December 14, 2007
Dear Families,
During Ee week we learned to read the word the. The words that we have been practicing are a, an, and, I, that, the, Dan, Dad, and Nan. The boys and girls brought home a booklet entitled The House. The kindergartners like to find these words in stories and papers. We practiced coloring, cutting, and pasting when we made some elves. The teachers kept these so that they could look at them. We started doing Cc work because next week is so short!
During the winter season please make sure that you remain aware of the weather. It is helpful to pay attention to one of the radio stations or tv stations for early dismissal, late starts, or closings. Families sent back notes concerning early dismissal plans. Hopefully we do not have to use them again!
Next week we will be studying the letter Cc. Sharing should be an item that begins with the letter Cc. Friday sharing people can bring their sharing items any day next week.
Earlier this week we contacted the families that were chosen to supply our classroom with napkins and treats for the Christmas program. We are very lucky because so many of our families filled out the volunteer sheets at the beginning of the year, and many families volunteered to do many things. We try to spread out the volunteer fun throughout the year to as many families as possible, so we contact new families for each party. Because of the fantastic number of families that volunteer, we probably will not get to use each family. If you did not hear from us, you get to relax this holiday season. You may be contacted for the next party.
Our classroom Christmas party will be on Thursday, December 20th. Remember, boys bring a grab bag type gift for boys, and girls bring a grab bag type gift for girls. The price limit is $2.
On Monday, December 17th, we will be going to the Traer Nursing Home to sing our Holiday songs. Third graders will be joining us. Don’t forget that school is dismissed early on Thursday, December 20th. Town students will be dismissed at 2:20, and bus students at 2:25.
After Christmas the kindergartners need to bring in new crayons if they haven’t done so already. They may bring in a box of 16 or a box of 24. Check with your child to see if he or she needs a new glue stick. We have been doing many gluing projects, and some glue sticks need replaced.
We hope that you weekend is extraordinary!
Ms. Howard
Mrs. Owens
Mrs. Herink
Mrs. Pokorny
Monday, December 17, 2007
Friday, December 7, 2007
December 7, 2007
December 7, 2007
Dear Families,
What a delightful, yet crazy week! We worked with dimes and practiced counting by tens. We enjoyed talking about dogs. The boys and girls practiced following directions. The booklet Dogs Can was read and colored. This week the kindergartners learned to read the word and. The “and” flashcard is attached to this newsletter. We practiced sounding out the words Dan and Dad. We reviewed the words Nan, a, an, that, and I.
Next week is Ee week. For sharing the boys and girls may bring a free choice item.
We have used glue sticks a lot recently, and many children need replacements. Please send some more glue sticks to school with your kindergartner!
Don’t forget about the Elementary Christmas Program on December 19th starting at 1:00. THE PROGRAM TIME HAS CHANGED!!! The children will be singing 3 songs that they have been practicing with Mr. Gardner. For the program the boys and girls do not need any special costumes or outfits; they only need to be dressed nicely. After their part of the program the kindergartners may sit with their families, or they may sit with the teachers on the bleachers. It would be helpful to let us know if they will be sitting with the family or with the teachers.
As stated in the North Tama Elementary newsletter, there will be an opportunity for the elementary children to shop in a Christmas store. We have not signed up for our shopping time yet. IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO SHOP, PLEASE SEND MONEY IN AN ENVELOPE OR BAGGIE. This is a good time to talk with your student about being a good consumer. If he/she does not see something that they want to buy, he/she does not have to buy anything! Items cost between 25¢ and $1. Families may also donate items for the store. Send your donations to school with your child, and we will put them in the correct place.
On Tuesday, December 18th, the kindergartners may participate in a Christmas party with the FCCLA group. This party is right after school. We help the boys and girls get to the party. More information and a permission slip should be coming home soon (It MAY be attached to this newsletter!)
School will be dismissed early Thursday, December 20th. The town students will be dismissed at 2:20 and the bus students will be dismissed at 2:25. Please mark your calendars! Any leftover students will have to help pick up the classroom for the custodians!!!
We will have our classroom Christmas party on Thursday, December 20th. Please send the gift for the exchange sometime between December 10th and 20th. In a recent newsletter we told about how we handle the student gift exchange. Girls may bring a gift for a girl, and boys may bring a gift for a boy. We do a “grab bag” type of gift exchange. Families may spend up to $2 on the gift.
Sometime during that last week of school before vacation, we MAY be going to the Traer nursing home to sing our Christmas songs to the residents. The third grade classrooms normally join us. If it is a nice day, we will walk. If the weather is inclement, we will be taking a bus.
Please make sure that your child is ready for the winter weather. Boots, hats or earmuffs, gloves or mittens, coats, and snow pants keep the boys and girls warm and dry. PLEASE BE SURE TO PUT YOUR CHILD’S NAME ON ALL WINTER ITEMS!
Have a delightful weekend!
Mrs. Pokorny, Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, and Mrs. Herink
Copies of the North Tama Kindergarten newsletters can be found online at www.ntknews.blogspot.com.
Dear Families,
What a delightful, yet crazy week! We worked with dimes and practiced counting by tens. We enjoyed talking about dogs. The boys and girls practiced following directions. The booklet Dogs Can was read and colored. This week the kindergartners learned to read the word and. The “and” flashcard is attached to this newsletter. We practiced sounding out the words Dan and Dad. We reviewed the words Nan, a, an, that, and I.
Next week is Ee week. For sharing the boys and girls may bring a free choice item.
We have used glue sticks a lot recently, and many children need replacements. Please send some more glue sticks to school with your kindergartner!
Don’t forget about the Elementary Christmas Program on December 19th starting at 1:00. THE PROGRAM TIME HAS CHANGED!!! The children will be singing 3 songs that they have been practicing with Mr. Gardner. For the program the boys and girls do not need any special costumes or outfits; they only need to be dressed nicely. After their part of the program the kindergartners may sit with their families, or they may sit with the teachers on the bleachers. It would be helpful to let us know if they will be sitting with the family or with the teachers.
As stated in the North Tama Elementary newsletter, there will be an opportunity for the elementary children to shop in a Christmas store. We have not signed up for our shopping time yet. IF YOU WANT YOUR CHILD TO SHOP, PLEASE SEND MONEY IN AN ENVELOPE OR BAGGIE. This is a good time to talk with your student about being a good consumer. If he/she does not see something that they want to buy, he/she does not have to buy anything! Items cost between 25¢ and $1. Families may also donate items for the store. Send your donations to school with your child, and we will put them in the correct place.
On Tuesday, December 18th, the kindergartners may participate in a Christmas party with the FCCLA group. This party is right after school. We help the boys and girls get to the party. More information and a permission slip should be coming home soon (It MAY be attached to this newsletter!)
School will be dismissed early Thursday, December 20th. The town students will be dismissed at 2:20 and the bus students will be dismissed at 2:25. Please mark your calendars! Any leftover students will have to help pick up the classroom for the custodians!!!
We will have our classroom Christmas party on Thursday, December 20th. Please send the gift for the exchange sometime between December 10th and 20th. In a recent newsletter we told about how we handle the student gift exchange. Girls may bring a gift for a girl, and boys may bring a gift for a boy. We do a “grab bag” type of gift exchange. Families may spend up to $2 on the gift.
Sometime during that last week of school before vacation, we MAY be going to the Traer nursing home to sing our Christmas songs to the residents. The third grade classrooms normally join us. If it is a nice day, we will walk. If the weather is inclement, we will be taking a bus.
Please make sure that your child is ready for the winter weather. Boots, hats or earmuffs, gloves or mittens, coats, and snow pants keep the boys and girls warm and dry. PLEASE BE SURE TO PUT YOUR CHILD’S NAME ON ALL WINTER ITEMS!
Have a delightful weekend!
Mrs. Pokorny, Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, and Mrs. Herink
Copies of the North Tama Kindergarten newsletters can be found online at www.ntknews.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
November 30, 2007
November 30, 2007
Dear Families,
During Mm week we made Mm booklets. We read many books written by Mercer Mayer and Robert Munsch. The boys and girls graphed using M & M’s and made months of the year booklets. This week the boys and girls started dictating letters to Santa. The Santa letters are being typed on the computer. The letters are mailed to Santa at the North Pole. (The Post Office will deliver letters addressed to the North Pole to Santa. If you do this at home with other children, make sure that you have your address on the letter!) Santa normally finds time to write back. Sometimes Santa mails his letters directly to the kindergartners. Sometimes the kindergartners’ letters from Santa come to the school since we mail the original letters all together.
Next week we will be studying the letter Dd. Sharing for next week needs to be an item that starts with the letter Dd. During Dd week we like to turn our dramatic play center into a doctor’s office. (It has been a house.) Many families have doctor kits or other doctorish items at home. If you would like to send the doctor items to school, please put your child’s name on each item. These things will come home before Christmas.
