Homework

 Dear Parents, 

The first homework packet will be sent home next Monday the 23rd.

You will find a packet in your child's Take Home Folder that includes:

A Weekly Reading Log
Please read with your child every night, even if it is only for 5 minutes. Take turns reading.

A Math Page
Follow the directions. Many of these sheets include directions to games/activities, which do not get sent back to school. If this is the case, please record somewhere on the sheet that the game/activity has been completed.

A Lively Letter Page
The letter character on the front side should be colored with care. Then write 3 words beginning with the targeted letter, and draw a picture to match. Your child should be writing and sketching with a pencil and coloring with crayons or colored pencils.

Handwriting Pages
In the classroom we say, "trace and try.” Trace a black letter, then try it, then trace, then try... until the pages are complete. The targeted letters should be written with your child's best effort in pencil.

Homework will be due back to school every Friday. Feel free to send an email if there are any questions.

Happy Homework, 
Mrs. Newman

Curriculum Night

Dear Parents,

It was great seeing so many of you at Curriculum Night last night. I hope you find the information I shared to be helpful through out the school year.

Have a great weekend,
Mrs. Newman

Scholastic Book Ordering

Shop Online: scholastic.com/readingclub

One-Time Class Activation Code: FMQWC

Dear Families,

Encouraging reading is one of the most important things we can do to help
your child succeed. It can be tough finding the right books to keep them interested,
which is why I am so excited that our class will be participating in Scholastic
Reading Club this school year.

With Scholastic Reading Club:

*Every book you buy earns FREE Books for our classroom library

*You can choose from handpicked, grade- and reading-level-specific books
  for your child

*You'll find the best values on a variety of formats, including eBooks

Each month, your child will bring home Reading Club flyers. Together you
can choose from books hand-selected by teachers and experts, and then
order online or by returning your order form and payment to me.

 

If This Is Your First Time Ordering Online:

*REGISTER at scholastic.com/readingclub

*ENTER the Class Activation Code at the top of this letter

*CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks

*SUBMIT the order to me by the due date listed on the website

*EARN FREE Books for our classroom too!

School Photos

We had our pictures taken yesterday. We were all smiles! But just in case any eyes were closed, there will be retakes Nov. 15th.

Curriculum Night

Reminder...

Kindergarten Curriculum Night is tomorrow night, Thursday Sept. 19th at 6:30pm located in our classroom, Rm 110.

I encourage you to attend! This is an opportunity to learn about the curriculum used to teach your child.

Please leave the children at home, as this is an adult only night.

See you then,
Mrs. Newman

Dear Parents,

It was so exciting to meet all of you at orientation. I am looking forward to starting new adventures with your children this school year. Our kindergarten class will create many spectacular learning experiences. I hope you will share in our enthusiasm to make this year a memorable one.

The first days of school went very smoothly. The children will probably come home very tired during the next few weeks. They may need to play or have some quiet time before they’re ready to talk about their day. They may also need extra sleep during this adjustment period. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me.

On a more practical note, I would ask that you please continue to label the children’s am and pm snacks in separate bags from their lunches. Hungry tummies in the morning are often tempted to eat both snacks and lunch, leaving them hungry in the afternoon. Every Thursday, your child will be coming home with a library book. You may keep the book for one week. Please return the book the following Thursday so that your child may choose a new book to take home. One last note… Ms. Frost has asked me to forward along a message for all the children to wear sneakers every Tuesday during her wellness lesson.

I hope to see you all during the school year and encourage you to be actively involved in your child’s education. I am looking forward to an exciting and enriching year.

Warm regards, 
Mrs. Newman 

Early Release

There is an early release this Wednesday, Sept. 11th. 

Dismissal time will be 12:20 pm. 

On the 11th, please only send in one AM snack, as there will be no lunch or PM snack break. 

Also, please inform me of any changes to your child's PM transportation.

I will send home a reminder notice.

Thank you, 
Mrs. Newman

"I Don't Bully"

Last Wednesday (Sept. 4th) teachers wore bright pink t-shirts saying, "I Don't Bully."

All kindergarteners received bright green t-shirts that said, "I Don't Bully" as well. First and second graders are already proud owners.

Teachers and students are asked to wear these t-shirts on Community Meeting days. Last Wednesday we had our first Community Meeting. Each month we have a meeting. The October date is Friday the 4th.

