we have now is for Cornerstone & I believe we need some people who are willing to read stories in the library each week. Library visits are every Wednesday, beginning September 21st, and our scheduled time each week is 9:10 to 9:30. 

New Bike Rack

A few parents have asked about locking bikes that their children ride to school. We love to encourage children to ride bikes to school, and we are happy to share that Mr. Manny moved a bicycle rack into our playground! If your child rides a bike to school, please feel free to wheel it in when we open Gate F in the morning and park it on the rack located right next to the gate.

I hope you continue to enjoy your weekend!

Upcoming Events

Monday, 9/5: Labor Day, no school

Friday, 9/9: Movie Night

Friday, 9/16: Picture Day