Winter weather will soon be here. Remember, when there is measurable snow on the ground, boots are required. Children stay warmer and drier when they wear snow pants. Please send hats, earmuffs, headbands, mittens, gloves, etc. every day. Please write your child’s name on every item!
Stay warm and safe! Notice the December Sharing Schedule at the bottom of this paper!
Mrs. Owens, Ms. Howard and Mrs. Herink, and Mrs. Pokorny
____________________________________________________________
December Sharing Schedule
December 3 - 7: An item that starts with Dd
December 10 - 14: Free choice item (It will be Ee week.)
December 17 - 20: An item that starts with the letter Cc (Friday students may bring their sharing any day!)
(See the back for important info! If you already filled this out and sent it to school, please disregard)
Last week we wrote about Santa letters in the newsletter. The Traer Star Clipper needs these letters finished by December 7th. In order to get 39 letters finished without going crazy, we need your help. Please help your kindergartner think of ways they have been good or helpful at home. Also help your child brainstorm 3 or 4 items he/she really wants for Christmas. Fill out the bottom portion of this newsletter and send it back to school. We feel that this will be especially helpful to us when it is time to write these fun letters.
___________________’s Christmas List
1.
2.
3.
4.
Here are ways ________________ has been nice or helpful:
Dear Families,
During Mm week we made Mm booklets. We read many books written by Mercer Mayer and Robert Munsch. The boys and girls graphed using M & M’s and made months of the year booklets. This week the boys and girls started dictating letters to Santa. The Santa letters are being typed on the computer. The letters are mailed to Santa at the North Pole. (The Post Office will deliver letters addressed to the North Pole to Santa. If you do this at home with other children, make sure that you have your address on the letter!) Santa normally finds time to write back. Sometimes Santa mails his letters directly to the kindergartners. Sometimes the kindergartners’ letters from Santa come to the school since we mail the original letters all together.
Next week we will be studying the letter Dd. Sharing for next week needs to be an item that starts with the letter Dd. During Dd week we like to turn our dramatic play center into a doctor’s office. (It has been a house.) Many families have doctor kits or other doctorish items at home. If you would like to send the doctor items to school, please put your child’s name on each item. These things will come home before Christmas.
Winter weather will soon be here. Remember, when there is measurable snow on the ground, boots are required. Children stay warmer and drier when they wear snow pants. Please send hats, earmuffs, headbands, mittens, gloves, etc. every day. Please write your child’s name on every item!
Stay warm and safe! Notice the December Sharing Schedule at the bottom of this paper!
Mrs. Owens, Ms. Howard and Mrs. Herink, and Mrs. Pokorny
____________________________________________________________
December Sharing Schedule
December 3 - 7: An item that starts with Dd
December 10 - 14: Free choice item (It will be Ee week.)
December 17 - 20: An item that starts with the letter Cc (Friday students may bring their sharing any day!)
(See the back for important info! If you already filled this out and sent it to school, please disregard)
Last week we wrote about Santa letters in the newsletter. The Traer Star Clipper needs these letters finished by December 7th. In order to get 39 letters finished without going crazy, we need your help. Please help your kindergartner think of ways they have been good or helpful at home. Also help your child brainstorm 3 or 4 items he/she really wants for Christmas. Fill out the bottom portion of this newsletter and send it back to school. We feel that this will be especially helpful to us when it is time to write these fun letters.
___________________’s Christmas List
1.
2.
3.
4.
Here are ways ________________ has been nice or helpful:
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
November 21, 2007
November 21, 2007
Dear Families,
This has been a very interesting week! We practiced writing the letters I and i. We read some books with Native American characters, acting out one called Red Fox and His Canoe. The kindergartners started discussing Thanksgiving. We learned to read the word I. Notice the new flashcard stapled to this newsletter. (Remember practice at home really helps!) If you haven’t sent new crayons yet, please do so soon. Please send a box of 16 or a box of 24.
Next week we will be learning about the letter Mm. Sharing needs to be an item that starts with the letter Mm.
Last week we wrote about Santa letters in the newsletter. The Traer Star Clipper needs these letters finished by December 7th. In order to get 39 letters finished without going crazy, we need your help. Please help your kindergartner think of ways they have been good or helpful at home. Also help your child brainstorm 3 or 4 items he/she really wants for Christmas. Fill out the bottom portion of this newsletter and send it back to school. We feel that this will be especially helpful to us when it is time to start writing these fun letters.
Many children have been complaining about chapped lips. Families may send some kind of lip product to school for their child. The lip product can be used during the day, BUT it will stay in the child’s backpack.
We hope that you have a fantastic weekend! Remember that we do not have school on Thursday, November 22nd or Friday, November 23rd. That is Thanksgiving vacation!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Herink, and Mrs. Pokorny
___________________’s Christmas List
1.
2.
3.
4.
Here are ways ________________ has been nice or helpful:
Dear Families,
This has been a very interesting week! We practiced writing the letters I and i. We read some books with Native American characters, acting out one called Red Fox and His Canoe. The kindergartners started discussing Thanksgiving. We learned to read the word I. Notice the new flashcard stapled to this newsletter. (Remember practice at home really helps!) If you haven’t sent new crayons yet, please do so soon. Please send a box of 16 or a box of 24.
Next week we will be learning about the letter Mm. Sharing needs to be an item that starts with the letter Mm.
Last week we wrote about Santa letters in the newsletter. The Traer Star Clipper needs these letters finished by December 7th. In order to get 39 letters finished without going crazy, we need your help. Please help your kindergartner think of ways they have been good or helpful at home. Also help your child brainstorm 3 or 4 items he/she really wants for Christmas. Fill out the bottom portion of this newsletter and send it back to school. We feel that this will be especially helpful to us when it is time to start writing these fun letters.
Many children have been complaining about chapped lips. Families may send some kind of lip product to school for their child. The lip product can be used during the day, BUT it will stay in the child’s backpack.
We hope that you have a fantastic weekend! Remember that we do not have school on Thursday, November 22nd or Friday, November 23rd. That is Thanksgiving vacation!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Herink, and Mrs. Pokorny
___________________’s Christmas List
1.
2.
3.
4.
Here are ways ________________ has been nice or helpful:
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
November 16, 2007
November 16, 2007
Dear Families,
During Nn week we practiced our numbers and made Number Booklets. The nickel was introduced. The kindergartners learned to read 2 new words this week. The words are an and Nan. Notice the two new flash cards. Please review them often! 2 booklets about a girl named Nan were read and sent home. Phone numbers were practiced. Boys and girls will need to know their phone numbers for the next report card. November necklaces were colored and put together. We started talking about Thanksgiving this week, and the students used their markers to color turkeys. The turkeys will be in the hallway. They will be sent home before Thanksgiving.
Next week we will be studying the letter Ii. Since next week is such a short week, we will NOT have sharing.
Right after Thanksgiving the boys and girls will be writing letters to Santa. They will be dictating their ideas to a teacher to be typed on the computer. We would like them to have 3 or 4 ideas of gifts they would like to receive. These letters will be mailed to Santa, and they may appear in the Traer Star Clipper. Please discuss Christmas ideas with your child so that we can type these letters quickly and easily. In next week’s newsletter there will be a form for families to fill out that will help us get these letters done without going too crazy. Families also get to let Santa know how the boys and girls have been good/helpful at home.
Speaking of Christmas, many families are beginning to think about the elementary Christmas party and the gifts that the kids exchange. We ask that the boys buy a gift for a boy and the girls buy a gift for a girl. We will have a “grab bag” type of gift exchange. The amount that can be spent on the gift is $2.
Our kindergarten parents in the past have been very generous when remembering the teachers at Christmas time. An idea that we learned from Pied Piper is that instead of buying the teacher a gift, families could choose instead to purchase a gift for the room. We have a few ideas for items that we would like for the classroom: markers to be used in our writing center, glue sticks, stickers, disposable cameras, baby dolls, doll clothing, larger trucks and tractors, and games (see the teachers for ideas). If you need any ideas, just ask one of us. Of course, families may handle this matter however they desire.
Also in regards to Christmas, the date for the elementary Christmas program is Wednesday, December 19th. It usually begins at 1:30 in the gym. The fifth and sixth grade bands will play first, and the kindergartners will follow them. Following our songs, families will have a choice of whether to have their kindergartner sit with them for the remainder of the program or watch the rest of it with Mrs. Owens and Ms. Howard. Watch for more information about the program closer to December 19th.
Please remember that school will be dismissed at 2:20 on Wednesday, November 21st for Thanksgiving vacation. School will resume on Monday, November 26th at the normal time.
We know that the cold and flu season is upon us. Please remember that if your doctor prescribes a medication that has to be taken at school, THE DOCTOR and THE PARENT (yes both) need to write the directions down for the nurse. (This means 2 notes are required.) The prescription medication MUST be in the original container from the pharmacy. Families might want to ask for 2 containers when filling the prescription; one for school and one for home. The nurse cannot administer any medication without both notes. Cough syrup needs to have a doctor’s order to be given in school. (If your child is constantly coughing, he/she should really stay home.) DO NOT SEND COUGH DROPS TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR STUDENT! Parents are welcome to come to school and give medicines to their own children. Please contact the school nurse or us if you have any questions.
