Maplewood SchoolNewsletter For September 9, 2011
News From Room 113
September 9, 2011
Dear Families,
I want to thank you for taking the time to bring your child in for our kindergarten assessment. It was a valuable opportunity to get to know your child and the skills they have as they begin the year. I will use this knowledge to guide them in learning the skills they need to become a life-long learner.
We had a great 1st day together. Most of our day was spent learning routines and learning to be safe. Much of our time the first month of school will be spent building a community of learners, learning expectations for our classroom and school and building stamina. We will use songs, games, movement, books, art, centers, large group work and small group work to do this. A big part of this work will be on friendships and cooperating with others. Without a establishing and having a community of respect and cooperation, learning cannot take place. We will work on being a friend first, for without being a friend, you cannot make a friend. I encourage you to talk with your child about how they treat others.
If you have not had the opportunity to complete and return the forms in the packet you received earlier this week, please take the time over the weekend to do so and return them on Monday. If you did not have the opportunity to turn in the $35 for classroom supplies, please do that on Monday also.
The PTA is working on improving the flow of communication and increase a sense of community. There is a sheet in our room to signup to be on the Class email list and to receive the PTA e-blast (a weekly note about what is going on in the school and upcoming events.) If you can’t come in to sign up, you can send me a note or email and I will put you on the list. I will need your email address.
I will be posting my newsletters on the Maplewood Website. Let me know if there are other things that would be helpful for me to post there. You can find it at:
http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/maplewood/
I hope you had the opportunity to attend the New Family Gathering this morning. The parent support at Maplewood is incredible and I encourage you to get involved. There are a wide-range of activities and projects to participate in. If you have questions about any of the activities please let me know.
I hope you have a nice weekend and I look forward to our first full week together!
Ask Your Child…
Special Classes Schedule:
Tuesday: Gym 12:30-1:00
Wednesday: Library 10:30-11:00
Gym 11:30-12:00
Thursday: Computer Lab 12:10-12:40
Sept. 12 Return all paper work
Sept. 14 First library day-look for a library book to come home. Please return library books on Tuesday.
Sept. 16 Book orders due (this is an optional activity)
Sept. 20 Return library books
6:15-7:15 Kindergarten Curriculum Night for parents only
Sept. 21 Late opening- doors open at 9:50
Sept. 29 Back-To-School Night
5:15-6:15 Picnic out on the field
6:15-7:15 Students will show you around the classroom
The following song by Tom Hunter expresses how I feel about our year ahead. I am very excited to work with you this year.
Please always feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Great Things Along The Way
There are families envisioning a place where all belong.
Where having disabilities means finding how we’re strong.
All the gifts amidst the hard work and the joys amidst the pain.
And all the time expecting great things along the way.
There are families hoping that their kids are welcomed in.
Where everything that happens is a good place to begin.
Where no one is boxed in or out by what they do or say.
And all the time expecting great things along the way.
There are families determined they can build communities.
So everyone can grow as they get the help they need.
Surrounded now with friends who support their work and play.
And all the time expecting great things along the way.
There are families revising their dreams as they go.
Learning from the lessons that experience can know.
Finding strength that nourishes in lives that celebrate.
And all the time expecting great things along the way.
So come along and gather ‘round we’ve got work to do.
To make a world where everybody’s strength comes shining through.
To give each other courage as we struggle, laugh and play.
All the time expecting great things along the way.
--Tom Hunter
September 9, 2011
Dear Families,
I want to thank you for taking the time to bring your child in for our kindergarten assessment. It was a valuable opportunity to get to know your child and the skills they have as they begin the year. I will use this knowledge to guide them in learning the skills they need to become a life-long learner.
We had a great 1st day together. Most of our day was spent learning routines and learning to be safe. Much of our time the first month of school will be spent building a community of learners, learning expectations for our classroom and school and building stamina. We will use songs, games, movement, books, art, centers, large group work and small group work to do this. A big part of this work will be on friendships and cooperating with others. Without a establishing and having a community of respect and cooperation, learning cannot take place. We will work on being a friend first, for without being a friend, you cannot make a friend. I encourage you to talk with your child about how they treat others.
If you have not had the opportunity to complete and return the forms in the packet you received earlier this week, please take the time over the weekend to do so and return them on Monday. If you did not have the opportunity to turn in the $35 for classroom supplies, please do that on Monday also.
The PTA is working on improving the flow of communication and increase a sense of community. There is a sheet in our room to signup to be on the Class email list and to receive the PTA e-blast (a weekly note about what is going on in the school and upcoming events.) If you can’t come in to sign up, you can send me a note or email and I will put you on the list. I will need your email address.
I will be posting my newsletters on the Maplewood Website. Let me know if there are other things that would be helpful for me to post there. You can find it at:
http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools/maplewood/
I hope you had the opportunity to attend the New Family Gathering this morning. The parent support at Maplewood is incredible and I encourage you to get involved. There are a wide-range of activities and projects to participate in. If you have questions about any of the activities please let me know.
I hope you have a nice weekend and I look forward to our first full week together!
Ask Your Child…
- Tell me how you clean-up play-doh
- Tell me about the “Hello Neighbor” song. Show me the movements.
- Tell me a brain fact (do you know another one?)
- Tell me why you signed your name on the School Rules chart
- Tell me what you did outside at recess
- Tell me about your lunch, whom did you sit by, what did you do outside
- Tell me about the book The Kissing Hand
- Tell me about the fire drill
- Tell me about the song you sing when you come home, what is the sign for friend
- Tell me about Clifford’s first day at school
- Tell me about what you did with pattern blocks
Special Classes Schedule:
Tuesday: Gym 12:30-1:00
Wednesday: Library 10:30-11:00
Gym 11:30-12:00
Thursday: Computer Lab 12:10-12:40
Calendar
Sept. 12 Return all paper work
Sept. 14 First library day-look for a library book to come home. Please return library books on Tuesday.
Sept. 16 Book orders due (this is an optional activity)
Sept. 20 Return library books
6:15-7:15 Kindergarten Curriculum Night for parents only
Sept. 21 Late opening- doors open at 9:50
Sept. 29 Back-To-School Night
5:15-6:15 Picnic out on the field
6:15-7:15 Students will show you around the classroom
The following song by Tom Hunter expresses how I feel about our year ahead. I am very excited to work with you this year.
Please always feel free to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Great Things Along The Way
There are families envisioning a place where all belong.
Where having disabilities means finding how we’re strong.
All the gifts amidst the hard work and the joys amidst the pain.
And all the time expecting great things along the way.
There are families hoping that their kids are welcomed in.
Where everything that happens is a good place to begin.
Where no one is boxed in or out by what they do or say.
And all the time expecting great things along the way.
There are families determined they can build communities.
So everyone can grow as they get the help they need.
Surrounded now with friends who support their work and play.
And all the time expecting great things along the way.
There are families revising their dreams as they go.
Learning from the lessons that experience can know.
Finding strength that nourishes in lives that celebrate.
And all the time expecting great things along the way.
So come along and gather ‘round we’ve got work to do.
To make a world where everybody’s strength comes shining through.
To give each other courage as we struggle, laugh and play.
All the time expecting great things along the way.
--Tom Hunter
