Happy Holidays! 

 
☺We loved the Gingerbread Man!  There is also a version of the story in the poetry 

notebooks.  Two pages were done by the children in the tech lab and two were done 

in the classroom.  They should be able to read this to you as well!  We really had a lot

of fun with this unit.  Do you know what threshers are?  Ask your child.
There are 4 new songs in the notebook for the holidays.  Please find some time to 

enjoy the notebook during the break.  Have your child perform for family and friends!
 
As part of our study of the Solar System, we will be visiting the planetarium and 

science room at Steele Elementary School on Friday, January 8.  Head Scientist 

there, Mr. Sodono presents a terrific, grade specific program for the students.  

The facilities are small and we fill them all, so we will not invite parents to join us 

on this trip.  We may be late back for lunch, so we ask all students to bring a 

sack lunch that day and morning friends will need a 12:00 pick-up.

December 18 – last day of school in 2009!
Tuesday, January 5 – school resumes in 2009!
Friday, January 8 – Field Trip – Steele School Planetarium
Monday, January 18 – no school – MLK day.
Tuesday, January 19 – Early release day 12:45

******************************************************************* 

  Run, Run, as fast as you can
You can’t catch me,
I’m the Gingerbread Man!

☺We have been reading many different versions of this classic story.  This story offers 

children an opportunity to retell a story in their own words.  The story has a clear structure 

and sequence making it easy for children to follow.  We have discussed that this story has 

been told by many people for years, and everyone tells it differently.  Please ask your child 

to tell you his version of this story.
 
☺We had a speaker from Denver International Airport. She showed us pictures from all over

the airport and told us many interesting things about DIA.  She even brought a piece of the 

roof fabric.  Did you know that there are gargoyles at the airport?  That the airport runs a 

large farm on the property?  That there are 5280 propellers in the out going train tunnel?  

Ask your child to tell you more!
 
☺We are learning 2 Hannukah songs and 2 Christmas songs.  We want all our children to 

understand a little about these important holidays in America.  We will not have celebrations 

for the holidays.
 
Monday, December 21 through Monday, January 5 – Winter Break
School resumes on Tuesday, January 5

**************************************************************************************







December 3, 2009

☺We hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving.  The children enjoyed sharing their lists
of things they are thankful for.  We have been doing more writing in class.  The
children each have a journal they write in periodically to keep a record of the exciting
things that happen in kindergarten.   When beginning writers write, spelling does not
need to be correct.  They need to write the sounds that they hear in a word.  They
may not get them all and may substitute “c” for “s” and similar errors.  This is okay. 
We want them to feel confident that they can get their ideas on paper.  We can work
on spelling later.  We hope that all our students will get excited about writing.

☺We have a speaker from Denver International Airport coming on the 8th to tell us
all about the airport.  There have been many airports in the construction center.  Now
they can be even more realistic!
☺Homework :  We have been playing some new math games.  Dice are a terrific way
to play with numbers.  

We have played “Roll the Dice.”  The player rolls one die then records the number on
a chart using tally marks.  Using tally marks, is a good way to practice recording data
and counting by 5’s.

We have also played the Greater Than/Less Than.  The children roll two dice (or roll
one die 2 time)  and record the smaller number on the Less Than side and the higher
number on the Greater Than  side.  This game introduces several math concepts as
well as math vocabulary.  

You will find the record sheets and a die in the Thursday Folder.  
Wednesday, December 9 – Early Release Day 12:45 Dismissal
Monday, December 21 through Monday, January 5 – Winter Break
School resumes on Tuesday, January 5

*****************************************************************

November 19, 2009

☺Our trip to the Puppet Theater was great fun.  The children really enjoyed the 

puppets!  Ask them to tell you about the mouse.  We have been reading many 

different versions of Little Red Riding Hood.  The story has been told many 

different ways.  They will bring home a book of the story on Friday. 

The Drama Center has become a puppet theater!  Ask your child to tell you about the 

puppets and the jobs in the theater!