Mrs. Owens, Ms. Howard, Mrs. Pokorny, and Mrs. Herink
Copies of the newsletter can be found at the following internet address: http://ntknews.blogspot.com
or through the North Tama website.
Dear Families,
During Nn week we practiced our numbers and made Number Booklets. The nickel was introduced. The kindergartners learned to read 2 new words this week. The words are an and Nan. Notice the two new flash cards. Please review them often! 2 booklets about a girl named Nan were read and sent home. Phone numbers were practiced. Boys and girls will need to know their phone numbers for the next report card. November necklaces were colored and put together. We started talking about Thanksgiving this week, and the students used their markers to color turkeys. The turkeys will be in the hallway. They will be sent home before Thanksgiving.
Next week we will be studying the letter Ii. Since next week is such a short week, we will NOT have sharing.
Right after Thanksgiving the boys and girls will be writing letters to Santa. They will be dictating their ideas to a teacher to be typed on the computer. We would like them to have 3 or 4 ideas of gifts they would like to receive. These letters will be mailed to Santa, and they may appear in the Traer Star Clipper. Please discuss Christmas ideas with your child so that we can type these letters quickly and easily. In next week’s newsletter there will be a form for families to fill out that will help us get these letters done without going too crazy. Families also get to let Santa know how the boys and girls have been good/helpful at home.
Speaking of Christmas, many families are beginning to think about the elementary Christmas party and the gifts that the kids exchange. We ask that the boys buy a gift for a boy and the girls buy a gift for a girl. We will have a “grab bag” type of gift exchange. The amount that can be spent on the gift is $2.
Our kindergarten parents in the past have been very generous when remembering the teachers at Christmas time. An idea that we learned from Pied Piper is that instead of buying the teacher a gift, families could choose instead to purchase a gift for the room. We have a few ideas for items that we would like for the classroom: markers to be used in our writing center, glue sticks, stickers, disposable cameras, baby dolls, doll clothing, larger trucks and tractors, and games (see the teachers for ideas). If you need any ideas, just ask one of us. Of course, families may handle this matter however they desire.
Also in regards to Christmas, the date for the elementary Christmas program is Wednesday, December 19th. It usually begins at 1:30 in the gym. The fifth and sixth grade bands will play first, and the kindergartners will follow them. Following our songs, families will have a choice of whether to have their kindergartner sit with them for the remainder of the program or watch the rest of it with Mrs. Owens and Ms. Howard. Watch for more information about the program closer to December 19th.
Please remember that school will be dismissed at 2:20 on Wednesday, November 21st for Thanksgiving vacation. School will resume on Monday, November 26th at the normal time.
We know that the cold and flu season is upon us. Please remember that if your doctor prescribes a medication that has to be taken at school, THE DOCTOR and THE PARENT (yes both) need to write the directions down for the nurse. (This means 2 notes are required.) The prescription medication MUST be in the original container from the pharmacy. Families might want to ask for 2 containers when filling the prescription; one for school and one for home. The nurse cannot administer any medication without both notes. Cough syrup needs to have a doctor’s order to be given in school. (If your child is constantly coughing, he/she should really stay home.) DO NOT SEND COUGH DROPS TO SCHOOL WITH YOUR STUDENT! Parents are welcome to come to school and give medicines to their own children. Please contact the school nurse or us if you have any questions.
Mrs. Owens, Ms. Howard, Mrs. Pokorny, and Mrs. Herink
Copies of the newsletter can be found at the following internet address: http://ntknews.blogspot.com
or through the North Tama website.
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
November 9, 2007
November 8, 2007
Dear Families,
While studying the letter Oo, we learned about opposites and oceans.
We enjoyed meeting with our kindergarten families at conferences this week. The next set of conferences will be in February. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know!
Next week we will be studying the letter Nn. For sharing please send something that starts with the letter Nn.
We have noticed that some of the boys and girls are still in need of new crayons. You may replace them with boxes of 16 or 24 crayons. Check with your kindergartner to see if the glue stick needs to be replaced also.
Thanksgiving is coming up! School will be dismissed early on Wednesday, November 21st. Students that walk home or are picked up are dismissed at 2:20. Bus students are dismissed at 2:25. There will be no school on Thursday, November 22nd or Friday, November 23th.
Remember, there is no school on Friday, November 9th!
As the weather starts turning colder we must think about boots, snowpants, hats, mittens, and coats. Please make sure that your child is prepared for cold, wet weather. Please put your child’s name in every piece of outerwear brought to school.
Have a nice weekend!
Mrs. Owens
Ms. Howard
Mrs. Herink
Mrs. Pokorny
Dear Families,
While studying the letter Oo, we learned about opposites and oceans.
We enjoyed meeting with our kindergarten families at conferences this week. The next set of conferences will be in February. If you have any questions or concerns, please let us know!
Next week we will be studying the letter Nn. For sharing please send something that starts with the letter Nn.
We have noticed that some of the boys and girls are still in need of new crayons. You may replace them with boxes of 16 or 24 crayons. Check with your kindergartner to see if the glue stick needs to be replaced also.
Thanksgiving is coming up! School will be dismissed early on Wednesday, November 21st. Students that walk home or are picked up are dismissed at 2:20. Bus students are dismissed at 2:25. There will be no school on Thursday, November 22nd or Friday, November 23th.
Remember, there is no school on Friday, November 9th!
As the weather starts turning colder we must think about boots, snowpants, hats, mittens, and coats. Please make sure that your child is prepared for cold, wet weather. Please put your child’s name in every piece of outerwear brought to school.
Have a nice weekend!
Mrs. Owens
Ms. Howard
Mrs. Herink
Mrs. Pokorny
Thursday, November 1, 2007
November 2, 2007
November 2, 2007
Dear Families,
While studying the letter Tt we discussed teeth. We saw some videos and read some books that talked about taking care of our teeth. Attached to this newsletter there are 2 “Teeth-on-the-Go” papers that families can help fill out with their children. One is a fill in the blank paper, and one is a tooth brushing chart. Children can finish these papers at home and bring them in for stickers. Children that complete the tooth brushing chart can earn a certificate, too. We read the big book called Turnips for Dinner. The kindergartners learned that the letters t and h together make the sound /th/ like in thimble. We learned the word that, and read the booklet Dad, Dan, and I. The boys and girls DO NOT know how to read the words in this booklet yet. They will know how to read these words later on this year. Please notice the yellow flashcards that are included with this packet. Our plan is to send flashcards home as we learn new words. Practice reading the little booklets and reviewing flashcards often. That really helps kindergartners learn and remember!
Next week we will be studying the letter Oo. Sharing next week is free choice. The Friday sharing students may bring their sharing any day next week.
We have noticed that some of the boys and girls are still in need of new crayons. You may replace them with boxes of 16 or 24 crayons. Check with your kindergartner to see if the glue stick needs to be replaced also.
On Tuesday, November 6th, the town students are dismissed at 12:20 so that teachers can get ready for conferences on that evening. Bus kids will be dismissed at 12:25. Conferences will be held on Tuesday evening. Conferences will also be held on Thursday evening, but the students do not get out early on Thursday. If you find that your conference time does not work for you, please contact us, and we will work out a new time. Ms. Howard will meet her families in the kindergarten room. Mrs. Owens will meet her families in an office down the hall located across from the drinking fountains and bathrooms. THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH.
The kindergarten newsletter can be found on the web! Go to http://ntknews.blogspot.com to see any important information or copies of the newsletters. You can also access this blogspot throught the North Tama website.
Have a nice weekend!
Mrs. Owens, Ms. Howard, Mrs. Pokorny,and Mrs. Herink
Dear Families,
While studying the letter Tt we discussed teeth. We saw some videos and read some books that talked about taking care of our teeth. Attached to this newsletter there are 2 “Teeth-on-the-Go” papers that families can help fill out with their children. One is a fill in the blank paper, and one is a tooth brushing chart. Children can finish these papers at home and bring them in for stickers. Children that complete the tooth brushing chart can earn a certificate, too. We read the big book called Turnips for Dinner. The kindergartners learned that the letters t and h together make the sound /th/ like in thimble. We learned the word that, and read the booklet Dad, Dan, and I. The boys and girls DO NOT know how to read the words in this booklet yet. They will know how to read these words later on this year. Please notice the yellow flashcards that are included with this packet. Our plan is to send flashcards home as we learn new words. Practice reading the little booklets and reviewing flashcards often. That really helps kindergartners learn and remember!
Next week we will be studying the letter Oo. Sharing next week is free choice. The Friday sharing students may bring their sharing any day next week.
We have noticed that some of the boys and girls are still in need of new crayons. You may replace them with boxes of 16 or 24 crayons. Check with your kindergartner to see if the glue stick needs to be replaced also.
