In the upcoming week, we will continue parent-teacher conferences. I have enjoyed meeting with many of you so far, and have gained some great insights about your children from you. Thank you for meeting with me and being such active participants in your child's education. I look forward to meeting with the rest of you this week. Remember that for afternoon conferences, you will need to enter campus through Gate E (Gate F, where we enter in the morning, is usually locked after school). Gate E is on the other side of the school garden, near the redwood trees. You will enter K2 through the opposite door from where students enter in the morning. For this week, early dismissal at 1:15 continues through Friday.
There will be no classroom centers again this week, due to the early dismissal. Centers will resume on Monday the 1st.
I have nearly all the permission slips for our trip on December 12th-- thank you! If you have not returned your child's permission slip, please do so by Thursday the 20th at the latest.
Language Arts
This week, we will introduce two "plane line slide" letters: Vv and Ww. Handwriting tips for these letters can be found in the Fundations newsletter. By the end of 2025, we will wrap up the introduction of all letters and will move onto blending sounds to read words in 2026. Our sight words this week are my and was.
We have completed Module 2, and the workbook will come home in this week's Wednesday envelopes. We will begin Module 3 after Thanksgiving.
Nutcracker
Looking ahead on your calendars at this busy time of year, I wanted to make sure that you have all marked your calendars for Thursday, December 18th at 9:15 a.m.-- our performance of The Nutcracker. This is an annual kindergarten favorite. If you are heading out of town that week and your child won't be at school on the 18th, please let me know so that I can plan parts accordingly. I only know of one student at this time who will be missing the Nutcracker performance. Just so you know, all costume pieces (except leotards and pants/shirts) will be provided, and you will hear about your child's part following Thanksgiving.
Also, a reminder as the holidays are approaching, if you are taking a trip that will result in your child missing at least 3 days of school, please see the office ASAP to get an Independent Study Packet. You must notify the office at least 2 weeks in advance of your trip to be eligible. When you take out an Independent Study, your child will get some school work and the school will get credit for your child's attendance, securing ADA money, so it's a win-win.
**Library is every Wednesday. Please return your child's library book by Tuesday each week.
**School spirit days are every Wednesday. Wear your Alta Vista t-shirts or your Grasshopper t-shirts to show your school pride.
This Week's Helpers & Activities
Monday: Dismissal @ 1:15
Tuesday: Dismissal @ 1:15
Wednesday: Library @ 9:10 (Reader: John, Checkout: Mary), Dismissal @ 1:15
Thursday: Field Trip permission slips due, Dismissal @ 1:15
Friday: Last Day before Thanksgiving Break, Dismissal @ 1:15
Upcoming Events
11/17-11/21: Parent-Teacher Conferences continue
11/24-11/28: Thanksgiving Break
Friday, 12/12: Field Trip to Center for the Performing Arts
Thursday, 12/18: Kindergarten Nutcracker Performance @ 9:15 am
12/22-1/4: Winter Break
