Pumpkin Patch

We will be going on our first fieldtrip of the year on October 17th to The Chilliwack Corn Maze!  I am sending home an orange permission form today in your child’s folder.  Please fill it out and return it to school as soon as possible.  If you would be willing to lead up a small group of children on this trip, please either indicate on the permission form or email me at dmorris@highroadacademy.com.

October Dates

Can you believe that we are in the last week of September already?  I’m always a bit sad at this time of year to be moving away from summer (my favourite season – sigh) but…can’t help but also be thrilled as I watch your children adjusting to all the new routines and expectations of their new school environment.  They are doing so well.  I’m proud of each and every one!

Here are some dates to keep in mind as we look ahead to next month:

Tuesday, October 3 – Parent SWR information session 3:15-4:15.  Strongly recommended!  Childcare is available.  Please sign up on the paper outside of our classroom door if you will be needing childcare.

Wednesday, October 3 – WITS Assembly (K-3).  We will learn some strategies for handling conflict (W=walk away, I=Ignore, T=talk about it, S=seek help).

Monday, October 9 – No school (Thanksgiving)

Tuesday, October 10 – No school (Pro D)

Monday, October 16 – Picture Day (full dress uniform required)

Tuesday, October 17 – Pumpkin Patch fieldtrip (details to follow)

Wednesday, October 18 – Interim report cards go home

Tuesday, October 24 – Thursday, October 26 – Scholastic Book Fair in school foyer (before and after school)

Wednesday, October 25 – Knight Day

Tuesday, October 31 – Fall Colours Dress Up Day (no costumes, please)

Tuesday, October 31 – K-6 Soup Picnic (details to follow)

 

 

 

Knight Day

Just a quick reminder that tomorrow (last Wednesday of the month) is Knight Day.  That means your child may wear their red knight t-shirt with a pair of casual bottoms (jeans etc.).  If you’d rather send your child in their uniform that is an option as well.  See you tomorrow!

Finally, an Update!

I want to apologize for not posting an update sooner but there was a technical issue with the blog and I was at the mercy of our very busy tech team to resolve it.  Looks like we’re good to go now!

We are now 7 days (well, technically, 6 1/2) in to this Kindergarten year and I am so pleased with how the children are settling in!  They are beginning to get a sense of the structure of each day and are catching on to how our classroom operates.

Home Folder– By now you have seen your child’s red home folder. Please make sure it comes to class each morning with your child.  If you have any notes for me this would be the best place to put them.  I usually get around to checking them by recess.  Having said that, if there is a parent who would like to stay for a few minutes to check the planners each day that would be very helpful.  You could let me know by email at dmorris@highroadacademy.com.  I have labelled the inside pouches of the folder “left” at home and bring “right” back and am hoping those labels stick for awhile. When they do eventually fall off (lol) just remember the left/right thing and we’ll be good!

Classroom Rules Booklet – On Wednesday I sent home in your child’s folder a little booklet we’ve been working on about classroom rules.  It would be wonderful if you could take a few minutes to look at it with your child this weekend.  I’m sure that they would love to show you their amazing colouring and to teach you their school rules!  Our class verse this year is Matthew 5:16, “Let your light shine” and we are learning that our rules help us to show kindness to others and when we do that we shine for Jesus!  Yay!

Me Bags – This week your child also brought home a brown paper lunch bag.  Please read the instructions attached to the bag and help your child find 3 items from home that tell something about them.  We will have the children share their me bag items next week.  I am looking forward to getting to know your child a little better through this activity!

Memory Verses – On Monday I will be sending home your child’s first memory verse (“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”).  Please review this verse with your child throughout the week.  They will be tested on it next Monday.  Having said that, I am looking for a parent who would be willing to volunteer 15 minutes each Monday morning to listen to the children say their verses.  Please email me if you are interested.  Thanks!