On Tuesday, November 6th, the town students are dismissed at 12:20 so that teachers can get ready for conferences on that evening. Bus kids will be dismissed at 12:25. Conferences will be held on Tuesday evening. Conferences will also be held on Thursday evening, but the students do not get out early on Thursday. If you find that your conference time does not work for you, please contact us, and we will work out a new time. Ms. Howard will meet her families in the kindergarten room. Mrs. Owens will meet her families in an office down the hall located across from the drinking fountains and bathrooms. THERE WILL BE NO SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 9TH.
The kindergarten newsletter can be found on the web! Go to http://ntknews.blogspot.com to see any important information or copies of the newsletters. You can also access this blogspot throught the North Tama website.
Have a nice weekend!
Mrs. Owens, Ms. Howard, Mrs. Pokorny,and Mrs. Herink
Monday, October 29, 2007
October 26, 2007
October 27, 2006
Dear Families,
During this week we worked with the letter Hh. The kindergartners have started reading!! This week we learned the word a. The kindergartners read the little story called A Present. Reading this booklet over and over will help your child remember that word. We did a lot of evaluation this week. We learned about the human heart and how we can keep it healthy. Many books by Kevin Henkes were read.
Next week we will enjoy our first classroom “party” on Wednesday, October 31st. Students should bring their costumes to school. After the big recess we will put them on. At 1:00 on Wednesday we hope to go to the Traer nursing home. When we return we will eat snack in the room. At 2:30 we lead the costume parade through the elementary classrooms, going into each and every classroom.
Next week we are studying the letter Tt. Sharing for next week will be something that starts with the letter Tt. Since we have no school on Monday, October 29th, the Monday sharing people may bring their Tt sharing item any day next week.
A great place to stop while trick-or-treating is the Traer Nursing home. Boys and girls can receive a lot of goodies and enjoy walking around without coats. Check out the Traer Star Clipper for the times to visit the nursing home. (We think that children can trick-or-treat from 6:30 - 7:30 at the nursing home.)
Please write your child’s name on coats, snowpants, boots, hats and mittens. With 39 children in this room, winter items can get mixed up and having names on the clothing is extremely helpful.
Kindergartners may now bring a new box of crayons to school. The new box of crayons may contain 16 or 24 crayons. A few students need new glue sticks also.
Report cards will be going home next Friday, November 2nd. Please check your child’s bag on that day for this important information on how well your child is doing in kindergarten. Conferences will be held on November 6th and November 8th. We look forward to meeting with all our families on those days. You should be receiving a letter with your conference time in the mail soon. If you discover that your scheduled time does not work, please let us know so that we can reschedule it.
There will be no school for students on Friday, November 9th. Please mark your calendars!
We have been very lucky this semester because we have had Taylor Zobel, a freshman at North Tama, help us at the end of the day. She is a very responsible student that also likes to babysit. Taylor lives north of Traer right off of Hwy D65 as you drive toward Dinsdale. If you would like a talented babysitter, Taylor may be reached at 478-2089.
Since the North Tama Redhawk football team has qualified for the playoffs, and they play on Wednesday, October 31st , trick-or-treating in Traer has been moved to Tuesday, October 30th.
Mrs. Owens
Ms. Howard
Mrs. Herink
Mrs. Pokorny
____________________________________________________________
November Sharing
October 29 - November 2: Something that starts with Tt (Monday kids may bring their sharing any day this week.)
November 5 - 9: Free choice (Friday kids may bring their sharing any day this week.)
November 12 - 16: Something that starts with Nn
November 19 - 23: No Sharing (Week of Thanksgiving)
November 26 - November 30: Something that starts with Mm
Dear Families,
During this week we worked with the letter Hh. The kindergartners have started reading!! This week we learned the word a. The kindergartners read the little story called A Present. Reading this booklet over and over will help your child remember that word. We did a lot of evaluation this week. We learned about the human heart and how we can keep it healthy. Many books by Kevin Henkes were read.
Next week we will enjoy our first classroom “party” on Wednesday, October 31st. Students should bring their costumes to school. After the big recess we will put them on. At 1:00 on Wednesday we hope to go to the Traer nursing home. When we return we will eat snack in the room. At 2:30 we lead the costume parade through the elementary classrooms, going into each and every classroom.
Next week we are studying the letter Tt. Sharing for next week will be something that starts with the letter Tt. Since we have no school on Monday, October 29th, the Monday sharing people may bring their Tt sharing item any day next week.
A great place to stop while trick-or-treating is the Traer Nursing home. Boys and girls can receive a lot of goodies and enjoy walking around without coats. Check out the Traer Star Clipper for the times to visit the nursing home. (We think that children can trick-or-treat from 6:30 - 7:30 at the nursing home.)
Please write your child’s name on coats, snowpants, boots, hats and mittens. With 39 children in this room, winter items can get mixed up and having names on the clothing is extremely helpful.
Kindergartners may now bring a new box of crayons to school. The new box of crayons may contain 16 or 24 crayons. A few students need new glue sticks also.
Report cards will be going home next Friday, November 2nd. Please check your child’s bag on that day for this important information on how well your child is doing in kindergarten. Conferences will be held on November 6th and November 8th. We look forward to meeting with all our families on those days. You should be receiving a letter with your conference time in the mail soon. If you discover that your scheduled time does not work, please let us know so that we can reschedule it.
There will be no school for students on Friday, November 9th. Please mark your calendars!
We have been very lucky this semester because we have had Taylor Zobel, a freshman at North Tama, help us at the end of the day. She is a very responsible student that also likes to babysit. Taylor lives north of Traer right off of Hwy D65 as you drive toward Dinsdale. If you would like a talented babysitter, Taylor may be reached at 478-2089.
Since the North Tama Redhawk football team has qualified for the playoffs, and they play on Wednesday, October 31st , trick-or-treating in Traer has been moved to Tuesday, October 30th.
Mrs. Owens
Ms. Howard
Mrs. Herink
Mrs. Pokorny
____________________________________________________________
November Sharing
October 29 - November 2: Something that starts with Tt (Monday kids may bring their sharing any day this week.)
November 5 - 9: Free choice (Friday kids may bring their sharing any day this week.)
November 12 - 16: Something that starts with Nn
November 19 - 23: No Sharing (Week of Thanksgiving)
November 26 - November 30: Something that starts with Mm
Thursday, October 18, 2007
October 19, 2007
October 19, 2007
Dear Families,
What an active week we have had! We made applesauce, and we read Frank Asch books. The boys and girls enjoy reading his books because he uses animal characters and has surprise endings. On Monday, Jo Kahler, Martin Herker, and Carol Waltemate brought the Traer ambulance up to the school so that the children could see it. They told them about their jobs and informed them about the equipment they would use if someone were sick or hurt. The apples brought from home were compared, and the different colors of apples were tasted.
Next week we will be studying the letter Hh. Next week kindergartners need to bring something that begins with the letter Hh. If you get stuck, think about a Halloween item!
Next week we will be continuing to evaluate the students for the report cards. We will be checking to see if they know the letters Ll, Ff, Aa, and Hh and the sounds for Ll, Ff, and Hh. We will also check to see if they recognize the numbers 0-10. We will continue checking them on their addresses, colors, and shapes.
Please remember that our Halloween party is on Wednesday, October 31st. The kindergartners may BRING their costumes to school that day. After the big recess we get dressed up and then travel to the nursing home by bus. When we return we will do some Halloween activities in the room, parade through the classrooms, and enjoy Halloween snacks.
The weather is getting cooler outside, and we try to go outside at LEAST 1 time a day for recess if it is not raining. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather because he/she will go outside whether or not they have the necessary clothing. Remember that if there is measurable snow on the ground, the boys and girls need boots.
We are now warning our families that the school is keeping our thermostats at 68 degrees this winter. Some students may find this temperature a little chilly. We recommend that you send a sweatshirt or sweater to school with your child everyday. They can keep it in their backpacks or cubbies and wear it when they feel cold.
Please make sure that your child has an extra set of clothing in their school bag. Kindergartners have bathroom accidents, lunch tray spills, illnesses that soil clothing, and dirty recess catastrophes every now and then, and they feel more comfortable in their own clothing, especially underwear. We do have some extra clothing here, but it is a lot easier to get extra clothing out of school bags than it is to dig out clothing they will wear out of our supply.
Some children are beginning to arrive to school before 8:10. If the children are not eating breakfast, then they need to wait on the playground for the 8:10 bell unless your family has talked to the teachers. Teachers are not always in the classrooms because we are making final arrangements for the day, and we do not like to leave the kindergartners unsupervised. We realize that clocks at home are set at different times, and that occasionally children get here early. If you bring your kindergartner and you discover that you are a couple of minutes early, you can wait in our little entryway for the 8:10 bell.
