Shoot For The Stars!!!!!!

DEAR PARENTS,                                                            August 5, 2013      

                                                           

WELCOME!

            A BIG welcome to all my new students and parents this year!  I am very excited about beginning a new school year with all of you. It is my belief that if parents and teachers work together as a team, we can create an environment for learning that will allow the students to achieve their academic potential. I’m looking forward to a new year of fun, excitement, and learning!

ABOUT ME!

            This is my ninth year teaching kindergarten. I began my career in the 2005-06 school year when I graduated from Brewton Parker College.  At that time, I joined a wonderful team of teachers here at Joseph Martin Elementary.  I have three wonderful children, two are in eighth grade and my youngest is going into second grade. My goal is to create a love for learning that will last a life time.

KINDERGATREN COMMON CORE!

            As many of you may have realized, kindergarten has changed a lot over the past ten years. The expectations are more challenging than they were in the past. We are now using common core standard, which provide a more hands on approach towards teaching and learning. We also use GKIDS as a testing tool. GKIDS is an online, year-round assessment. GKIDS will be your child’s report card as well, which will cover all standards taught. Your child will not receive a grade of mastery until they consistently know all parts of the standard (so don’t be alarmed when your child does not receive perfect grade). GKIDS should show progression throughout the school year.

NEWSLETTERS, HOMEWORK, AND CLASSWORK!

            I will be sending home monthly newsletters to let you know what we are working on in class! Homework will be given at the beginning of the month and each week will need to be completed by Friday. If you see comments on your child’s daily work that says something such as, “please practice” or “redo”, please help your child with the skill mentioned. Last, but not least, PLEASE practice sight words daily. If you ever need anything to help reinforce the skills taught let me know and I will be happy to give you ideas to help.

ACCIDENTS

If your child is prone to accidents or not, it might still be a good idea to send in an extra uniform. Please place the clothes with a pair of socks and underwear in a gallon size Ziploc bag. This will make storage easier.

REWARDS!

I believe that rewards are just as crucial as discipline in the classroom. Each child will have a sticker chart on his/her desk.  I will reward students with stickers on their charts for good behavior and good work habits. Once the charts are filled up, he/she will be allowed to go to the treasure box or get a treat. Good weekly behavior will also be rewarded with something special.

 

DISIPLINE!

            I’m sure that you would all like to know my discipline plan. I believe that a quiet class might not necessarily be a learning class.  There will be lots of times when the students will be able to interact with each other and work in small groups to learn. However, there will be many times when it is necessary for the students to be quiet and attentive. I have a clip chart hanging and every student will have his/her name on a clip. Every child will start on green “Ready To Learn” each day. If a student gets two warnings he/she will move to yellow. After the third warning, the child will move his/her clip to orange and lose ½ of recess. When a child gets to red, he/she will be sent home with a form to be signed and returned. If behavior does not get better after the above then other strategies could be for your child to go to the office, re-teach room, or sent home depending in the offense.

            Each child will have a daily folder that will come home. The behavior will be recorded daily on a calendar showing what color they were on at the end of the day. At the end of the week, if the child stays on green for four days he/she will receive a prize from the treasure box. PLEASE INITIAL INSIDE OF THE SQUARES ON THE CALENDAR TO LET ME KNOW YOU HAVE SEEN YOUR CHILD’S FOLDER. Your child’s folders will also be used to send home papers and for the students to bring in notes and lunch money. PLEASE CHECK, REMOVE PAPERS, INITIAL AND RETURN DAILY!! ALSO, PLEASE LABEL ALL MONEY SENT TO THE SCHOOL AND PLACE IN THE FOLDER.

 

To that end I am so looking forward to sharing this school year with you and your little one.  I am confident that your child will have a fun and memorable Kindergarten year and I am looking forward to sharing the year with you!  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.  My school telephone number is 912-368-3114 and my e-mail is sesmith10711@gmail.com .  I will make every effort to return your call or e-mail in a timely manner.

Thank you,

Samantha Smith

Kindergarten Teacher

Joseph Martin Elementary