Monday 5.23's Wish - Class Field Trip

As a reminder, we will be traveling around Iowa City tomorrow for some surprise fun visiting our favorite places.  If you have any pop tabs or final Ronald McDonald House donations you'd like to bring in please put them in your child's book bag.  You can check out Ronald McDonald House's Wish List HERE.  This is optional.  We will plan to leave sometime in the morning and be back my mid afternoon.

Packing Up - Taking Home Belongings

The end of the year is BUSY!  Thank you for bearing with the many emails and communication needs from the Front Desk and me.  I am so appreciative of the prompt replies from all of you.

Yesterday, we started to take home belongings in the classroom (starting small with winter boots - yay!).  Below is a timeline of what we will be taking home in the remaining days of school.

Wednesday 5.18:  VIP Day Plant & Cubby Belongings
We will be taking home sunscreen today, too.  I have school sunscreen and Bug Soother to use for our remaining school days.  If you would like your child to use their own sunscreen please keep in their backpack and let me know.  I'm happy to accommodate.

Thursday 5.19:  Portfolio Work
All work from Portfolio Night can go home at the conclusion of our evening event (from 5:30 - 6:15). Also, don't forget Thursday is Dress Up Wish Day.  Pack a dressy outfit for our child to wear.

Friday 5.20:  Remaining School Work
All remaining work will come home on Friday in a brown, paper grocery sack.  Take Home Folders & Bunny Book Bags will go home and can stay at home beginning on Friday.  Also, don't forget:  1) booster seat; 2) parent letter homework; 3) $1.25 for Monday's surprise field trip.

Monday 5.23:  Student Gift
Students will take home your special letters (beginning and end of year) and a special memento from me.

Tuesday 5.24 / Wednesday 5.25:  Last Day Supplies
Remember, Wednesday's dismissal is 7:30 am.  Students will take home all supplies from our Last Day fun as well as Kids' Rag - if ordered.  Please see April 26th's email "READ & RESPOND:  Last Day of School Info" of the day(s) schedule, opportunities for parents (Talent Show, Picnic, Graduation), a packing list & much more information.

Weekend Event - Teddy Bear Clinic (Sat, 5.21)

A fun weekend event to pass along.

Message from Emily Stratton - STEM Education Coordinator

stem-education@uiowa.edu

I wanted to pass along an upcoming opportunity for your students to be involved in here at UI Health Care. UI Carver College of Medicine Students who are on the Service Distinction Track have developed a new program, Teddy Bear Clinic, which is for children ages 4-17.  Teddy Bear Clinic is a FREE, interactive experience that exposes children to healthcare in a fun and friendly way.  The next clinic is Saturday, May 21.

Attached HERE is a flyer with more information and the signup form.  There is also a Facebook and Instagram page for Teddy Bear Clinic if you would like to see pictures from past events and share this with parents of your students as well: facebook.com/TBCatIA and instagram.com/TBCatIA.

Also, if you're at the Farmers' Market this Saturday, be sure to stop by Willowwind's Booth and say hi to Ms. Dana (7:30 - 9:30) or me (9:30 - 11:30).  Willowwind will be at the Farmers' Market each Saturday to share our love of education with our community.

Archiving Seesaw Photos

Seesaw has been an incredible success as we've piloted it throughout the 2nd semester in K-2.  Because of its success, our younger (PreK) AND older friends (3-6) are looking into implementing it in other grades beginning in the Fall.  Some grades already have!  We are also looking at a paid option that will archive student work from year to year allowing students, teachers, and families to watch their child (and their school work) grow virtually.

Since our piloted program did not utilize the archive option please take a look at this message from Seesaw below.

Seesaw Message:

We’re happy to announce that parents can now download a .zip archive of their child’s work for free, anytime.  For parents who want to save their child’s work outside of Seesaw at the end of the year, this is a much simpler option than downloading files individually.  See how it works!

1 MORE DRIVER NEEDED - Friday's Field Trip

We are in need of one more driver for Friday's surprise field trip.  Please click HERE to sign up if you are able to drive.  Your help is needed to make this field trip a success.  Without your child noticing :), if possible, please leave a booster seat on the 20th.  We will be leaving Willowwind around 10:00 and should be back to school by 12:00.  Please help out if you can.  Many thanks, as always!

