Class name: Cool Cats
General News: Starting this week I will be sending home the All about Me Bag. Please help your child pick four of five things that tell us all about his or her interests. Details about what to bring are attached to the bag, you should return it within two days of when the bag comes home, so that each child will soon have a turn.

Please make sure your child is wearing proper footwear to school. We play outside every day. Your child’s feet need to be protected. They also need to be comfortable.
I have had lots of very tired children this week. I understand it may be difficult to get them into bed please try. Thank you!!

Fall Festival: Our dates for Fall Festival are October 13th and 14th. The location will be camp Alta Mons. We will be spending one night. Look for details to be coming home in your child’s folder this week. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. A reminder all children must be accompanied by an adult. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Science: We now have three chrysalises in our class and one remaining caterpillar. With a little luck I am hoping we see a butterfly emerge from the chrysalis. Each morning as
the children enter the room they run to the science area to see what has happened over night. They are being very patient. We will let you all know as soon as the big event happens.

Language Arts: To complement our Caterpillar theme we read The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carl. We are working on creating our own sequencing books to go along with the story. To introduce the story I used a big book. With the use of Big Books we are teaching beginning readers to successfully figure out new words on their own and give children the confidence to become impendent readers. I teach them to look for picture clues, letters or words they may know. With a pointer I help to train their eyes to sweep across the page. We also learn new vocabulary words. We are working on the concept of today, tomorrow, and yesterday. We are also working on the days of the week and the months of the year. The Hungry Caterpillar has lots to teach us!!

Much of this week has been spent on assessment. I have been meeting with each of your children individually to determine your child’s individual needs. This process is very necessary and very time consuming. I hope to have assessments completed by the end of the week.

Field trip: Our class has been invited by James Simmons family to pick apples at their family orchard. We are planning on going October 8th. If you are able to help with transportation let me know as soon as possible. We will leave school around 9:00 and return around 1:30.

General news:
Wow! It is hard to believe summer is over and here we are back in the swing of things. The first few weeks together, we have been learning our daily routines and focusing on The Big One. We use The Big One as a guideline to help us become a warm, friendly, and welcoming classroom community. We took a tour of campus with our “Treasure Maps.” Along the way we discovered where the new music room is located and we met the new Computer Teacher. We explored the new tepee and discovered where Holly’s office is located. We finally discovered the treasure back at our room! We really had so much fun. Ask your child about digging for gold.

Communications: Please try to return your folder daily. Quick Notes are published on the Community School website every Tuesday please check it out. Please feel free to leave a message in the office for me or e-mail me. (I try to check my e-mail daily, but some times it is impossible.) My e-mail is bethr@communityschool.net.

Fruit Break: Please send your child with a healthy snack. Fruit, cheese, and yogurt are all acceptable. No candy or soda please.

Toys: Please do not let your child bring toys to school (only on show and share day). Show and share will be on Fridays and it will start after the fall festival.

Birthdays: You are welcome to bring a treat into share with the class. Please no peanut butter.
If you are having a party please mail your invitations from home.

Fall Festival will be October 13th-14th. I will let you know as soon as I know the location. Please note that an adult must accompany every child. We will have other responsibilities during the trip and cannot be responsible for your child. If you cannot attend, please let me know. This trip is a lot of fun and it is a great way to get to know other parents, so we hope you will attend. Katie’s and Keri’s classes will also come with us.