HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
This has been a very exciting week. Along with meeting new friends and teachers, learning new tasks, and getting accustomed to a new school the students have been settling in and learning some new songs and activities during our Morning Meeting and Closing Circle. As new songs are introduced they will be added to your child’s binder. The binder will be kept here at school during the week and will be go home monthly so they can share their songs with you at home. To start Morning Meeting we are singing: “Good Morning Dear Earth...” At closing we are singing, “Yellow the bracken...” At morning circle we are learning fun new activities such as “Oliver Twist” and a game called “Toe to toe.”
This week the children observed some woolly bears that I recently caught and put in our class terrarium. They drew a picture of their observations and dictated a sentence to describe what they saw. This will become the first page in their September Journal. The pictures are currently posted on the bulletin board above their cubbies. If you have time in the morning during drop-off, come and view their work!
Centers have been “opening” as we are able to instruct the children in the use and care of the materials found in them. I am using guided discovery lessons to introduce a variety of classroom materials such as pattern blocks. Next week we will begin to create our Hopes and Dreams while also thinking about how to create an inviting and friendly classroom community that will support each of our Hopes and Dreams.
No homework thus far, except please remember to make time every day or night to read aloud to your kinder before bedtime. 10 – 15 minutes is perfect!
HOUSEKEEPING ITEMS:
- Thank you to Maple’s family for contributing this week’s snack! We enjoyed a variety of healthy choices like cheese sticks, apples, peanut butter, clementines and pretzel sticks throughout the week. It has really made snack an enjoyable community event as well as simplified the coordination of lunch boxes and clean-up, with less wrappers and packaging going into the garbage. Next week’s snack will be provided by Ryan’s family. The following week is available for sign up.
- Specials: An updated “Specials” schedule is posted separately. Please help your child remember to return their library book on Friday (so they can take out another one the following Monday). They should also wear (or bring) sneakers Wednesdays and Fridays for PE. We go outside for recess everyday unless it is raining. If your child has an extra pair of sneakers it is a good idea to keep a pair at school. If in the case that they are wearing sandals or dress shoes on a given day, they can easily change into sneakers to play.
- Please send in a water bottle with your child’s name on it. It will help cut down on time spent at the water fountain.
- Scholastic Book orders are due Monday, September 26th. You can order directly online at: www.scholastic.com and click on Book Clubs, then click on the purple button (Parent Sign In). Create your personal username and password. You will be asked for our class code so our class will be able to earn points. It is H9K3R. Let me know if you have any problems or questions. If you don’t have internet access and would like to place an order let me know. Thank you!
- The fundraiser (look for the large white envelope in your child’s backpack) helps provide money for special craft projects, parties, field trips, and magazine subscriptions. Please don’t be shy when promoting Hartland Elementary School to your family and friends!
- We will be planning a variety of field trips throughout the year. Please let us know if you are interested in joining us as a chaperone.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Bodnar & Nanette Andrews