IMPORTANT: End of Year Date Reminders

Please don't forget!  Today - TUESDAY, MAY 17th - is the final day to:

•  submit an entry in Talent Show - Please email Lou at lindseyh@willowwind.org by 4:00 if your child is interested.

•  order a Kids' Rag - Order forms are available at the Front Desk and must be turned in by 4:00.  No orders accepted after 4:00.  The Kids' Rag is Willowwind's version of a yearbook only with more personalization with each K-6 student receiving their very own page.

•  RSVP for picnic and sleepover - There are still a few students I have not heard from regarding attendance to the sleepover and picnic.  Please let me know by today so I can make plan accordingly.

Remember - THIS Thursday, May 19th is Sephora's Wish Day - Dress Up Day.  Please back a dressy outfit for your child to change into.  Note: this is NOT a costume dress up day but a fancy / "Sunday Best" dress up day.  Also, Thursday brings our annual Portfolio Night.  Please be here shortly before 5:30 so your child can find their Portfolio board to stand by and share their work with our community.

By THIS Friday, May 20th please be sure to:

•  leave booster seat for Friday's surprise field trip.

•  turn in end of school year parent letter for me to read with your child on Monday.

•  bring in $1.25 for our surprise class trip to downtown Iowa City on Monday.  See following blog post for more information.

Thank you for an amazing year.  I am grateful for the year.  I can't believe how fast it has flown by.

SHHH! HELP NEEDED! - My Wish Day

As a wrap up to our Wishes Celebration, we will be enjoying my wish day on Monday, May 23rd.  We will be spending our last day as a class (before the final hurrah with our whole school) enjoying Iowa City.  We will travel around by city bus stopping at the Ronald McDonald House to drop off remaining pop tabs (bring any in you may have!) and extra donations.  We will then head to the Pentacrest to eat lunch and play lawn games together as a class, we will climb on the library's play structure one last time and as a final treat we will stop by Molly's Cupcakes to enjoy a MINI treat.

By FRIDAY, please bring in $1.25 to cover the cost of the cupcake.  SHHHH!  This is a surprise so please hand the money directly to me.

Looking forward to one last day of fun with your amazing Kindergartener!  Let me know if you have questions.

Surprise Field Trip! - DRIVERS NEEDED - Friday, May 20th

Shhhh!!  We're going on a surprise field trip.  Considering our focus on being environmental stewards this Spring, and in conjunction with Drew's wish (to go on another field trip), we will be visiting Iowa City's East Side Recycling Center on Friday, May 20th.  We will be leaving Willowwind around 10:00 and should be back to school by 12:00.  While there, we will tour the facility, read a book, discuss the importance of recycling, and participate in a recycling sort activity.

Please click HERE to sign up if you are able to drive.  Your help is needed to make this field trip a success.  Without your child noticing :), if possible, please leave a booster seat on the 20th.

Also, please note, sometime next week, we will be watching The Lorax (a fellow environmental steward) for our final gem party of the year.  It is rated pg, so please let me know if you are concerned with this movie choice.

Kids' Rag (Yearbook) Orders Due Tuesday, May 17

The end of the school year is fast approaching. The Wolves (5-6 class) have been busily preparing this year's edition of The Kids' Rag. For those not familiar with The Kids' Rag, it is a collection of school year memories highlighting each classroom and featuring all students in PK-6th grade. If you would like to see an example, stop by the front office.

If you are interested in purchasing a copy of the 2015-2016 Kids' Rag, please complete the attached order form.  Orders are due by 4 pm, Tuesday, May 17th.  Due to printing needs, no orders can be accepted after this date.  Please drop forms off at the front desk with a check or cash for the exact amount ($23 per book, to cover printing costs only).  Checks can be made to Willowwind School.