☺The children enjoyed their Thanksgiving Lunch in the Lunchroom. It was nice that 

so many parents could come as well.   Next week we will be making turkeys and 

learning Thanksgiving songs. Thanksgiving is a fun holiday for children!  We will even l

earn how to Gobble!   They made darling turkeys of clay and feathers in Art Class.  

We will ask the art teachers if they may go home before Thanksgiving.

☺Homework :  Writing!   Write about the things that you are thankful for.  When 

writing words that you do not know, use letters that you hear.  Read your thankful 

list to your family on Thanksgiving!  There is a sheet for this in the Thursday Folder.  

Practice counting by 5’s.

G Please be sure to let us know by note, email, or office call if your child will be 

going home differently than usual.  We must have these directions from an adult, not 

the child. 

☺Thank you!!  to all those parents who have sent us antibacterial wipes and Lysol or disinfectant spray.  We are putting 

them to good use! We really do try to stay healthy!  We always appreciate more! 

Thanksgiving Break – November 25, 26, 27

Wednesday, December 9 – Early Release Day 12:45 Dismissal

Monday, December 21 through Monday, January 5 – Winter Break

School resumes on Tuesday, January 5

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November 13, 1009

J We make many books in Kindergarten. Some are pre-printed and some are written by 

the child.  When your child brings home a book, please take the time to have your child 

read it to you.  Keep it in the book box and get them out from time to time for rereading.  

Repeated reading helps children with fluency and word recognition.

☺Our trip to the Puppet Theater will be Tuesday, November 17.  

All children need to bring a lunch and a drink that day.  We will picnic when

we return to school.  Morning friends will need to be picked up at 12:45.

We will watch a show, “Little Red Riding Hood,” performed with marionettes. Children 

will also participate in a puppet workshop. Our Bus will be filled with kindergarteners, 

but parents who would like to join us may follow the bus in the car.  As with all field 

trips, we ask that you not bring additional children. Children's tickets will be paid.  

Parents will need to purchase tickets at $6.00 per person.

 


☺Thank you!!  to all those parents who have sent us antibacterial wipes 

and Lysol or disinfectant spray.  We are putting 

*********************************************************************** 

No School – Wednesday, November 11 – Veteran’s Day

FIELD TRIP November 17 - Denver Puppet Theater

Thanksgiving Break – November 25, 26, 27

Wednesday, December 9 – Early Release Day 12:45 Dismissal

November 5, 2009

J The children are confused by the snow.  How can it still be fall?  Isn’t it winter now?  

This week’s summer weather is even more confusing.  We are continuing to read about Fall.  

Their reading skills are really improving!

☺Our trip to the Puppet Theater will be Tuesday, November 17.  

☺Thank you!!  to all those parents who have sent us antibacterial wipes 

FIELD TRIP November 17 - Denver Puppet Theater

Thanksgiving Break – November 25, 26, 27

Wednesday, December 9 – Early Release Day 12:45 Dismissal

J We will continue to go outside everyday unless it is snowing, raining, or under 

20 degrees.  Please be sure your child is appropriately dressed and that all coats, 

hats, gloves, etc have names in them!

☺ Next week is a two day week.  Happy Halloween!  

Don’t forget to turn back your clocks! Fall Back November 1. 

  October 28, 29, 30 – Fall Break – No School

  FIELD TRIP November 17 - Denver Puppet Theater

  October 16 - Early Release Day – Dismissal  at 12:45

  October 20, 21, 22- Conferences

  October 28, 29, 30 – Fall Break – No School

    Wednesday, November 11 - Veteran's Day - No School

  FIELD TRIP November 17 - Denver Puppet Theater

☺The fire fighters came to visit us at Southmoor!  They brought two trucks and we learned a lot about fire fighters. 

☺FIELD TRIP October 12 - South Platte River 

  October 16 - Early Release Day – Dismissal at 12:45

  October 20, 21, 22- Conferences

  October 28, 29, 30 – Fall Break – No School

  FIELD TRIP November 17 - Denver Puppet Theater

☺ October 7 the fire fighters will be coming to kindergarten instead of kindergarteners going to the fire station because the fire station is under construction.  They said they would even bring one of their trucks!

