Below is a reference of classroom information
SCHOOL SUPPLIES
A quick reminder to pay the $50 fee to cover the cost of your child's supplies this year. I have already purchased most of their supplies, but we will also be using the money to pay for craft supplies for special projects and food items for cooking throughout the year.
FOOD
This is an interesting topic, especially in kindergarten! So far, I have noticed that we have MANY slow eaters in our class. As our lunch eating time is during our instructional time, it is very hard for students to eat and listen (to a story or instructions). I usually give extra eating time to those who need it. If you could try your best to not "over pack" lunches, that would be great. At snack time, I encourage students to have one or two healthy items (fruit or vegetable and/or yogurt or cheese). We have talked about choosing our big items (sandwiches, cheese and crackers, pasta, etc.) first and then to move on to fruit, vegetables, and dessert. Sometimes students think that because it has been packed, that they have to eat it. I do encourage them to eat any perishable items and to try things that they say they don't like.
Also, please be aware that we do not have a garbage in our class. Litter-less lunches are ideal. There are several containers out there that allow for less packaging and thus, less garbage. Any packages sent to school will be sent home. Sorry.
Water bottles are always a good idea. Students are welcome to use them during class time and can fill them up as needed.
Finally, please be aware that James Kennedy is a nut aware school and as such students should not be bringing food items that contain nuts. Thank-you in advance for your cooperation. When celebrating birthdays, you are more than welcome to bring pre packaged treats (nut free) to share with the class (we have 20 students).
COMMUNICATION BAGS
We have already started this process!! The goal is to get students accustomed to bringing something back and forth daily. Sometimes it will come home empty, sometimes there will be a new song or a notice. Please remove any notices or student work, but make sure that the duotang stays in the bag. I will be adding songs, poems and eventually little stories, on a regular basis. Students will also be bringing home library books in their bags. Please remove the books as quickly as possible. Students will have the chance to exchange their books on Thursdays. Mme Gammel, our librarian has asked that students return their books as soon as they have finished with them. This will allow her to check in the books throughout the week and avoid massive returns on our library day. If your child's communication bag gets ripped, I suggest using packing tape on the bottom to keep them in one piece. I will give them new bags in January and then again in April, so it is your responsibility to keep them in one piece until then! These have been purchased for you from the school supply fees.
CLOTHES and SHOES
Students are required to have a pair of indoor runners. It is easier to have clean shoes on rainy, wet days for students to wear in the classroom and school. We will also use these shoes for PE so runners with non-marking soles are essential. Shoes that your child can put on by himself/herself quickly is also an asset. Please don't sent lace up shoes unless your child is a pro at tying their own laces. Speaking from experience, there is nothing worse than having to tie 20 pairs of runners!
Students should also have an extra set of clothes (in a labelled bag) that they can keep in the class. Accidents occur on a daily basis and having to call home for extra clothes is not always an option. I do keep a few extra items in my room. If your child needs to borrow one of my items, please wash it and return it to school as soon as possible.
CLASS SCHEDULE
Monday - PE
Tuesday - Music
Wednesday - Wilderness Wednesday
Thursday - Library (book exchange) and PE
Friday -Music & Big Buddies
READING IN ENGLISH
Some of you may have questions about your child's ability to read in English. My best advice is to not teach your child to read English, until French reading is well established. Too often I have seen students trying to learn both languages simultaneously, and it doesn't work. I do promise you, that once their French reading skills have developed, that it will transfer easily to English. I have seen it happen to both of my children at different stages. My daughter was in early Grade Two when she picked up an English book and just started reading. My son was in late Grade One. Each child is different! The French Immersion rule is that if they haven't already picked up reading in English before they start Kindergarten (which, believe it or not, some students do), then to wait until the French has been well established. The vowel sounds in the two languages are very different and can be easily confused; making it difficult to master either language.
However, don't stop reading to your child in English!! You can read to them still, just don't try to teach them English at home. Encourage them to love books and share stories together. My favourite time of our day as a family is when we all climb on our bed and read together :) It's always great to have your child see you reading for enjoyment as well. Don't be afraid to pick up a book or newspaper and model an enjoyment for the written word.
Having said all that, please be aware that I will be sending home monthly Scholastic flyers in French and in English. There are great deals to be had in the English flyers and books make great gifts and rewards. The program has changed over the past couple of years and ordering is now done online and sent directly to your home. There is a classroom code at the top of the flyer and our class benefits with every purchase you make. Please let me know if you have any questions.
PARENT HELPERS
Parent help is always welcome in our class. If you have some free time and would like to spend it with us, we would be glad to have you. Please let me know when are available to come by. Remember that you must first sign in at the office before heading to our room. There is always a lot going on, so an extra pair of hands is always greatly appreciated. If you have extra time at home and would be willing to help cut, paste or colour something, I usually have a project or two on the go.
BIRTHDAYS
As mentioned before, if you would like to bring something (nut-free) to school for your child's birthday to share with the class, feel free. With new Covid protocols, the items must be individually pre-packaged. However, do not feel pressured to bring something! We celebrate in class by creating a birthday book for the child celebrating their birthday and they get a sticker and a balloon. If you choose to hand out birthday invitations, and have not planned on inviting the whole class (or at least all the girls or all the boys) please do so before or after school and do so discreetly. There is nothing like seeing others being invited to a party that you are not (especially when you are 5).
WILDERNESS WEDNESDAYS
As mentioned above, it is my hope to head outdoors for some learning at least once a week. This may include a story out in nature, a science lesson, a math pattern activity, a build your name out of nature activity or ?? We will always be on school grounds and within a close proximity. Last year our PAC donated money to our kindergarten department for a WONDER WAGON. Over the last year, we have stocked the wagon full of fun things (sit-upons, magnifying glasses, tweezers, pails, clip boards, sidewalk chalk, etc). It's quite the wagon! It is my goal to get outside to appreciate the outdoors and some peaceful time in nature. Sometimes we'll go out for 30 minutes, other times it will be an hour. We'll see how it goes. So... I will need the students to have appropriate outdoor clothes on Wednesdays because I am hoping to go out rain or shine. A good pair of boots and a jacket with a hood are essential.
CONTACTING ME
If at any time you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me via email ([email protected]), in person after school, or by phone (6048885257).
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