Monica Ros School

December 9, 2009

Dear Parents,

We had a wonderful field trip to the Reagan Library last week. I want to thank Connie, Bill, Sandra, and Tami and Doug for transporting everyone. Some of the favorite exhibits at the museum were Air Force One, The Berlin Wall, The Oval Office, the Christmas trees, and Nancy Reagan’s dresses! I was delighted to read all the facts the children wrote down in their museum packets!

Our recent barbecue came off without a hitch thanks to the Curwen, Mazzola and Moses families. We appreciate your hard work and generosity. Please make sure you’ve changed the date for the camp-out to May 28th and 29th.

We are thoroughly enjoying our new books from the Scholastic Book Fair. Thank you to Dylan, Madeleine, and Cassidy’s families for purchasing them for us.

Language Arts

 Our language Arts’ plate is full during this brief and busy month of December. We continue to enhance our skills in grammar and parts of speech. Recently, we have enjoyed (I think!) learning about the art of diagramming. Actually, it is a learning tool that fell out of favor years ago and I never understood why. It helps the children see clearly the purpose and placement of the parts of speech. So along with modern techniques we visit the rites of ancient teaching methods! It pleases me to see that the children have developed a love of literature. Their reading skills have developed to the point that all kinds of wonderful books are now their’s to enjoy. I hope that during our break the children will spend time with a special book.

Dear Green Room Families,

A quick note about this week….  We are very excited about our Friday performance, if you are a Tuesday/Thursday family please bring your child to the green room at 10:15, the performance begins at 10:30.  We will have a small celebration on the big yard following the performance, if you can please bring a dozen cookies to share.   The school day ends after the celebration and there is no daycare on this day.  We will miss you all over the break and wish a safe and happy holiday. 

Much love, Mrs. Drury and Mrs. Simonds

 School resumes Tuesday January 5^th, 2010

Kindergarten News
December 2009

We welcomed the children back from a week of giving thanks to begin a look at warm holiday traditions.  We will be reading many versions of a beloved holiday tale, The Gingerbread Man.  As we read the story we’ll be baking, graphing, comparing, enacting and incorporating the science of our taste and smell into this curriculum.  We will culminate the festivities at our annual Holiday Program on December 18th at 10:30 am.   The kids have been practicing the songs in anticipation of the performance.

Language Arts:  In addition to all the “merry making” we will forge ahead with reading and writing.  We will be reading seasonal literature, including Caldecott Medal Winner, The Polar Express, by Chris Van Allsburg.  We will also read The Legend of the Poinsettia, a Mexican legend retold by Tommie de Paola.   The warmth, tradition and magic of these stories are fitting for this season.

Math:  We will continue working on our numeral formation and counting.  We will be making a class number line using decorated Christmas trees to reinforce the skill of counting by 1’s and 10’s.  The kids will enjoy making their very own “Monster Squeeze” and “Spin a Number” game, both of which work on number recognition two great games to enjoy over the holiday break.

Notes and Reminders:

Things seem to be going great on our Adopt-a-Family project.  The last day to contribute is Wednesday December 9th.

Holiday Program will be Friday, December 18th @10:30 a.m. (Early dismissal-no day care following performance)

We would like to extend warm wishes to each of your families.  We are very pleased and proud of each of our students.  They truly bring joy to our days and delight to our hearts. We wish the best of the holidays to you all.

 Alice and Rychelle

The book fair will be open all week.  Scholastic Books provides a wide variety to choose from.  Give the gift of books this holiday season and inspire a love for books as well as adventure. Please check in the office for Book Fair Hours, thank you to Kara Hooper for coordinating this event.

December News

Dear Green Room Families,

            We hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving holiday.  It is hard to believe we already in December!  We have been learning our songs for the holiday program.  Mark your calendars; seeing the children up on stage performing is sure to be a great treat. 

            This month we will be busy working on our holiday crafts and special gifts.  The children have shown a growing interest in letters; both writing them and recognizing letters and letter sounds.  We are supporting them in every way we can.  Be sure to visit the Book Fair in Meyer Hall it will be open through this Thursday (proceeds support the school).

            A few housekeeping notes:  Please be sure to sign your child in and out at the gate. This is required by California State Law.   Please note you may now send emails to both of us at greenroom@monicaros.org, emails sent to our old email addresses will be forwarded to the new one.  Also the weather is changing rapidly so please dress in layers as it tends to warm up by mid day.  

                                                Fondly, Mrs. Drury and Mrs. Simonds

Dates to Remember: 

Book Store – Open in Meyer Hall Through December 4th

Holiday Program – Friday December 18^th at 10:30

Winter Break – December 21 through January 4^th – School resumes Tuesday January 5th

November 9-13, 2009

Thank you to all parents for a fabulous parent conference week.  I sure enjoyed meeting with all of you regarding your incredible children!  Thank you to Alison Curwen for her great presentation and for being our first guest speaker regarding her profession.  Thank you to Tyler’s grandma, Margaret Whitney, who was our “Mystery Reader” this week. 

Nov. 16 – 20, 2009

“Turkeys Go On Strike” play this Thursday is at 11:00am!  Welcome back Jane and Kate! We missed you. Thank you to Shea D. Tyler’s Mom, who was our “Mystery Reader” last wee!  Happy Thanksgiving! Have a fantastic holiday with your families.

Last minute Field trip to the Oak Tree House to perform our “Turkeys Go on Strike” play.  Please return your permission slip on Tuesday 11/17 since the field trip is Wed. 11/18.