Specials Update - Apr / May

Art w/ Mr. Ryan

ryanb@willowwind.org

Visit Mr. Ryan's website for monthly updates.

www.willowwindschoolart.weebly.com

Music w/ Ms. Katherine

katherinea@willowwind.org

Visit Ms. Katherine's blog for monthly updates.

http://willowwindmusic.weebly.com/

ASP w/ Mr. Dan & Friends
dand@willowwind.org
Visit ASP's blog for regular updates.
http://willowwindasp.weebly.com

Espanol w/ Ms. Ximena

ximenac@willowwind.org
This is my last update of the year for Spanish class.  The kids have been a very good group of students, and I’ve enjoyed spending time with them.  I’m always impressed with how much can be learned by enthusiastic students in a short time, and this group was no exception.  Please congratulate your sons and daughters on the progress they have made!

In April we learned Spanish vocabulary about Community. They have practiced vocabulary, writing and pronunciation. We talked about our own Community, how their community looks like, which one is their favorite place and what place they would like to add in our town. At the end of the month they made a board with the most important places in our town, adding the names in Spanish. (See the Spanish monthly board)

In May, I will do a review about the important topics that we learned during the year, to give them the opportunity of practicing the vocabulary and the pronunciation.  Thank you again for making Spanish part of your child’s education.  As always, if you have questions or comments, please feel free to get in touch.  Have a wonderful summer!

Phy Ed w/ Ms. Susan

susant@willowwind.org

Floor Hockey Program Goal: All students were able to play a functional game of Floor Hockey employing basic skills, rules, and strategies.

Rational: Hockey is a team sport that challenges students to work together to accomplish one goal. Hockey requires a high level of hand eye coordination, and a high level of communication and understanding.

Floor Hockey Objectives:

1) After sufficient instruction and practice time, students were able to stick handle and pass the puck by demonstrating proper form and an acceptable level of accuracy.

2) After sufficient instruction and practice time, students were able to shoot the puck demonstrating proper form and an acceptable level of accuracy minding safety precautions.

3) After reviewing basic explanations, students were able to demonstrate knowledge of basic rules of floor hockey by playing the game.

4) After an explanation of expectations, students were consistently demonstrate elements of communication and courtesy by calling for the puck, effectively subbing, using stick properly, and working together as a team to achieve the common goal of scoring on the opposing team. .

Objective:

•  Puck handling

•  Passing

•  Shooting

•  Basic Rules

•  Communication and courtesy

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Tennis Program Goal: All students will be introduced to some basic fundamentals of Tennis employing basic skills and some rules.

Rational: Tennis is a lifetime activity which includes enhancing social skills and motor skills.

Tennis Objectives:

1.  After basic instruction and practice time students will be able to hit the tennis ball over the net demonstrating proper form and an acceptable level of accuracy.

2.  After an explanation of expectations, students will consistently demonstrate elements of communication and courtesy by:

Objectives:

•  Hit the tennis ball over the net

•  Encouraging teammates

•   Avoiding criticism

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Volleyball Program Goal: All students will be able to play a basic game of volleyball employing basic skills, some rules, and basic strategies.

Rational:  Volleyball  is a lifetime activity which includes enhancing social skills and motor skills.

Objectives:

1.  After basic instruction and practice time, students will be able to move to the ball and execute a forearm pass demonstrating proper form and an acceptable level of accuracy.

2.  After basic instruction and practice time, students will be able to move to the ball and execute and overhead set demonstrating basic form and an acceptable level of accuracy.

3.  After basic instruction and practice time, students will be able to execute and underhand serve demonstrating proper form and an acceptable level of success.

4.  After explanation, students will demonstrate knowledge of basic rules of volleyball by playing a game.

5.  After an explanation of expectations, students will consistently demonstrate elements of communication and courtesy by:

Objectives:

• Forearm Pass
• Overhead Set
• Serve - Underhand
• Basic Rules
• Communication/Courtesy
• ·       Saying the score before they serve
  ·       Calling the ball before playing it
  ·       Rolling the ball under the net between points
  ·       Encouraging teammates/avoiding criticism

SHHH! Your Help Needed: Kindergarten Wishes

Read carefully... I need your help with a fun Kindergarten surprise.  SHHH!  Don't tell your Kindergartener about the top-secret information below.

