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