Sunday, June 3, 2012

Final Newsletter

DATES TO REMEMBER:
-Tuesday, June 5—Track & Field Day @ 12:30
-Wed., June 6—Last Day for Kindergartners

TRACK & FIELD DAY:
Our track & field day is scheduled for tomorrow—Tuesday, June 5th, in the afternoon. Activities will take place up at the track, beginning at 12:30 and ending at 2:30. Please be sure to send your child with tennis shoes, sunscreen, & a water bottle. Parents & grandparents are welcome to come and cheer us on!
*FYI-It tends to be windier/cooler up on the track.

REMINDERS:
Please be sure to return your child’s library book, ASAP, as well as their Take Home
Reading Folders.

REPORT CARDS/GOODIES:
You can expect many ‘goodies’ to come home this week. I’ll try to send home a few things each day, so that it isn’t so overwhelming. Please be sure to check your child’s backpack each night for materials. I’m planning to send report cards home with the students on Wednesday; the only thing that won’t be recorded is their attendance, but I’d rather send them home vs. mailing them later. Here are a few things you can look forward to receiving:
-May/June Journals
-Writer’s Notebooks/Writing Folders
-Student of the Week Posters
-Portfolios of Type 3 Writings & Class Book Pages
-Book Boxes filled with Reading Materials
-This is Me in Kindergarten Booklets
-ABC Dictionaries
-Rhyme Booklets
-Photos from the Year
-Kindergarten Memories DVD
-Report Cards, Dibels, & Aimsweb Reports

READING:
This week we will finish up our review of short vowels, practice reading and writing words with the magic e, and review blends and digraphs. I have completed all of their assessments for report cards and I’m hoping to have the time to do a Running Record with each student, which will give me their Independent Reading Level. The purpose is twofold: First, I can pass this info on to their 1st grade teacher so that they know where to start them next year. Second, I will use this information to register each student with RAZ Kids so that they can go on-line this summer and practice reading ’good-fit’ books at home. I will send an informational letter along with their log-in and password in their report card envelopes. We have a free subscription until August—so please take advantage of this great opportunity! ☺

WRITING:
We will wrap up our May/June Journals this week, as well as Writer’s Workshop. Students will be bringing their writing folders and notebooks home so that they can continue their writing at home this summer.

SCIENCE/SOCIAL STUDIES:
This week we will take some time to talk about Summer Safety. Our good friend, Scrappy the Squirrel, will make a final visit to talk to the kids about Summer Safety.

SUMMER READING PROGRAM:
The library offers a nice Summer Reading Program! This is a great way to keep kids connected with friends & reading over the summer. I'm sending information home with the newsleter this week.

*I would like to extend a personal ’thank you’ to our faithful parent volunteers! Kindergarten is such a busy place & there is no way we could accomplish it ALL without your time & dedication!

FINAL THOUGHTS:
It is hard to believe that the last week of school is already here! In many ways it doesn’t seem possible, yet when I look at the students, the growth and transformations that have occurred, I know it is time to send them on. What a terrific group of kids! Thank you for you support this year! I feel truly blessed to be able to do what I love each and every day!

Have a safe and fun-filled summer!
~God Bless,
Sherry Brinks