Duvall, Rebekah / Announcements

Monday, March 27th

Thank you to everyone who signed and returned the report card in your child’s Report of Learning folder. If you did not send it in the folder today, please send it tomorrow.

Thank you for remembering to send the green Practice Folders today! I hope you are continuing to enjoy listening to your child develop as a reader each day using the included sentences and passages. Remember your child becomes a better reader by reading. The time you spend each evening with your child reading will make a meaningful difference!

Columbia’s FCA club is collecting items for the Clearview Cancer Center for new patients. The items are chapstick, small bottles of hand lotion and hand sanitizer, wrapped snacks, hard wrapped candy, puzzle books, and small notebooks. Small gift bags will be made for the new patients to help them as they begin their new journey with treatment. If you are able to help by donating items for these bags, please send these items along with your child in his/her backpack. Donations are due by April 4th.

Thank you to all of you who have donated kleenex and hand sanitizer to our classroom! It is greatly appreciated!

Reminders: All transportation changes should be emailed to cesattendance@madisoncity.k12.al.us and the classroom teacher. On days when I need to be absent, I will not be able to check my email and notify the substitute of these changes. Also, remember you do not need to send in the hard copy of doctor’s notes. Please snap a picture of the note and send that to cesattendance@madisoncity.k12.al.us. Thank you for your help with this.

Friday, March 24th

Here is next week's newsletter: March 27-31. Please take time to read the newsletter. Thank you!

The 4th Nine Weeks reading log was placed in your child's green Practice Folder on Monday. The goal is to read 35 books by Tuesday, May 16th. Students should have at least five books written on their reading log by Monday. The students who have at least five books on the reading log will earn one Good Time Ticket. Each week thereafter, students should have five additional books written on the log and will earn another Good Time Ticket. This will help us stay on track to earn our extra recess goal!

Report of Learning Folders are coming home today with your child’s 3rd Nine weeks Report Card. Comments about a few of the report card power standards:

If your child has a 1 on "Read Kindergarten high frequency words accurately and automatically, fluently add within 5, and fluently subtract within 5," there is a great way to help your child master the skill...daily use of flashcards. :)

Spell simple words phonetically by writing a letter for consonants and short vowels - Students are expected to apply our Kindergarten phonics rules when writing words. This includes the correct use of short vowels in words like pin, pen, ham, yam. It also includes writing -ck when final /k/ is after a short vowel. For example, duck, stick, tack, lock, etc. Next week, we will be reading and writing words with qu. After that instruction, the students will be expected to remember that q and u together make the beginning sound with the following words: quiz, quit, quack, quilt, quick, quest. To practice writing simple words at home, give your child a piece of paper and say any of the above words and ask your child to write them.

Read and reread grade appropriate decodable texts smoothly, accurately, and with expression to support comprehension - Please listen to your child read the passages in the Practice Folder. When finished, ask questions about what they have read.

After taking notes about which standards to practice at home, please sign in the address box on the first page and return it in the Report of Learning Folder by March 27th. Thank you!

Monday, March 20th

Thank you for sending Practice Folders today. You will see new passages and Practice Sheet #20. These folders are to be returned to school every Monday. If you forgot to send your child’s practice folder today, please send it tomorrow. Thank you!

The 4th Nine Weeks reading log is also in your child's green Practice Folder. The goal is to read 35 books by Tuesday, May 16th. There are 58 days between now and May 16th. There are seven days in a week, if you read 5 books per week, your child will meet this goal. Please make every effort to read 35 books to your child and record the titles on the reading log. Our class has yet to earn the extra recess this year. They have been excited about the possibility of the extra recess, so please help them earn the extra recess.

Cold and flu season is here and we have gone through almost all of our tissues and pump hand sanitizer. If you could donate any boxes of tissues or pump bottles of hand sanitizer it would be greatly appreciated!

I would like your help. Please talk with your child about classroom behavior. Prior to Spring Break, and even today, the class has been very talkative, loud, and interruptive. In class, we've discussed being conscious of their speaking volume and having self-control, but it hasn't transferred to application yet. Thank you for helping me with this at home too. During recess the kindergarten teachers are observing some aggressive and inappropriate games being played. We request your help with talking to your child about this. Please encourage your child to keep their hands, feet, and all other objects to themselves when playing with others.

3/21 World Down Syndrome Day: wear BLUE and YELLOW tomorrow!

Sunday, March 19th

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful Spring Break and are ready to start the last nine weeks refreshed.

Here is this week's newsletter: March 20-24 Thank you for taking a few minutes to read it.

Please send both the blue Daily Folder and the green Practice Folder to school tomorrow. Thank y

Thursday, March 9th

We'll share the March 20-24th newsletter when we return from Spring Break.

If you forgot to send the 3rd Nine Weeks reading log today, please send it in your child's blue Daily Folder tomorrow. Thank you!

Mark your calendars: Our Spring Field Trip to Early Works Children's Museum will be Tuesday, May 2nd.

I hope all of your families have a wonderful and safe Spring Break. I hope it is filled with rest and relaxation. Then, be ready to come back on March 20th ready for a busy 4th Nine Weeks of School!

Monday, March 6th

We started a new literacy station last week. It is called Magnet Center. At this station, the students build words in a word family using magnets. Then, they write the words. Their last step is to use the words in a sentence on the bottom of the paper. Last week our word family was -at, this week our word family is -it. I am expecting the students to begin their sentence with a capital letter, put a space between the words, and end the sentence with punctuation. The students are enjoying this new station.

I only received work for the virtual day from 8 students. Please make sure you send the written work from the phonics video and the word problems to me in the Daily Folder tomorrow. If you forgot to send the Practice Folder and/or Practice #18, please send them tomorrow as well.

The 3rd Nine Weeks Reading Log is due on Thursday, March 9th. After recording the books read each day this week on the reading log, please send it in your child's blue Daily Folder on Thursday. Thank you! We're hoping we earn the extra recess for the class meeting the reading goal.

Today I heard lots of talk about children leaving for Spring Break trips this week. Time with family is super exciting and I hope everyone enjoys the vacations you have planned. Please make sure to email me if you know your child is going to miss any days this week, so I can adjust my assessment plan accordingly. Thank you!

Tomorrow is astronaut or alien day for Space Week.

Expectations for Daily Practice at Home:

Spend 10 minutes each day on the Practice Folder activities. These activities include Practice #19, the reading sheet, Fry sight word flashcards, math fact flashcards.

Read a book to your child and record it on the reading log. The library is open this week! Remember to send the reading log to me on Thursday. Thank you!

Friday, March 3rd

Here is next week’ s newsletter: March 6-10

Thank you for all you did to help your child with virtual learning today. I appreciate your support! Please return the Chromebook, headphones, and computer card back to school on Monday with your child.

While assessing for Report Cards this week, I have noticed that many students are really struggling with automatically and accurately producing the answers to the addition and subtraction facts. Flashcards are a great way to practice math facts. Fluency with addition and subtraction facts is a power standard in Kindergarten; so please begin working on these facts at home, if not already. Another helpful trick is to write the more challenging facts on a sticky note. Then put that sticky note in a common place like on the bathroom mirror or on the refrigerator. Then as your child passes that sticky note you can have your child read the facts aloud. Thank you for your support! This same trick works great for sight words as well.

Assessment Reminders: The third nine weeks assessments have started. Please use these flashcards to help your child practice at home. Sight Word Flashcards Addition Flashcards Subtraction Flashcards Subtraction Video

Reminder: Space Day is next week. Here’s the flyer for the dress up days.

Monday February 27th

Read Across America is this week! Our Spring Book Fair is this week in our media center. Our class goes Wednesday at 9:45. If you would like to send money in for your child to purchase a book, please send the money in a labeled envelope or bag with your child’s name, my name, and the amount. Remember that you may shop online at scholastic.com/fair as well.

You may also shop at the book fair tonight during our Camp Read S’More family night from 5-7. There will be guest readers and special family activities.