We hope you have an absolutely great weekend!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Pokorny, and Mrs. Herink
Dear Families,
What an active week we have had! We made applesauce, and we read Frank Asch books. The boys and girls enjoy reading his books because he uses animal characters and has surprise endings. On Monday, Jo Kahler, Martin Herker, and Carol Waltemate brought the Traer ambulance up to the school so that the children could see it. They told them about their jobs and informed them about the equipment they would use if someone were sick or hurt. The apples brought from home were compared, and the different colors of apples were tasted.
Next week we will be studying the letter Hh. Next week kindergartners need to bring something that begins with the letter Hh. If you get stuck, think about a Halloween item!
Next week we will be continuing to evaluate the students for the report cards. We will be checking to see if they know the letters Ll, Ff, Aa, and Hh and the sounds for Ll, Ff, and Hh. We will also check to see if they recognize the numbers 0-10. We will continue checking them on their addresses, colors, and shapes.
Please remember that our Halloween party is on Wednesday, October 31st. The kindergartners may BRING their costumes to school that day. After the big recess we get dressed up and then travel to the nursing home by bus. When we return we will do some Halloween activities in the room, parade through the classrooms, and enjoy Halloween snacks.
The weather is getting cooler outside, and we try to go outside at LEAST 1 time a day for recess if it is not raining. Please make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather because he/she will go outside whether or not they have the necessary clothing. Remember that if there is measurable snow on the ground, the boys and girls need boots.
We are now warning our families that the school is keeping our thermostats at 68 degrees this winter. Some students may find this temperature a little chilly. We recommend that you send a sweatshirt or sweater to school with your child everyday. They can keep it in their backpacks or cubbies and wear it when they feel cold.
Please make sure that your child has an extra set of clothing in their school bag. Kindergartners have bathroom accidents, lunch tray spills, illnesses that soil clothing, and dirty recess catastrophes every now and then, and they feel more comfortable in their own clothing, especially underwear. We do have some extra clothing here, but it is a lot easier to get extra clothing out of school bags than it is to dig out clothing they will wear out of our supply.
Some children are beginning to arrive to school before 8:10. If the children are not eating breakfast, then they need to wait on the playground for the 8:10 bell unless your family has talked to the teachers. Teachers are not always in the classrooms because we are making final arrangements for the day, and we do not like to leave the kindergartners unsupervised. We realize that clocks at home are set at different times, and that occasionally children get here early. If you bring your kindergartner and you discover that you are a couple of minutes early, you can wait in our little entryway for the 8:10 bell.
We hope you have an absolutely great weekend!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Pokorny, and Mrs. Herink
Thursday, October 11, 2007
October 12, 2007
October 12, 2007
Dear Families,
The letter Ff was concentrated on this week. We had fun talking about frogs, fire safety, fish, fall, and football. We all practiced stop, drop, and roll and earned a certificate. (Many of the children expressed interest in practicing fire drills at home.) Four high school football players visited with the kindergartners. They brought some football equipment with them and told us about the game.
This week the kindergartners brought home 2 little booklets; one about fall and one about fire safety. For “homework” families can read these booklets and have the kindergartner finish coloring the book. Families should also do the activity page(s) at the end of these booklets. Kindergartners that bring the finished booklets back will get to pick out a sticker.
Next week we will be studying the letter Aa and learning about apples. We need every child to bring in an apple by Wednesday. We will be comparing them and making them into applesauce. If you have an abundance of apples at your house, extras would be appreciated.
Sharing for next week is free choice, or it could be something that starts with the letter Aa.
Don’t forget about picture day on Tuesday, October 16th! Kindergartners have traditionally been the first group to be photographed. Being at school by 8:20 that day is very important! Bus children do not need to worry. The buses get them to school in plenty of time.
On Thursday, October 18th we will be having our kindergarten bake sale. Each child will have some kind of job for the bake sale. Bake sale jobs include poster decorating, packaging, arranging, selling, quarter exchanging, and greeting. Don’t forget to send AT LEAST 6 items. Kindergartners will also be able to purchase items so feel free to send quarters! Each item will cost 25¢.
We will be having our Halloween party on Wednesday, October 31st at 2:15. We will probably be going to Sunrise Hill Care Center for a costume parade around 1:00 that same day. Children should BRING their costume to school that day, NOT wear it to school. The less help they need from adults the better. (i.e. makeup) We have already sent notes to those volunteers that will need to send treats, napkins, or help at the party.
Please check with your kindergartner about the condition of the glue stick in his/her crayon baggy. Because we have been using them a lot lately, some students need to have new glue sticks in their crayon baggie.
We have already been evaluating the children for their report cards. We will be checking the students on knowing their addresses, colors, shapes, left/right, days of the week, birthdays, and identifying the numbers 0 - 10. The children will also be expected to correctly count objects up to 10.
Please continue sending coats, jackets, and sweatshirts to school everyday. The weather is getting colder, and the recesses have been chillier. We’d rather have the children get a little warm than shiver through the recesses. We would also like to remind you to send extra clothes with your child to school. The children feel more comfortable in their own clothes if they would happen to need to change them. We would greatly appreciate if borrowed clothes from the kindergarten room would be returned.
Have a fantastic fall-type weekend!
Mrs. Owens, Ms. Howard, Mrs. Pokorny and Mrs. Herink
Dear Families,
The letter Ff was concentrated on this week. We had fun talking about frogs, fire safety, fish, fall, and football. We all practiced stop, drop, and roll and earned a certificate. (Many of the children expressed interest in practicing fire drills at home.) Four high school football players visited with the kindergartners. They brought some football equipment with them and told us about the game.
This week the kindergartners brought home 2 little booklets; one about fall and one about fire safety. For “homework” families can read these booklets and have the kindergartner finish coloring the book. Families should also do the activity page(s) at the end of these booklets. Kindergartners that bring the finished booklets back will get to pick out a sticker.
Next week we will be studying the letter Aa and learning about apples. We need every child to bring in an apple by Wednesday. We will be comparing them and making them into applesauce. If you have an abundance of apples at your house, extras would be appreciated.
Sharing for next week is free choice, or it could be something that starts with the letter Aa.
Don’t forget about picture day on Tuesday, October 16th! Kindergartners have traditionally been the first group to be photographed. Being at school by 8:20 that day is very important! Bus children do not need to worry. The buses get them to school in plenty of time.
On Thursday, October 18th we will be having our kindergarten bake sale. Each child will have some kind of job for the bake sale. Bake sale jobs include poster decorating, packaging, arranging, selling, quarter exchanging, and greeting. Don’t forget to send AT LEAST 6 items. Kindergartners will also be able to purchase items so feel free to send quarters! Each item will cost 25¢.
We will be having our Halloween party on Wednesday, October 31st at 2:15. We will probably be going to Sunrise Hill Care Center for a costume parade around 1:00 that same day. Children should BRING their costume to school that day, NOT wear it to school. The less help they need from adults the better. (i.e. makeup) We have already sent notes to those volunteers that will need to send treats, napkins, or help at the party.
Please check with your kindergartner about the condition of the glue stick in his/her crayon baggy. Because we have been using them a lot lately, some students need to have new glue sticks in their crayon baggie.
We have already been evaluating the children for their report cards. We will be checking the students on knowing their addresses, colors, shapes, left/right, days of the week, birthdays, and identifying the numbers 0 - 10. The children will also be expected to correctly count objects up to 10.
Please continue sending coats, jackets, and sweatshirts to school everyday. The weather is getting colder, and the recesses have been chillier. We’d rather have the children get a little warm than shiver through the recesses. We would also like to remind you to send extra clothes with your child to school. The children feel more comfortable in their own clothes if they would happen to need to change them. We would greatly appreciate if borrowed clothes from the kindergarten room would be returned.
Have a fantastic fall-type weekend!
Mrs. Owens, Ms. Howard, Mrs. Pokorny and Mrs. Herink
Thursday, October 4, 2007
October 5, 2007
October 5, 2007
Dear Families,
This week we learned about the letter Ll. We enjoyed reading the book Lions and Gorillas and making our own versions of the story. The students learned about living and nonliving things. We also read the book The Grouchy Lady Bug and practiced counting while adding spots to ladybugs on a worksheet. Attached to this newsletter is an “Ll” poem. We would like our families to read the poem with the kindergartner. The kindergartner should then highlight, underline, or circle the words that begin with Ll. Students that return this type of homework will get to pick out a sticker from the sticker box. There will be a poem for every letter of the alphabet.
Next week we will be learning about the letter Ff. Next week’s sharing needs to be something that starts with the letter Ff.
Remember that picture day is Tuesday, October 16th. Kindergartners are normally scheduled to get their pictures taken at 8:20 SO PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD IS AT SCHOOL ON TIME! (Bus students will not have a problem with this.) If you have special instructions concerning hair or smiles, write us a note, and we will do our best to help your student take a great picture. Children are welcome to change out of special picture outfits when pictures are finished.
