Week of September 10th

What a wonderful start we have had in Room 138! Mrs. T and I are so amazed at how well the students are settling in and learning the routines of the classroom.   Our Sk students are being so helpful to our Jk students.  It is so nice to see the collaboration and kindness they are showing towards the younger students.

We have seen tears in the morning from some of our Jk students as they say goodbye to their parents.  Once they are busy in the classroom, these tears quickly turn to smiles and inquiring minds.  As a parent, it's hard not to worry about our little ones but please don't worry!  They are in good hands! We promise to love and nurture all of them as if they were our own

Over the next few weeks, we will be exploring letters and numbers in the classroom as well as outside on the school yard.  Because the weather is chilly in the morning and warm in the afternoon, please dress your child appropriately.  Layers are always a good idea for this kind of weather.  The children stay outside until 9:30 am for outdoor learning and also have outdoor recesses.

Reminders:

Please ensure your child has a spare set of clothes in case of accidents or spills.  If you could send in extra pants, socks, a shirt and underwear, it would be much appreciated.  If you child comes home with soiled clothing, please send spare clothing the following day.

The children have done a great job self regulating at snack time.   When they hear their tummy rumbling, they have done a fabulous job eating a healthy snack in the morning.   No one has eaten their sandwich at snack time...yet!!!  Please ensure that all food coming to school is free of nuts, sesame, mustard and white fish.  We have life threatening allergies in the classroom.

If you have not filled out the form for our classroom Twitter account and you would like to, please send the form back indicating your Twitter handle as well as who your child is.  This way we can ensure that only the parents from Room 138 see our photos.


Here are pictures from last week and today:

Welcome to Kindergarten 2019-2020

Welcome to Kindergarten at St. Gabriel Catholic School! We are eager to begin an exciting year full of many wonderful learning opportunities. As your child’s teachers, we aim to create an environment that is both supportive and challenging in order to facilitate learning and ignite the imagination.

1. Communication Book: Your child has been given a mailbag with their name on it. We will use this bag to send home any notes/communication. Please write notes for us in this book provided. For your child’s safety, always send written instructions about changes in your child’s routine (e.g. a different caregiver, or if you will be picking up your child etc.) in the Communication Book. Please check the Mailbag daily for information from school. If you leave a note, have the Communication Book open to that page so that it doesn’t get missed. 

2. Quiet time: Please send a small blanket/beach towel that can be left at school for quiet time. We ask that no stuffed animals or pillows be sent in.  Blankets/towels will be sent home to be washed on a regular basis.

3. Shoes and Clothing: A pair of no-slip, non-marking easy to get on sneakers (velcro or elastic closure) are requested to wear in the classroom and gym.  These shoes will remain at school as their“indoor shoes”.  It is also important that your child comes to school in clothes in which he or she can play.  Our classroom will be a busy one where paint, markers, sand, water and outdoor play is encouraged.  Please ensure that all articles of clothing and shoes are labeled.

4. Snacks: Your child will have two snack times as well as a lunch break.  Please send in 2 nutritious snacks as well as a lunchtime meal in labelled reusable containers. Our classroom is free of the following foods: nuts, sesame, white fish and mustard.   We have severe, life threatening allergies to those products so please check the labels on your child's snacks before packing them. If you send a snack with WOW butter, ensure that it is labeled with a note so we don't mistake it for peanut butter. 

5. Oops! Accidents!: Please send a change of clothes (including socks and underwear) to be kept on hand in case of spills or accidents. Label and place them in a plastic bag for storage. If an accident does occur, we will send home the soiled clothes in a plastic bag. Please send back more clothing the next day.

6. Birthdays: We recognize birthdays in our classroom and celebrate each child’s special day. We ask that no treats are brought in. This is to avoid interaction with students that may have allergies. We have a tradition that has started where your child can bring in a birthday book to share with the class that day, which can be added to our classroom library. 

7. Family Photos: Our classroom has a family tree that students can look at to remind them of home. If possible, please send a family photo with your child. Write your child's name on the back of the photo. These will be returned to you at the end of the school year.

8. Donations: We are always in need of markers, Kleenex and ziplock bags (large size) in the classroom. If you would like to donate any of these items, we would greatly appreciate it. 

9. The Blog: Please remember to check in often to get classroom updates and news. Sign up for notifications on the home page. ( roccokinder.blogspot.ca)

We look forward to speaking with you over the next few weeks. We know that the year ahead will be an exciting one with plenty of learning, laughter and growth. 

 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Rocco and Mrs. Talebi