As a reminder, here are the special days for the rest of this week:

Tuesday-Camp Cozy: Wear cozy clothes and bring a flashlight for reading

Wednesday- Camp Care-a-lot: Wear a shirt with a positive message

Thursday- Camp Read Aloud: Book Character Day- PTA Spirit Day Bring $1

Friday- Wear a CES: Wear a CES shirt or red/black

Please remember to empty your child's folder daily. When too many papers get left in the folder, the folder begins to rip. This would be a huge help for me as I place new papers in your folders each day.

If your child completed February’s challenge, please send in the Dental Health Log on Wednesday, March 1st.

Assessment Reminders: The third nine weeks assessments have started. Please use these flashcards to help your child practice at home.  Sight Word Flashcards   Addition Flashcards   Subtraction Flashcards   Subtraction Video

Here is the list of sight words that have been taught thus far in Kindergarten. This also gives the breakdown of the scoring for the report card. I will also be sending this paper home for you to keep and use with your child.

Expectations for Daily Practice at Home:

Spend 10 minutes each day on the Practice Folder activities. These activities include Practice #18, the reading sheet, Fry sight word flashcards, math fact flashcards.

Read a book to your child and record it on the reading log.  Our library is closed this week due to Book Fair, so please read books from your home or the public library. Several students still need to read 10 or more books to meet the 3rd Nine Weeks goal.

Thursday, February 23rd

Here is next week’s newsletter: February 28-March 3. Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter each week.

Next week, Columbia will be celebrating Read Across America with Camp Read S’More. Click here for information about the family night events, and the fun dress up days we will have.

Next Friday, March 3rd, our PTA is holding the Out of this World Dance. Click here to purchase family tickets.

The Book Fair opens Monday, February 27th. It will be open from 7:40-8:15 daily and will close on Friday, March 3rd at 10:45 a.m. Our class is scheduled to visit the Book Fair on Wednesday from 9:45-10:15. If you would like for your child to purchase books you can send money in a marked envelope inside your child’s daily folder or meet us in the library. In addition, you can come shop with your child during the Camp Read S’more event on Monday night. The Book Fair will be open from 5:00 to 7:00 pm and the family activities will be from 6:00 to 7:00 pm.

This week, we are learning about digraph sh and ch. We've practiced reading and writing words with these digraphs. We've also practiced reading and writing sentences that include words with these digraphs. I neglected to include information about these digraphs in the newsletter, so I just wanted to make sure you knew how hard the children are working as they learn about sh and ch.

Tuesday, February 21st

Spring Pictures have been rescheduled for April 11th. I will hold onto the forms that were signed and returned to me last week.

I will begin assessing the addition and subtraction facts for the 3rd Nine Weeks Report Card next week. If you haven't made the addition and subtraction flashcards yet, you might find these helpful. Helpful Links: Addition Facts   Subtraction Facts

Thank you for remembering to send the green Practice Folders today! I hope you are enjoying listening to your child read the sentences and passages each day. We become better readers by reading. The time you spend each evening with your child reading will make a meaningful difference!

Expectations for Daily Practice at Home:

Spend 10 minutes each day on the Practice Folder activities. These activities include Practice #17, the reading sheet, Fry sight word flashcards, math fact flashcards.

Read a book to your child and record it on the reading log. If your child completes the reading log by March 7th, he/she will earn FIVE Good Time Tickets. If all of the class meets this goal, the class will earn an extra recess.

Thursday, February 16th

Please click this link to read next week's newsletter: February 21-24

Thank you for all you did to help your child with virtual learning today. I appreciate your support! Please return the Chromebook, headphones, and computer card back to school on Friday with your child.

Since school will be closed on Monday to honor Presidents Day, please send in the green Practice Folders on Tuesday, February 21st.

Columbia will have a Camp Read S’more Family Reading Night on Monday, February 27th. This will be a fun event with guest readers, reading activities, and a campfire sing-along. If you would like to order a shirt for your child for this event, you can order on-line here: Camp Read S'more t-shirt

Enjoy the long weekend!

Tuesday, February 14th

Happy Valentine's Day! Thank you for the sweet valentine cards, chocolates, and treats! I love all of them!

In our phonics instruction this week, we are learning about the letter Kk. This is an important week of instruction because we are learning the phonics rules for when we write a c or a k at the beginning of a word. They are learning that c takes a, o, u, and consonants too and that k is friends with e and i. When they tap sounds to write words, they have to hear what comes next before they know whether to write a c or a k (cot, cab, cut, kit, kept). They are also learning what to do when they hear /k/ at the end of a word. When we hear /k/ immediately after a short vowel sound, we spell it -ck. You saw our phonics papers come home today where your child wrote several words with final /k/ after a short vowel: duck, rock, kick, neck, sock, lick. This is a skill the students need to show they understand even in their writing. Thanks for supporting this learning at home!

Monday, February 13th

Progress Reports are coming home in the Report of Learning Folders today. Please read over it, sign it and return it to school by Wednesday, February 15th.

If you forgot to send in your child’s Valentine cards to exchange today, please send them in the morning. We are looking forward to a fun day in the classroom!

If you haven’t already done so, please complete the Google Form by tomorrow morning. Thank you! I have not had anyone filll it out yet. Here is the link again: Half Day Google Form

Thursday, February 16th is Spring Individual Picture Day. If you want your child to have these optional spring pictures, you must sign the photographer's form that will be in folders tomorrow and return the signed form on Thursday. All of the information is on the form.

Expectations for Daily Practice at Home:

Spend 10 minutes each day on the Practice Folder activities. These activities include Practice #16, the reading sheet, Fry sight word flashcards, math fact flashcards. A great way to help your child read smoothly, accurately, and with expression is to give them 10 minutes of your undivided attention and listen to them read the passages in the Green Practice Folder. The more your child practices his/her reading skills, the better reader he/she will become.

Read a book to your child and record it on the reading log.

Thursday, February 9th

Please click this link to read next week's newsletter: February 13-17

Please send your child's Valentine's to school on Monday, February 13th. We are looking forward to our Valentine Exchange on Tuesday and I want to ensure we are all prepared for a wonderful day!

Next Friday is a half day for students. Please click this link: Half Day Google Form to fill out your child's transportation and lunch preference. Thank you!

Monday, February 6th

Thank you to everyone who returned the green folders today. Remember, please read one of these passages each day. Please follow up the reading with some comprehension questions. For example: Who was in the story? Where did the story take place? Was there a problem? What was the problem? How did the problem get solved?

Please continue working on writing names for the valentines. You will send in the valentines in a ziploc bag on Monday, February 13th. Each student will pass out their valentines. That means your child will also need to be able to read and match the name he/she wrote to that child’s name on their valentine bag.

Progress reports will go home on Monday, February 13th.

Thursday, February 2nd

Here is next week’s newsletter: February 6 - 10. Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter each week.

Keep working on the cards for the Valentine Exchange. These need to be sent to school Monday, February 13th. We are also still taking donations of Valentine themed stickers or any stickers you can get your hands on. As your family works on writing valentine's, please have your child do the writing. When your child has finished writing the names on the cards, please let your child practice reading the names. Your child will need to be able to read the name in order to drop the valentine in the correct bag.

Tomorrow night, February 3rd, is Multicultural Night at 6pm. Come celebrate and learn more about Culture and Diversity with the whole family!

Kids Heart Challenge is here! Our goal is to have all students register online and complete Finn’s Mission. They’ll even earn a free wristband for registering!

Here’s how you can help:

Click Here to Register!

Complete Finn’s Mission: Watch a 2-minute video to know Hands-Only CPR, spot the signs of a stroke and more!

Share with friends and family through social media, text and/or email.

We need your help to accomplish our goal of having 100% of our families to know Hands-Only CPR, and you can help us by registering your child and spreading the word. Also, check out this amazing video.

Reminders -

Vision screenings will take place on Monday, February 6th. The Student Eye Screening Form was sent home on Tuesday. Every child needs a completed form returned to school. If you do not want your child to participate, you must fill out the form and mark no.

Class pictures will be taken on Tuesday, February 7th.

Progress Reports will be coming home next week, February 13th. Please be on the lookout for those.

Monday, January 30th

Please remember to return Green Daily Practice Folders on Mondays. The completed Practice Sheet can be sent back to me in the green folder.

Wednesday, February 1st is the beginning of Jump Rope for Heart. It is important to dress students appropriately for the school day and these activities. Students will need to wear tennis shoes or closed toe shoes. Boots are not appropriate shoes for the school day. If a student has a dress/skirt to wear, please have shorts underneath.