Around this time of year the weather gets cooler. We try to go outside for recess everyday, and the boys and girls need to be dressed appropriately. (Some of the children don’t want to wear their coats outside on a chilly day). We have them wear whatever the family sends them in. By the way, one rule our school has is if there is any measurable snow on the ground, the students need to wear boots outside. We know that the thought of snow is depressing, but we wanted you to be aware and prepared.
The flu and cold season is coming soon (if it is not already here)! We have had a few sick kindergartners. The illnesses include strep throat and stomach flu. According to our elementary handbook, children need to stay home if they have the following: an earache, severe headache, a fever of 99.6 or above, an acute cold, a communicable disease, mattering or an inflammation of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or untreated head lice. In the handbook there is also a guideline that will help families determine if a child may return to school. Please refer to this so that children do not come back to school too early.
Remember that on Wednesday, October 31st, the boys and girls will have the Halloween parties. Our bakesale is Thursday, October 18th. We need every family to send AT LEAST 6 INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED ITEMS. Kindergartners will be able to buy items from the bakesale, so please send quarters, too!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Pokorny, and Mrs. Herink,
Cut this off and keep for future reference!
October Sharing Schedule
October 8 - 12: Something that starts with the letter Ff
October 15 - 19: Free choice (Aa week)
October 22 - 26: Something that begins with Hh
October 29 - November 2: Something that starts with the letter Tt
Dear Families,
This week we learned about the letter Ll. We enjoyed reading the book Lions and Gorillas and making our own versions of the story. The students learned about living and nonliving things. We also read the book The Grouchy Lady Bug and practiced counting while adding spots to ladybugs on a worksheet. Attached to this newsletter is an “Ll” poem. We would like our families to read the poem with the kindergartner. The kindergartner should then highlight, underline, or circle the words that begin with Ll. Students that return this type of homework will get to pick out a sticker from the sticker box. There will be a poem for every letter of the alphabet.
Next week we will be learning about the letter Ff. Next week’s sharing needs to be something that starts with the letter Ff.
Remember that picture day is Tuesday, October 16th. Kindergartners are normally scheduled to get their pictures taken at 8:20 SO PLEASE MAKE SURE THAT YOUR CHILD IS AT SCHOOL ON TIME! (Bus students will not have a problem with this.) If you have special instructions concerning hair or smiles, write us a note, and we will do our best to help your student take a great picture. Children are welcome to change out of special picture outfits when pictures are finished.
Around this time of year the weather gets cooler. We try to go outside for recess everyday, and the boys and girls need to be dressed appropriately. (Some of the children don’t want to wear their coats outside on a chilly day). We have them wear whatever the family sends them in. By the way, one rule our school has is if there is any measurable snow on the ground, the students need to wear boots outside. We know that the thought of snow is depressing, but we wanted you to be aware and prepared.
The flu and cold season is coming soon (if it is not already here)! We have had a few sick kindergartners. The illnesses include strep throat and stomach flu. According to our elementary handbook, children need to stay home if they have the following: an earache, severe headache, a fever of 99.6 or above, an acute cold, a communicable disease, mattering or an inflammation of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or untreated head lice. In the handbook there is also a guideline that will help families determine if a child may return to school. Please refer to this so that children do not come back to school too early.
Remember that on Wednesday, October 31st, the boys and girls will have the Halloween parties. Our bakesale is Thursday, October 18th. We need every family to send AT LEAST 6 INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED ITEMS. Kindergartners will be able to buy items from the bakesale, so please send quarters, too!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Pokorny, and Mrs. Herink,
Cut this off and keep for future reference!
October Sharing Schedule
October 8 - 12: Something that starts with the letter Ff
October 15 - 19: Free choice (Aa week)
October 22 - 26: Something that begins with Hh
October 29 - November 2: Something that starts with the letter Tt
Thursday, September 27, 2007
September 28, 2007
September 28, 2007
Dear Families,
We began learning about the alphabet and enjoyed reading the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. The children learned that there are 26 letters in the alphabet, that letters make words, and that letters have sounds. We made a chart using the first letter of our names, to see what letters had the most first names and which letters had the fewest. We read a lot of alphabet books, too. We played an alphabet freeze game. The kindergartners danced and moved around around until the music stopped. Then they found a letter on the floor close to where they were frozen, picked it up, and told everyone the name of the letter. Mrs. Owens opened a real coconut, and the boys and girls were able to taste it.
This week we worked with counting coconuts. Each child was given a bag with one coconut tree and ten coconuts. The students learned to add more coconuts when they needed a larger number and take a way coconuts when they needed a smaller number. They can use these to practice counting at home.
This week we also began practicing writing names the kindergarten way. Next week we will continue practicing. We will expect them to write their name the kindergarten way on all their papers. Reinforcement at home is greatly appreciated. Remember, if your kindergartner practices writing at home, and they bring the paperwork in, they can earn a sticker.
Next week we will be studying the letter Ll. We will learn to write the lowercase and capital letter, learn the sound, and talk about things that start with the letter Ll. Sharing next week should be one item that begins with the letter Ll.
Halloween is fast approaching, and many families are beginning to think about their child’s costume. The elementary has a policy about costumes. We do not allow any blood or weapons with the costumes. Right now the Halloween parties are scheduled for October 31st.
Our kindergarten bake sale is Thursday, October 18th. Please send AT LEAST 6 individually wrapped items. (Examples: 6 individual cookies in baggies, 6 fruit roll ups, 6 Little Debbies, etc.) Kindergartners will be able to purchase items also that day. Each item will cost 25¢.
Don’t forget about October 16th! We will be having our pictures taken on this day. You will receive the order forms soon. Please try to have these forms returned before picture day. On Tuesday, October 16th, the kindergartners need to be here by 8:20. We are usually the first class to have pictures taken, and they come for us at 8:20. If you want your child to change out of the picture clothing, please send another outfit. If you have special instructions concerning hair, jewelry, or outfits, please write us a note with the directions.
One last important date to note is the Christmas program. It will be on December 19th at 1:30 p.m.
Have a great fall weekend!
Ms. Howard
Mrs. Owens
Mrs. Herink
Mrs. Pokorny
Dear Families,
We began learning about the alphabet and enjoyed reading the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr. The children learned that there are 26 letters in the alphabet, that letters make words, and that letters have sounds. We made a chart using the first letter of our names, to see what letters had the most first names and which letters had the fewest. We read a lot of alphabet books, too. We played an alphabet freeze game. The kindergartners danced and moved around around until the music stopped. Then they found a letter on the floor close to where they were frozen, picked it up, and told everyone the name of the letter. Mrs. Owens opened a real coconut, and the boys and girls were able to taste it.
This week we worked with counting coconuts. Each child was given a bag with one coconut tree and ten coconuts. The students learned to add more coconuts when they needed a larger number and take a way coconuts when they needed a smaller number. They can use these to practice counting at home.
This week we also began practicing writing names the kindergarten way. Next week we will continue practicing. We will expect them to write their name the kindergarten way on all their papers. Reinforcement at home is greatly appreciated. Remember, if your kindergartner practices writing at home, and they bring the paperwork in, they can earn a sticker.
Next week we will be studying the letter Ll. We will learn to write the lowercase and capital letter, learn the sound, and talk about things that start with the letter Ll. Sharing next week should be one item that begins with the letter Ll.
Halloween is fast approaching, and many families are beginning to think about their child’s costume. The elementary has a policy about costumes. We do not allow any blood or weapons with the costumes. Right now the Halloween parties are scheduled for October 31st.
Our kindergarten bake sale is Thursday, October 18th. Please send AT LEAST 6 individually wrapped items. (Examples: 6 individual cookies in baggies, 6 fruit roll ups, 6 Little Debbies, etc.) Kindergartners will be able to purchase items also that day. Each item will cost 25¢.
Don’t forget about October 16th! We will be having our pictures taken on this day. You will receive the order forms soon. Please try to have these forms returned before picture day. On Tuesday, October 16th, the kindergartners need to be here by 8:20. We are usually the first class to have pictures taken, and they come for us at 8:20. If you want your child to change out of the picture clothing, please send another outfit. If you have special instructions concerning hair, jewelry, or outfits, please write us a note with the directions.
One last important date to note is the Christmas program. It will be on December 19th at 1:30 p.m.
Have a great fall weekend!
Ms. Howard
Mrs. Owens
Mrs. Herink
Mrs. Pokorny
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Septemer 21, 2007
September 21, 2007
Dear Families,
Seasons and weather were discussed this week. We made lists of summer words, fall words, winter words, and spring words. These lists were written on seasonal symbols and hung in the hallway. We took an “end of summer” walk to look at the trees, flowers, grass, etc. (If the weather didn’t cooperate, we didn’t go on the walk.) We talked about how the trees are still full of green leaves. We noticed that some of the leaves are already turning colors, and some have even fallen off the trees. The kindergartners talked about how the trees change for each season. They made trees to show the four different seasons. The kindergartners enjoyed painting the trunks brown. Have them tell you about how the trees change for each season.
