Mt. Bethel Home
CCSD
Parent Newsletter November 6, 2009
We have had an exciting two weeks. The children were so good on Monday. We gave them the day off on Tuesday. The teachers had a very full day on Tuesday. We were visited by Buddy the Bus on Monday. He talked about Bus Safety. Yesterday was Zero the Hero day. Can you believe we have had over 60 days of school already? We made some awesome turkeys with 10 round sequins on each feather. Today we were visited by our principal, Joan Johnson. She observed the children during a writing lesson on descriptive words. She was very complimentary of the behavior of the class. Today our new track was dedicated at 1:00. Robin Lattizori, our former principal, was here and the track was dedicated to her. The children's behavior was also excellent for this. We have earned a lot of stars and table points this week.
A couple of reminders. We have been having a problem with snacks. Many children are not bringing snack more than one day a week. It really upsets the children when they realize they don't have their snack. Our emergency supply has run out. Many of the children do not like the snacks we do have.
Don't forget we have Media Center on Thursday. The students are not allowed to check out books if they have not returned a book. K students are only allowed to check out one book at a time. This also makes the children sad when they don't have a book. Thanks for you help on this.
We having been working very hard on friendships, how to treat your friends, how to speak to others, keeping your hands to yourself, NOT teasing, and on NOT tattling. Please reinforce this with your child at home. Thanks.
Don't forget the Fun Run tomorrow at 8 AM.
Muffins for Moms is November 17 at 8:30. (Mrs. Blackman is concerned that every child have a parent or someone special here that day). Tears just break our hearts.
November 21-November 29 Thanksgiving Break
Thank you to Drake's mom for being our Foundation Mom. Thank you to Claire's mom for helping in Science this week. Thank you to everyone who has been getting their children here earlier.
Thank you for your continued support. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns.
Do you know about our ELMOs? Thanks to the Foundation, we started the school year with an ELMO in
every teacher's classroom! Click here to learn more!
The
Mt. Bethel Foundation is funded 100% by parent donations and the Patron Program, which ends next week, is their only fundraiser. If you plan to make a donation or pledge, please send in your patron card ASAP. The
superb programs and teacher grants provided by the Foundation are in
jeopardy! Thank you to the families that have contributed!
Our class currently has 63% Participation!
Highest participating classes per grade level:
Kindergarten - Schreck
Please view the MBESF website for more information about the Foundation and what it provides for our school. Keep Mt. Bethel students' thinking caps fully charged, send in your patron card before 10/30/09!
Parent Newsletter October 22, 2009
Dear Parents, Last week was a very busy week. We did a lot of post assessments for the report cards. Most of the children did quite well, as reflected on the report card. Excitement is in the air because, as you know, Halloween is quickly approaching. Wednesday is 50's Day and also an Early Release Day. Students will be dismissed at 12:20.
Things that are important:
WE NEED PENCILS! I have given all the children a Halloween pencil and eraser. The pencils will probably only last until the 30th.
Don't forget to send in the small softball pumpkins by Wednesday, October 28. These are for the Fall Festival. The children should wear their green class t-shirts on Fall Festival Day. Please have your child bring a large brown paper bag with their name on it. This is for all the "stuff" they will be making. If you haven't sent in your supplies for fall festival, please do so ASAP. Thanks.
This is what we will be working on in class for the next several weeks.
Writing-nouns, verbs, and adjectives-except we call then naming words, action words, and describing words.
Reading-groups and ordering of events, using pics to help you think about what happens, thinking about what has happened so far, and sharing events in text. Seasons
Language-Letters, L, P, R, an, en families, an, ap families
Science- day and night, sunset and sunrise, gravity
Health-5 senses
Social Studies-Veteran's Day, Thanksgiving, the bald eagle, Statue of Liberty, names of county and city where we live. describe 5 workers and their jobs
Thank you to all the parents who sent in all the P. B. & J. to help restock the shelves at Must Ministeries. We really appreciate it.
Some of the behaviors we will be working on in class:
Doing our best work-
Noisemaking-
Doing what the teacher asks-
TARDIES-Now that the weather has turned cold, there seems to be a drastic rise in tardies. I have had 5 students come in tardy each day the past two days. I give out AM work at 7:40. The day begins at 7:45 with announcements. If you child arrives after 7:45, the announcements are on, and the lights are off. Math begins at 7:55, and many of the late arrivals haven't gotten to their seats, yet. Most Kindergartners need time to unwind. We have Free Choice Center time before school and this is most of the children's favorite time of the day. It is hard for the children to get settled and focused when they haven't had that time to unwind with their friends. Thank you for your support. PS
Thank you for your help and continued support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Parent Newsletter October 10, 2009
Hello Parents, Kindergarten is busy, busy, busy. We are learning many, many things. This is what we have been doing.