Tuesday, February 7th is class picture day. Please have your child dressed for these pictures prior to the school day starting. We will not be changing into our outfits for the picture. If you would like for your child to change after, please have all items in their backpack that your child is easily able to change themselves into. Thank you for your understanding.

Please send your child's hand for Multicultural Night by Wednesday. We're looking forward to a fun evening at school for Multicultural Night this Friday at 6:00.

Two forms are coming home in blue Daily Folders tomorrow. One is for Vision Screening that will take place next week at Columbia. Every child needs a completed form returned to school. If you do not want your child to participate, you must fill out the form and mark NO. The other form is a recording sheet for the February Challenge that begins Wednesday.

Friday, January 27th

Thank you for attending 2nd Semester Parent Night! If you missed the meeting, please take time to read through the slides: 2nd Semester Parent Night

Last night, Mrs. Hester talked about the 42 math facts that students should be able to answer when adding and subtracting within 5. Please go ahead and make the math fluency flashcards on index cards like was in the presentation. Continue to practice the Fry sight word flash cards at home. I will begin assessing for the next Progress Report next week. Thank you for your support.

Please remember to return the green Practice Folders on Monday. The completed Practice Sheet can be sent back to me in the green folder.

Please click here to read next week's newsletter: January 30-February 3

After you and your child finish the Multiculturnal Night Home Project from Mrs. Bolden, please send it back to school in your child's folder so it can be displayed in the hallway. Multicultural Night is on February 3rd at 6:00. Come and enjoy the fun event!

Monday, January 23rd

**Attention! Attention! Practice Folders Are Coming Home Today!** The children are bringing home their new Practice Folders today. These are the green folders you provided at the start of school. Everything you need to know about the Practice folder is written on a note inside the folder. Please be on the lookout for the Practice Folder.

Remember the 100th Day of School is tomorrow. A note went home in folders last week with ideas for dressing up as a 100 year old. We will have a fun day celebrating.

Keep working on the Valentine's Exchange Home Project. As your family works on writing valentine's, please have your child do the writing, not mom or dad. When your child has finished writing the names on the cards, please let your child practice reading the names. Your child will need to be able to read the name in order to drop the valentine in the correct bag. I sent this home early so the children have plenty of time to work on this project.

I'm looking forward to seeing you on Thursday for 2nd Semester Parent Night. Please send the parent who works with your child on the practice sheet. Here is the invitation: 2nd Semester Parent Night Invitation

Thursday, January 19th

Here is next week’s newsletter: January 23-27. Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter each week.

Tomorrow is our big field trip to Bob Jones to see our classmates sing and dance in Aladdin. Please wear your mint green kindergarten class shirt. You may want to wear a long sleeve shirt underneath. The auditorium can be chilly. We will not bring jackets with us. The buses will start loading early in the morning. Please be on time to school. We will have lunch as soon as we return to campus. Since that exact time is unknown, visitors will not be allowed to join us. Thank you for your cooperation.

Don’t forget to read over the dress up days next week for the Great Kindness Challenge! Kindness Dress Up Days

I look forward to seeing you at our 2nd Semester Parent Night next Thursday, January 26th at 5:30 in the Media Center. Please have the parent that works with your child on the practice sheet attend the meeting. Parent Night Invitation

Tuesday, January 17th

Reminders for our field trip on Friday:

-All students should wear their class shirt on the field trip.

-Please wear a long sleeve shirt under the class shirt. The auditorium can be cold and we are not bringing jackets.

There is an important note in your child's folder about our 100th day of school next week.

Please keep Friday’s note about Valentine’s Day in a safe location to refer to as your child works on writing their name and the names of their classmates.

Mark your calendar for Second Semester Parent Night on Thursday, January 26th at 5:30 pm. Please plan for the parent who works with your child on the practice sheets to attend this event.

Next week is the Great Kindness Challenge. Please see the following notes from Mrs. Sturdivant for more information about this exciting week-long event.

Kindness Dress Up Days

Kindness Challenge Checklist

Thursday, January 12th

Here is next week’s newsletter: January 17-20. Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter each week. If you haven't read it before, these are five components to the newsletter: upcoming events, the monthly challenge, a preview of this week's ELA and Math instruction, and Important Kindergarten Information. Be sure to check it out!

Valentine's Day is almost a month away! Tomorrow there will be a note in your child's Daily Folder with directions for the Valentine Exchange Home Project. By starting early, your child can write one valentine card per day and never have hand cramps. :) Please see this flyer with pictures to help answer questions: More Information about Valentine's Day

We have focused on subtraction since returning from winter break. When looking at a subtraction sentence, I suggest pointing to the minus and equal sign and asking your child to tell you what it is called and what it means. The plus sign, minus sign, and equal sign are frequently confused in Kindgeraten, especially when the students begin writing the addition and subtraction sentence on their own without just tracing the signs.

Reminders:

- No school on Monday, January 16 in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

- Send Practice #11 on Tuesday, January 17th.

- Our field trip to see Aladdin Jr. will be Friday, January 20th. Your child needs to wear our class shirt on January 20th.

- 2nd Semester Parent Night is Thursday, January 26th at 5:30.

Monday, January 9th

As you read in the newsletter, this week during our literacy instruction, we are learning about the digraph th. We are learning that a digraph is a team of two letters that make one sound.

A new practice sheet was not sent home today. I should have waited to send Practice #11 until today instead of a three-day week. So Practice #11 needs to be completed by Tuesday, January 17th. This works out well for many families that did not have time to complete the practice sheet. If your family has already completed it, I ask that you continue to listen to your child read the blending words, sight words, and sentences. Thank you!

Our next CES PTA Spirit Day is Wednesday, January 11th. The theme is Career Day! Students are asked to send in $1 to dress up as their future career this day. Please send this donation in an envelope with your child’s name, teacher’s name, and CES Spirit Day written on the outside. As a reminder, clothing and shoe guidelines still need to be followed on dress-up days.

Reminders:

- Report of Learning Folders came home on Friday. If you have not signed and returned your child’s report card, please do so and return it tomorrow.

- No School on Monday, January 16th in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

- Our field trip to see Aladdin Jr. will be Friday, January 20th. Your child needs to wear our class shirt on January 20th.

- 2nd Semester Parent Night is Thursday, January 26th at 5:30. Please mark your calendar and send the parent that works with your child on the practice sheets at home.

Thursday, January 5th

Here is next week's newsletter: January 9-13 . Please take time to read the newsletter. Thank you!

Help at home: We are now writing our first and last names on our papers. Your child is expected to be able to write their name with correct letter formation and orientation to the line. Please work on this with your child. Learning your last name, how to spell it, and writing it can be difficult and can take longer to master.

Report of Learning Folders will come home tomorrow with your child’s 2nd Nine weeks Report Card and the mid-year DIBELS and iReady reports. Please read the yellow note that is in the folder before reading the reports. Thank you!

Tuesday, January 3rd

Happy New Year! I hope you and your family had a wonderful and relaxing break.

Here is this week's newsletter: January 4-6. Please take time to read the newsletter. Thank you!

The 3rd Nine Weeks of school is packed full of essential learning in Kindergarten. If your child is healthy, it is important for him/her to be at school on time each day ready to learn. If there is anything you need from me in order to make that happen, please reach out. I am here to help.

Help your child select one picture from Christmas Break that he/she would like to share with the class. Help your child decide what they would like to say to the class about the picture. Email the picture to me before 7:30 tomorrow (Wednesday) morning. Thank you!

I look forward to seeing your child tomorrow. Your child will need: a water bottle, one snack, and their rest mat.

Thursday, December 15th

We had a wonderful Christmas party today! The students really had fun! Thank you to all who sent in items to make the party a success! I also want to thank the parents who were able to come and help with our party. I also want to say how much I appreciated the class gift for me. It is so thoughtful and I love it! Thank you all!

Wow, it is hard to believe we have finished the first semester of our school year! As I said on Parent Night back in August, this year will fly by, it truly goes by so fast. Thank you for all your support this semester. Thank you for sharing your children with me each day and entrusting me with their foundation school year! I have enjoyed watching the kids learn and grow this semester, I know we have big things ahead for next semester!