A couple of weeks ago the kindergarten students participated in the DIBELS Benchmark Assessment. We had several different people working with our students on this evaluation. We will share these evaluations with you at your fall conference.
If your child practices writing numbers, their name, or the letters as we learn them at home, send that paper to school. We will give them a sticker for their work.
Next week we will be talking about the letters of the alphabet. We will learn how many letters there are, why we need letters, letters make different sounds, and what letters our names begin with. We will begin learning to write our first name the “kindergarten way.” We will also be reading and doing activities with the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. We will read other alphabet books and learn some alphabet songs. Next week’s sharing needs to be something that deals with the alphabet. This item can be a book, a puzzle, a game, an educational toy, etc.
An important date coming up is Tuesday, October 16th. We believe that this is school picture day. Watch for more information to be sent home soon!
Please remember that each Monday the kindergartners get a new library book. If your child forgets to return the book that day, the teachers will try to get them to the library for a new book as soon as they can. It may NOT be the very day theirs is returned due to our busy schedule.
We hope your child is enjoying kindergarten. Things are slowly improving! Have a great weekend!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Pokorny, and Mrs. Herink
Dear Families,
Seasons and weather were discussed this week. We made lists of summer words, fall words, winter words, and spring words. These lists were written on seasonal symbols and hung in the hallway. We took an “end of summer” walk to look at the trees, flowers, grass, etc. (If the weather didn’t cooperate, we didn’t go on the walk.) We talked about how the trees are still full of green leaves. We noticed that some of the leaves are already turning colors, and some have even fallen off the trees. The kindergartners talked about how the trees change for each season. They made trees to show the four different seasons. The kindergartners enjoyed painting the trunks brown. Have them tell you about how the trees change for each season.
A couple of weeks ago the kindergarten students participated in the DIBELS Benchmark Assessment. We had several different people working with our students on this evaluation. We will share these evaluations with you at your fall conference.
If your child practices writing numbers, their name, or the letters as we learn them at home, send that paper to school. We will give them a sticker for their work.
Next week we will be talking about the letters of the alphabet. We will learn how many letters there are, why we need letters, letters make different sounds, and what letters our names begin with. We will begin learning to write our first name the “kindergarten way.” We will also be reading and doing activities with the book Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin Jr. We will read other alphabet books and learn some alphabet songs. Next week’s sharing needs to be something that deals with the alphabet. This item can be a book, a puzzle, a game, an educational toy, etc.
An important date coming up is Tuesday, October 16th. We believe that this is school picture day. Watch for more information to be sent home soon!
Please remember that each Monday the kindergartners get a new library book. If your child forgets to return the book that day, the teachers will try to get them to the library for a new book as soon as they can. It may NOT be the very day theirs is returned due to our busy schedule.
We hope your child is enjoying kindergarten. Things are slowly improving! Have a great weekend!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Pokorny, and Mrs. Herink
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
September 14, 2007
September 14, 2007
Dear Families,
Senses were discussed this week. Monday the five senses were introduced, and the students listened to a tape of different sounds and had to guess what each sound was. On Tuesday the sense of touch was discussed, and each child was able feel a mystery object in a special box and guess what the object was. On Wednesday the students learned about the sense of sight. They played a game that required them to look at a group of objects, remember what the objects are, and guess the object the teacher took away when their eyes were closed. Thursday was a “smelly” day, and the boys and girls guessed mystery smells. On Friday, the students finished the week, by learning about the sense of taste. They tasted something sweet (m and m’s), sour (dill pickles), salty (pretzels), and bitter (unsweetened baking chocolate). Also this week the kindergartners worked on sequencing, remembering the details of a story, and above/below. The kindergartners talked about ways to be safe at school, at home, on the farm, and in our community.
This week we began reading books about Curious George. The children really enjoy these books. We have discussed the meaning of the word curious, and the children have thought of a few things they are each curious about. You can read your child’s ideas on the windows outside our room.
Next week we will be learning about the 4 seasons. On Friday morning we hope to take an end of summer walk. Please dress your child appropriately.
Sharing for next week is an item in a “secret sack” from your child’s favorite season. Your kindergartner needs to be able to give clues about the mystery item. You are welcome to help your child with the clues. Families may also write the clues down on a piece of paper so that if your student forgets them, we can help him/her. For example, if your child’s favorite season is summer, the sharing item could be a swimming suit. The child puts the swimming suit into a sack (or the backpack). Clues could include: I wear this when it is hot. I like to get it wet. It is purple and green. The other students will then get to try and guess what is in the sack.
Again this year we are collecting Box Tops for Education box tops. Send in the box top that has that special logo on it. Each box top is worth 10¢. The school is also collecting Campbell's soup labels. Send any that you have to school with your child. The elementary school is also collecting Hy Vee slips. If you know anyone that shops at Hy Vee, ask them for their receipts. We th
ink that the school gets $1 for every $200 turned in.
The weather will start getting cooler in the mornings. We recommend that families send jackets or sweatshirts on these chilly mornings. It would be very helpful if the coats had names written in them. Many times they fall on the floor, and the teachers do not know who they belong to, and occasionally 2 children have identical coats. Having names written on the coats helps the children identify theirs.
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Pokorny, and Mrs. Herink
Dear Families,
Senses were discussed this week. Monday the five senses were introduced, and the students listened to a tape of different sounds and had to guess what each sound was. On Tuesday the sense of touch was discussed, and each child was able feel a mystery object in a special box and guess what the object was. On Wednesday the students learned about the sense of sight. They played a game that required them to look at a group of objects, remember what the objects are, and guess the object the teacher took away when their eyes were closed. Thursday was a “smelly” day, and the boys and girls guessed mystery smells. On Friday, the students finished the week, by learning about the sense of taste. They tasted something sweet (m and m’s), sour (dill pickles), salty (pretzels), and bitter (unsweetened baking chocolate). Also this week the kindergartners worked on sequencing, remembering the details of a story, and above/below. The kindergartners talked about ways to be safe at school, at home, on the farm, and in our community.
This week we began reading books about Curious George. The children really enjoy these books. We have discussed the meaning of the word curious, and the children have thought of a few things they are each curious about. You can read your child’s ideas on the windows outside our room.
Next week we will be learning about the 4 seasons. On Friday morning we hope to take an end of summer walk. Please dress your child appropriately.
Sharing for next week is an item in a “secret sack” from your child’s favorite season. Your kindergartner needs to be able to give clues about the mystery item. You are welcome to help your child with the clues. Families may also write the clues down on a piece of paper so that if your student forgets them, we can help him/her. For example, if your child’s favorite season is summer, the sharing item could be a swimming suit. The child puts the swimming suit into a sack (or the backpack). Clues could include: I wear this when it is hot. I like to get it wet. It is purple and green. The other students will then get to try and guess what is in the sack.
Again this year we are collecting Box Tops for Education box tops. Send in the box top that has that special logo on it. Each box top is worth 10¢. The school is also collecting Campbell's soup labels. Send any that you have to school with your child. The elementary school is also collecting Hy Vee slips. If you know anyone that shops at Hy Vee, ask them for their receipts. We th
ink that the school gets $1 for every $200 turned in.
The weather will start getting cooler in the mornings. We recommend that families send jackets or sweatshirts on these chilly mornings. It would be very helpful if the coats had names written in them. Many times they fall on the floor, and the teachers do not know who they belong to, and occasionally 2 children have identical coats. Having names written on the coats helps the children identify theirs.
Have a great weekend!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Pokorny, and Mrs. Herink
Friday, September 7, 2007
September 7, 2007
September 7, 2007
Dear Families,
This week we continued to review the school and classroom rules and procedures. We also continued to read books about the beginning of school. We worked on colors with the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear. We hope your child will share their similar book with you. We read a big book called All About You, and we learned more about each other. We talked about families and body graphed how many people were in our families. Patterning with our bodies was a fun activity we tried this week. An example was standing, sitting, standing, sitting. The students were getting really good at figuring out the patterns.
It was nice seeing so many families at the Open House on Thursday. We now have faces to put with names as children tell us about their families. The pictures that were hanging in the hallway will be coming home in the near future.
Breakfast begins at 8:00. Children eating breakfast should not come into the school until 8:00. Other students may come in at 8:10. If your child arrives too early, we will send him/her out to the playground.
We will begin sharing next week with the topic “My favorite _____________.” This item can be a book, food, animal, toy, etc. Each week we will have a specific topic. A list of September topics will be at the end of the newsletter. (Please keep the sharing portion of the newsletter so that you can refer to the sharing list each week.) Your child needs to be able to tell about the sharing item in front of the class. Your child is assigned a sharing day. The kindergartners need to remember to bring their sharing on their assigned day. If a child forgets the sharing item, he/she may not bring it another day. If your kindergartner is gone on their sharing day, then he/she needs to bring their sharing item on the day they come back to school.
During the month of September the entire elementary is working on the characteristics self control and service. We will be demonstrating self control in different situations and praising those that show self control during the day. Perhaps you would like to work on self control at home!
