September Newsletter

Dear Families;

We are so excited to be starting a new year.  Our year will be filled with so much fun and a variety of learning experiences.  During the month of September, we will be getting to know each other and becoming familiar with our new surroundings.  Our first unit will be “Let’s Begin” and during this will be discussing the following theme topics:  Ourselves, Families, Friends and Feelings, Apples, Colors and Shapes.

Throughout our year in kindergarten, we will learn to recognize and print both the upper and lower case letters, and learn what sounds they make.  We use a handwriting program called “Handwriting without Tears”.  It is designed for young children to help them become familiar with directionality and shape of letters.  It is hands-on and the children will participate in exercises which help them learn left from right, how to strengthen muscles to get ready for writing, and developing a good pencil grasp.  The children will form letters using wooden shapes, wet sponges, little chalkboards and more. I am attaching a copy of the alphabet for you to keep in a handy spot, such as on the refrigerator. 

Our math program is called “Investigations”, and information will be going home from time to time to inform you of the specific skills being taught.

Each day, we recommend that your child bring a full size backpack to school in order to take home important papers and school work.  Please monitor how heavy your child’s backpack is.  Sometimes children like to put toys or other items into the backpacks and the extra weight tends to put a strain on their backs. 

We have snack time every day.  Your child can bring a snack and juice, or purchase a snack with drink for 75 cents, or a drink only for 35 cents.  WE ARE A PEANUT SAFE SCHOOL.  THEREFORE, IF A CHILD BRINGS IN ANY PEANUT OR TREE NUT ITEM, WE HAVE TO TAKE IT AWAY.  Snack envelopes will be sent home each week.  A snack menu will be sent home once a month. 

Also attached is an insurance form.  Whether or not you choose to use the insurance, PLEASE SEND BACK THE ENVELOPE SIGNED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!!

If you are picking your child up from school, please send a note in.  We will send it to the office for approval and it will be returned to me.  We are very careful about pick-ups to ensure that all of our children stay safe. 

Almost every day (unless it is raining or extremely cold), the children will spend 15 minutes on the playground in the morning and then again in the afternoon.  Please send your child to school dressed appropriately for outdoors.  If your child sometimes has accidents, please send in a change of clothes.  Also, your child will be wearing a nametag home today.  Please send the nametags to school for the first week. 

Unfortunately, we do not have a water fountain in the early childhood area of the building.  Therefore, we use many small paper cups.  From time to time, if you have the opportunity to find a good sale, we would appreciate your sending in a box of small cups.  We do encourage the children to drink plenty of water, especially in the hot weather.

“Specials” are an important part of our curriculum. Here is our schedule:

Monday -PE(Mr. Hallett)

Tuesday -rotating special

Wednesday – library (Mrs. Mari)

Thursday -music(Mrs. Scott)

Friday -art (Mrs. DiCurcio)

Note:  Please wear sneakers on Monday for PE. 

We look forward to a positive and exciting year for all of us.   Your children are so dear to us and, more than anything, we want them to have a positive kindergarten experience so that their attitude toward learning enables them to become happy, curious learners.  If there ever is a time when you become concerned about anything regarding school, please send in a note as soon as possible or email me.  I will get back to you at my first opportunity.  Also, please avoid attempting to discuss issues with the teachers when the children first arrive at school.  I will be happy to set up a conference if necessary, but when the children are in school, my full attention is on them. 

During the school year, families can enrich the curriculum by volunteering time, talents, interests, knowledge . . . If you would like to help out, please check one of the following or add your own. 

Sincerely,

Mrs. Frye 

I would be interested in:

______ helping to prepare materials at home;

______ assisting in the classroom during “centers” or special projects, or

        helping with winter clothes;

______ preparing special snacks related to a particular theme;

______ sharing with the class any special traditions, holidays, talents,

   careers;

______ coming into the classroom to read a book to the children;

______ other:

If you think you may be interested, please put a check next to one or more of the above; sign, detach and return to school.  Please remember that anyone who comes into the classroom has to have a CORI check completed first.  I refer to this list all year long.  Thanks!!

Name_______________________________________________