I hope you all have a very blessed Holiday, enjoying time with family and friends! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Reminder: After Winter Break students will return to school on Wednesday, January 4th. I look forward to seeing the kids in 2023!

Monday, December 12th

Our next CES PTA Spirit Day is Wednesday, December 14th. The theme is pajamas! Students are asked to send in $1 or more in order to wear pajamas to school this day. For this Spirit Day the cash donations will be split evenly between the custodians, cafeteria staff, and our plant manager. They work so hard at school to prepare meals and keep the building clean. Please send this donation in an envelope with your child’s name, teacher’s name, and CES Spirit Day written on the outside.

Parents, please listen to your child read anything that comes home with sentences. For example, every Word List, phonics framework page, and Wonders Readers have "just right" sentences for your child to read to you. If you click on the links, you will see an example of what I am referring to. We are not sending home a new Word List this week, but I hope you save the old ones and let your child read from those. The more your child practices reading, the better the reader they will be. Daily practice will make a HUGE difference. Thank you for your support at home.

We are so excited that our school-wide field trip to Bob Jones to see Aladdin Jr. will be next month! Field trip forms will be coming home in folders tomorrow. The cost of the field trip is $2. Please send in field trip forms and money back to school by Thursday, December 14th.

Reminders:

Our sight word assessment will be done tomorrow. Please review the list again tonight!

Reading Logs are due on Wednesday. Your child will receive FIVE Good Time tickets if they have 25 books recorded on the reading log for this nine weeks.

Parents, please listen to your child read anything that comes home with sentences. For example, the Word List, phonics framework pages, and the Wonders Readers have just right sentences for your child to read to you. The more your child practices, the better the reader they will be.

Thursday, December 15th is the last day to pay for the yearbook.

Please remember that students are only allowed to wear tennis shoes to school.

Rest mats will come home on Wednesday this week due to Thursday and Friday being half days. School will dismiss at 11:30 on the half days.

Thursday, December 8th

Here is next week’s newsletter: December 12-16. Thank you for taking a moment to read the newsletter each week and stay informed.

Thank you to everyone who generously donated to help sponsor our angel off of the angel tree. I know our angel is going to have an incredible holiday season.

Next Thursday, December 15th and Friday, December 16th are half-days of school. Elementary students are dismissed at 11:30. *Please note this is a different time from normal half days. If you haven't filled out the Half Day Google Form yet, please do so. Here is the link: Half Day Google Form

Monday, December 5th

2nd Nine Week Assessments have started. We will assess sight words on Tuesday, December 13th. Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep each night and eats a healthy breakfast each morning. If you plan for your child to be absent, please let me know so I can plan accordingly to assure missed assessments are completed.

Our class holiday party will be on Thursday, December 15th from 8:30 - 10:00 a.m. There will be food and a craft (making candy canes out of pipe cleaners and beads). Please sign up here if you are able to help with the party and/or provide food or supplies. Thank you for all of your support!

I wanted to give out a few reminders about jackets-

We go outside for recess as long as the “feels like” temperature is above 32 degrees. Please pay attention to the weather and send an appropriate jacket.

Keep working with your child on zipping his/her jacket until it is mastered. Thank you! Many of them have it down pat now which is very helpful as we transition to and from recess.

If you send gloves, hats, or scarfs we keep those items in pockets or sleeves while the jackets are zipped to their chairs in the classroom. This makes our transition to recess easier than everyone going to the closet to dig for those extra items.

Friday, December 2nd

What a fun and exciting day we had in Kindergarten! We spent the day on the engineering component of our AMSTI Balls and Ramps Unit. It is called Sidewalk Safety. First, we did a test to learn that the size of a push determines the distance an object travels. Then, we did truck races and learned that the size of a push determined the speed of the truck. Next, we learned about slopes and looked at pictures of runaway truck ramps. Then, we learned about barriers and looked at pictures of concrete barriers on highways. Finally, we put everything together and worked in groups to create a plan to stop the spring-loaded truck in the safety zone. I encourage you to talk with your child about their experience today. It would make great dinner time conversation! Unfortunately, I was so busy helping all of the groups, I didn't have time to take pictures.

Here is next week's newsletter: December 5- 9 Please take a few minutes to read the newsletter.

Way to go! So many families were at or above 20 books read! Thank you for making reading a part of your family's routine. If your child has 25 or more books recorded on the reading log when they are turned in on December 14th, your child will receive FIVE Good Time tickets. If the entire class meets the goal, then we get an extra recess!

Keep working on the Kindergarten sight word list that was on Monday's post and a copy was sent home in folders.

We have a busy week ahead! Please have your child get plenty of rest each night and arrive at school on time. Thank you for your support!

Monday, November 28th

Angel Tree Donations - Please send $1.00 in an envelope labeled with "Angel Tree Donation" in your child's blue daily folder. We are collecting through Friday, December 2nd. (See email sent on November 18th.) Thank you!

Semester Assessments - We started taking our iReady math assessment today. We'll finish it tomorrow. After that, we will take our iReady Reading assessment. On Thursday, the students will take their DIBELS benchmark assessment. Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep each night and eats a healthy breakfast each morning. Thank you for your support.

Fry Sight Words - This note provides a list of the Fry sight words that are taught during 1st semester: Fry Sight Word Note Please review the words at home to help your child read them automatically. Thank you for your support.

Reading Logs - Students need to have 25 books recorded on their 2nd Nine Weeks Reading Logs by December 14th. On Friday, I will check-in on progress. Please try to have 20 books read and recorded on the log.

Holiday Party - Our Holiday Party is Thursday, December 15th from 8:30-10:00. Parents are invited to join us for the party, but siblings may not attend. You will receive an email with a sign-up genius soon. Thank you in advance for your willingness to provide items for the party.

Sunday, November 27th

I hope your family enjoyed the Thanksgiving break! Here is this week's newsletter: November 28th -December 2nd. Please take the time to click the link and read the newsletter so you know about everything happening at school this week. If your child completed the November challenge, please send a note in their Daily Folder tomorrow. The December challenge is especially important this week with all of the assessments happening, so be sure to check it out.

Our Kindergarten grade level team has chosen to sponsor an angel off the angel tree. If you and your child are interested in helping provide Christmas for our angel, you may send in $1.00 in an envelope in the blue Daily Folder. The Kindergarten teachers will be purchasing the items and will take care of everything. If you'd like to participate, please send the dollar by Friday, December 2nd.

Tuesday, November 15th

Yesterday we began our unit on sorting. We are learning how to 1) sort by attributes, 2) count the amount in each group, 3) sort the groups by amount. We practiced these skills yesterday using M &M’s! The children sorted them by color, then they counted how many of each color they had. Finally, they sorted the color groups by amount. Today the students worked in groups to sort various objects. By the end of this unit, the children should be able to do our 3 step sort for multiple attributes of the same group of objects.

Progress Reports will be coming home in the Report of Learning Folders on Friday, November 18th. Please read over it, sign it in the box labeled 2nd Nine Weeks, and return it to school after Thanksgiving break.

Friday is Community Hero Day! Students may dress up like their favorite community hero and bring in $1. Please remember that dress up days must follow the dress code.

As the cold winter weather arrives, please dress your child to go outside for recess. We will go outside as long as the “feels like” temperature is 32 or greater. Please put your child’s name in their coat. Winter boots are not allowed at school. Students need to wear socks and velcro or slip on tennis shoes.

Thursday, November 10th

Here is next week’s newsletter: November 14-18. Thank you for taking a moment to read the newsletter each week to stay informed.

The PTA sponsored a Trail Mix bar for teachers in honor of Thank a Teacher Month. If you contributed to this, I want you to know that your thoughtfulness was appreciated!

All of the students were happy to hear that we are going to use the M&Ms on Monday for our sorting lesson. Thank you for sending so many to school. If there are any extra packs after we finish the lesson, I plan to put them inside the prize box that we use for our weekly drawings.

Our class really enjoyed learning about veterans and going to the Veterans parade yesterday. They also illustrated a Veterans song and poem for their Poetry Notebook. I don't always remember to send it home each week. I hope you enjoy reading them with your child when it comes home.