The t-shirts bought for kindergartners are intended to last all three Miller years, thus the t-shirts were ordered extra large for growth.

Day One

We had an awesome day in room 110 today!!! Your children are wonderful!!!

Folders and Blankets

*Just a reminder that your child should bring his/her "take home folder" to school everyday.

*Also, your child should bring in a blanket or towel (beach size) to place on top of his/her rest mat. I also told the children that they may read books in the classroom or from home during rest time. They may also rest with ONE small stuffed friend from home. Rest blankets/towels will go home every other Friday to be cleaned. Please return the items the following Monday.

Take-A-Break Chair Information

In the beginning of the school year the class will spend a lot of time generating and reviewing classroom rules. I will also introduce the children to the “Take-A-Break Chair.” This is a chair that is used to give the children a chance to cool down, calm down and think about their behavior. Children are asked to take a break in the “Take-A-Break Chair” when they are not following a classroom rule. The “Take-A-Break Chair” is a place where the children can think about how they may change their behavior and gain control over their body, voice and choice making.

The class will also spend time talking about how it is okay to make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes. The “Take-A-Break Chair” is not a punishment. It is a tool for the children to use when trying to change their behavior and gain control. A child simply goes to the chair, takes a deep breath, thinks about why they are there and when they are ready, they rejoin the class.

The children and I will discuss that one or two visits to the “Take-A-Break Chair” may be needed to help stay in control. However, three visits means it was a very difficult day. If three visits occur, then a note will go home so that moms and dads can help review classroom rules.

Teachers and children will generate the classroom rules as a team together. The children will play an important part in deciding what rules are needed to maintain a safe, productive, and happy classroom environment. Just to give you an idea, below are the classroom rules from last year:

Example of Classroom Rules:

1) Always keep your body in control

2) Always follow directions

3) Always be respectful of school supplies

4) Have Fun!

I thank you in advance for your support from home.

Welcome to Kindergarten!

Dear families,

I am very pleased to have your child in my class! The beginning of the school year is a very busy and exciting time for everyone. The first few weeks will be spent learning classroom routines, meeting new teachers, and making new friends.

        

I will frequently be posting on our classroom blog, http://mrsnewmanclassroom.blogspot.com/ to inform you of classroom news and information. The best way to contact me is by email. My email address is hnewman@westfordk12.us. You may also contact me by phone at the Miller School: 978-392-4476 ext. 4110, or by putting a written note into your child’s Take Home Folder. I will get back to you as soon as possible.

        

The remainder of this letter includes some important information regarding our classroom. Please take a minute to read it over.

Snack Time: We have snack time in our classroom twice a day. Please send two snacks and two drinks in two separate bags or lunch boxes with your child’s name clearly labeled on the outside. I encourage you to send nutritious, non-messy snacks.

Lunch and Rest: The children will have a lunch period every day. Please have your child’s lunch labeled so that it is easy to find in our classroom lunch bin. Students also have the opportunity to buy milk, individual lunches, and lunch tickets. Each day after lunch the students will have a short rest period where they will need a beach-sized towel or blanket to rest on. Rest time will be a quiet time in the classroom; the lights will be off and soft music will be playing.

Absence from school: Please leave a message with our school secretary at: 978-392-4476. She will call your home if she does not receive a message from you. If you have a planned absence you may send a note beforehand and I will notify the office.

Dismissals: Please send a note in your child’s Take Home Folder if he/she is going home any way other than their usually transportation. I may not have time to check my email or voicemail during the school day. If you do not have a written note, I must follow normal procedure and send your child home on their typical transportation. If you are picking up your child, please sign him/her out and wait in the office area.

Bus Tags: I will be sending home a laminated bus tag the first day of school. The tag will be attached to your child’s backpack. Please make sure this tag stays attached to the backpack for at least the first two weeks of school. It really helps at dismissal time! 

Teaching Assistants: We are very fortunate to have Mrs. Sevigny and Mrs. DiMatteo as our teaching assistants this year. They are both incredible assets to our classroom and the children are sure to love them.

I am looking forward to a wonderful school year together.  Thank you for sharing your children with me!

Hello!

Hello everyone,

I have come to realize that blogging fits my communication style better than a standard newsletter or webpage. Therefore, please feel free to follow along as I post classroom news, information, and reminders.

Thank you,
Mrs. Newman