Kindergarten Update September 3rd

Dear Kindergarten Families,

Here is what's going on in Kindergarten next week:

Language Arts: We will introduce the new Words of the Week: “like, my”.  Word Wall Words are words that must be memorized and cannot be sounded out (also known as “sight words”).  It would be helpful for your child to create their own Word Wall at home (or just use flashcards) to help your child read, memorize and write these words daily until they have been mastered. Next week, we will read 'Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ and students will identify all of the “see” words in the book.  Also, students will choose a classmate’s name and write “I see _______ (name of that classmate).

Handwriting Focus Letters:   M,m, N,n, Rr. These letters are a combination of “straight line letters”, like we focused on last week, combined with what we call “Rainbow Letters” which are the lowercase letters (h,m,n,r) that curve in a rainbow shape.  Some students still need to practice writing their names with an uppercase first letter and the rest of the letters being lowercase.  Please spend time helping them with this every day until it is mastered so they feel confident writing their names easily.  I will be sending home a practice sheet with their name.  At Back to School night, I will be handing out a letter formation guide that shows how students write their letters correctly in Kindergarten.

Math: We will continue to study patterns, counting with our “Counting Collections” and identifying/writing numbers 1-5.  We will begin math workshops this week.  We will have a variety of games that will teach number recognition. 

Every Friday is "Spirit Day" at Rio del Mar.  Students and staff members are encouraged to wear Rio del Mar clothing or colors (gray and blue).  You can find "Spirit Gear" for sale on our Rio del Mar website!

Back to School Night is on Thursday, September 6^th. This is an adult-only event and we ask that you find childcare for your children. We will be meeting in our classroom from 6:00-6:30 to tell you more about our Kindergarten program. Following this, Ms. Green will be giving a presentation at 6:35 in the MPR room.

We are excited to have parent volunteers begin to help out in the classroom beginning September 17th.  There will be a sign-up sheet at Back to School night. As a reminder, if you are interested in volunteering in the classroom, you will need to be fingerprinted and have a TB test.  If you have already done this in the past for our district and our school has record of it, you will not have to do it again.  Please ask the office for more information, if needed. There are several opportunities to help in the classroom.  We will need a Room Parent (sometimes it's easier to share this position) to organize and plan parties and events throughout the year.  This person(s) also keeps our class updated on school events, raffles etc.  Please consider taking on this position as it is a fun, and interactive way to get to know families in our class.  Thank you!  

I sent home many papers at the beginning of the year from our district that needs to be returned.  Please sign and return papers stating you know about emergency medical treatment, photography consent form, and voluntary participation student accident/health insurance.

Please return field trip forms.  Please remember to get fingerprinted and TB test done.  Also, there is a driver form that needs to be filled out and returned with your license and car insurance information.

Reminders:
NO SCHOOL:  September 3rd, Labor Day

Back to School Night:  Thursday, September 6th at 6-6:30
Movie Night:  Friday, September 14th at 6:00

Picture Day: September 21st
Field Trip to Live Earth Farms: Wednesday, September 26th 8-11

I hope you have a great long weekend with your families,

Brenda Christensen