Math-Assessing patterns, writing numbers to 5, counting by 5s, trading pennies for a nickel, direction words, and problem solving. We weighed and measured our apples and made a graph. We do a calendar daily and talk about counting, the weather, tens and ones, the code date (10-8),yesterday, today, and tomorrow. Zero the hero visited us this week. We love that guy. 50's day is coming up soon.
Reading-We are bringing home reading folders at least two days a week. The book and folders need to be returned the next day. Most of the missing books have been returned to school. We are learning to become good readers. We are learning to use pictures and the sounds of letters to help us decode new words we meet in our books. This is how good readers become great readers. Of course, we meet with our Book Buddies every week. Last week we did a book report together. Next week we are going to make scarecrows together.
Writing-We write in our journals almost daily. We are learning where to find words in the room to help us with our writing. We are learning about spaces between words, using lower case letters, when to use capital letters, and to match our picture to the sentences we write.
Social Studies-We have learned about where were live-the continent, country, state and city. This was a review. Some of us need to learn our address. Our teachers don't want us to get lost and not know where we live.
Science-we are reviewing baby animals and their mothers, and the sounds they make. We are also reviewing how animals are alike and different.
Behavior-We are learning to make good choices. We have earned many table points, and stars in our crowns for our good behavior. We are doing better with our 1-2-3 lines in the hallway. Our teachers are proud of us and brag about us all the time.
Phonics and writing- This week we learned about I, J, and K, their sounds, and to recognize these letters in many different styles. Did you know C and K make the same sound most of the time? We are also learning to write these letters in upper and lower case.
We sing every day, We sing a good morning song, the alphardy song, the color farm, the rhyming song, sometimes we listen to classical music to help us work quietly. We hardly have time for rest, only a day or two a week.
Thank you to Will's mom, Carly's mom, and Kristina's dad for accompanying us to the fair. It was loads of fun. Thank you to Cameron's mom for doing a lesson on Germbusters for all of Kindergarten. Cameron's mom was our storybook mom in the media center, too. She also brought us tattoos, and read us some great Halloween books. She even looked like Snow White. She's a fun lady!
Mt. Bethel is collecting food items for the flood victims. Kindergarten has chosen to have their students bring in peanut butter and jelly. If you would like to contribute, please have your children bring in those items. Thanks.
Needs: We are in need of pencils. We thought we had plenty. Mrs. Blackman and I have searched the room and can't find any more. If anyone would like to contribute a 24 pack of pencils, it would be greatly appreciated. I have purchased some to tie us over. Thanks.
Thank you for your continuous support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
September 8, 2009 Parent Newsletter
Things are going well. This is such a sweet loving group. They make Mrs. Blackman and I laugh every day about things they ask or say. We love to be with your children. We love to have fun, but we also want the children to learn.
Don't forget the pledges for Boosterthon are due by tomorrow, Wednesday, September 9. (Did you realize tomorrow is 9-9-09?)
I will be sending the rest towels home on Fridays to be washed and returned on Monday. Because the stomach flu is already going around, I will be doing this most Fridays.
We go to the Media Center every Thursday at 1:30. Please have your child return their book each Thursday, if they want to check out another book. The book report that was sent home from the Media Center was just a little " fun activity" made up by our new media specialist. They do not need to be turned in to school.
We have Book Buddies with Mr. Morris on Thursdays at 10.
VERY IMPORTANT REQUEST-If possible, please send your child's money for the week for lunch. If the chlld forgets to get their money, then we have to go back to the classroom to retrieve it. This is not the best use of our time. Thank you for cooperation on this matter. We really appreciate it.
We are sending home a reading log today for you to keep track of your child's reading. Many of the children do not read, yet. In that case, please read TO them for 15 minutes 5 nights a week. It develops good habits. Thanks.
A great big thank you to our Room Mothers, Carly's mom and Will's mom. They worked hard organizing the schedule and the directory. I could not do this job without them. Thank you to all of you who have volunteered to help in the classroom.
Things we have been learning about:
Math-patterns, diectional words, days of the week
Reading-rhyming words, sight words= I, my, it ,and AT AN word families, names of class members, clapping sounds to names (Syllables)
Social Studies-labor day, the pledge, community workers
Science-animals, alike and different, living and non-living things
Health-germs, washing hands, covering your mouth, sneezing into your arm
We have free choice centers daily for about 15 minutes. I read several books a day. Some books are "lead ins" to lessons for reading or writing.
Just FYI, my oldest daughter is expecting her second child any day. This may necessitate me being abent for several days. I'll keep you posted. We don't know if it's a boy or girl.
Please have your child bring in an apple next week for apple activities. Please send it in on Monday.
IF you have any questions or concerns, please contact me.
Thanks for your continued support.