Helpful weekend to do list:

Wash your child’s rest mat and return on Monday morning.

Have your child practice zipping their coat until they can do it independently 3 times in a row.

Finish Practice Sheet #7 and return it to school on Monday morning inside your child’s Blue Daily Folder.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Tuesday, November 8th

Please watch this quick, less than 2 minute, video Mrs. Hester made about two new boxes on Practice #7. Click here to watch video. Thank you for your support!

Our school’s Veterans Parade is scheduled for tomorrow morning from 9:00-9:30. Please have your child wear red, white and blue. Also, if your child would like to make a sign to hold during the parade, please make it at home and send it to school with your child tomorrow morning. Send me an email if you or a family member is driving in the parade so we know to look for you.

The Game Night form is due tomorrow.

Tomorrow night we are having a school spirit lunch at Slim Chickens from 4pm-9pm. Make sure you tell them you are with Columbia! Show this flyer when at the register.

Request: When looking through your child's Halloween candy, please send 1- 2 packages of the Fun Size plain M&Ms in your child's folder for us to use later in November for a math lesson. Thank you!!

Thursday, November 3rd

Here is next week's newsletter:  November 7-11

Our 3rd annual Drive Thru Veterans Day Parade is on Wednesday at 9:00 - 9:30. Have your child wear red, white, and blue. You are welcome to make a sign for your child to hold during the parade. Please send it on Wednesday morning. We'd love to see any veterans from your family drive thru our parade. Let me know if we should expect to see you.

Reminder - No School on Friday, November 11th in honor of Veteran's Day.

Please label your child's jacket with their first and last name. If the jacket is labeled, it will be easier to find it in the lost and found and return it to you.

Please send Practice #6 to school on Monday. Thank you!

Monday, October 31st

Please remember to send the Practice Sheet to school each Monday. Practice #6 is in your child’s daily folder today. If you did not return Practice Sheet #5, please send it tomorrow. Thank you!

Columbia Elementary School will be hosting the following events on November 9th in order to honor Veterans Day!

The eS2S Astro Ambassadors will be handing out thank you cards to families with Veterans during the morning car line! Cars will put their flashers on to signal that they have a Veteran in their family.

There will be a drive thru parade at CES for our students to honor Veterans from 9:00a.m.-9:30a.m. in the back car line area.

Students are encouraged to invite a Veteran friend or family member to eat lunch with them on the CES stage on November 9th. Veterans can purchase a lunch at the school for $4.75 or bring their own lunch!

Please see these fliers for more information.

Flu and Illness Reminders:

If your child has a fever he/she must be fever free for 24 hours (without the use of fever-reducing medicine) before returning to school.

Students must also be free of vomiting or diarrhea for 24 hours before returning to school.

Do not be tempted to send your child back to school too soon, children with the flu or other illnesses need time for their body to recover.

Request: When looking through your child's Halloween candy, please send 1- 2 packages of the Fun Size plain M&Ms in your child's folder for us to use later in November for a math lesson. Thank you!!

Friday, October 28th

Here is next week’s newsletter: October 31-November 4 . Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter each week.

It was so much fun seeing some of our students at Trail of Treats on Thursday night! The costumes of the students I saw looked great and I know everyone had fun! I wanted to also thank you for supporting our school by attending or sending in money for your child to buy items from the book fair. Just so you know, the library was closed for checkouts all week because of the Book Fair. We'll go again starting on Monday.

If you haven't filled out the Google Form for fall conferences, please do so as soon as possible. The link was on my post on October 14th. Here it is again: Google Form I will soon begin conferences with those who've already requested one. If you select that you do not want a conference, you will still receive a conference form. If you have already filled out the Google form, you do not need to fill it out again.

Please note that we try to go outside for recess daily. If temperatures are above 32 degrees, we will go outside. Now that temperatures are getting colder, please send your child a coat or jacket daily. I also know it is a temptation to send your child in boots when the weather is colder. Please remember to participate safely in P.E. and to play in the playground, students need to wear tennis shoes only.

Students dressing up on Monday, October 31st will be acceptable, as long as the costume follows our current dress code to include the following conditions:

No masks that cover the face.

No scary or gory costumes.

No props that look like weapons.

Appropriate shoes should be worn.

No inflatable-type costumes that could prevent the student from sitting appropriately in a desk.

No onesie costumes in Kindergarten.

Have a great weekend!

Monday, October 24th

I have collected Practice Sheet #4 today and have sent home Practice Sheet #5. If you didn’t send in your child’s Practice Sheet today, please send it tomorrow in their blue Daily Folder. For those that forgot their practice sheet, I will be listening to them read the words from the Word List tomorrow.

Red Ribbon Week is this week: Please refer to the October 20th post, on our class Remind App, or our schools’ social media platforms for the dress up days.

The Book Fair will be open all this week. It will be open from 7:45-2:15 daily and will close on Friday, October 28th at 11:00 a.m. In addition, if you wish to come and shop with your child the Book Fair will be open during the Trail of Treats Thursday night from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Our class is scheduled to visit the Book Fair on Wednesday from 9:45-10:15. If you plan for your child to participate in the Trail of Treats please remember to send in a bag of unopened candy with your child.

Friendly reminders:

Please empty your child’s Daily Folder every day.

Please send your child to school with a snack and a bottle of water.

Please make sure your child has a change of clothes in their backpack that is appropriate for the season.

I will be out of the classroom tomorrow and Wednesday for trainings. I can't wait to be back in the classroom on Thursday.

Thursday, October 20th

Here is next week’s newsletter: October 24 - 28. Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter each week.

The Trail of Treats is Thursday, October 27th at 6:00. We are still in need of candy for this fun event! Each family that is participating needs to send an unopened bag of candy to be distributed that evening.

The Book Fair will be open this coming Monday, October 24th. It will be open from 7:45-2:15 daily and will close on Friday, October 28th at 11:00 a.m. In addition, if you wish to come and shop with your child the Book Fair will be open during the Trail of Treats on Thursday night from 6:00-7:00 p.m. Our class is scheduled to visit the Book Fair on Wednesday from 9:45-10:15. If you would like for your child to purchase books you can send money in a marked envelope or Ziplock bag inside your child’s daily folder.

We will begin our Science unit on Balls and Ramps on Monday. Please read the important information on the newsletter linked above pertaining to this Science unit. I also hope that you and your child are enjoying spending time together as you do the October Challenge that you will find at the upper right hand corner of our newsletter.

October 24th-28th is also our Red Ribbon Week. The following are dress up days for this week:

Monday- wear red to show “we are RED-y for Red Ribbon Week”

Tuesday- wear your favorite sports jersey or team gear to “team up against drugs”

Wednesday- wear workout clothes to “work out your choices Wednesday”

Thursday- wear mismatched clothing to “change poor choices to good choices”

Friday- wear pajamas to “follow your dreams.”

Starting tomorrow, students will have the option to purchase ice cream only on Fridays. The cost of ice cream is $0.75. If you would like your child to purchase ice cream, please ensure there is money in their lunch account. You can send cash or check inside your child's folder in an envelope or bag labeled lunch money.

Tomorrow is Rock Your School Day. Don’t forget to have your child dress up like a rockstar. We ask that your child’s outfit is school appropriate and they have on tennis shoes.

As you know the weather has become drastically cooler. Over the weekend please practice doing the following:

Have your child practice taking on and off their winter coat

Practice zipping and buttoning their coat

Practice taking off coat without the sleeves being inside out

Write your child’s name on the inside of their coat

Tuesday, October 18th
Wow! What an awesome Field Trip we had to Gullion Farms! The children really enjoyed petting the animals, picking a pumpkin, the hay maze, corn crib, gathering eggs, the pony ride, the giant slide, fishing, and milking the cow! I was very proud of the children as they were all so well behaved. We really had a great day! Thank you to our chaperones and to all of the parents who joined us at the farm! It wouldn’t have been successful without all of your help!

We have had an awesome first quarter in Kindergarten! It’s so hard to believe that nine full weeks have gone by and that we are now into our second nine weeks! I have enjoyed watching our students transition into school and our classroom and make so much progress academically. If you haven’t already, please sign your child’s report card and send your child’s Report of Learning Folder back to school as soon as possible.

