Classroom Information
This page contains most of the information about our classroom that you will need to know.
Snack
Around 10:30 am, every day, we will have a snack time in class. Each child will bring his or her own snacks each day. Please remember Ann Arbor's initiative to encourage healthy eating. Send in only fruits, vegetables, or healthy snacks. This year, we may have nut allergies in the classroom, so please do not send in anything with nuts for at least the first eight weeks of school. I appreciate your help with snack since it is very important at the beginning of the school year. It helps the students get through the long school days!
Tips for Snacks:
Fruit Tips for snack:
Vegetable Suggestions for snack:
Tips for Snacks:
- One item, a small portion.
- It helps if it is packed separate from your child’s lunch or your child knows what their snack is for the day.
- No drinks or juice boxes. Water bottles will be allowed during snack. (Please label your child's water bottle.)
- Consider using a re-usable container for snack. Be green!
Fruit Tips for snack:
- Cut the fruit in half (i.e. apple) for portion control & penny-saving! If sending in an orange, please pre-peel.
- Raisins
- Dried fruit or real fruit leathers (NO “fruit snacks” or “fruit roll-ups”)
- Unsweetened apple sauce (It may be more cost effective & green to buy it by the jar and send it with a re-useable container & spoon)
Vegetable Suggestions for snack:
- Baby carrots
- Snap or snow peas
- Cucumbers
- Celery
- Cherry or grape tomatoes
Folders
Every day your child will come home with a folder. One side is for homework or papers to return to school; the other side is for notes home from the teacher, school, or district. Please make sure to check and return your child's folder every day. Each day your child should return his or her folder.
Homework
The latest research has shown that homework in kindergarten has no impact on student learning and can possibly have a negative impact on these young children. My goal is to ensure your students are happy and successful. Therefore, there will be no homework for my students this year. Your child may receive suggestions for activities to complete, but these are not required nor do they have to be returned. However, it is good for your child and your family to get into "good, healthy habits for the brain."
My suggestions for daily, healthy habits are:
My suggestions for daily, healthy habits are:
- Read daily for at least 20 minutes - for fun! Reading should be enjoyable.
- Spend family time doing educational activities. (Ex. count steps or items, sing the alphabet song, play letter search games, rhyme together, cook together)
- Spend 30-60 minutes outside in the rain, snow, or sunshine! Jump in puddles, build snowmen, go for walks, ride bikes, and simply let your child explore his or her world. This is one of the best ways for your child to grow.
Book Orders
Scholastic book orders will be sent home once a month for you to peruse. This is a great and inexpensive way to build a library at home! With every book order, our class earns points towards new books for the classroom. Take advantage of these great deals on some wonderful books!
Now it's easier than ever to find the perfect books for your child -- shop the NEW online Book Clubs Web Site. Choose from a much wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay. You can do this at any time; you do not need to wait for the flyers to be sent home! If you want to purchase items as a gift, please let me know and I can keep your order discreet. You can use this site to order books for your other children as well!
Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: H7FDB
** I am looking for a parent who can help to organize the flyers and pass them out to the students each month. If you are interested in helping with this (can be done at home or in the classroom and only takes about 15-20 minutes per month), please email me.
Now it's easier than ever to find the perfect books for your child -- shop the NEW online Book Clubs Web Site. Choose from a much wider selection of books than in the printed flyer. Plus, you can send your orders directly to me online and use your credit card to pay. You can do this at any time; you do not need to wait for the flyers to be sent home! If you want to purchase items as a gift, please let me know and I can keep your order discreet. You can use this site to order books for your other children as well!
Online Ordering Information
Web address: scholastic.com/bookclubs
Class Activation Code: H7FDB
** I am looking for a parent who can help to organize the flyers and pass them out to the students each month. If you are interested in helping with this (can be done at home or in the classroom and only takes about 15-20 minutes per month), please email me.
Birthdays/Class Parties
There will be many occasions during the school year that will be cause for celebration! We want to celebrate your child in a healthy and encouraging way! Please remember that our school policy mandates healthy snacks, token prizes (such as pencils or erasers), to donate a book or game to the classroom, or for your child to receive an extra 5 minutes of recess in his or her honor. Families are always welcome to join us in the classroom during these celebrations. We celebrate all birthdays in the last 15 minutes of the school day.
Volunteering
I am waiting on volunteer regulations notice from the district.
Classroom Donations
As a classroom parent, you are never expected to donate supplies for the class. Donations are completely voluntary. If you are able and willing to donate, our classroom is often in need of healthy snacks, tissues, and cardstock. We also have additional needs or wants from time to time.
Desired classroom items can be found on our classroom Wish List.
Wish List
Desired classroom items can be found on our classroom Wish List.
Wish List
Kindergarten Success
You and I both want your child to be successful and have a magical and amazing year of learning and discovery! Here are some helpful tips on how to help your child be successful in school:
* Work on teaching your child to tie his or her shoes at home! Also, consider sending your child in tie-less shoes that he or she can easily take on and off independently.
* Practice getting dressed, zipping up zippers, buttoning buttons, putting on coats, hats, mittens/gloves, and boots/shoes.
* Keep an extra set of clothes, including socks, in your child’s backpack. You never know when we need a change!
* Label your child’s removable clothing with his or her name or initials (sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, lunchboxes, etc).
* Leave toys at home. Toys often become a distraction in backpacks and in the classroom.
* In Kindergarten your child will learn how to become more independent. Give them opportunities at home to be independent and have responsibility!
Examples include:
* Work on teaching your child to tie his or her shoes at home! Also, consider sending your child in tie-less shoes that he or she can easily take on and off independently.
* Practice getting dressed, zipping up zippers, buttoning buttons, putting on coats, hats, mittens/gloves, and boots/shoes.
* Keep an extra set of clothes, including socks, in your child’s backpack. You never know when we need a change!
* Label your child’s removable clothing with his or her name or initials (sweaters, hats, gloves, scarves, jackets, lunchboxes, etc).
* Leave toys at home. Toys often become a distraction in backpacks and in the classroom.
* In Kindergarten your child will learn how to become more independent. Give them opportunities at home to be independent and have responsibility!
Examples include:
- Cleaning up after himself or herself
- Getting dressed by himself or herself
- Bringing you his or her folder every day after school
- Helping around the house