I am happy to report that we believe we have found the glitch in our classroom websites that caused the most recent Grandparents' Day blog post to be sent out 6 or so times. I apologize for that. :)
These most recent blog postings are full of information (see below), but also act as a test to be sure that our Cottontails' website is up and running to its fullest potential. Additional updates are being made and will be reveal at tomorrow's (9.10) Curriculum Night.
Thanks for your patience and I apologize for any inconveniences or annoyances.
Monday, September 9, 2013
New Routines: Spelling Sorts
The Cottontails are eager to begin learning more about letter sounds. This week, we begin our weekly spelling routine. Your help is needed in ensuring a successful routine. Beginning Monday, September 9th, your child will be periodically bringing home a spelling "sort". Sorts will go home every other Monday. The Cottontail Communicator (found weekly in your child's Take Home Folder) will detail your child's weekly sort and whether it's a new sort for the week or a continuation from the week prior.
On the Mondays, your child brings home their weekly sort please be sure that they take some time each Monday evening cut out the sort and then write their initials on the back of each sort card. These cut cards should then make their way into the new Spelling Sort bag you will find on the right side of your child's Take Home Folder. Please be sure these sort cards travel back and both to school via the new plastic bag DAILY. Your help with this portion of their weekly home activities is essential in preparing your child in participating in at school spelling activities throughout the week.
I have linked a Weekly Word Study Routine document that outlines our weekly routine at school and a recommended weekly routine for you to follow at home. This document can also be found on the Welcome page's right sidebar. In addition, I will send out personal emails this week that further details your child's spelling stage. Please read this document carefully and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you in advance for your help in the successful introduction to another new routine.
On the Mondays, your child brings home their weekly sort please be sure that they take some time each Monday evening cut out the sort and then write their initials on the back of each sort card. These cut cards should then make their way into the new Spelling Sort bag you will find on the right side of your child's Take Home Folder. Please be sure these sort cards travel back and both to school via the new plastic bag DAILY. Your help with this portion of their weekly home activities is essential in preparing your child in participating in at school spelling activities throughout the week.
I have linked a Weekly Word Study Routine document that outlines our weekly routine at school and a recommended weekly routine for you to follow at home. This document can also be found on the Welcome page's right sidebar. In addition, I will send out personal emails this week that further details your child's spelling stage. Please read this document carefully and let me know if you have any questions or concerns. Thank you in advance for your help in the successful introduction to another new routine.
Volunteer Opportunity: Room Parents - A Msg from WWFF
Below you will find a message from Willowwind Friends & Family (WWFF) chairperson, parent Gretchen Rice.
Dear Cottontail Parents:
I have asked Ms. Michelle to forward this email to you on behalf of Willowwind Friends and Families. For those of you who may not be familiar with this organization, Willowwind Friends and Families is the Home School Association for Willowwind School. We are currently looking for two parents to act as "room parents" for the Cottontail class. Room Parents function as coordinators for class events, communicate classroom needs to Cottontail parents, and in general provide parental support for Michelle Beninga. Classroom Parents meet once monthly as a group with me, Gretchen Rice, the elementary chairperson for Willowwind Friends and Families. Meetings are brief and to the point, and only one classroom parent from each class need attend. I am asking each of you to consider being a classroom parent. It is a wonderful opportunity to become more involved with your child's education and to support our dedicated teachers.
