We had a fantastic second day of school.  Along with reviewing and practicing routines that we began yesterday we spent some time exploring math materials, reading quietly to ourselves, and working with third and fourth grade learning partners.  We will meet with children from Mrs. Hale's class each Thursday, a time that both kindergarteners and the older children grow to love.  Most often children will read with their partners, but we will also participate in a variety of other activities.  Today groups worked together on an outdoor scavenger hunt.  Ask your child to share some of things they found!

If you have not yet returned your child's red folder (sent home yesterday) with loads of general paper work for the school, please do so as soon as possible.  This helps Kathi tremendously.  Also, if at all possible it is extremely helpful for children to have water bottles.  It has been hot the last couple of days and it is hard to adequately quench thirst with the water fountain.  Finally, we have gym on Mondays and Thursdays and children need to have good shoes for running on these days.  Please no flip-flops, sandals or boots!

We had a great first day! Getting a school year under way takes a lot of patience on the part of students, with a lot of time spent listening and learning routines.  Everything from walking in line to eating in the lunch room needs to be taught and modeled, which will help ensure future success and independence.  Much of our time in the coming weeks will be spent reviewing expectations and practicing routines.  I greatly appreciate the effort and patience this requires from children!  Everyone in the class earned at least one ticket today for being safe, kind, responsible, or engaged.  These tickets are then traded in for rocks that will be collected as a whole school. Look for the bucket in the main lobby.

We will also focus much of our attention on getting to know each other and building our classroom community.

In your child’s bag  today you will find a yellow folder with a note of explanation inside, along with a paper bag that will be your child's artifact bag (also explained in the folder note.)  You should also find a red folder from Kathi with general school information and paper work.  These can be returned directly to Kathi at the front desk, or you can send them in your child's backpack and I will get them to her.  Thank you for all you do to help get the school year under way!