What is Happening this week in Class K-207

Dear K-207 Families,

I was so happy to see so many of you at last week’s Curriculum Night and at the Parents As Enrichment Partners on Friday morning. I hope that we answered all your questions. If you were not able to attend, I have a Kindergarten Curriculum package for you to take home.

IMPORTANT: Dismissal Procedures this Week - SO SORRY FOR THE INCONVENIENCE!!!
As per the note home that Mr. Ortiz sent out last Friday, dismissal procedures are altered for the week. This is due to the fact that the schoolyard will be closed for painting starting at 9 am each day this week. Our class, along with all kindergarteners will dismiss from the Multi-Media Rom on the first floor (where we were on Curriculum Night.) If you have older children, refer to the letter that Mr. Ortiz sent out to determine whether you would need to pick them up from the Sherman or Windsor Street entrances. Please remember to inform the adults who pick up your children of this change.

Recess this Week
The schoolyard will be closed for recess and gym this week. Typically when it rains, the children come into the classroom and have time for open-ended play with table toys and other manipulatives. This is the case for this week. The children are coping and love to come to the classroom after lunch. Today, the Physical Education teacher, Ms. Ussury, took the children to the park for Gym. The children told me that they had an amazing time. Thank you to Ben's mom (and Dog), Tyler's mom, Emerson's mom, and Roshi's mom for helping out with the children. Also, in the afternoon, I took the children on a "Number Walk" around the neighborhood to look for numbers and write them down with Tyler's mom....so the children are getting outdoor time.

Reading journals, Shared reading journals, book baggies & math homework packets
As discussed on curriculum night, homework is not mandatory in Kindergarten but I do recommend reading with your child and completing the Reading Journal. Children who get read to every night show significant differences in their approach and ability to read. The Reading Homework Journals should be sent back to class on Fridays. The Shared Reading Journals should be returned on Mondays. The Red Homework Folders should be returned to school everyday. The Math Homework Packet which is given out on Mondays, should also be returned on Friday. The book baggies with the book your child chose should be returned everyday so that a new book could be taken home.

Music & Chess
On Monday, Katerina Onatskaia from the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music started working with our class! She will be with our class on Monday afternoons at 1:00. The children loved her and had a wonderful first Music class. We will have Chess with Mr. Jairo on Friday aftersoons directly after lunch.

Scholastic Orders
I pass them onto you because Scholastic does offer some good books at decent prices. If you want to place an order online, please follow the instructions provided in the enclosed letter, or send in your order form and check in a sealed envelope with your child’s name on it. Also for each book that you order, our class gets credits towards free books. Please take the opportunity to look at the order forms that I send home. Thank you to Lily's mom for volunteering to help out with this.

Class Photos
The class photos will be taken on Friday, October 23rd. You also have the option to also purchase individual pictures of your child. I realize order forms were not sent home yet. If they are not in your child’s homework folder today, then just stay tuned. . .

Reminder: Shoe-tying / zipping/ buttoning practice + please practice putting coats & jackets on independently
Autumn has arrived and winter is on the way. Some children need more practice getting their coats/ sweatshirts on independently. Please practice this at home with your child. (I have been teaching those kids the method where you lay your coat out upside down on the floor in front of you, then put your hands in the sleeves and then it comes over your head and falls into place. Remember that one?!) Also, if you can work with your children at home to continue practicing the other important life skills listed above, it will facilitate their independence at school and beyond! Thank you! Also, PLEASE LABEL ALL YOUR CHILDREN'S ITEMS!!!! We do not want them to lose anything.

Reminder: Health forms
Just another reminder: The school nurse continues to request that families return the health forms as soon as possible (if you have not yet done so already.)

Mark Your Calendars
On Tuesdays, please dress your child in sneakers for Grade-level Gym
School is closed for Columbus Day on Monday, October 12th
Class Photos will be taken on Friday, October 23rd.
On Friday, October 30th we will be going to Green Meadows Farm. We will need parent volunteers to join us for this trip. Continue to stay tuned for a permission slip and additional details.

I want to thank you all for your great support..... Your children are amazing and working very very hard in Kindergarten. We are also having such a great time.

If you need to speak to me about any issue, please do not hesitate to see me. My door is always open.

Fondly,
Ms. Graham

PS I was going to post some pictures of today's "Number Walk" but my camera just ran out of batteries..... I will charge them and post the new pictures soon. They are so adorable!!!!