Week of September 16th

Week 3 has started off great!  We had a busy day observing sunflowers, exploring numbers and using our imagination and creativity to make mini books after hearing a story about numbers.  The students have settled into the classroom nicely and are learning the rules and routines.  For the month of September, Mrs. T and I will be focusing on these rules and routines with the students. 

The students continue to explore the classroom and get to know each other.  It is so nice to see the new friendships being made.  Our sk students have been eager to take on a leadership role and have been amazing with the new jk students in the classroom.

Many thanks to all the parents who came to Program Night last week.  It was so nice to meet and reconnect with you.  If you were unable to attend, a package of information was sent home with your child last Friday.  

Book orders were sent home today in your child's mailbag.  If you wish to place an order, please do so by September 23rd.  You can place your order online (under teacher's name: Andrea Rocco) or send in a cheque made out to Scholastic Canada Ltd.  

On Friday, September 27th, we will be participating in the Terry Fox Walk.  The Kindergarten students will remain on school property and walk in the backyard.  We will be sending home more information this week with regards to donating for this worthy cause.

School lunch programs will be starting up during the week of September 23rd.  These include milk and pizza and were all pre-ordered online.  

We will also begin to visit the learning commons in the upcoming week.  The students will listen to a story read by Mrs, Baker each week and will have a chance to look at books in the learning commons.  These books will not be taken out. We are hoping to check out books in January once we have become comfortable and familiar with the library rules and routines.

Reminders:

Twitter - If you are interested in signing up for Twitter, please send Mrs. T your twitter handle so she can add you to our classroom group.  Mrs. T posts pictures of the students and their work daily.

Blog: Our classroom blog is usually updated every Monday evening/ Tuesday morning. You can sign up on the home screen to get notifications when a new post is made.  (roccokinder.blogspot.com)

Spare Clothing- Please ensure that your child has a spare set of clothing.  Accidents happen often in Kindergarten!  A spare set of clothing should include pants, a shirt, socks and underwear.  If your child has had an accident, we will ask them to change and put their soiled clothing in a bag.  The soiled clothing will be sent home that day.

Please send in a family photo so we can hang it up in our "Safe Space" .  This children love to look at their photo when they are missing their family.  We promise to return the photo at the end of the year.

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

Last post of the year! Please watch slideshow of our class in this post!

Dear Parents,

It has been an amazing year and Mrs. T and I feel so blessed to have had the opportunity to work with your child.  We are so proud of each and every one of them and are amazed at how much they have grown.

It is always a bittersweet time for us educators as we send off our sweet sk students who we have had the pleasure of teaching for 2 years.  We know that they are ready for the big world of Grade One but will miss them dearly!

We are very excited to see our jk friends next year who will now be our new sk leaders in the classroom.  They will play a key role in showing our new jk students the ropes of the classroom!

We hope you all have a restful and enjoyable summer!  See you all in September!

Please find attached a video filled with our classroom memories from this year...have some kleenex close by!

Happy Summer!

A. Rocco and N. Talebi

https://youtu.be/tconPuXB-5s 

Week of June 17th

We are all done with our work and letters of the week.  Please continue to practice letter recognition and sounds with your child.  

Today our library books were returned for the last time.  The students will not be taking out any more books this year.  We still have a few outstanding books.  A reminder note is coming home today in your child's mailbag.

We have a busy week ahead!  Today we started the week off with a visit from Fireman Mike.  The kids had a blast seeing him and asking him questions.  We are sending home a few goodies that he brought for us.  Ask them what they learned from the presentation today.

Tuesday:  We will be going outside in the afternoon for Jump Rope for Heart.  Please ensure that your child is dressed for the weather.

Wednesday: We are going to Walden Park Splash Pad for a morning full of sun and fun!  Please ensure that your child has sunscreen, a bathing suit, a towel, a sun hat, a change of clothes for after the splash pad (don't forget undies and socks!) and a water bottle.  We will be eating a snack there.  If you are volunteering for this field trip, please meet us at the school for 9:00 am and we will leave shortly after that time.

Thursday:  School Family BBQ - 5:30 - 8:00 pm

Father's Day Pictures

A big thank you to all the dads who came to our picnic today.  Your kids were beyond thrilled to hang out with you! We hope you have an amazing day on Sunday. I seemed to have missed getting everyone's picture so I apologize.  Here are some really cute pictures from today!

Week of June 10th

Our word of the week is a very special one...it's "dad".  We are very excited to be celebrating our dads this Thursday, June 13th at 1:30 pm.  Please bring a nut-free/sesame-free snack for you and your child to enjoy during our picnic.  We are hoping that the weather cooperates so we can host it outside.  If you would like to bring a ball or a special game, feel free.  We will have balls and games for everyone to play with as well.

If you have not sent in a family picture or picture of your child with his dad, please do so by tomorrow.  We are hoping to wrap the presents on Wednesday to send home on Thursday.

Today we planted our Kinder Garden!  We will be watching our carrot, mint and wheatgrass seeds grow over the next few weeks.  The children are really excited to see some growth!

Here are some pictures from today: