Environmental Print Collections

As we head into Spring, we will be adding some new components to our reading program. One of these is to use environmental print to help us learn how to read.

Environmental print are words that you see in our environment. For example, street signs, magazine covers, band-aid boxes, coffee cups, etc. Occasionally I will be requesting some environmental print be sent into the classroom so we can use it to help us learn to read.

We will be using environmental print to help us with phonics work, sorting and also making books. I will post on here when we need a certain category of environmental print. Then I would like you to send it in within a week or two.

The first category of environmental print I am requesting is: BREAKFAST

While you are eating your breakfast in the morning please be on the look out for environmental print! Example could include cereal boxes, egg cartons, oatmeal bags, bread bags, syrup labels, doughnut boxes, fruit stickers, etc.

Please send these in when you find them. Perhaps collect them over the break and send them in a Ziploc bag!

Thanks for your help with this activity!

Report Cards

Look for report cards coming home today. Just a note about the comments on the cards. Comments are only given for 2s or below. They only allow us something like 39 characters to say what we need to so if they come across bluntly, I apologize. They are all written with love and kindness in mind. :)

There are not conferences with this round of report cards but if you are not understanding something or have any questions feel free to contact me!

Thanks for another great trimester!

News

Summer school registration is now open for elementary school students.

• Elementary Summer School is for current first through fifth graders who would like to get a jump-start on next year’s learning. The program also provides remedial assistance over the summer. Classes are held on weekdays from July 5 to July 29, 9AM to 12 PM, at Clark Elementary School. Tuition is $375 and applications are available in your school office or on the District website.


• Summer Computer Camp is for current fourth and fifth graders. Students will learn how to use a camera, how to film correctly, and how to transfer video into the computer. They will learn the fundamentals of video production and editing and how to use still pictures and video to make a movie. Their final project will be to produce a DVD. Summer Computer Camp runs weekdays from July 11 to July 22, 9:30 to 11:30, at Clark Elementary School. Tuition for this two-week program is $225 and applications are available in your school office or on the District website.


Grand Ridge Nights at Red Robin

The Issaquah Red Robin is helping our 5th grade raise money to cut the cost of Camp Colman! Join us Monday, March 28th and 20% of your ticket will be donated to Grand Ridge. Contact Nancy Castonguay at tenkcast@yahoo.com if you have any questions. Thank you!

Lost and Found items to be donated March 31st
Have you been wondering where your child’s favorite coat, sweatshirt or hoodie could be? How about their lunch box or water bottle? You might want to check the ever-growing Lost & Found located at the bottom of the main stairwell. We have a wonderful team of volunteers who do their best to return labeled items, but you could really help by checking the L&F if you think your child has lost something. Also, please make sure all clothing and lunch boxes, etc. are clearly labeled. Unclaimed items will be donated to charity March 31st.

Grizzly Gear…last chance!!
Your snazzy Spring line of Grizzly Gear is now available!We are offering t shirts, pajama bottoms, embroidered fleece zip-ups and umbrellas. Please click over tohttp://www.grandridgeptsa.org/grizzgear.html for ordering information. Orders due March 28th! This will be your last chance to order gear this school year.

Early Dismissal

Please remember that today school ends at 11:18 for AM kinders! See you soon!

Scholastic Book Order

New Scholastic book order form is coming home. The deadline is April 1st. The class activation code is: GTRP8

Science Fair

Our class will be touring the science fair displays on Wednesday March 16th from 9:30-9:45. PM kids are welcome to join for the touring but parents must remain with them.
Thanks!

Did You Know...

...that it's Thomas Jefferson on the nickel and not George Washington? Well, I didn't and now neither do your kids. Ooops! Those darn wigs make them all look the same!

I'm here to humbly admit that I taught your kids that George Washington was on the nickel and not Thomas Jefferson. I only realized this today when I was reviewing my lesson.

Just another example of how I freely model mistakes for your children. Yes, you're welcome. I'm glad to do it. :)

I'll set the record straight next time I see them.

Music Concert

Kindergarten Music Performance: “Spring into Summer”


Performance: June 2nd Thursday at 9:30am
Thomas, Lanham, Perry AM
June 2nd Thursday at 3:00pm
Cook, Dolen, Perry PM

Job Charts

Job charts go high tech! Thought you might find this interesting...
Job Chart

FYI on Kissing in Kindergarten

It has come to my attention that there has been some kissing in kindergarten! (Don't laugh!!) Apparently in the AM class there has been a game called (remember not to laugh) "Kissy, kissy" going on at recess. It has been reported to me that this is a chasing game where you try and not get kissed. I talked with the kids and told them along with marriage not being allowed in kindergarten, kissing is also not allowed. We talked about how someone would feel if they got kissed and they didn't want to be but weren't brave enough to say stop.

Perhaps brainstorming non-chasing games would help your child be better able to make a better choice at recess. We will also discuss this in class.

Thanks for your understanding!
~Mrs. Perry
(okay, you can laugh now!) :)

Winter Assessments

Dear Families,
The kindergarten team is getting ready for assessments in February/March. We formally assess the students three times a year so this will be our second formal assessment. Our third assessment will be done in June. The results of this assessment (as well as other work samples i.e. student journals) will be on the report card in March. These are the concepts that will be assessed:
o Can they write their first & last name using upper & lowercase letters correctly?
o Can they recognize the upper & lowercase letters? (n, a, d, s, m, i, t, c, o, f, r, p, l, u)
o Do they know the sounds each of those letters make?
o Can they read the sight words? (the, a, my, that, and, I, is, said, we, are, you, have, to, me, go, do)
o Can they sound out and read 3-letter words?
o Can they write the upper & lowercase letters correctly (using lined paper) from memory? (n, a, d, s, m, i, t, c, o, f, r, p, l, u)
o Can they retell a familiar story in their own words?
o Can they make predictions using the title, cover, and pictures of a book?
o Can they write using letter sounds (best-guess spelling)?
o Do they capitalize the word “I” in their writing?
o Are they using detail and color in their drawings?
o Can they recognize rhyming words and produce their own?
o Are they able to isolate the sound they hear at the beginning of a word?
o Can they count by 1’s from 1-30?
o Can they count backwards from 10-0?
o Can they count by 5’s from 5-50?
o Can they count by 10’s from 10-50?
o Can they write numbers 10-30?
o Can they read #’s 10-30?
o Can they order #’s 1-10 using flashcards?
o Can they identify a triangle, square, circle, and rectangle?
o Can they identify shapes have line symmetry?
o Can they extend, describe, and create (ab, aabb, aab, etc.) patterns?
o Can they count & sort a group of objects?
o Can they identify the four seasons and different kinds of weather?
o Do they listen and follow directions?
o Do they respond to verbal and non-verbal clues in situations?
o Do they show respect to adults and peers?
o Are they on task during work times?
o Do they contribute appropriately during classroom activities?

A Shout Out

I just wanted to take a minute and say a heartfelt THANK YOU to each and every one of you. Not only are your children some of the MOST thoughtful, sweet children I've ever had the pleasure to work with, you (parents and grandparents) are such a huge help for me! From all the volunteer hours you put in here at school and at home to the unsolicited snacks that you donate to make sure each child doesn't go hungry to your wonderful sense of humor that you indulge me with when you come in my classroom.

I feel so blessed to be a part of your child's life and hope that they are enjoying their kindergarten experience. So THANK YOU again for all you do for me. I think about it ALL the time and sometimes forget to mention how much it means to me.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Swedish Fish

The AM and PM classes are in need of a donation of a Costco sized bag of Swedish fish. I have an activity that goes along with Dr. Suess's book, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, that requires Swedish fish. It is an adding activity. If you can donate a bag, (one for AM one for PM) please comment below or email me and I'll add the comment for you. I need the donation by Friday.

Thank you!

Ice Cream

HERE'S THE SCOOP!! Or two scoops, or possibly three!! Join us at Ben & Jerry's Tuesday March 15th and help our 5th graders raise money for Camp Colman. For every scoop, sundae, shake, smoothie or waffle cone you enjoy, Ben & Jerry's will donate 20% of your total purchase. What'll it be? Phish food, Fossil Fuel, Americone Dream, Cherry Garcia....YUM!

Shamrock

Today your child will be bringing home a shamrock coloring sheet. If they want, they can color it with lots of different colors and return it to school by Friday. Please cut out the shamrock, glue it on the green piece of paper, then trim it again so there is a green border. We will hang them up in our classroom. This is an optional activity.

Popcorn Makes a Comeback

Popcorn is Back!
It is time to enjoy the smell of popcorn in the air once again.
Don’t forget to bring in your quarters and buy a bag or two of delicious popcorn.