Good Morning to all of you. I hope your children all had a great 1st week. This is the 1st time in my teaching career (I believe) that the 1st week had 5 full days. I am sure some if not all of the kids were quite tired by last night. The 1st week is always unique and can offer a variety of feelings. Kids have to get out of their summer routines and most have to get up much earlier in the morning. There's the nervousness of joining a new class and/or even being a new student to the school. There is also the excitement of starting new, seeing old friends and being back into the school routine. As I enter year 28, I have some of the same feelings too. However, what stands out the most to me is the sense of happiness. Our school is an amazing place. It's a team, it's a family, and in many ways it can feel like "home." The entire staff cares about and wants the best for each of your children. It's a place that functions so well because of the core belief that we are a team. We are teachers, custodians, para-educators and families that work together to create an incredible experience for your child. It is with this in mind that most excites me about kicking off another school year. I hope it also allows you to feel the same. Please reach out anytime with questions, concerns or thoughts.
We are off to a great start and this group is coming together rather quickly. This week has been a mix of learning expectations, learning how to use tools, kids learning names, and learning about each other. The students have been working on posters about themselves and have been presenting their information to each other. These posters will be hanging up during our Open House in September.
We have read a variety of picture books this week including The Book With No Pictures, The Day You Begin, School's First Day of School, Our Class is a Family and a handful of other books. I have to say one of my favorite books is The Book With No Pictures by BJ Novak. It's all in the presentation by the reader but kids will absolutely be hysterical by the end of the book. Check it out with your child.
THE FIRST 20 MINUTES of the DAY
VOLUNTEERS: We will have a variety of opportunities for parent volunteers. Please check out this form and fill out any times that you wish to be involved. It can be weekly, monthly, and even just on special occasions (field trips, etc.) The volunteers for the science unit in erosion (river work) will start in mid September. The rest of the spots will start the 1st full week in October. I also understand that some would like to volunteer but their job doesn't allow them the flexibility to do this. I never got to volunteer in my own kid's classrooms. Please don't fret if this is the case for you.
