Week of 9/15

 I hope many of you were able to get out and enjoy another great AVHSC community-building event on Friday, Movie Night. While we're on the subject of AVHSC, please, please consider contributing to the C.A.G.E. Drive! The drive has been extended through this Friday the 19th, and we really need your help. The CAGE drive helps fund things like the crossing guards, our art, music, and clay programs, field trips, and for 1st graders and beyond, p.e. and recess programs. Currently, we are $110,000 short of our goal to continue funding all these programs. Please help spread the word and encourage others to make their donations-- we truly couldn't have all the programs that make Alta Vista so great without the support of parents like you. Please login to MTK and go to the C.A.G.E Donation Link. Thank you!!

Language Arts

We launched the Fundations program last week, and the children are doing so well with learning the routines and language of Fundations. 

We used our Fundations whiteboards and notebooks last week to practice correct formation of the letter t. This week, we will be introducing b and f. Check that your children are holding their pencils correctly, as well as forming their letters correctly, by looking at the resources in this week's Fundations Home Support letter. 

We will also continue with our drawing unit. This week we will be making a bus, boat, and then putting it all together by drawing a picture with a character and a setting.

Math

This week we will begin Topic D: Decompose Numbers. Students explore number relationships. This begins with the familiar context of sorting and then moves to story problems. Students begin to use number sentences like 5 is 2 and 3. These early experiences with problem solving set the stage for work with addition and subtraction concepts in modules 4 and 5. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                

Buddies

This week, we will have our first meeting with our 5th grade buddies on Thursday! Each kindergarten student will have one or two 5th grade buddies. A couple of times per month, we will get together with our buddies for an activity and a story. We are looking forward to meeting our buddies this week!

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.

Library Books

Our first trip to the library was a success! Thank you to Mary for reading a story & Eva for helping with check-out. Remember to return your child's library book by Tuesday at the latest, so that they can check out a new book when we go to the library again on Wednesday. 

Class T-Shirts

Don't forget to submit your child's t-shirt size so that they can get our "Grist's Grasshoppers" t-shirt ordered! For those of you who have older siblings who were Grasshoppers, we try to keep the t-shirt design the same so that you can use your older child's shirt if you still have it. :) 

This Week's Helpers

Wednesday: Library: Brian (Reader), Mary (Check-out)

Upcoming Events

Week of 9/22: Walk & Roll Week: Walk/bike/scooter to school for special prizes!

Tuesday, 9/23: Picture Day

Friday, 10/10: No School: Staff Development Day

Monday, 10/13: No School: Federal Holiday

Friday, 10/17: Walkathon