Monica Ros School

You are Invited to the Grand Opening
of our Rainforest Habitats

Wednesday April 29th
9:00-9:30 AM

Rainforest snack provided

Kindergarten News April 2009

Welcome back!  We trust Spring Break was a happy and restful time for you and your families.  We are proud to announce the arrival of our 27 baby chicks.  Our most sincere appreciation goes out to the families that helped by doing “chick check” over spring break!   We appreciate all your effort and love!   Thank you, parents who drove and accompanied us to roller-skating.

The Kindergarten has been transformed into a tropical rainforest and home to endangered animals.  The habitat will continue to delight the children as we explore the various creatures which call the jungle home.  We will launch a school-wide fund raising effort to help save our endangered rainforest.

Language Arts:  Our new theme will be based on the exploration of the rainforest.  These endangered areas are home to over half the world’s plant and animal life.  We plan to explore many species with the children.  Each child will be given the opportunity to research and contribute information about a specific animal, culminating in a report and poster for the class.  We will incorporate our reading and writing program and journal entries into theme based activities.

Math:  We will spend time reviewing coins as we prepare to create animal habitats.  Each child will be given a budget of 26 cents and the opportunity to earn additional funds by working in the Rainforest Store selling creation materials.  Please send in donations of recyclable materials such as strawberry baskets, packing materials, very small boxes, Cardboard, fabric, paper towel rolls and anything else that would make a nice rainforest environment.  Each child will create a home for their chosen animal.  Please come to the Grand opening of our Rain Forest Habitats on Wednesday April 29th  @9:00 a.m.

Lost and Found:  We have prescription sunglasses found in Kindergarten…..white and gold!

 
Important Dates:
April 15th  Field Trip to Ventura Police Department.
April 29th  Grand opening for our Rain Forest Habitats.
May 11th   Field trip to The Santa Barbara Zoo
May 1st     Storytelling
May 1st      Mad Hatter’s Tea Party
May 29th   Kindergarten Musical  

Alice and Rychelle

Kindergarten News
                                                                                March 2009

Our focus this month is the life cycle of the chicken.  Other springtime fun will include learning new songs, getting ready for the mischievous wee folk, and a special spring celebration.  March will prove to be an exciting and memorable time for our kindergarten class.

Language Arts – An EGGciting adventure…The children will be keeping a scientific journal about the eggs developing in our incubator.  We are hoping for baby chicks to start hatching around the 25TH of March.   We’ll be reading a book Egg to Chick by Milicent E. Selsam.   The study of Embryology is a fascinating, rewarding and educational experience.

Math – Our 100’s day celebration was a raving success. We are so proud of all the children; what a creative group.  We will continue to review the penny, nickel, dime, and quarter by playing matching coin games.  This month we will begin a chapter on Measurement.  We will learn to compare the length, weight, and capacity of objects by making direct comparisons or using reference objects. We will also begin a Farm Counting Book to help reinforce our number writing skills. 

ART AUCTION:   This is a great opportunity to win an awesome vacation for only $100.  At the same time you are supporting our school… which we deeply appreciate!  A limited # of tickets will be sold and you do not need to be present to win.  We would love to hear one of our friends names called on March 7!  Also, try to take the time to see the online auction we are having at monicaros.org.  This is our big fund raiser for the year!  The raffle is a great way for your family and friends to support our school and have a chance to WIN BIG! 
 

Science Fair: We will be exhibiting our “Chicken Project” at the Monica Ros Science Fair.  Be sure to mark you calendars for this long awaited experience. An evening exhibit will be held on Wednesday April 1st from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

Book orders are due back this Friday, March 6th

Dates to Remember:

March 7th -  Art Auction
March 16th – 20th Parent-Teacher conferences- There will be an early dismissal of 11:55 this week.  Hot lunch will not be served.  Please send your child with a lunch if they plan to be in daycare.
March 25th – Baby Chicks Due Date
April 1st- Science Fair 5:30-6:30p.m 
April 3rd – Skating Party- no day care
April 6th -April 10th – Spring Break

We look forward to meeting with you at conference time.  Please complete and return the attached Parent Reflection form to help us prepare for our conference. 