In addition, each classroom is responsible for one school-wide event each semester. It was felt that this would be less burdensome than asking all parents to volunteer for all events. In this way each class can make a contribution and do their part. The Cottontail class will be providing the Meal for Parent Teacher Conferences on November 14. Sign ups can be done via signupgenius:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D48AAAB2CA31-parentteacher
If you wish to sign up to help with other events while on the website dimly click on "find an event" and enter the following information when prompted:
creator email address: Katherinea@willowwind.org
password: Giraffe
If you have any questions about being a room parent or would like to volunteer for this very important position, please do not hesitate to contact me at gretchen.rice@mchsi.com or call me at 319-331-8605.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Gretchen Rice
Dear Cottontail Parents:
I have asked Ms. Michelle to forward this email to you on behalf of Willowwind Friends and Families. For those of you who may not be familiar with this organization, Willowwind Friends and Families is the Home School Association for Willowwind School. We are currently looking for two parents to act as "room parents" for the Cottontail class. Room Parents function as coordinators for class events, communicate classroom needs to Cottontail parents, and in general provide parental support for Michelle Beninga. Classroom Parents meet once monthly as a group with me, Gretchen Rice, the elementary chairperson for Willowwind Friends and Families. Meetings are brief and to the point, and only one classroom parent from each class need attend. I am asking each of you to consider being a classroom parent. It is a wonderful opportunity to become more involved with your child's education and to support our dedicated teachers.
In addition, each classroom is responsible for one school-wide event each semester. It was felt that this would be less burdensome than asking all parents to volunteer for all events. In this way each class can make a contribution and do their part. The Cottontail class will be providing the Meal for Parent Teacher Conferences on November 14. Sign ups can be done via signupgenius:
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/4090D48AAAB2CA31-parentteacher
If you wish to sign up to help with other events while on the website dimly click on "find an event" and enter the following information when prompted:
creator email address: Katherinea@willowwind.org
password: Giraffe
If you have any questions about being a room parent or would like to volunteer for this very important position, please do not hesitate to contact me at gretchen.rice@mchsi.com or call me at 319-331-8605.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Gretchen Rice
Kent Park Field Trip Postponed
Unfortunately, Mother Nature and her stifling heat have other plans for our Tuesday together. Due to the hot forecast for Tuesday, September 10th the K-6 program has postponed our trip to Kent Park. We will have school according to normal plans and are in the process of coming up with a reschedule date for a trip to Kent Park later in September. I will keep you posted with updates. Thanks for your understanding. Your child's safety in this warm heat is our number one concern.
Curriculum Night - TOMORROW, Tuesday, September 10
Join me for a conversation about your child's curricular adventures for the 2013-2014 school year! "How do I affect the earth and how does the earth affect me?" is the essential question that unites Willowwind's preschool through sixth grade curriculum for the school year. In addition, we will be discussing classroom-specific units of study.
Curriculum Night Timeline:
6:00 - 6:45 Classroom Discussion of Kindergarten Curriculum (in Cottontails' Classroom)
6:45 - 7:00 Refreshments and Open House Visit with Specials Teachers (in GD Space)
Child care will be provided for students three years old and potty-trained and older. Email Amber amberk@willowwind.org if you are interested in the child care option.
Curriculum Night Timeline:
6:00 - 6:45 Classroom Discussion of Kindergarten Curriculum (in Cottontails' Classroom)
6:45 - 7:00 Refreshments and Open House Visit with Specials Teachers (in GD Space)
Child care will be provided for students three years old and potty-trained and older. Email Amber amberk@willowwind.org if you are interested in the child care option.
Volunteer Opportunity: Black & White Book Assembly
We are getting ready to grow our reading brains! I am in need of 2 parent volunteers to help with the assembly of our weekly black & white books. This is a volunteer opportunity that can be done at home and would earn each family about 30 minutes per week. Your help is greatly appreciated with this volunteer opportunity. It doesn't take much time, but its work is a HUGE ASSEST to our reading program. Please, please email me if you are interested!
Thank you in advance for your help.
Thank you in advance for your help.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
Grandparents' Day - Sunday, September 8
Grandparents' Day is just around the corner! It takes place this coming Sunday, September 8th. We are excited to tell those grandparents, near and far, how much they mean to us. Today, the Kindergarteners spent the afternoon making cards for our special grandparents. They finished them up and took them home today in their Take Home Folder (take a look on the blue "Left at Home" side). Some Kindergarteners are eager to hand deliver their card to local grandparents and some Kindergarteners are eager to make a special trip to the post office to send their card on its way to those grandparents far away. Either way, please take a moment to touch base with your child providing an opportunity for your child to deliver their card. Enjoy this special moment and Happy Grandparents' Day to all those lucky grandparents!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)