Phonograms – I have been so happy by how quickly this group of Kindies has progressed in learning phonograms!  We have already introduced all of the clock letters (o, c, a, d, s, g, f, and qu), seeing them, saying the sounds, and printing them on our whiteboards.  If you haven’t already purchased a set of phonograms at the office, I encourage you to do so.  I also encourage you to come out to our SWR (Spell to Write and Read) seminar on Tuesday, October 3.  It will be held from 3:15-4:15 at the school.  Childcare will be provided.  There will be a sign up sheet (for childcare) available this week.

Washroom Signal 

Because I am not always able to answer every hand and don’t want to miss a child who is in desperate need of a bathroom break I have given the children a special signal.  It is the sign for the letter “w”.  If  see a child with their hand up like this I will know that they need to use the washroom and will let them slip out to do so.  To help reduce the number of children leaving the classroom first thing in the morning please make sure that your child has gone before the school day begins.  We will go as a class before recess, lunch, and after outside play.  Having said all that, sometimes accidents still do happen so I am asking that you send an extra set of play clothes along to keep in your child’s locker just in case.  Thank you!

Great Badges – Your child has come home with 2 or 3 great badges already.  Please make sure that you have a special collecting spot for them.  Once they have 10 great badges they will return them for a special prize!

Labels – Just a reminder to please label your child’s cardigan as well as their jackets and shoes.  These items are often removed and left in random places.  They can be so pricey to replace and a simple name on the tag is so helpful to reunite them with their owners.

I hope that all makes sense.  If you have any further questions please email me at dmorris@highroadacademy.com.  Enjoy your weekend!

Sincerely,

Diane Morris

Lockers

Unfortunately, our new lockers did not arrive this weekend as hoped.  This means things will be a bit more disorganized than usual.  We will continue to leave our backpacks in the hall by our name tags and will store our gym shoes and pillows in our cubbies in the classroom.  I had hoped to have the student’s home folders ready by now but will delay until the cubbies are less cluttered with other items.  Thanks for your understanding!

Pizza Tuesdays

Tuesdays are pizza days at Highroad!  Slices are $2.  If you would like to order pizza for your child please fill out the form outside our classroom door on Tuesday morning and put the money in the attached envelope.  Alternately, you may purchase a pizzza card at the office.

 

Teachers

Next week our full day Kindie schedule will begin.  Your child’s week will include visits to the library, gym, and music room.  I wanted to make you aware of some of the special people that will play a role in your child’s days here at school.

Mrs. Ujlaky is our wonderful classroom helper.  She works in our class between 9-3 every day that the part timers come to school (Monday – Wednesday).

Mrs. Caswell teaches the Kindies Music.  On Mondays we will visit her in the Garage (a classroom above the gym) in the afternoons and on Tuesdays she will teach us Music first thing in the morning in our classroom.

Mrs. Britz is our library teacher.  Our class will visit her in the library on Tuesdays in the afternoon.

Our class enjoys two PE classes each week (Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoon) with the full time Kindergarten class.  Mrs. Larsson and I alternate leading these sessions.

What a wonderful list of caring teachers!  Your child is blessed!

Important Dates in September

Important Dates this Month:

Thursday, September 14 – Individual Student Photos

Since the part time Kindie class is not at school on Thursdays it has been suggested that our class be photographed on retake day, Monday, October 16th, instead.   Alternately, you can choose to bring your child in on Thursday of next week (preferably in the morning between 8:30 and 9:00).

Please dress your child in their full dress uniform for photo day.  For the boys that is their button down oxford shirt and their cardigan.  Since it is a head and shoulders shot it shouldn’t matter if they are wearing long pants or shorts!  Girls should wear their button down blouse, tunic, and cardigan.

Monday, September 18 – HRA Parent Welcome Night (6:30 pm)

Parents are invited to come out to learn about the school, the year ahead, and meet their child’s teacher.  I hope to see you there!

Wednesday, September 27 – Knight Day

The last Wednesday of each month is Knight Day, a chance for students to show their school spirit and support our school sports teams.  All Highroad students are allowed to wear casual bottoms and their Knight t-shirt on this day if they would like instead of their uniform.  Kindie students will be provided with a free Knight t-shirt.  I will be sending those home in the next week or so.  Go Knights!