Today I sent home a letter from Cat Fair, our guidance counselor, introducing herself and the guidance program at the school. Because she doesn't formally meet with the kindergarten class until the last trimester, she will be meeting with small groups of students from the class on Fridays to play a game. This will serve the dual purpose of helping her get to know the kindergarten students and giving students in the class a chance to spend time with each other in a smaller group setting. When invited, the children may choose whether or not they would like to go with her, but I am encouraging everyone to go at least once. Those who have been thus far have really enjoyed it.

The children have also really enjoyed lunch meetings with me in the library. If your child hasn't been yet they will definitely be invited next week. Again this is optional, but so far most students are eager for the opportunity.

We have also had several discussions in the class about being ourselves and making decisions based on what we want rather than what someone else is doing. There has been a trend among the boys of crowding a particular student, wanting to sit only where he sits, and do only what he does. We have talked about the importance of giving people personal space. While this particular student has many admirable qualities worth emulating, I am trying to help the children recognize that they each have wonderful qualities too and their classmates will be more apt to see this if they are authentic. Please reinforce this idea with your child.

Please let me know as soon as possible if your conference time does not work for you so we. Have a great weekend.