Our time together is quickly coming to end. While this thought can bring some sad feelings in our hearts it is a truly a time to celebrate all that we have done together and our love for one another. It is a time where we are reflecting on our own individual progress over the last year and thinking about all of the wonderful things we have done together. We have become a family and experienced so much together.

This week, the Cottontails have been talking about wishes. We concluded that a wish is a something we want that makes ourselves and others feel better. Students took time this week to think about our Kindergarten year and brainstorm three wishes they would love to see come true as Kindergarten comes to an end. We generated a flurry of ideas and are excited to think about all the wishes, big and small, that could happen in the coming weeks. I am excited now to take one of each students' wishes and make it come true before the end of the school year.

Daily, beginning TOMORROW Thursday, May 5th, a student's wish will come true. While the Cottontails know that one of their wishes may come true, it is a total surprise for the Cottontails regarding who's wish will come true each day. I have created a schedule of students' wishes and what day they will come true. Some may require your help.  These wishes can be found in red font. I will send reminder emails before "help wishes" occur.

Thank you so much for your help in making the last month of Kindergarten incredibly special and fun. Remember, the wish schedule is top secret!! And don't forget to send me your child's baby picture ASAP or before your child's Wish Day.  See other blog post (titled:  SHHH! Your Help Needed: Baby Picture).

Cottontails' 2016 End of Kindergarten Wishes

Thursday, May 5 - Ben's Wish - Morning Meeting Assistant

Friday, May 6 - Olivia's Wish - Class Walk - Note:  Please be sure your child is wearing comfy walking shoes.

Monday, May 9 - Bea's Wish - PJ Day - Note:  Please pack a pair of PJs for your child to change into.

Tuesday, May 10 - Pierre's Wish - Extended PE

Wednesday, May 11 - Nika's Wish - Favorite Toy Day - Note: Please pack a favorite toy for your child to play with at school.

Thursday, May 12 - Jordy's Wish - Class Treat

Friday, May 13 - Hito's Wish - Book Party - Note:  Please pack your child's favorite book to read at school.

Monday, May 16 - Emma's Wish - Class Game

Tuesday, May 17 - Jonathan's Wish - Extra Day (Extra Recess, Extra iPads, Extra Centers)

Wednesday, May 18 - Elizabeth's Wish - Class Picnic

Thursday, May 19 - Sephora's Wish - Dress Up Day - Note: Please pack a fun dress up outfit (as in dressing fancy - NOT a costume for our child to change into.

Friday, May 20 - Drew's Wish - Surprise Field Trip - Note: Leave Booster Seat. (More info to follow.)

Monday, May 23 - Ms. Michelle's Wish (More info to follow.)

Leona's Wish - TBD upon her travel return.  Will plug into one of the above dates.

SHHH! Your Help Needed: Baby Picture

Tomorrow, the Cottontails' will begin watching our End of Year Wishes come true.  A wish is something we want that makes ourselves, and others feel better.  Please see the previous blog post for more information and where your specific help is needed in granting wishes.

In the meantime.... please read this top-secret information carefully.

ASAP, please email me your Kindergartener's baby picture.  Beginning tomorrow, each Wish Reveal Morning the Cottontails will play "Who's That Baby?" making guesses as to which Kindergartener is featured in the Baby Picture of the Day.  At Morning Meeting, I will reveal "Who's That Baby?" and therefore who's wish will come true that day.  Please see the Wish Blog Post for our top-secret Wish Reveal schedule and when I will need your child's baby picture for their special Wish Day.

Email me your child's baby picture ASAP, and keep the picture you select a secret so your child can be just as surprised when their own baby picture is on display.  Now for a little "Who's That Baby?" fun!

Now a little bit of fun!  Take a look below and can you guess…"Who's That Baby?"

I'll give you a hint.  It's actually a picture of two little ones...it seems like they could practically be twins...but they're not.  ;)  Enjoy, have fun, and thank you for helping us make the end of our Kindergarten year so magical!  REMEMBER, keep the baby picture you email TOP SECRET.