Next Thursday night will be our Trail of Treats at 6:00. If your family is attending, please send in an unopened bag of candy.

Starting on Friday, students will have the option to purchase ice cream only on Fridays. The cost of ice cream is $0.75. If you would like your child to purchase ice cream, please ensure there is money in their lunch account. You can send cash or check inside your child's folder in an envelope or bag labeled lunch money.

We still need families to help blow up microphones for Rock Your School day on Friday. If you would like to help blow up microphones, please email me and I will send home a pack for you to return before Friday.

Friday, October 14th

Here is next week’s newsletter: October 24-28.  Thank you for taking the time to read the newsletter each week.

Report of Learning Folders are coming home today with your child’s 1st Nine weeks Report Card. As discussed at Parent Night, our grading scale is 4, 3, 2, 1. Your child will not receive a 4 until the standard has been taught to the full depth of the Kindergarten expectations AND your child has shown consistent mastery of the standard. At this time of the year 2s and 3s are extremely common. Another thing we discussed at Parent Night was that Kindergarten teachers system wide have a rubric to follow when assigning a 4, 3, 2 or 1 for a standard. After reading the Report Card, please do two things. First, sign the report card in the address box on the front page. Second, I would like one parent from each family to complete this Google Form.

If you are available to help decorate the hallway and prepare items for the Rock Your School event, please use this link to sign up. We need volunteers that can come without children at 4:00 on Thursday, October 20th. Thank you for your willingness to help!

This important note is coming home in folders today: Field Trip Notes I’m posting the note on the website just in case you misplace it before Tuesday morning.

The AEA Be A Champion and Read contest will begin on Monday when the form comes home in your child's daily folder. Students will read six reading-level appropriate books to qualify. All reading logs should be submitted by Friday, October 28th. No late entries will be accepted. Every student who completes the special Be A Champion and Read reading log will receive an Alabama or Auburn bookmark. The grand prize - two students will be selected statewide - one Alabama fan and one Auburn fan - to receive free tickets to the Iron Bowl. Each prize includes game tickets, sideline passes, and pre-game activities for the winner and two accompanying guests.

We had a wonderful teacher appreciation lunch today provided by PTA. Thank you so much to those that contributed to the luncheon or provided Duty Free Lunch. We all enjoyed this delicious meal in the quiet library!

Enjoy the Fall Festival tomorrow!

Monday, October 10th

If an adult from your family is meeting our class at Gullion Farms on October 18th, please email me with the number of adults and the names of the adults. (Siblings are not allowed to join us on field trips.) Please remember to email me after reading today’s post. Thank you!

Our class shirts were delivered to school today. I will keep your child’s shirt at school to put on the morning of the field trip. All other shirts ordered for other family members will be sent home in your child’s backpack once I get them sorted. Give me a few days to get this task done.

Please read this informational note about Rock Your School on October 21st. Here is a list of items that I would like to request to help decorate our classroom for this special day: Amazon Wishlist

Friendly reminder: Wednesday is a half day of school. We will dismiss at 11:30.

Coming home today in Daily Folders: 2nd Nine Weeks Reading Log and Practice #3

Sunday, October 9th

I hope you all had a wonderful and relaxing Fall Break! I'm excited about beginning the 2nd Nine Weeks tomorrow.

Please read this week's newsletter: October 10-14

This Wednesday is a half-day of school. Elementary students are dismissed at 11:30. *Please note this is a different time from normal half days. If you haven't filled out the Half Day Google Form yet, please do so. Here is the link: Half Day Google Form

Amazon Wishlist

Friday, September 30th

Reading Logs were due today! I am so excited to give out 5 good time tickets to everyone who has completed their reading logs. A new reading log will go home on the Monday after Fall Break.

Over Fall Break- Please wash and return your child’s rest mat on Monday, October 10th. Relax and enjoy the beautiful scenery and weather! I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Fall Break!

Monday, September 26th

Thank you to all who returned Practice Sheet #1 today. If you forgot to return it today, please send it in your child’s Daily Folder tomorrow. Practice Sheet #2 is coming home in folders today.

You will also see your child’s work from last week’s Literacy Stations coming home in folders tomorrow. The students did well last week with our first week of Literacy Stations. Literacy Stations is an important time in our day for students to complete group/partner work reinforcing our reading skills, while I teach differentiated small group lessons. I look forward to seeing the students grow with independence, cooperatively working with others and producing quality work while working in stations.

Reading Logs - I am super excited to see so many families have reached or exceeded the goal of reading 20 books during the 1st Nine Weeks. These reading logs are due Friday. It makes my heart happy to see all of the reading that is happening!

We reached one of our goals with the school No Hassle fundraiser. We will celebrate this by having pajama day on Friday. Pajamas must be school appropriate. Your child should be able to use the bathroom independently in the pajamas, so no onesie pajamas. We will wear tennis shoes with our pajamas. No slippers!

We started our unit on Community Helpers today. It is not too late to submit your picture and sentence to share with the class. Please see last week’s post for more details.

Thank you to everyone who has turned in the permission slips and money for our farm field trip in October. The forms and money are due September 29th. I am still missing money and forms from several families.

Thursday, September 22nd

Here is next week’s newsletter: September 26-30

Important field trip information and paperwork came home in your child’s daily folder on Tuesday. Please complete both forms. Both forms and payment are due no later than September 29th.

Next week is the last week of the first quarter. I am continuing to collect data and complete one on one assessments with the students for their first nine weeks report card throughout next week. If you know in advance that your child will be out of school for any day next week, please let me know so that I may adjust my assessment schedule to ensure your child’s first nine weeks assessments are completed.

Just a reminder about our Community Helper Project I posted about on September 15th.

Community Helper Project:

We will be studying Community Helpers the last week of September. I need every parent to email me with two things:

A picture of you at work. Whatever your job, whether you are an engineer, accountant, fireman, sales clerk, stay at home mom, or a doctor, I’d like you to send me a picture.

A sentence about how your job helps others. Please explain it in a way that 5 and 6-year-olds can understand.

Please email me these two things by September 23rd, if you have not already. My email address is rcduvall@madisoncity.k12.al.us I will share your picture and read your sentence to the class during Community Helper Week. Your child will be so proud to have your picture shared with the class. Thank you for participating!

Monday, September 19th

Our first Practice Sheet is coming home in folder's today. As you read on the newsletter, please don't do it all at once - a little each day will benefit your child. This is a picture of what to look for in the folder: Practice Sheet Picture

Today, we began our first week of our Wonders Reading Series. We are focusing on the letter Mm this week. Our first phonics worksheet is coming home in folders today. Review the sheet with your child. If you see a lowercase m written in crayon next to your child's m in pencil, I did this to show your child the correct way to write a lowercase m. When you see this on the paper, it is always a good idea to give your child more time to practice.

The students were so excited about our first day of Literacy Stations. It went well for the first day!

Please remember to email me a picture of you at work as well as a sentence about how your job helps others for our Community Helper Project.

Don't forget to send in an apple by Thursday.

Picture day is tomorrow!

Thursday, September 15th

Here is next week’s newsletter: September 19-23

Community Helper Project - We will be studying Community Helpers the last week of September. I need every parent to email me with two things:

A picture of you at work. Whatever your job, whether you are an engineer, accountant, fireman, sales clerk, stay at home mom, or a doctor, I’d like you to send me a picture.

A sentence about how your job helps others. Please explain it in a way that 5 and 6-year-olds can understand.

Please email me these two things by September 23rd. My email address is rcduvall@madisoncity.k12.al.us I will share your picture and read your sentence to the class during Community Helper Week. Your child will be so proud to have your picture shared with the class. Thank you for participating!

Reading Logs - I am super excited to see so many families have reached the goal of reading 20 books during the 1st Nine Weeks. It makes my heart happy to see all of the reading that is happening! If you’re a little behind, do not fret. We still have plenty of time for your family to complete the reading log. They are due September 30th.

No Hassle Fundraiser - The No Hassle Fundraiser is happening now through September 23rd. An information page was sent home last Friday. Please consider giving a donation to our school. Send it in an envelope labeled with your child’s name and No Hassle Fundraiser. Or, you can give online by clicking this link: Member Hub.

