October News for 4K

It’s hard to believe October is here!  Our 4K students are doing a fantastic job learning our daily schedule and learning all those things that need to be learned in school!  I am truly proud and so pleased with our students!  Parents...thanks for doing such a great job raising them! As always, if you ever have any questions or concerns please feel free to email or leave a message on my voice mail...I’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

Ÿ  Voice Mail...604-4500 ext.1517

Ÿ  Email: berkk@wawm.k12.wi.us

 

Classroom Routines

            We continue to work on skills needed to operate as a class.  We are learning how to use our manners in all situations, how to listen and follow directions, how to help each other out, how to use school equipment, scissors, pencils, glue, glue sticks, marker , etc!  We have worked on becoming familiar with our classroom, working at centers, recognizing our name and our classmate’s names, finding and caring for friends, taking care of our personal belongings and classroom supplies, standing and walking in line, hanging up coats and backpacks, cleaning up after ourselves, raising our hand when we want to speak, sitting “criss-cross applesauce” on the rug, all the basic colors and shapes, made our shape and color book, read tons of stories and discussed important social manners (especially during snack), and  the importance of following directions!  Whew! We have also talked about how “stinky fish”...behavior are those behaviors that are not so good when we are in school and how to choose behaviors that help make our class a great place to be!

           

Something you can do to reinforce positive behaviors at home is discuss what behaviors are expected there and at home, and don't forget to ask your child what they did in school each day!  Now I know, invariably their response may be “Nothing”… but don’t be discouraged!  Encourage you child to talk about their day by asking specific questions like...”What story did you read with your teacher?”, “What center did you work in today?”, “Who did you play with today?”  This helps your child process and review important concepts that may have been taught that day and gives you a sense of how your child is progressing and feeling about school. And again, if you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact me.

 

Classroom Celebrations and Parent Involvement

Thank you for the goodies I've received from my wish list!   I have appreciated all, as well as the many who have offered to help out with various things...I truly appreciate it! Some of you have already offered to help out with classroom celebrations. I have assigned every parent to help contribute to upcoming celebrations (Thanksgiving, etc.)…the first of which is our Fall Celebration... If you receive a call from a parent requesting something please graciously offer to help us out and do your part.  Thank you!

Speaking of fall celebration…our PTA is sponsoring a costume dance on Wednesday, October 23^rd from 6-8:30 pm. It's tons of fun and I hope you come. In order to kick the day off we have been invited to dress in costume that day!  So please send your child to school dressed in their favorite book character that day…and bring the book too!  More information will be forthcoming…but wanted you to have a heads up!  We will also be parading around the school that day with all our friends, so set that day aside we plan on having a very exciting time!

 

                           Reminders

            We would like to share some reminders that would help us make 4K a bit easier for all...

Ÿ  Please make sure your child has had breakfast or lunch before school...and that they have gone to the bathroom before coming too!

Ÿ  Be sure that all clothing, backpacks, notes and papers are labeled with your child’s name. If   something is lost we have a Lost and Found in the main east hallway.

Ÿ  If your child has a front pouch on their backpack...it helps if their extra clothes can be put in there…it gives them more room for important school things! J

Ÿ  Please, please check backpacks everyday for things but especially on Fridays for the Friday   Folders!

Ÿ  Please, then return Friday Folders empty on Mondays or Tuesdays if we are off Monday!

Ÿ  Do not allow your child to bring toys, books, or other personal items to school, it causes              distractions…jewelry can be distracting too.

Ÿ  Unfortunately it is not possible for us to check 18 or more backpacks everyday for notes, etc. If there is a change in pick up or drop off procedures for the day please call the Mitchell  Office...they will be sure the message gets to us.

Ÿ Now that the weather is getting cooler, help your child learn how to put on their coats, pull out those inside out sleeves, etc.  We are outnumbered!  And, it is important that 4 year olds learn to do it themselves. Thank you. 

Ÿ  Please be sure to look at the monthly snack calendar and make sure you don’t miss your day.  We have 18 in the morning classes and 18 in the afternoon. Thanks for all the healthy snacks we’re receiving... the students are so happy to share and proud to be the snack person for the day.

Newsletter

Monthly newsletters will always be posted on my blog: Mrsberkasblog.blogspot.com. It can be seen on the Mitchell Elementary website along with Mr. Hill’s school wide newsletter! If it is not possible to view the school wide newsletter you may request a copy from the office.

PTA...Parent – Teacher Association

           Please be sure to join Mitchell’s PTA...They do a great job supporting Mitchell students and teachers by providing funds for classroom expenses, funds for field trip buses (they help off-set the cost of our farm field trip this week!) and great social events. Dues are only $8.00 and we are in the running for having the most parents per class as members!  My goal is to have 100% of 4K parents as members…so please join! A fun family event is happening at the end of October…please see the Mitchell Facebook page for all the information! 

 

       

       Letter People

          Our school district uses a reading resource called the Letter People.  The inflatable letter characters are introduced to our students as real people and many of our students truly look at them as part of our class.  Each month we will introduce two to six “letter friends” who introduce us to their letter and the sound that letter makes through some characteristic they possess. We will let you know in each month’s newsletter whom our new letter people will be for the month but we ask that you keep their “identity” a secret so that their surprise arrival is not ruined. Each letter person has a special “Me Bag” that will contain objects that begin with the letter, at story and a visual clue that emphasizes the letter sound, and a picture card of the letter person for each student to color and bring home to be used as a review for that letter’s name and sound and a manuscript page which will teach us how to write the letter.  If your child would like to bring in something for the letter person’s Me Bag that starts with the letter sound please feel free to let them do so!  We love to have students share what they find at home!

            We will also send home a letter reader during the week.  PLEASE be sure to practice reading the booklet to or with your child!  Many of our students will be reading and ready for 5K if you faithfully read these booklets and practice the sounds!

            Next week we will meet Ms. L who loves to laugh, learn and listen. She will teach us how to ask questions to learn, how to listen and a little bit about light!  We’ll then meet Mr. F who has funny feet... he will teach us about being different and about our family and friends and the farm.  At the end of month we’ll meet Mr. P who will tell us about our body parts and pumpkins and Miss A…who will teach us about apples and how to say Achooo! in our arms so we don’t pass our germs to anyone!  Please enjoy talking about our “letter friends” with your child as we meet each one, you know who we have met when we bring home a picture of them!

 

Conferences

          Conferences for each 4K student will take place  Tuesday, October 29 and Wednesday, October 30.  Please don't forget to sign up by going to the school Facebook or website. J

            Progress Reports

            As mentioned at Parent’s Night 4K students will be given a general assessment of skills during the months of September, January, March and June.  We are right in the middle of these assessments and hope to finish in a few weeks. Beginning Oct. 14 through Oct. 23 students will also be given an assessment call Pals (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening). The results of PALS and all other assessments will be shared with you at conference time. Please look for a copy of your child’s first assessment/report card to come home in November.

 Finally, our Ms. Swenberg will be completing her 10 weeks with us on November 1^st and beginning another placement at another school.  If you or your child would like to write a note or draw a picture for Ms. Swenberg as a remembrance for her time with us please do so and just put it in an envelope with my name on it and I will but it in a book for her on that last day. Thank you.

 

Thanks again for all your support getting the school year off and running! I am excited about all the great things we're doing in 4K and the wonderful progress your children are making...We look forward to the 2012-13 school year!   Mrs. Berka