WEEK IN A PEEK!

October 30, 2009
Dear Parents,
THIS WEEK WE: read a book I wrote called, Humpty Dumpty’s Safety Book. Along with our community workers that came to speak to our kindergarten classes, we learned ways to keep us safe at school and at home. We were so excited to have someone share their profession with us each day this week. We had a musician, marine (Kailey’s dad), 2 doctors, chef, and the fire department. Next week we will have a police officer visit us.
Each person that shared with us their occupation did a great job and left us thinking “I want to do that!”.
Also, the meal pack that your child brought home on Wednesday has matches enclosed. You might want to make sure it is not available for your child to open on his/her own when you are not able to supervise.
NEXT WEEK WE: will look at the colorful Fall leaves, and write something about them. We are trying to write a book every week. Speaking of leaves, I have a great fun family activity for you that will help us be ready for a week of leaf activities. Please go on a nature walk with your child and collect 5-7 leaves of different sizes, colors and kinds. Just collect and put in a ziplock bag and send to school on Monday morning with the Friday folder and the children’s Fast Start notebook.
(It may be hard to find colorful leaves but it will still be fun looking and hiking with your child. I am afraid I waited too long for the pretty ones. I can always resort to the paper kind in my room.)
BOOT CAMP: was also today. Mason Barber was honored from our class as Caring Kid.
NO SCHOOL: Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 2nd and 3rd. Teachers will be in professional development training on Tuesday.
READING SLIPS: I will accept Oct. reading slips through Wednesday, Nov.4th. After that they will go on November’s goal.
FAST START PROGRAM: Remember to return the Fast Start notebook on Wednesday. I will insert the next 2 poems. Remember it is designed for just 10 minutes a day! After next week, we will have the return day for Monday’s and I will send 2 more poems with the activities that go with them on the back.
THEME: Fall Leaves
Thank you,
Mrs. Donna Mountjoy

WEEK IN A PEEK!

October 23, 2009
Dear Parents,
THIS WEEK WE: studied bats and other nighttime animals. They should be able to name a few. We also learned two new words, nocturnal and diurnal. Actually, we learned 3 new words. Crepuscular is an animal that is most active at dawn and dusk! We are so busy learning! We are adding sight words to our reading vocabulary.
NEXT WEEK WE: will have several speakers coming to the kindergarten classes to share their occupations. They will include a fireman, police officer, marine, and doctor. We are so excited for them to take the time to share their jobs with us! 
We will also be discussing safety at home, school, playground etc. CONFERENCES:
I have enclosed a note with your appointment time. I do want to invite your kindergartner to come to the conference also. After all, we will be talking about him/her.
BOOK FAIR: It will be set up and in the library to visit next week. It will also be available during the evening on Tuesday and Thursday.
FALL CLASSROOM PARTY: It will be Friday, Nov. 6th. Kecia Roemen is busy planning. If you have questions, call her @ 724-9154.
SIGHT WORDS: We have been introducing words since the beginning of school and have several sight words by now. Here they are: I, can, is like, the, keep, me, my, this, will, not, be, and, apple, see.
We are constantly adding to the list. When you read in the evening have your child point out words they know! :)
WEB SITES: Below are some web sites you may find useful in working with your child.
http://www.starfall.com
http://www.literacycenter.net
http://www.learningplanet.com
NO SCHOOL: Monday and Tuesday Nov. 2nd and 3rd
Have a great weekend!
BLOG: Check out our blog. I have been posting our newsletter each week and some pictures. :)
It is found at:
mountjoyskindergartenclass.blogspot.com
MERIT AWARD: Mason Barber!
Thank you,
Mrs. Donna Mountjoy

WEEK IN A PEEK!

WEEK IN A PEEK!
October 16, 2009
Dear Parents,
THIS WEEK WE: did experiments and made several graphs with information we discovered from our pumpkins. It was so nice to have them here to do investigations. Also we were able to paint them this morning with the help of some high school students! It was great for them to help! If it is still wet, I will send home with them next week.
We are stretching out words and figuring out how to write sentences!
NEXT WEEK WE: will study about bats and some other night time creatures. We may just go a little batty!
REQUEST: Please send a coloring book to school for your child to use on rainy days that we have to stay in at recess. We’ve had a lot of them lately! Thanks!
READING SLIPS: I will accept reading slips for October up to Wednesday, Nov. 4th. After that they will count for the Nov. goal. We still have a couple weeks. Just a reminder our goal is for 10 books each month. If you have not turned in a reading slip for Oct., please do so. It is worth the time to read with your child! Everyone that turns in at least 1 book slip in Oct. will receive a coupon for a free Pizza Hut personal pan pizza!
COMPUTER TEACHER HAS A BLOG: http://mathewskindergarten.blogspot.com/
PARENT-TEACHER CONFERENCE:
Oct 27th and Oct. 29th I will send reminders next Friday.
RED RIBBON WEEK: Oct. 19-23 is a week to focus on staying drug free. We will stress the importance of staying away from drugs that hurt us. The entire school will participate in wearing special clothing each day. Monday- hat day, Tuesday-sport shirt, Wednesday- pajama day, Thursday-sweats, Friday- wear red!
FALL PARTY: Plans are being made for the class fall party hosted by the room representatives. A note is enclosed.
SPRING RAFFLE BASKET: It will be a SPORTS theme! More information later. If you have questions call our home room representative, Kecia Roemen @ 724-9154.
THEME: Nocturnal animals
Thank you,
Mrs. Donna Mountjoy