Checking Out from School: If you know you'll be checking your child out from school, please email me that morning so we can be prepared. Please avoid checking out during lunch, recess, specials, and P.E. (Refer to the schedule that you received at Parent Night.)

It is not too late to watch the videos that were posted on Monday. Watch to the end of both videos and you'll know what to do. Thank you for keeping yourself informed.

Enjoy your weekend!

Monday, September 12th

Mrs. Hester, another kindergarten teacher, created 2 quick videos that I would like you to watch today:

The First Nine Weeks Progress Report will be in your child’s backpack on Wednesday. Please watch this video to know what to expect and what I need you to do. It should answer any questions you have about the Report of Learning Folder: Progress Report Video

She also made this video about the activities we’ve been doing in class to help with letter identification. Please watch this video to the end. It is less than 5 minutes. Letter Identification Video Thank you!!

Tomorrow is the Astro Dad's Pizza Night at 6:00 pm. I hope the kids have a fun evening with their Dads!

I will not be at school on Wednesday due to a training off of campus.

Thursday, September 8th

Here is next week’s newsletter: September 12-16. Please take a few minutes to read the newsletter each week. I appreciate you doing your part to keep yourself informed about classroom learning.

As you know the last several weeks we have been going over the letters of the alphabet with our letter experts. During this time we talk about what the letter looks like, the sound it makes, how to write it on the lines with correct letter formation, and how to recognize its sound at the beginning of words. If your child still does not know all of their letters automatically, a great way you can help them is by using flashcards with the letters not in alphabetical order. Another great tool to use with your child is the website Starfall. Here is the link to the website with the letter blocks that helps your child with the sound the letters make.

As you will read in our newsletter, another way that you can help your child is by learning to open items that are sent in the lunchbox independently. We have a very short time in the lunchroom, our schedule for lunch is from 10:20-10:50. While this may seem to be enough time by the time we go through the lunch line, get settled at the table, then open containers, about 10 minutes has passed. Then we lose another 5 minutes for cleaning up. If your child still struggles with opening the container then consider changing what you send the lunch item in or open the container enough that your child can finish the process successfully. I appreciate your help with this!

Tuesday, September 6th

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend!

Today our school district nurse came to our class and did a handwashing lesson. The students learned the importance of washing their hands and about how germs make us sick. The nurse also showed students the best way to cover a cough or sneeze using their elbows. A letter will be coming home in their folder that explains what was taught as well as when to stay home if you are sick.

We will continue learning our letters with our Letter Experts this week along with continuing sorting words/pictures based on the beginning sound. You have probably also noticed our math worksheets where students are learning to write the numerals correctly on the lines. If you see where I have written the number correctly next to your child’s please help them with this one on one at home.

A local church provides snacks for students whose families need assistance. Please reach out to me if your family needs help providing snacks for your child and I will make sure they receive one at snack time. If this does not describe your family's situation, please remember to send a snack daily in your child's backpack. We eat a very early lunch at 10:20 so by snack time, students are usually hungry again.

Click here for our classroom Amazon Wishlist! Thank you to everyone who has ordered books and classroom materials for us to use! Sometimes packages don't come with a label as to who has purchased items. I greatly appreciate your support!!

Thursday, September 1st

Here is next week’s newsletter: September 6-9. Please take a few minutes to read the newsletter each week. I appreciate you doing your part to keep yourself informed about classroom learning.

Please remember that tomorrow is a 1/2 day. We will be dismissed at 11:00. Extended Day is closed. If you are picking up in the carline make sure your car line tag is displayed on your rearview mirror.

Tomorrow we are having a school spirit lunch at Freddy’s from 11-1. Show this flyer when at the register.

Next Friday, September 9th we will observe Patriot Day by wearing our red, white, and blue. I am looking forward to seeing everyone participate!

When your child comes to school each day, please make sure your child:

has a water bottle filled with water and ice

has the blue Daily Folder inside his/her backpack

has their library book

is wearing velcro or slip-on shoes

Thank you!!!

Weekend To Do List:

Practice your lunch number! This is used to check out new library books.

Remove papers from the daily folder.

Let your child practice rolling up their rest mat.

Send rest mats back on Tuesday.

Enjoy the LONG weekend!

Monday, August 29th

Friday is a half day for students. I sent out a Google Form for transportation and lunch selection last week. Please have one parent fill out the form by tonight. Thank you, if you have already filled out the form!

Please return your library book daily after recording it on your child’s reading log. This week we are visiting the library as a class to create this new routine of returning our library book and checking out a new book. ALL students must know their lunch number. This is the number used to check out library books. Also, all students should have at least ten books recorded on their reading log. If you are below that number, there’s still time to catch up and reach the goal of 20 books by September 30th. If you have filled up your reading log, you can continue to record books on the back of the original reading log or on a separate sheet of paper. Remember, if your child has 20 books recorded on the reading log, they will receive FIVE Good Time Tickets on September 30th. If everyone in our class reaches the goal, we earn an extra recess. We can do this!

Class shirt orders are due next Thursday, September 8th. We will wear these shirts several times this year. Please consider purchasing a class shirt. Here is the link: Class Shirts

This week our writing focus is on writing our names. This includes making only the first letter uppercase. The rest of the letters should be lowercase. We are also working on writing our letters with correct formation and orientation to the line. That means tall letters are tall, small letters are small, and letters that fall should fall below the bottom line. All letters should touch the bottom line. Currently, our focus is on writing our first name, but you are welcome to start practicing writing your last name at home.

We are also working on using scissors correctly. We talk about how our elbow is by our side, scissors are pointing away from your belly, the thumb is up and we use a straight wrist while cutting. We tell students scissors go open and shut while the other hand is holding the paper firmly while turning the paper. These fine motor skills are very important. By developing their fine motor control, children are able to access so many more things, and become confident and able students. It would be very beneficial to practice these scissor skills at home as well.

Remember to send one snack and a water bottle daily. We prefer the water bottle that has a straw or mouthpiece. The water bottled with an open top create a lot of water spills in the classroom. Also, remember that it should only be filled with plain water. Thank you!

Please check and empty the BLUE Daily Folder everyday. Some folders are returned to school not emptied and papers are falling all over the floor.

Thank you for reading this post and for your support! :)

Thursday, August 25th

We will have our first half day on September 2nd. School will dismiss at 11:00. Extended Day is closed. Please take a few minutes to complete the Half Day Google Form.

This week and next, our social studies unit is Myself and Others. We're learning about how we are alike and different. This week we talked about birthdays. Only 6 students were able to tell us their birthday. Some knew the month, but not the date. Others didn't know either part of it. I'm sharing this because knowing your birthday is something that is no longer on the Kindergarten Report Card, but it is still important for a child this age to know, along with their full name, phone number, and address.

Please continue to practice rolling up rest mats at home this weekend. Also, please let your child practice opening the items that are sent for lunch (lunchables, applesauce, juice box, cheese sticks, chip bags). We are working to have your child do these things independently. Thank you!

When making water bottles for school, please fill them with plain water only - no added flavors, powder mixes, or other clear liquids. When they spill their water bottle, these things create sticky messes. Thank you for your help with this.

If you haven't already done so, please order our class shirt using this link: Class Shirts Our class is ordering the mint green shirt.

Weekend to do list:

Enjoy reading your child’s poetry notebook.

Wash your child’s rest mat and watch your child practice rolling it up 5 times.

Empty your child’s blue daily folder and send it back to school on Monday.

Play the rhyming lotto game that is coming home in your child's folder tomorrow.

Thank you for reading the website posts and partnering with me to make this a wonderful school year! I hope you have a relaxing weekend with your family.

Monday, August 22nd

Throughout the past few weeks we have focused on getting to know each other and learning our rules and procedures. We go over our rules each day to help us continue to learn procedures and expectations. We have made numerous posters that will serve as reminders for our expectations and goals. Having structure and organization in a classroom is essential for a positive, productive learning environment. We have also discussed the importance of doing our best with all our work. You can help your child by encouraging him/her to follow our classroom rules and by giving simple directions to follow independently at home.

