Welcome to Mrs. Smith’s classroom! I am excited that your child will be in my class. I have been attending workshops, conferences, and meeting with colleagues this summer to continue on with my belief of being a “life-long learner.”

A few things you will need to know to help your child begin Kindergarten:

-All they will need is a backpack for now. I have crayons, glue, markers, and scissors in my room.

Clothes-we will be outside and there are wood chips on our playground. Tennis shoes work best to keep those irritants away from little feet and toes.

Label things…lunch boxes, jackets We have MANY similar items every year and things get mixed up easily.

-Birthdays-your child is welcome to bring in a treat (cupcakes, cookies, mini muffins, etc) on their special day. I would appreciate contacting me before sending in a treat, so that I can plan accordingly. Summer birthdays can have their own day too…just contact me and we’ll choose a date for your summer birthday.

-School days run 8:35-3:35. Due to our large number Kindergarteners, I will be dismissing my class at 3:25 so there isn’t such congestion at dismissal time. Please plan to arrive early to pick up your child on time.

Next week’s time schedule will be:

8/26 8:35-11:45 I will dismiss at 11:35

8/27-8/29 8:35-12:15 I will dismiss at 12:05

-School is important. Being on time to begin the day sends a strong message to our students that school is important. Please schedule dental, ortho, doctor appointments after school, if at all possible.

-Homework…There will be MATH packets sent home. Directions, due dates will be included in the packet.

I will usually post on Fridays for the upcoming week. Please check it and let your child know of upcoming topics, new lessons, etc.

-Contacting me…If you need to send in a message to me, email is your best communicating tool. I am in the room early in the mornings and will catch emails at that time. Please notify me of any changes in pickup. If Grandma, babysitter, aunt, is picking up I need to know. Once I get to know the family members, we’ll be fine. Right now I need to know who is picking up your child every day.

Parents always ask what they can do at home to help their child in school. READ, READ, READ to your child!!!! Extend their vocabulary, ask questions about what happened in the story, predict what might happen if…, did the story remind you of another story? Even when your child becomes a conventional reader, still read to them!!

Have a place for your child to empty their backpack each night and show you their work. Notice I said for your child to empty their backpack, not you do it for them. Then have place for them to hang up their backpack so it will be ready for the next morning. Organization and responsibility 🙂

Enjoy the remaining days. I will see you next week, Tuesday, August 26.

Mrs. Smith

“It always seems impossible

until it is finished.”

-Nelson Mandela