August Newsletter

August 2, 2010

Welcome to kindergarten, your child's first year of formal education! WE SURVIVED THE FIRST WEEK! Albeit, we had a couple of tears this first week, things will only get better. I truly appreciate you entrusting your child in my care. I will do my best to provide them with a wonderful kindergarten experience!

WHAT DID YOU LEARN IN SCHOOL TODAY?

We have been working on the class rules this week. Try asking your child, "What is Rule #1?" We have 6 rules in the classroom. See if your child can tell you what they are. Ask them what Mrs. Reinke's favorite rule is. We are learning the letters in the alphabet by singing songs and learning the letters in our names. We will be doing that all this month. In math, we are working on the four basic shapes, circle, square, triangle and rectangle and sorting things that are the same and different.

We have homework this week! Your child is to practice writing their name each night and parent homework is to read to your child and write down the titles that you read. Please plan on reading to your child for 20 minutes each evening. This can be your family's storytime. Your child is learning there are 3 Ways to Read a Book - 1. Look at the pictures and tell what you see. 2. Retell a favorite story. 3. Read the words. Right now, everyone can read the first 2 ways, and by the end of the year, reading the words as well.

CALLING ALL VOLUNTEERS!

Please get your volunteer paperwork from the office and fingerprint clearance this week. This Thursday, August 5th, is our volunteer training meeting. It is after school at 3:00 in room 110. Please plan to attend if you would like to volunteer weekly in the classroom. We hope to have a schedule ready for the following week.

I JUST HAVE ONE QUESTION...

If you have questions, concerns, or just want to talk about how your child is doing, please email me, write a note and give it to your child to give to me, or call me to schedule a phone conference. I don't want to appear rude or offend you, but during drop off and pick up is NOT the time to ask me even a quick question. My attention is on the children in my class. As a reminder, please drop off your child at the gate. If we have already walked in for lunch, walk them to the door and say your good-byes. Please drop them off by 10:50 so we can get our lunch cards (if needed) and be ready to walk to lunch. Thank you for your help with this!

RICK'S PIZZA NIGHT is this Tuesday, August 3rd. A portion of the proceeds go to our Borchardt PTA. Please eat pizza and support our school!

SPIRIT SHIRTS are on sale now! Every Friday, students can wear their burgundy or navy blue spirit shirt. The primary class with the most children wearing their shirt wins the Spirit Bear for the week.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Michelle Reinke

mreinke@lodiusd.net

(209) 331-8212