Happy 1st Day of Kindergarten!!

Thank you for a WONDERFUL first day of school! We had such a marvelous time getting to know your child today! We hope he/she felt comfortable and had as much fun as we did!

Give your child a giant 'congratulations' hug and we'll see you in the morning! (Remember to send your child to the gym in the morning to wait for his/her teacher. The kindergarten children will all be sitting with their classmates and there will be teachers in the gym to assist the children in finding their correct place.)

Friendly Reminders

Here's is a little reminder of the things your child will need for the first day of school:

· Backpack - Please send a backpack to school everyday to help carry important kindergarten “stuff.” Please make sure these backpacks are not the long, roller type (since they do not fit well in our cubbies).

· Red Lakeside Folder – This folder should come to school everyday in your child’s backpack. If you have a note for your child’s teacher, place it in the folder and your child’s teacher will do the same. CHECK IT DAILY!

· Change of Clothes - Please send a change of clothes in a baggie just in case to keep at school. Please make sure it is labeled with your child’s name. Trade these out as seasons and sizes change! Even if your child is not having accidents, there are sometimes spills and messes that deserve a change of clothes.

· Resting Towel - We rest most days. Your child will need a labeled resting towel.

· Toys – A stuffed animal friend may come to school with your child the first week of school (IF he or she if feeling insecure). After that, no toys are allowed at school.

· Medications – If your child has medications, please take them to our school nurse, Mrs. Black.

· Transportation – Please notify your teacher in writing (or via email before 10:00 a.m.) if there is a change in after school transportation for your child.

We can't wait to have a WONDERFUL school year! Thank you!

Come on Over - Meet Your Teacher!

REMEMBER!

Tonight is Meet the Teacher and we can't wait to meet you!

Please come prepared to meet a teacher that is incredibly excited about having your child in her class and is looking forward to an AMAZING year together!

This evening you will go to your child's classroom and meet your child's teacher. Then you can take a look around the classroom and introduce yourself to the other families in the room. (Remember, these are the parents/children that your child will become close with over the next nine months, so feel free to say hello and extend a handshake.)

Then find your child's seat and cubby. If you pre-ordered your child's school supplies on-line, the supplies will already be delivered to your child's classroom. If you did not pre-order your supplies, please bring the supplies you have already bought to Meet the Teacher night. (This will give your child's teacher the opportunity to get everything put away and ready for the first day of school!) Your child's teacher will have directions for what to do with these supplies at your child's seat. Also at your child's table you will see a few VERY IMPORTANT papers from your child's teacher and the PTO. Please read these pages carefully and let your child's teacher know if you have any questions. Additionally, you will see essential postings on the chalkboard, so check it out and sign up where appropriate.

See you soon!!

The Kindergarten Teachers

What Kindergarten Teachers Wish Parents Knew

We thought you might enjoy this article from Scholastic! It's a short list, but a very good one!

Happy Reading!

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/article/what-kindergarten-teachers-wish-parents-knew

Lots of Papers!

During the first week of school, watch for many notes and school forms in your child’s red folder that need your signature! Please complete each form and send it back to school in your child’s red folder as soon as possible. Thank you!

Yes, please!

Social skills and manners are a big part of going to kindergarten. In the past we've modeled our instruction after The Essential 55. This article has many of these ideals. What are your beliefs on social expectations for your child?

Tuesday Tip - Home Visits

In order to make your child feel more comfortable on the first day of school, the kindergarten teachers would love to spend some special time with your child in your home. If you would like your child's teacher to come to your house and visit your child, please sign up (on the sheet) during Meet the Teacher Night. The sign up sheet will offer appointment times for the following Friday and/or Saturday.

Please remember that this is OPTIONAL!

This will be a VERY quick visit (only ten minutes) and a time for your child to show off something special (i.e. his/her room, a painting, etc.). Please remember this is a time for your child to get to know his/her teacher and help the first day and saying good-bye go more smoothly. If you personally have questions about school or our routines, please email your child's teacher and she will reply as soon as possible!

Snack Time

Each kindergarten class will have snack time in the afternoon. We eat lunch early in the day, so the children are very hungry by the afternoon! Some of the teachers have community snack time (meaning parents donate the snacks in bulk and the teachers will pass it out among the children) and other teachers ask students to bring their own from home. Your child's teacher will notify you of which she prefers when school begins. Either way, you are welcome to pack and send a singular snack for your child each day.

If your child's teacher has a community-style snack time, your child’s teacher will let you know (via email or newsletter) when the snack supply is low and you can send in your donation with your child in the morning. Please be mindful of the snacks you donate. Cookies, chips and small desserts do not sustain the brain power needed to finish an afternoon at school. Your child’s teacher will elaborate on this when school begins, but in the meantime, think about sending snacks such as healthy crackers, popcorn, cheese sticks (we have a small refrigerator in the classroom), pretzels or cereal. Also, keep in mind that items involving a great deal of prep-work or foods that require cutlery are not conducive to nourishing a large group in a small amount of time.

If you’d like, you are welcome to bring a box of snacks to Meet the Teacher Night or the First Day of School so your child’s class will have something for snack time on the very first day. Please steer clear of foods that contain nuts (or are prepped in kitchens that use nut products) until food allergies among your child’s class are known. Thank you!

Thematic Days and Celebrations

We have a fews days during the school year we reserve for special celebrations; supporting a school program or dressing up as a culminating activity for a unit of study. Each of these are meant to be fun and should not involve purchasing costumes - it’s time to get creative and use what you have around your home!

Here are a few examples:

Nursery Rhyme Day

Scarecrow Day

Red Ribbon Week

Thanksgiving Feast

101 Dalmatians

(Please keep in mind that these are subject to change due to student needs and calendar changes. Your child's teacher will keep you well informed and always read the weekly newsletter for the most up-to-date information).