August 27, 2009 Parent Newsletter
Hello Parents,
We have had a busy, busy week. I am sure you have heard about our Boosterthon. It is sponsored by our PTA, and it is the only fundraiser they will be doing this year. PTA brings a lot to our school , sponsors many events, and purchases many materials for the teachers. We really need your support. It is a new event and is taking the place of Sally Foster wrapping paper sales. I hope you will be able to particpate and come join us for the Fun Run next Wednesday at 9:15 on the new track. 10% of any money raised is returned to the class to purchase materials.
Here is a picture of our Little Ogres. Aren't they adorable? So sweet!
Also here are the bus rules and bus communications:
Bus Safety – Assigned Seats
Dear Parents,
It is very important to us that your children are safe here at school and also on their way to and from school. One thing that helps our bus drivers maintain order, avoid conflicts, and therefore ensure that your children are safe, is to have assigned seating on the bus.
Years of experience has shown us that what works best is to have our youngest students, the Kindergarten children, in the front seats, followed by first graders behind them, second graders behind them, and so on.
For this reason, please do not ask your bus driver to seat younger siblings in the back with an older brother or sister. While this may feel reassuring we have found that it does not work well for the younger child or the older sibling.
Thank you for supporting us in our efforts to make the trip to and from school as conflict-free and safe as possible for your children!
The Mt. Bethel Administrative Team
Dear Parents,
Kim Boyle, Cathy Earl, Kellie Oakes, Mary Rees
- Arrive at the bus stop 3-5 minutes before the bus.
- Stay out of the street; wait in a safe place.
- Never get in a car with a stranger, even if they offer you candy, money, or a ride to school.
- Wait until the bus comes to a complete stop before getting on or off.
- If you must cross the street, watch and wait for the bus driver’s signal to cross safely.
- Always obey the bus driver.
- Stay seated on the bus.
- Keep all pencils and pens in your backpack.
- Speak in a quiet voice … do not yell or make loud noises.
- Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
- Keep your hands, head, books and papers inside the bus at all times.
- Keep your bus clean! No food, drinks or lollipops are to be eaten on the bus.
Math-patterns, sets to 5
Science-animals alike and different
Social Studies-Making Friends
Reading/Writing-Assessments
Health-Germs, Washing Hands
We continue to work on rules, routines, and keeping hands to oneself. We also are working on listening, and giving others a chance to speak.
Mrs. Blackman and I are very cognizant of germs. We are already noticing runny noses and coughs. We are encouraging the children to cover their mouths, and put used kleenex in the wastebasket. We wipe down the tables daily and wash hands frequently.
We are really enjoying this group.
Please contact me if you have questions or concerns. Thank you for your support.
August 20, 2009 The Wonderful World of Kindergarten
First of all, thank you for all the positive feedback we have received so far.
We are off to a great start. We love this group. They are young and energetic and so excited about learning. We have now been to all the Specials: Art, Music, Science, Counseling, and PE. Please know that we have PE every other day and your child needs to wear sneakers. The children without them will sit out due to safety concerns. We have specials every day at 11:30-12:15.
Please go over the menu each day with your child, and your child needs to try and remember what they are ordering. We go over the menu with the class each day. Please do not send a note each day. Thank you.
Here is what we have been learning about:
Math- patterning, numbers, number words, and shapes, and daily calendar which includes a number line, the weather, tens and one, pennies, nickels, yesterday, today, and tomorrow and patterns.
Language Arts- I have been assessing the children on upper and lower case letters and sight words. We are going over color words, sorting, writing a sentence, taking care of books, how to choose a book, and returning books where you found them. We also sing, go over poems, talk about rhyming words, and work on listening.
Science-We have been talking about animals, how they are alike and different, living and non-living things. We will be talking about and matching baby animals to their mothers.
Social Studies-Our community, friends, how to make friends, the pledge and the flag.
Listening-This is a very verbal group. Their verbal skills exceed their receptive language skills (listening) by a great deal. We are working on raising our hand, not interrupting, sharing the talking time, and using and indoor voice. AND doing what the teacher asks you to do the first time she asks. Wowee! this group can sure get loud.
A survey for the Room Mothers came home on a pink sheet today. Please fill it out and return it no later than Wednesday, August 26. I am meeting with the room moms on Thursday, and I would like to have that info for them ahead of time. I know many of you are anxious to get into the classroom and help. Dads are welcome, too.
Thank you for your support. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me. We are her for you and your child, and we will be a great team.
Recent Posts
- Parent Newsletter November 17, 2009
- Parent Newsletter November 6, 2009
- Please Support our Foundation! Do
- Parent Newsletter October 22, 2009
- Parent Newsletter October 12, 2009
- Parent Newsletter October 10, 2009
- Parent Newsletter September 18, 2009
- September 8, 2009 Parent Newsletter
- August 27, 2009 Parent Newsletter
- August 20, 2009 The Wonderful World of Kindergarten