Last week, our kindergarten students had our library orientation lesson. We learned our way around the library. Soon, we will return to the library and have a lesson on how to take care of library books. Hopefully your child’s first school library book will come home soon!

I want to give a big THANKS to Mrs. Webb! She took all of the information provided by families on the classroom directory slips and created our awesome classroom directory. Use the directory to send birthday invitations or to schedule play dates. Thanks again, Mrs. Webb!

Class Shirts: Remember to order our class shirt using this link: Class Shirts Our class is ordering the Mint Green shirt.

Lunchroom Food: The lunch menu is available on Columbia’s website so you can talk to your child about what is being served daily. If you know the food options are something your child does not like, please consider sending a lunchbox. There was a menu change this week due to supply issues. On Tuesday, we’ll have Breaded Steak Sandwich. On Thursday, we’ll have Taco Salad.

Friday, August 19th

Thank you for continuing to participate in our Color Weeks daily colors! We are enjoying learning about colors. We have had fun painting primary and secondary colors this week. Ask your child about mixing colors to make purple, green and orange paint. The kids were excited watching the colors change as we mixed! I look forward to continued participation next week.

Remember you can order your child a class shirt at this link: Class shirts. The cost is $7.00 You will want to be sure to order a shirt for your child because we will wear them often throughout the school year. Please reach out to me if purchasing this shirt is a hardship for your family. Thank you!

Please remember to check and empty your child's Daily Folder each afternoon. Thank you!

A glance at next week:

Reading - identifying beginning sounds, Letter Experts for K, L, M, N, and O. We are continuing to learn about rhyming words.

Math - comparing groups of objects as equal, greater than, or less than, comparing groups of objects to five, and comparing numerals 0-5

Helpful weekend to do list:

1. Cozy up and enjoy reading your child’s poetry notebook.

2. Wash your child’s rest mat.

3. Have your child practice rolling up and securing their rest mat until they can do it independently 3 times in a row.

4. If you have not already done so, please send in $8 for the Scholastic News Order.

Monday, August 15th, 2022

There was a sea of RED at recess today! The kids looked great! We are looking forward to continuing our colors for the next two weeks. Please see the flyer Kindergarten Color Weeks.

Scholastic News money is due. If you have not already sent in your money, please send $8.00 in an envelope labeled with your child’s name, my name and “Scholastic News.” Please remember to send in your child’s All About Me Google Slide if you have not already done so.

We have had a week and a half of practicing our school and classroom rules. We have begun our good time ticket system. The children love earning these tickets! Also, remember if your child has had a behavior that interferes with classroom learning or is not keeping self to self, there will be a behavior calendar in his/her folder that will be marked with what behavior needs to be addressed. Please initial the box and leave it in your child’s folder. Small initials in the corner of the box is perfect, please do not make additional markings (smiles/frowns,etc.). As we discussed at Parent Night, your child should be able to explain the choices he/she made. Please encourage your child to follow directions and make good choices. Thank you for your support of good classroom behavior.

Thank you to all who practiced rolling rest mats this weekend. I can tell the students who practiced and they were proud to show me how they could do it! If your child did not practice, please have them practice when mats come home this Friday. Several students need assistance rolling and securing their rest mat.

Friday, August 12th

Our first full week of Kindergarten was great!

We will have Color week for the next two weeks in Kindergarten!! We want to encourage your child to wear the specified color. Click on the link to read the note with all of the details: Kindergarten Color Weeks Thank you for participating!

It is time to order our Kindergarten Class Shirt!! Our class will have mint green shirts. The cost is $7.00. We will wear the shirts on field trips, field day, end of the year party day, and other days throughout the school year. Please consider purchasing a class shirt. Here is the link: Class Shirt Orders  Let me know if you have any questions.

Rest mats are coming home today. After washing the rest mat, let your child practice rolling it up independently. Please return the rest mat on Monday.

Poetry notebooks are in backpacks today. I hope you enjoy cozying up and reading these with your child. Leave the poems in the notebook and send the notebook back to school on Monday.

If your child is to eat breakfast at school, please remind them it is their responsibility to go to the cafeteria when they arrive to eat breakfast.

Thank you for attending Parent Night!! I appreciate you giving your time to get on the same page with me for this school year. If you missed it, I sent the handouts home in your child’s folder today and here are the slides from the presentation. This in no way encompasses everything I shared in the hour meeting, but it provides you with the main topics: Kindergarten Parent Night Here are two things I forgot to share last night...

Deadline for Letter Expert pictures: I wanted to clarify the deadline for emailing the Letter Expert assignment. When you receive the Letter Expert assignment paper, it says to email me the picture the day before your child presents to the class. I need to be more specific. I need the picture by 1:00 the day before your child is scheduled to present.

Fine Motor Skills - Please give your child opportunities to write/draw with pencil, color with crayons, and cut with kid scissors. These activities, along with playing with playdough, lacing beads, picking up small objects will help build the muscles in their fingers which leads to improved handwriting.

You are invited to Coffee with the Counselor. Click here for the details.

Finally, if you haven’t done any of the following, please go ahead and do so:

Send $8.00 for the Scholastic News

Write a note to me about your child (directions were sent home at Open House).

Finish All About... slide of your child

Connect to your child’s Seesaw account - see post from last week

Put a complete change of clothes in your child’s backpack.

Click here for our classroom Amazon Wishlist!

Monday, August 8th

On Friday, I emailed each family a Google Slide for you and your child to use when making the All About slide. The directions were provided in the email sent on Friday. I have access to the slide, so you just need to email me once you are finished adding the pictures, captions, and Fun Favorites. Remember to practice with your child so they know what to say to the class. Thank you!

The Kindergarten Reading Log is coming home in Daily Folders today. Be sure to read the note that was sent home with it. Please keep the Reading Log in the right pocket of your child’s Daily Folder so I can check in with progress throughout the nine weeks. Thank you!

As you read in the letter about our Behavior Management Plan, we will be utilizing Good Time tickets. Your child can save their tickets for incentives or they can enter tickets into the weekly drawing for a chance at the prize box. I would love some help purchasing the items for the prize box. Please no food/candy items. Thank you for your generosity!

If you haven’t paid the $8.00 for Scholastic News, you can send it in your child’s Daily Folder or bring the money to Parent Night.

I’m looking forward to meeting with all of you on Thursday at 5:00 in our classroom for Kindergarten Parent Night. The meeting will last approximately 2 hours. It is important that each child have one parent present for the meeting, preferably the parent who works with the child on school work and will be communicating with me.

Click here for our classroom Amazon Wishlist!

Thursday, August 4th

We've had a wonderful first day with the boys on Wednesday and the girls today! We had busy days learning our classroom rules, taking a tour of the school, and getting to know our classmates. We look forward to having all of the students here tomorrow.

Our Kindergarten Parent Night is in our classroom on Thursday, August 11th at 5:00. It is important that each child have one parent present for the meeting, preferably the parent who works with the child on school work and will be communicating with me. The meeting is for adults only because it typically lasts 1.5-2 hours. Thank you!

Tomorrow I will send an email with the information you need to help your child make an All About Me slide. This will be due on August 15th.

Friendly Reminders ~

If your child is bringing a lunch box from home, the packed lunch needs to have a drink included. The snack water bottles are not brought to the lunchroom. If you want to send a water bottle for lunch and there is not room inside the lunchbox, your child needs to know that it is for lunch so he/she can put it on the lunchbox shelf. If it is not in the lunchbox, then it will need to be labeled with your child’s name and the word “Lunch.”

Your child should have a reusable water bottle containing water and one snack for our afternoon snack time. If you want your child to have a choice, please let them make that choice at home before packing it in the backpack.

Your child needs to wear tennis shoes without laces. This means they need to have velcro or slip on.

Please check your child's blue Daily Folder each afternoon and send it to school every day.

If your child is missing school supplies, send them to school as you get them. Be sure to tell your child to take it out of his/her backpack and give it to me.

Monday, August 1st

Thank you for coming to Kindergarten 101 and Open House! Here are the slides from the presentation for you to review: Kindergarten 101

This school year, we will use Seesaw to share pictures from our days at school. Sometimes we will even share a video. Go ahead and sign up for access to your child's digital portfolio. You'll be so glad you did! Click here to access my Seesaw!