We hope that your child is enjoying school! Have a super weekend!!
Mrs. Owens, Ms. Howard, and Mrs. Herink
__________________________’s sharing day is __________________.
September Sharing
September 10 - 14: “My favorite _____________.” This could be a favorite book, food, animal, toy, etc.
September 17 - 21: Something in a “secret sack” from your favorite season that we have to guess using the child’s clues.
September 24 - 28: Something that deals with the alphabet such as a book, puzzle, game, educational toy, video.
October 1 - 5: An item that begins with the letter Ll
Dear Families,
This week we continued to review the school and classroom rules and procedures. We also continued to read books about the beginning of school. We worked on colors with the book Brown Bear, Brown Bear. We hope your child will share their similar book with you. We read a big book called All About You, and we learned more about each other. We talked about families and body graphed how many people were in our families. Patterning with our bodies was a fun activity we tried this week. An example was standing, sitting, standing, sitting. The students were getting really good at figuring out the patterns.
It was nice seeing so many families at the Open House on Thursday. We now have faces to put with names as children tell us about their families. The pictures that were hanging in the hallway will be coming home in the near future.
Breakfast begins at 8:00. Children eating breakfast should not come into the school until 8:00. Other students may come in at 8:10. If your child arrives too early, we will send him/her out to the playground.
We will begin sharing next week with the topic “My favorite _____________.” This item can be a book, food, animal, toy, etc. Each week we will have a specific topic. A list of September topics will be at the end of the newsletter. (Please keep the sharing portion of the newsletter so that you can refer to the sharing list each week.) Your child needs to be able to tell about the sharing item in front of the class. Your child is assigned a sharing day. The kindergartners need to remember to bring their sharing on their assigned day. If a child forgets the sharing item, he/she may not bring it another day. If your kindergartner is gone on their sharing day, then he/she needs to bring their sharing item on the day they come back to school.
During the month of September the entire elementary is working on the characteristics self control and service. We will be demonstrating self control in different situations and praising those that show self control during the day. Perhaps you would like to work on self control at home!
We hope that your child is enjoying school! Have a super weekend!!
Mrs. Owens, Ms. Howard, and Mrs. Herink
__________________________’s sharing day is __________________.
September Sharing
September 10 - 14: “My favorite _____________.” This could be a favorite book, food, animal, toy, etc.
September 17 - 21: Something in a “secret sack” from your favorite season that we have to guess using the child’s clues.
September 24 - 28: Something that deals with the alphabet such as a book, puzzle, game, educational toy, video.
October 1 - 5: An item that begins with the letter Ll
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
August 30, 2007
August 30, 2007
Dear Families,
This has been a monumental week for kindergartners at North Tama! We’ve now experienced one full week of school! We are still working on classroom routines, classroom rules, and school rules. Things get better each day!
This newsletter is coming home one day early in order to inform parents that school gets out early tomorrow, August 31st. The town bell will ring at 2:20, and the bus bell will ring at 2:25. Please be on time if you pick up your student!!!!! The breakfast bell rings at 8:00, and kids eating breakfast are allowed in the building then. Other students should not come in until 8:10. If your child does not ride the bus, and he/she arrives early, he/she should go to the playground.
Along with learning the many important school rules, we have worked on shapes, colors, and following directions. The kindergartners worked in their reading workbooks. We will send the pages home after we finish both sides. (We are not going in order.) On Thursday we reviewed shapes by taking a “Shape Walk.” (If the weather was inclement, we had to skip the outside walk.) We looked at buildings, cars, and natural items and discussed the shapes found in them. We then returned to class and made our own shape creatures and items using colorful shapes, glue sticks, and crayons. Most days we do some kind of math work. The boys and girls will bring home worksheets that have “homework” on one side. We want families to look at these math worksheets and work with your kindergartner on the homework side. Children that do their homework and return the paper to school get to pick out a sticker from the sticker box. Families may also send a note stating that their kindergartner has done their homework.
The children had a chance to meet and work with Mr. Estes the gym teacher, Mrs. Betts the art teacher, Mr. Gardner the music teacher, Mrs. O’Meara the guidance counselor,and Mrs. Vokoun the media teacher. Mrs. Vokoun sent media notes home with the children. Read over those media notes carefully so that you know when your child’s book needs to be returned to the school so that he/she can check out a new one.
Next Thursday, September 6th, the elementary school will have an Open House/Book Fair. The classrooms will be open for families to tour from 6:00 - 7:30. The Book Fair will be held in the multipurpose room from 6:00 - 7:30. There is a supper in the lunchroom beginning at 5:30. We hope to see many families at the Open House on Thursday, September 7th!
Lunch has gone well with the majority of students being willing to try new or unfamiliar foods. We will not make the children eat all of the food on their plate, but we will encourage them to try each food and then eat enough to get them through the afternoon. If your child needs to buy a milk to drink because they brought their own lunch, then 30 cents will be subtracted from your family’s hot lunch account.
During our full days of school we have rest time. We try to rest about 20 - 30 minutes each day. We feel rest time is important and necessary. We are playing soft, relaxing music and the lights are off.
Our classroom schedule was sent home last week. Look at this schedule carefully so that you can help your child dress appropriately for gym class day. Sharing is on this schedule. We will not start sharing next week. We will let you know when sharing will start. Don’t forget, we will not have school on Monday, September 4th.
This year Mrs. Howard is trying to keep copies of the newsletter on the internet! The address is http://ntknews.blogspot.com. Families may add this address to the home computer’s bookmarks or favorites areas. You can also find a link to this blogspot by going to the North Tama web page. The North Tama web page can be found at www.n-tama.k12.ia.us.
We look forward to another week of school with this enjoyable group of children! We know that things will improve and run more smoothly each day!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Pokorny and Mrs. Herink
Dear Families,
This has been a monumental week for kindergartners at North Tama! We’ve now experienced one full week of school! We are still working on classroom routines, classroom rules, and school rules. Things get better each day!
This newsletter is coming home one day early in order to inform parents that school gets out early tomorrow, August 31st. The town bell will ring at 2:20, and the bus bell will ring at 2:25. Please be on time if you pick up your student!!!!! The breakfast bell rings at 8:00, and kids eating breakfast are allowed in the building then. Other students should not come in until 8:10. If your child does not ride the bus, and he/she arrives early, he/she should go to the playground.
Along with learning the many important school rules, we have worked on shapes, colors, and following directions. The kindergartners worked in their reading workbooks. We will send the pages home after we finish both sides. (We are not going in order.) On Thursday we reviewed shapes by taking a “Shape Walk.” (If the weather was inclement, we had to skip the outside walk.) We looked at buildings, cars, and natural items and discussed the shapes found in them. We then returned to class and made our own shape creatures and items using colorful shapes, glue sticks, and crayons. Most days we do some kind of math work. The boys and girls will bring home worksheets that have “homework” on one side. We want families to look at these math worksheets and work with your kindergartner on the homework side. Children that do their homework and return the paper to school get to pick out a sticker from the sticker box. Families may also send a note stating that their kindergartner has done their homework.
The children had a chance to meet and work with Mr. Estes the gym teacher, Mrs. Betts the art teacher, Mr. Gardner the music teacher, Mrs. O’Meara the guidance counselor,and Mrs. Vokoun the media teacher. Mrs. Vokoun sent media notes home with the children. Read over those media notes carefully so that you know when your child’s book needs to be returned to the school so that he/she can check out a new one.
Next Thursday, September 6th, the elementary school will have an Open House/Book Fair. The classrooms will be open for families to tour from 6:00 - 7:30. The Book Fair will be held in the multipurpose room from 6:00 - 7:30. There is a supper in the lunchroom beginning at 5:30. We hope to see many families at the Open House on Thursday, September 7th!
Lunch has gone well with the majority of students being willing to try new or unfamiliar foods. We will not make the children eat all of the food on their plate, but we will encourage them to try each food and then eat enough to get them through the afternoon. If your child needs to buy a milk to drink because they brought their own lunch, then 30 cents will be subtracted from your family’s hot lunch account.
During our full days of school we have rest time. We try to rest about 20 - 30 minutes each day. We feel rest time is important and necessary. We are playing soft, relaxing music and the lights are off.
Our classroom schedule was sent home last week. Look at this schedule carefully so that you can help your child dress appropriately for gym class day. Sharing is on this schedule. We will not start sharing next week. We will let you know when sharing will start. Don’t forget, we will not have school on Monday, September 4th.
This year Mrs. Howard is trying to keep copies of the newsletter on the internet! The address is http://ntknews.blogspot.com. Families may add this address to the home computer’s bookmarks or favorites areas. You can also find a link to this blogspot by going to the North Tama web page. The North Tama web page can be found at www.n-tama.k12.ia.us.
We look forward to another week of school with this enjoyable group of children! We know that things will improve and run more smoothly each day!
Ms. Howard, Mrs. Owens, Mrs. Pokorny and Mrs. Herink
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