Alice and Rychelle

Name_____________________________   Date__________

Parent Reflections

Use some of the following questions (or your own) as you tell us how you see your child progressing in Kindergarten.

Do you see evidence of your child using reading and math at home?

What do you think your child’s strengths and challenges are in Kindergarten?

Does your child demonstrate responsibility, satisfaction and enjoyment in completing homework? (reading and math)

What thoughts do you have about your child’s progress in Kindergarten?

What does your child say about their school day?

Are there specific topics or concerns you would like to discuss at conferences?

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In February we will be leaving Antarctica and penguins behind as we return to America for a month long look at famous presidents and the beginning of our county.  This month is traditionally a time when we celebrate the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington, but we will also take this opportunity to learn about the important roles they played in history.  We will enjoy learning songs about our country in Music with Mrs. Zonic.  This unit will culminate with an all school Assembly in which we will sing Songs of America on February 27th at 10:00 a.m. all parents are invited to attend. 

Language Arts:  We will be discussing and learning about Abraham Lincoln and George Washington with related writing and art projects. Children were valued members of the community in Colonial America and we’ll be learning what their daily life was like.  We will be playing old fashion games and be using old fashion toys.   We’ll be learning the story and history of the flag and its bright stars.  Laws and rules are important to kindergartners and they can begin to understand the importance of laws, so we will be looking at some of the ways government connects to their lives. 

Math:  We will be introducing all of the coins along with the presidents on each of them.  Whenever you have spare change, try asking your child to identify the coin and then the amount for practice.  We will begin using the coins as a tool to skip count by five’s, ten’s and twenty-five’s. We are looking forward to our 100th day celebration on Wednesday February 4th.  I know that the children have been working hard on their projects.  Please take the opportunity to come by Kindergarten on Wednesday to check out our 100 day Museum.  The projects will be up until lunch time on Wednesday.

Valentines Celebration:  Our Valentines celebration will be on Friday February 13th at snack time 10:00.  Please have your children bring in their Valentines as soon as possible so that they can mail them in their friends bags.

Dates to Remember
February 4 th – The 100 Days of School celebration and 100’s Museum
February 10th –Poetry Night 7 p.m. Our class will be reciting “Penguin Poetry.”
February 11th Field trip to Oak Tree House (bring sack lunch)
February 13th – Valentines Day celebration 10:00 snack time.
February 16th 20-th No School for Presidents Week
February 25th -10:00 Songs of America all school Assembly

Alice and Rychelle

Kindergarten News        December 2008

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 19th   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 December 10th.

Holiday Program will be Friday, December 19th @10:30 a.m. (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

August 18, 2008
 
Welcome to Kindergarten!

Dear Parents,

We are excited to welcome your child to Monica Ros Kindergarten. We are looking forward to a year of fun, wonderful, and magical kindergarten memories.  Our goal is to assist children in developing and expanding their love of learning, their general knowledge, their ability to get along with others, and their interest in reaching out to the world.  Alice_Fiore and Rychelle_Krout will be your child’s teachers.  There are 19 children enrolled in the class.  Below are a few details that will help get the year off to a smooth start

The kindergarten day begins at 8:45 with a whole group meeting time.  The kids will enjoy playing outside on the ship from 8:30-8:45, something many of them have waited to do for a long time!  After “ship time”, we will ring the bell to come into the class and begin our busy day. This is an ideal time to say good bye to your Kindergartener and wish them a great day! Please feel free to come early, or visit after school to look around the room and share experiences with your child.   A complete Kindergarten schedule is included in your communication folder.

