How's Lunch?

I have been in the lunchroom the past two days helping students get acclimated to eating in a busy lunchroom. Kindergarteners eat the first half of the lunch period and then go out to play. If they don't finish eating by the time the table is needed again, they may move to another table so they have plenty of time to eat. You can find the monthly hot lunch menu on the district website under "Food Service."
A couple of things you may want to discuss with your child:
- Should your child get milk? Chocolate, skim, or 1%?
- whether or not your child will like the hot lunch menu offered on a particular day

I won't always be in the lunchroom. In the beginning of the year especially, lunch staff may check a young child's lunch to see how much he or she has eaten. Depending on how much is packed, we'll expect a child to eat all or most of the lunch. It helps if food they like is packed. We want to make sure children don't rush out to play and have eaten enough to have energy for the afternoon.

If you have any questions, or if there is a problem your child isn't comfortable telling me yet, please don't hesitate to email me.

Specials Schedule

P.E. with Ms. Michelle Valentin - Mondays and Thursdays - Please have gym shoes.
Music with Ms. Pam Wiese - Tuesdays and Wednesdays
Art with Ms. Casey Klemp - Wednesdays
Spanish with Ms. Logan Russo - Mondays and Fridays
Library book checkout with Ms. Pearce - Thursdays
With the exception of our library visit, all specials have started this week.

Curriculum Night

Kindergarten Curriculum Night is next Tuesday, August 31 at 6pm. We'll start in the classroom, and then move to the auditorium to join the other kindergarten teachers and families. Teachers talk about the various curricula used in Oak Park, as well as each teacher's personal routines in the classroom. It is preferred that students do not come.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies!

Snacks are welcome in the classroom, though my rule is it should be a fresh fruit or vegetable. While I understand there are many types of healthy snacks, I find many people have different definitions of healthy, so "fresh" makes it fair and objective for everyone. Students and I talked about this the first day and I told them it should look like it was just picked. I'm so pleased to see so many healthy snacks in the classroom! Most students eat their snack in the morning, but an afternoon snack would be OK, too. Please cut up or peel hard-to-handle food.
Water bottles, preferably with a sports top, are also welcome in the classroom.

Come in and see me!

On Monday, August 23rd, I'm hosting an Open House in our classroom from 3:30-5pm. Students are welcome to come meet me and explore the classroom. There's no problem if a babysitter needs to bring a student or if siblings need to come along. You may enter the building at the main door on Highland. Our classroom is on the first floor next to the mini-gym, facing the playground. Students are also welcome to bring their supplies Monday if they'd like. I hope to see you then; if not, I'll see you at 8am on Tuesday! Our class lines up near the south playground.

Popsicles on the Playground

I'm so sorry I'll miss you next Tuesday for Popsicles on the Playground! I arrived in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, a few days ago. Today I set sail for Alaska with my family. I have two older brothers and seven nieces and nephews, so I think we'll have a lot of fun!