Open School!!!!

Monday begins the wonderful world of Room 115.  It is one of my favorite places in the world.  We are going to have a fantastic time working and playing together. Did you notice on Wednesday night how the walls of the classroom were mostly bare?  I've been waiting for the children to come so that Room 115 will become their classroom.  Just wait and watch as the magic of learning turns our classroom walls into a very happy, safe and hard working space.

This is going to be a long post so get comfortable.  I promise that the posts will become shorter as the year progresses.

School begins on Monday, August 20.  The school day is from 8:10-3:10.  Children can begin entering the  classroom starting at 7:50.  

Monday morning you are invited to  walk your child down to our classroom.  Take the pictures you need for your scrapbook/facebook/grandma.  Give a happy kiss goodbye and then quickly/quietly leave.  I can promise you that I will take very good care of your child.  Visit the library for Boo Hoo/Woo Hoo.  Meet the parents of the PTA and enjoy some coffee (and tissues if needed).  They are a wonderful group of parents that support our school tremendously.  They always need help:  whether you have a lot or a little time to spare!  After Monday, you will drop your child off at the front door of the school.  Don't worry, we have teachers on duty to help anyone who needs assistance finding their classroom.

After the first day of school,children can be dropped off  beginning at 7:30.  They will stay in the lunchroom (sitting quietly) until 7:50 when they can enter the classrooms.  If you  need childcare before 7:30, please contact the YMCA Goodtimes.  They begin services at Blount at 6:45 am.

Do not send a snack for this first week.  Volunteers are providing a drink/snack for this week. Start sending a snack for your child on Monday, August 27.

You will receive a large packet of information on Monday.  These are important papers that need to be filled out. Please return the required information as soon as possible so that I can focus on instruction instead of paperwork.

On Tuesday, I will be sending home an information sheet about your child.  Since you  are your child's first (and most important) teacher, I take the information you give me very seriously.  Please use this opportunity to let me know all about your child so that I can meet his/her needs. 

Your child has been assigned a lunch number.  I will send it home on a slip of paper located in the money pouch inside the white binder on Monday.  Don't stress about learning the number by Tuesday.  Just practice it.  Even if your child will be bringing a lunch from home, still learn the number because it will be used for computer purposes.

Our lunch time is 10:40-11:05.  Please wait until after Labor Day to join us for lunch.  It takes us about two weeks to learn the routines.  Hot lunches can be purchased for $1.75.  Milk is included in that price. Your child can purchase a milk for $.35 to accompany a lunch from home.  Remember to label all containers and lunch boxes.  Breakfast is served starting at 7:30 for $1.00. You will be notified in writing when your child's lunch account is getting low on money.

Please label ALL money in separate envelopes. 

Remember to have PATIENCE for carpool for the first couple of weeks.  It does take a while at the beginning but I can promise you that it gets better. To make things go a little bit quicker, make a sign with your child's first and last name and my name.  Place the sign in the driver's side window.   Just remember PATIENCE!  Please return your child's transportation hat each day. 

In Friday's book bag, you will find the black composition notebook that is labeled Poetry Journal.  This will come home every Friday.  On the inside cover, I have written a note as to how to use the Poetry Journal with your child.  Please return the Poetry Journal every Monday.  Poems are a fun, quick way to improve our reading skills.

On Thursday, I am going to send home a letter with reading information for the first nine weeks of school.  You will want to put this in a safe place and reference it all quarter.  Get into the habit of checking that binder every night and returning it every morning.

On Fridays only, the children may wear jeans and their Blount spirit wear.  The only day you can wear the Blount t-shirt is on Fridays.  Blount spirit wear can be purchased through the PTA.  If you  do not have a Blount t-shirt, then you can still wear jeans and a regular uniform top.

I do NOT send home a daily conduct sheet.  I will explain my philosophy of classroom discipline at our cluster meeting on September 6.  If there is ever a problem I will contact you immediately.

Kindergarten is a LONG day.  Do not become anxious if your child does not immediately talk about his/her school day.  Be patient and let your child unwind.  Dinner time or bed time is common for conversations to begin to emerge. Just be encouraging, loving and patient.

Thank you so much for sharing your greatest treasure with me.  I know it is difficult to turn your child over to another person for seven hours a day.  My youngest is going to Kindergarten this year so I'm feeling the same emotions as you.  But I know that Kindergarten is a very joyous place and your child is going to love learning and love school.  Thank you for supporting Room 115 and Blount Elementary.  Contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. I'm so excited to be your child's teacher!

Upcoming events:
8.20:  First Day of School and Boo Hoo/Woo Hoo in the library at 8:10
8.31:  Box Top collection day:  send in any box tops/soup labels.
9.3:  No school in observance of Labor Day
9.6  Cluster Meeting for Room 115:  choose either 5:30 pm or 7:00 pm to attend. No children please.
9.11  PTA General Membership Meeting at 6:00. 
9.28  Box Top collection day
10.11 Fall Picture Day
10.18  Blount Fall Festival