Separation:  Despite previous experience in a preschool program, it is not unusual for kindergarten children to feel anxious about separating from their parents.  We recognize that this can cause strong emotions, and can affect both children and their parents.  Our teachers are ready to help you make this experience as easy as possible for your family.  Early in the year, children’s concerns often arise from the child’s uncertainty about being reunited with the family.  Therefore, it is important for the parents to tell the child when he/she will be picked up and by whom.  It is also very important for the parent to be on time for pick up.

Field Trip:  We will begin our year learning about ocean life.  We will be exploring and researching many of the creatures and conditions that exist in the oceans that make up 70% of the earth’s surface. Much of our focus will be on whales and sharks.   We will be going to the Ty Warner Sea Center in Santa Barbara.  The Permission slip will follow.

Class routine: The kindergarten class begins the day with a whole-class meeting.  After that, the students break into small groups for language arts or math experiences.  At 10 a.m. the children consume a snack brought from home and enjoy recess on the upper yard.  At 10:45 a.m. they return to the classroom for further small group instruction.  Lunch is at noon and followed by a play period that lasts until 12:45 p.m.   The last hour of the school day is typically spent with special subject teachers in art, music, music and movement class, Spanish or library depending on the day of the week. 

Snacks:  Snacks are provided from home.  Please pack a modest, nutritional snack for your child each day.  Possibilities include: half a sandwich, some cheese or fruit and a drink of milk or juice. Please remember that your child should be capable of consuming the snack in 5-10 minutes.

Lunch:  Children also bring lunch from home each day.  On Tuesdays, your child can sign up for burrito delivery from Ruben’s.  On Thursdays they can sign up to receive pizza delivery from Ojai Pizza.  The pizza lunch will include salad, milk and dessert.   It is possible to do this on an occasional basis in which case you can stop by the office or call to place your order.  Occasionally snacks and lunch will be supplemented by food prepared at school or by special treats provided by other children in the class (birthday celebrations, for instance).  If your child has any food allergies or dietary restrictions, please alert the teachers.  The school supports a zero waste lunch program.  We recommend sending food and juice in plastic storage containers, using cloth napkins, reusable utensils and insulated lunch boxes/bags. Please do not send candy, sweets, or soda or anything in glass bottles.

Clothing: Children play actively and frequently get dirty.  Please send your child to school in comfortable, washable play clothes. Children’s shoes must be safe and comfortable.  Rubber-soled, closed toed shoes are most appropriate. Flip flops, thongs, and other types of backless shoes make it impossible to run or climb safely.   Such footwear is not appropriate for school. 

All kindergarten children should have an extra set of clothing at all times.  These should be kept at school in a marked plastic bag in the classroom.

We ask that every child bring a water bottle from home and keep it in his/her cubby.  We have some hot days and feel it is so important for the kids to stay hydrated.

Daily schedule:  Kindergarten children attend school daily from 8:45 to 1:45 p.m.  Following the Ojai school tradition of a shortened day on Wednesday, kindergarten children are dismissed at 1 p.m. each Wednesday.

Delivery and Pick-Up: It is important that you deliver and pick up your child on time.  Young children are much more comfortable entering school before the program has begun so that they can settle into the routine easily with their classmates.  Please be here before 8:45 a.m.  When school is over, children are tired from an active day.  If you are late they often become worried.  Please call the office to let us know if you’re running late so that we can reassure your child.  Please use After School Plans ledger outside Kindergarten to inform us of your daily plans.   At pick-up time, please stay in your car or stand outside the gate and we will come out to meet you.

Daycare: We provide continuous care from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.  Kindergarten children being delivered to school before 8:15 a.m. should be walked into school by their parent and signed in.  Children arriving from 8:15 a.m. on can check in at the gate and enter the playground directly.  Parents may either choose to drive through the driveway and we will welcome your child at your car and escort them to the gate, or they may choose to park on the street and escort their child in to school themselves.  Children not going home at dismissal time will participate in our kindergarten daycare program.  Our daycare teachers supervise the children as they play and also organize games and activities for them.  A snack is served at 3:15 p.m. each afternoon.

