Happy New Year!
I hope everyone had a relaxing and enjoyable vacation. I was able to spend time with family and friends, but it will be good to see my kindergarten family again. I am looking forward to a great January. I’m sure the month will fly by—just as all the past months have.
I cannot believe it, but our school year is almost half over. January 16th marks the end of the second quarter of school. I am excited about what the children have already achieved. I know when we all work together, great things will happen for these special children.
January Happenings
This month we will be exploring a number of different themes. We will have a Jan Brett author study. We will also be finding out why Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is so special and also discovering the joys of winter. Hopefully we will have some sleds so the children will be able to enjoy all of this white fluffy snow!
Thursday, January 8 we will have a School Family gathering. Once again our school will have multi-age classrooms for part of the afternoon. Our kindergarten students will have the wonderful opportunity to join with older students and share special activities. This is a positive way to spread respect throughout our school.
Mark Your Calendar
Students will be dismissed at 12:30 on January 16th. We will be having a workshop in the afternoon.
Building Vocabulary
School wide, we are working together to develop student vocabulary. Each classroom will pick a reading and math vocabulary word to stress every week. This week our room will be using the words cover (title, author, illustrator, the cover helps you to predict information in the story) and less than. As you read to your child and play games together, please take time to discuss these terms too.
NWEA TIME
Next week the children will be going to the computer lab to begin the winter round of NWEA testing. This fun computer activity will give us updated data in reading and math. I do not call this a test because I have no desire to cause distress for the children. I just encourage children to do their best. Please help your child to do his or her best by having them get an adequate amount of sleep.
Book Orders
Check out the book order sent home today. If you would like to place an order, return order slips by January 15. Thanks!
Summer Birthdays
We will be celebrating half birthdays for the children who have July birthdays. Check the dates marked on the calendar for their celebration. If you would like to send a snack or treat you may, but make sure it is a store brought, individually wrapped snack. We have 20 students in each class.
Story Books
The children have several books in their kiwi packs to share with you. These stories help practice fluency and the high frequency words we have learned. Please read the books together often. If your child is struggling with a book, read a page first then have your child read it back to you. Touch the words as you read and have fun with this wonderful step toward reading. We will need the books back the following day, so please return the pack even if you were unable to listen to your child read. Thanks!
Wishing you a great year filled with happiness and joy!
Julie
