This is my "newsletter" of happenings in my classroom. This is one of the ways I send out reminders, and this is how you will find out what we're working on, so please check back regularly!
Parent-Teacher Conferences
A big thank you to all the parents who came to Parent-Teacher Conferences. As you know, it takes both Parents and Teachers to teach your child - we are partners in your child's educational career. Please don't ever hesitate to call or drop me a line if you have a question or concern.
Family Reading Awards Assembly
On Thursday, we held our Awards Assembly for those students who have met the Family Reading Goal. This is the reading log that you are given at the beginning of each month. We ask that you leave this paper on the "green" side of your child's Parent Pack, just so it doesn't get lost (although I have been lax about requesting this this year - everyone seems to be returning the papers at the end of the month anyway, so if you prefer to keep it somewhere else, that's fine). As part of Nicklin Learning Center's Title I funding, we are requesting that you read at least 30 books to your child per month (1 per day). However, to receive credit for this, you must write the title of the book on your child's log, or it doesn't count! After the end of the month, each child who has met their goal for the month receives a certificate from me, and at the end of each quarter, those who have met their goal for the whole quarter receive a special certificate from Mrs. Henderson at the assembly. Each month that your child meets their reading goal, their name is put in for a drawing for a t-shirt at the quarterly assembly. I would like to congratulate the following students for reaching their family reading goals this quarter:
September: (alphabetical by last name) Elijah, Jaymekah, Jo, Aiden, Isarel, Khloe, Holden, Audrey, Parker, Joey, Lorelai, Alex, Chase, Matteo, Megan, J'Sienna, Brogan
October: Jo, Aiden, Isarel, Angel, Khloe, Holden, Audrey, Parker, Joey, Leon, Lorelai, Chase, Madeline, Megan, J'Sienna, Brogan
First Quarter T-Shirt Winners: Angel & Audrey
Also, a big congratulations goes out to all of Mrs. K.'s Class because we won Mrs. Henderson's special "Clifford" Award! At each assembly, Mrs. Henderson gives a stuffed animal to the classes where at least 90% of the students reached their goal. This quarter, our class was one of the winners, so Clifford the Big Red Dog is watching over our class until the next quarterly assembly!
Field Trip
Our Field Trip to Stillwater Prairie Reserve has been rescheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 12th in the afternoon. We will board the bus at 12:40 and return at 2:50. I have enough volunteers confirmed for our class; however, if you would like to go along, and have already been fingerprinted and board approved, please let me know. Depending on the number of volunteers going, we may have to have you drive separately due to limited seating on the buses.
Birthdays
In kindergarten, we love to celebrate birthdays! It seems, though, that the number of food allergies has sky-rocketed in recent years. For this reason, we are asking that, if you choose to send in a birthday treat, it should be store-bought as opposed to homemade, and individually wrapped if possible, although a package of cookies or cupcakes is fine. Please do not send in cake, as we have no way to serve it in the classroom. A heads-up note to me a day or two in advance is appreciated, so I can make sure to leave a few minutes in our day to enjoy the special snack. We currently have 22 students in our class.
Every student, whether or not they bring a treat, gets to have their own little celebration. We get to "be the cake". The birthday child stands in the middle of the circle, and chooses 6 or 7 (depending on their age) friends to be the candles. The candles "turn on their flames" (hands together on top of their heads) and make a circle around the birthday child. The students not chosen to be candles sit in a circle around the carpet, forming the "icing". We all sing "Happy Birthday" to the child. then he or she gets to "blow out the candles". The student blows on the flame (not in their face!), and each candle then melts down to the floor. After all of the candles have been blown out, the birthday child gets a birthday hug from Mrs. K. and any friends who care to participate. It's a fun time for all!
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| Here we are "being the cake" for a birthday child! |
In my next post, I hope to give you a peak into a typical day in our classroom. Until then, enjoy your child now, because they'll never be this young again! :-)
Love, Mrs. Krouskop-Smith