WEEK IN A PEEK!
October 9, 2009
Dear Parents,
THIS WEEK WE: made scarecrows, wrote about scarecrows and was busy getting ready to go to the pumpkin patch.
The weather was rainy on Thursday but all in all the kids had a good time. Thanks to all the parents that went with us. I hope you are dry by now.
Good News: Because of the rain Campbell’s Maze Daze has issued each of the kids a Free Admission to go back with their family! It is enclosed. Yeah!
NEXT WEEK WE WILL: weigh, measure, and otherwise experiment with our pumpkins. We plan to make several graphic organizers to record the information that we learn.
We had a pumpkin for everyone but I noticed after school that a few went out the door. If your child took his home, would you send it back? I’ll send it home after our experiments.
PICTURE RETAKES: Next Tuesday, Oct. 13th.
Original Works Program…a great way to enjoy your child’s art work!
Original Works is a program that can turn your child’s original art work into a cherished item that can be shared with family and friends.
October 16th -Look for your child’s Original Works Package to be coming home .
October 26th - Please submit completed order forms, art work, and check in the Original Works folder to your child’s classroom teacher.
December 18- Items ordered will be sent home!
For more information, please refer to my Art Blog: http://helenmathewsart.blogspot.com
Thanks for supporting the Art Program!
-Mrs. Stricklin, K-4 Art Teacher
BOOK SLIPS: The following people have met the reading goal for Aug./Sept.: Mason, Hailey, Ashcroft, Sophie, Connor, Cody, Johnny, Alison, Chris, Nolan, Erin, Isaac, Markus, Marley, Kailey, Michaela, and Apryl. Congratulations!
A special note of congratulations to Hailey for reading 110 books during our kick off months! Way to go! Enclosed you will find a Pizza Hut coupon!
SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUBS: Enclosed you will find a book order. Please return order form and money in an envelope by Monday, Oct. 12th.
H1N1 Vaccine: Please return the permission form by Oct.12th if you wish for your child to receive the vaccine.
PARENT CONFERENCE: Oct. 27th and Oct. 29th. I will send a reminder closer to that date of your appt. time.
HALF DAY SCHOOL: Oct. 16th.
Dismissal will be at 12:30p.m.
THEME: Pumpkins
Thank you,
Mrs. Donna Mountjoy

WEEK IN A PEEK!
October 2, 2009
Dear Parents,
THIS WEEK WE: decided what we will be when we grow up. Of course they may change their mind! They want to do so many things. We have everything from a captain of a ship to a pediatrician. Eventually, we will put our town with its workers in the hall. We need a lot of offices for all the jobs we are going to do!
NEXT WEEK WE WILL: It’s October so we are going to do a seasonal theme and think about Scarecrows! I am sure we can write, read and author a book about them! We will see some to on our field trip!
ATTENDANCE: Daily attendance is so important for the children. Please be here no later than 8:40a.m. Dismissal is at 3:40p.m., Mon. through Thurs. and on Fri. we dismiss at 2:40p.m. If you pick up your child from school, please be there on time. We have meetings after school and need to get to them! Thanks. 
FIELD TRIP: Oct. 8th. We are planning to visit Campbell’s Maze Daze. We have all of the permission slips and money. If you are coming with us, be at the school around 8:50. We will be leaving by 8:50. At least that is the plan.
Grandparent Day: I enjoyed meeting everyone’s grandparents on Monday. I had met some of them in years before with another grandchild in my room. It is always nice to visit and see everyone interact. I put some pictures on the blog.
PTA FUNDRAISER: This is the last weekend to sell. Please turn in the envelop with paperwork by next Monday or Tuesday.
MERIT AWARD: Apryl Zeno is our merit award recipient this week. Way to go!
THEME: Scarecrows
Thank you,
Mrs. Donna Mountjoy