Our air conditioning...

is up and running! Too bad we didn't have it working on Wednesday when it was so hot, but I'm sure there will be a few more hot days when we'll be very glad to have it. However, with it in operation, it can be quite cool in the classroom. Feel free to keep a sweater or sweatshirt at school.

Red light, green light!

I use a "traffic light" so students can keep track of their own behavior. We've been talking about Longfellow's expectations: be respectful, be responsible, be safe; as well as my own, which go right along with Longfellow's: be nice, follow directions, work hard. I tend to be pretty tough in the beginning of the year! Your child may tell you he or she got a yellow or red light one day. I'm trying to teach my students my expectations and find it's much easier to be tough at first and then ease up a bit, rather than the other way around. Many students test me at the beginning of the year, as is a child's nature, learn what to expect from me, and quickly improve their behavior.
I'll go into a little more detail at Curriculum Night, but feel free to ask questions any time!

Longfellow's Digital Backpack

There is a lot of school, district, and community information communicated through Longfellow's Digital Backpack. District 97 is trying to be a little greener by pointing you toward electronic information rather than sending home paper copies to thousands of students. Please peruse the information regularly to see what may pertain to your child and your family. You can find a link from the Longfellow website, as well as on my blog. The blue backpack icon on the left is a direct link to the Digital Backpack.

Permission Slip

...did not go home today. I'll send it home tomorrow. We had a very busy, but fun day. I can't wait to see you tomorrow!

Our Specials Schedule

Our times could change as it is a very complicated process scheduling special area teachers and our 26 homeroom teachers, but here's what we have so far:
Mondays: Spanish 1:23 - 1:45 and Music 2:17 - 2:50
Tuesdays: P.E. 9:55 - 10:23 (shoes needed,) library book check-out 1:00-1:20, and Spanish 1:47 - 2:09
Wednesdays: Art 12:44 - 1:50
Thursdays: Music 9:50 - 10:23 and Spanish 1:23 - 1:45
Fridays: P.E. 1:08 - 1:41 (shoes needed) and Spanish 2:23 - 2:45

Feel free to keep a pair of gym shoes at school, or you may just bring/wear them on the days we have P.E. Please be sure to remember them on warm sandal days and cold snow boot days! Students cannot participate in P.E. without gym shoes.

Teachers:
Art - Jenny Raia
Music - Judy Friesen
P.E. - Elisabeth Patterson
Spanish - Kia London
Librarian - Sharon Pearce

Separation Anxiety?

The first day of school can be cause for a lot of excitement and anxiety and those levels are different for each child and parent. In my experience, a nervous or scared child will cry for a little longer than a parent is present. As hard as it is for you, please do your best to say goodbye to your child at the door. The more you encourage him or her to be independent in school, the easier and shorter that transition will be. I promise I will take good care of them all!

The First Day

I will update this post as I get more information.

• School starts at 8am. Students should line up near the south playground at line #12. Every Wednesday, including tomorrow, students are dismissed at 1:55. Every other day, students are dismissed at 2:55 right outside my door (8W.)


• Parents are welcome, though not required, to come in the room tomorrow morning to watch as students begin their first day. We have an assembly at 8:20, so we will say goodbye then.


• Please bring any school supplies on Wednesday or as soon as you have them. Folders, scissor handles, supply boxes, and headphones should be labeled.


• This year for lunchtime, kindergarteners will play from 11 to 11:20/11:25. They will then go into the lunchroom to eat from 11:25-11:55. This is different from past years and may be different than other grade levels.


• Students will have a home folder. Please look for it each night, empty as necessary, and return it each day. If you have a note for me, please remind your child to give it to me as I will not automatically look in it. A permission slip will go home tomorrow.

A Few Things to Know Right Away...

• Students are encouraged to bring a water bottle to school, preferably with a sports top to prevent spills. Our room is supposed to be air conditioned, but right now it is not working, so it is quite warm!


• Fresh fruits and vegetables are welcome as a morning and/or afternoon snack. I tell my students it should look like it was just picked. Harder-to-eat foods would best be prepared at home (peel an orange, cut up an apple, etc.)


• Hot lunch starts Wednesday! It includes milk. The menu can be found on the district website. Your student can bring his or her own lunch or order a hot lunch with me in the morning. Make sure your student knows whether or not to order.


• Please fill out the two forms to the left.

Curriculum Night

Please join us next Wednesday, August 31 for Kindergarten Curriculum Night. The evening will start at 6:45 in the auditorium for general school and kindergarten information. Then we'll move into my room for more specific routines in my classroom. If possible, students should stay at home.

Popsicles on the Playground

I am looking forward to meeting you tonight! All kindergarteners and their families are welcome to join the kindergarten team on the playground tonight at 5:30 for popsicles. I'll be wearing a purple dress so you can find me a little more easily. You will also be able to see our classroom so you know what to expect on Wednesday. Feel free to bring your school supplies tonight, though bringing them on Wednesday is fine, too.