Weekly News and Updates

Good afternoon! 
I hope everyone was able to enjoy their Labor Day weekend with an extra day of fun and family.  I know my family made great memories this weekend! 

Last week was a successful week of testing, introductions, and beginning steps.  I have seen a lot of great questioning, inference, independence with snack and lunch items, and a thirst for knowledge and success among our class the last several days together.  We have a great foundation and we will continue building on it as we learn the rules, routines, procedures, expectations, and basics of being in Kindergarten together.  I have been adding pages to the blog and have updated many things (useful links, a Google synced calendar, etc.).  Check it out!  

FIELD TRIPS!!! 
You may or may not have noticed a new tab on our blog!!! It is dedicated to field trips.  I finished setting them up and having them approved today! 

There are 2 separate permission slips that need to be filled out.  One is for the Imaginon Library Trips and the other is for all field trips this year.  Each also has a separate chaperone form for parents. 

The field trips this year total $108.00 including library trips.  This can be paid in one lump sum, trip by trip, month by month, etc.  However it is easiest for you!  Any payments need to be sent to the classroom via hand delivery or daily folder in cash.  Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. 

Daily Folders
This weekend I was able to get the clear page protectors and they were added to the front of the daily folders.  This makes a convenient pocket for money, notes, etc. so it is immediately visible and reduces the likelihood of it falling out into your child's backpack due to the static cling.  

Today, informational folders with forms also went home.  Please fill out the forms and return them in your child's daily folder as soon as possible.  I will direct the forms where they need to go within the school.   

You also received a Highlights order form and a Scholastic Book Order form.  Scholastic orders can be sent in via paper orders or ordered online.  Our Scholastic classroom code is GYQWR and you can pay with a check, credit card, etc.  Whether or not you want the Highlights magazine, our classroom can get free things if you sign and return the form marked "no."
Don't forget to have your child read each and every night and record his/her stories in the back of their folder on the reading log.  

Lastly... A few procedural reminders:
**This week it is O.K. if you still walk your child to class.  I encourage you to drop them off at the door to allow their independence to blossom as they progress through the morning routine.  Next week it is important to say goodbye in the commons area and/or back door to allow for further growth or independence.  However, I do have a message station outside my door if there are ever any last minute reminders, notes, etc. that need to be given and I am unavailable due to the buzz of morning unpacking.  It is outside the front door under the bulletin board and pens, paper, envelopes, etc. are available for use.  

**There are always emergencies and exceptions to the rules/procedures, so please use your best judgement.  If you are delivering supplies or something happened on the way to school, etc. please feel free to come to the classroom and use the message station or wait for a pause in the action. =)

**We have talked with the students about what it means to be responsible, one of our classroom rules.  Please foster this responsibility by having your child carry his/her backpack, lunchbox, etc. to class each day.  Please also have them practice packing their daily folder, water bottle, etc. at home so it is an easy unpacking transition.    

**During the first 9 weeks of school, no parents, siblings, visitors, etc. are allowed during lunch.  Please honor this rule but feel free to visit any time following the first quarter! 

**Don't forget to text "scholars.k" to 292929 to keep up to date on events and news from the constant contact at school!