Communication/Homework- Each Monday, we will be sending home a communication/homework folder.  We find this an efficient way to communicate with families.  Please include any notes, comments you may have, field trips slips, after school schedules etc.  (Homework begins the week of August 25th)

Book Orders:  Please Return with a check made payable to the book club by that Friday.  

Sharing:  Kindergarten sharing is every

Please do not send toys on days other than sharing!

Birthdays:  Birthdays are special and children enjoy celebrating birthdays at school.  Please verify birthday plans with one of the kindergarten teachers a few days ahead of times so that she can give you an accurate count.  We ask that you send simple nutritious treats to share with the class.  Some successful suggestions:  fruit kabobs, berries, apple slices, grape clusters, orange or tangerine segments, popcorn, vegetable sticks, crackers, cheese, fruit leathers, sunflower seeds (shelled), mini bagels and cream cheese, fruit smoothies, garlic bread….and your own creative ideas.  We will be celebrating and serving these treats after snack or lunch.  We want to encourage healthy food for healthy happy children.

Parent Participation: Parent involvement is welcomed at Monica Ros School.   We know that when there are strong connections between home and school it is the best for the children, teachers and the parents.  We will be talking at Open House about the many ways you can be involved.  We appreciate your help and support.  A parent sign up is posted outside the room on the parent’s board. Parents are encouraged to share their special talents and interests such as cooking, playing a musical instrument, singing songs with the children, reading a favorite book or playing games, you name it! 

Getting to know you…please fill out this questionnaire to help us get better acquainted with your child.

We strive to create a warm, nurturing, stimulating environment for you and your child.  If you have any questions, concerns or comments, please do not hesitate to contact us any time.

We are looking forward to a fun and rewarding school year.  Please don’t hesitate to call the office for any further information you might require. 

As your child embarks upon this important Kindergarten journey, we would like to know more about his or her likes and dislikes.  You can help us to know your child better by giving us any information you feel relevant!

Your child’s name
What kinds of books she or he enjoys
What areas do you see as his/her strengths
Some topics that interest your child
What areas do you see as difficult or challenging
What is a goal you would like to set for your child this year

May 2008

It’s hard to believe the school year is quickly coming to an end with only 5 weeks left.  The last weeks of school are a favorite time for all of us.  The children in this class have become great friends and have learned to work and play together.  We had fun at the Zoo, and Storytelling.  We want to thank all the parents that drove on these fun trips.

WARNING WARNING…CATCHY TOONS COMING YOUR WAY!  We will be performing 21Days, a chick opera.    Save this date May 30th and more information will follow regarding this fun event!

In language arts the kindergarten children will become experts on butterflies and moths.  As we read about the life cycle, we document our newly acquired knowledge in our butterfly book.   While we anxiously await the arrival of our real butterflies, we will be learning about the stages and life cycle of “Painted Ladies”, 

In math we are spending our days reviewing topics learned throughout the year, emphasizing number families (also known as addition and subtraction) and continuing to review the many things we’ve learned throughout the year.   As we become butterfly experts we will begin to graph butterfly sightings for the butterflies we find at home and school.

Thank you to all the parents for coming out to our Grand Opening of our Rainforest Habitats.  The opportunities to use math during this project were endless and the children learned more than imaginable during the process.  

You are all invited to a special field trip to Mrs. Fiore’s house to move our chicks.  We’ll enjoy snack, celebrate summer birthdays, sing and dance, enjoy a “Goat Walk” and celebrate our fun year.

Reminders:
May 23rd  – Move the chicks to summer home at the Fiore’s
May 26th – School Holiday Memorial Day
May 30th   – 11:00a.m. 21 days- followed by a cast party pot luck lunch.
June 2nd  – Field day at Thacher school
June 5th  – Last of School- Noon dismissal and no day care. 
                               Alice & Rychelle