I Can

Starting next week the children will be taking control of their own behaviors here at school. We have been in school for two weeks and they have done a great job learning the procedures of the school and the room. I have a poster titled I Can. Each child has a stick with their name on it. The sticks starts out on green (go) everyday. If they are following the four I Can behaviors throughout the day they will stay on green. If they need to slow down and think about their behaviors (after they have had to be redirected a few times) they will move to yellow. This is their sign to slow down and think about what I am doing and what I am supposed to be doing at school. If a child  gets to red (not following redirection from the adults) there will be a time out. One minute for each year of age. It will usually take place during earned play time. I am believe that if you have expectations of the kids they will strive to do their best and learn along the way. I also believe that if they take ownership in their behaviors that will help them as well. The following is the I Can behaviors.

• I can follow directions the first time given.
• I can raise my hands to speak.
• I can keep my hands and feet to myself.
• I can use kind words and actions.

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Stuffed animal

This is the size of the stuffed animal the kids can bring in for brain break. It will need to stay here at school.

Bullying

Holy Spirit is making a committed effort on not allowing bullying.  The staff spent time this summer in professional development learning to spot bullying and how to handle it. We as a school will be having weekly meetings with a theme. In kindergarten we are really going to be focusing on using manners. We will be reading books about manners, role playing, and modeling the use of good manners. Please require your child to use manners at home and you should use good manners as well. You are your child's first and most important teacher and they will emulate how you behave.
Thank you,
Mrs. Catton

Goal sheet and monthly homework

On Friday your child will be bringing home a lot of information in their red Friday folder. PLEASE sit and go through their folder with them.  The goal sheet  and monthly homework for September are in the folder. I suggest that you put their goal sheet and monthly homework someplace handy. The refrigerator works well. The goal sheet has skills that you will need to help your child with at home. The sight words are words that we will be focusing on at school. The monthly homework has daily activities that are fun and developmentally appropriate for a kindergarten aged child. Please do the daily activity and then the adult will need to initial the calendar box. i ask that you do that so I can see that the child actually did the activity. I also appreciate any insights that you can give me. For example, " Great with rhyme." " Struggles with address." Goal sheets are to stay at home but the monthly homework calendar has a due date on it. Your child will earn a surprise if their homework is turned in complete and by the due date. We celebrate  returned homework as a class at the end of the month I can not stress enough the importance of homework and getting it turned in on time even in kindergarten. Your child will learn from you how to look at homework. If you don't think it is important neither will they.

Exploring God's World

The theme in kindergarten  this year is Exploring God's World. We will spend the year exploring and learning. In the green folder you received  at the kindergarten orientation meeting there was a copy of the year long theme with areas of study.

Important People

Today we took a school tour looking for the people who help us at school. Ask your child what Mrs. Catton wore to help her find those helpers (large orange glasses). The helpers introduced themselves and told us what their job was at Holy Spirit and how their job helps us. We then took their picture. We will be using the pictures when we create a predictable chart next.
Remember, picture day is Friday.

First Day

We had a great first day in kindergarten. We prayed, sang, danced, learned and practiced procedures, played inside and on the playground, went to lunch, Specials, took a much needed Brain Break, and had snack. A few reminders: Every full day student needs to bring a snack every day and needs a  towel for brain break. Please follow me on this blog. Please return all paperwork not turned in yet. A paper was sent out from the office. It is in your child's backpack. Please fill it out and return it to school ASAP.
See you all tomorrow!
Mrs. Catton

Monday

Big day Monday. The room is ready, I am ready, and

now all I need is the kiddos! Don't forget to bring a towel if your child is full day. Remember to discuss lunch and dismissal with your child. Most importantly they will take their cues from you. Be upbeat and positive. This is an exciting day for them and you too.  

God bless and see you soon.

Mrs. Catton

Important Papers

Please download all forms from the school website, complete and return to school on Monday if you haven't already done so. I believe at the kindergarten meeting I just mentioned the kindergarten packet.

Meeting

Thank you to all of you who came to the kindergarten orientation meeting tonight! I am so excited about the possibilities that this year will bring. Please email me with any questions or concerns. Read over the school handbook and the orientation handbook that you received tonight. Download the two kindergarten forms from the school website, fill them out and turn them on Monday.  Complete any forms from the orientation packet if you did not do so at the meeting. Remember that your child will feel your anxiety about school. Remember to Keep Calm and Have Faith. It will be a great year.
Respectfully,
Mrs. Catton