Parents

The PTO has organized an informal meet and greet for kindergarten families called “Popsicles on the Playground” on August 8th at 4:00 on the Elementary playground.  I plan to stop by to say hello!  It would be a great time to meet other families so your kindergartner sees some familiar faces the first day.

Our Back To School Night is Tuesday, August 22nd from 3-6p.m.  You should receive an email from the district to sign up for a time to have Lifetouch Pictures taken during that time if you choose to.  This is the time you can bring in school supplies, or if you ordered the supplies from PTO, your supplies will be delivered..

Gilbert Elementary has a staggered start for kindergarten students.  We divide the children into 2 groups and for the first couple of days, we only have half the class at school.  It helps us so much in learning the rules, getting them through the lunch-line, and adjusting them to our schedule and routine in a smaller group.

  

A group will have their first 2 days of school on Thursday, August 24th and Monday, August 28th.  

B group will have their first day of school on Friday, August 25th, and Tuesday, August 29th  

Our first day with all students will be Wednesday, August 30th.

Our Schedule

Bubblegum Words

We test our bubblegum words on Mondays!  I pull each student over during center time and start with the purple words.  As they pass each level, they will get a certificate to bring home letting you know they are ready for a new group of words!

Ways To Help

There are lots of ways to help in my classroom.  I LOVE having parents help!  Here are just a few ways you can contribute.  You can sign up for all of these at our signupgenius site.  I will give that link at parent night!

1. Volunteer during reading groups, small group math, and intervention time in the morning. My daily parent helper works with a small group working on literacy or math skills.  That usually means playing a game (Letter or Number Bingo, Dice games, etc.) or helping kids sound out words. I will need help from 9:45-10:30 (Reading Groups) and 11:30-12:05 (Math Groups) .
2. Come along on a field trip!  We have several field trips during the year.  Let me know if you want to come along!
3. Come and help at a party!  You can volunteer to bring treats plates and napkins, or you can come and help out during the party.  Being a parent helper during a party means you will stay at one table doing a game or craft project, while the children rotate through all stations (you will make that candy cane necklace 5 times!).  It's a lot of fun, and I promise to not make you do anything scary!
4. Stay tuned for a sign up for Mystery Readers every Friday from 12-12:15.
5. Amazon Wish List

First Day Fears

       The first day of kindergarten can be a scary time for some kids (and some moms and dads too!).  Starting school is something that kids have probably been thinking about all summer.  Now, they walk in to a new room with all these new kids, and new grownups, and new “stuff” and maybe Mom looks a little teary-eyed that her “baby” is growing up so fast... well it’s no wonder some kids suddenly cling to parents and cry!  Here are a few tips for getting through those first few days.

• (Try to) be confident yourself.  If you seem anxious and unsure about leaving your child at school, children pick up on that and start wondering if there really is something to worry about!
• If possible, plan on staying for 5 or 10 minutes the first day getting your child settled.  A longer or shorter amount of time may make separation harder.
• When it is time for you to leave, make sure you say goodbye.  Trying to “sneak out” when the child is busy and not looking, sometimes makes kids panic a few minutes later, and may make separation even more difficult the next day.
• Separation problems sometimes show up on the second or third day, just when you think you’re getting off easy!  It is also common for children to have problems when there are major changes in the home.  Let me know if there is anything happening at your house that you think is important for us to know.
• Please remember that I am a parent myself and really do understand how hard this can be.  I know that you are entrusting me with a very precious gift, and I feel very honored that I will be your child’s first teacher.
• I promise to send out an email and a SeeSaw post on  that first day as SOON as I get a minute, letting everyone know how it is going.   

I’m looking forward to a great year!

                                          Angie