☺ October 12 we will be visiting Grant-Frontier Park on the South Platt River.  This is part of the South Platte River Environmental Education SPREE program. We will learn about the river and the plants and animals that live along the river.  We will also visit a small homestead.   We will all be having lunch at the park so each child will need to bring a lunch and a drink that day. If you would like to have the lunchroom prepare a sack lunch for your child, please let us know and we will order one. We will return to school at 1:00 and morning friends will need to be picked up at that time.

Parents are welcome to join us for this trip, but you will need to drive as our kindergarteners will fill the bus!  The park is just west of Broadway but east of Santa-Fe and just south of Evans.

☺ Homework this week is to go for a walk and observe the changes that fall has brought to your neighborhood or park.  What colors do you see?  How does the air smell or feel?  Do you see any animals?  What is changing?  You might even want to collect some examples.

We have been celebrating autumn’s arrival in kindergarten.  We have talked about many changes that happen in the fall.  Please continue this conversation at home.   Homework this week is to write a favorite thing about fall and cut out the leaf.  Please help your child to do the writing himself. We will hang them in our room so it looks like fall in kindergarten!

Donuts for Dads!!   Please note that the Kindergarten News has had this incorrectly.  The actual date is Thursday, October 1, 2009.  This is a fun morning.  Donuts are in the lunchroom before school and we invite the Dads to come to kindergarten when the bell rings for about 10 minutes as we serenade them!

☺Our Fire Station Field Trip has changed form.  The fire fighters will be coming to kindergarten instead of kindergarteners going to the fire station because the fire station is under construction.  They said they would even bring one of their trucks!

☺We have several students with food allergies.  If your child has a food allergy, please provide us with a pre-packaged snack, that is safe for your child, that he may have when we have a birthday celebration.

☺We have established the going home routines for the children now.  If your child’s going home plan will be different one day, PLEASE LET US KNOW.  We need a note, email,  or phone call from a parent if your plans change.  We cannot take your child’s word for it that he will be going home with a friend. We will honor your needs, but we need to know what they are.

☺We’ve been to the Tech Lab!!  Afternoon friends went together and used the KidPix program to highlight and illustrate the Green Song.  Our morning friends will do the project on our classroom computers.  Our color printer has died and a new one has been ordered. We will get these in notebooks as soon as we can!

☺

☺Everyone smiled nicely for our pictures on Tuesday.  If your child was absent Tuesday, we will be sure their picture is taken on retake day.

☺Everyone has now made their book boxes.  Keep these in a special place because we will be making MANY Books in Kindergarten. 

☺We are beginning a unit on APPLES.  Please take your child to the grocery store to pick out an apple to bring to class on Monday.  Any color/variety will be great! We will examine them, write about them, sort them, graph them and even eat them!

☺ Writing the “Kindergarten Way”  Please continue practicing writing names using one capital letter and the others lower case. 

We have begun to practice correct number formation as well.

☺Hopefully you have had a chance to look at the Math HomeLinks Book 1.

There are some fun activities in there that will help your child find math all around and in all kinds of everyday events.  Please keep the book in the protective bag and return it by October 1.

☺We have all been to the Tech Lab.  Many of our students have not yet brought headphones to use in the Tech Lab.  Please send a pair in a zip-lock bag with your child’s name on it.

☺It was terrific to see so many of you at Curriculum Night.  I hope you learned something new and had some questions answered. We will send a copy of the Curriculum handouts and Volunteer form to those parents who were unable to attend.  Watch your Thursday Folder.  Please contact us anytime that you have questions or concerns.  We check email daily.

 ☺PLEASE be sure your child’s name is clearly visible on backpack, lunchbox, jackets, hats, ANYTHING your child brings to school!  Your child may recognize it, but no one else will!

☺Many of our students are participating in the school lunch program.  Please be aware that BlackJack Pizza Day is the 2^nd Thursday of each month.  The menu does not reflect this but it is a very popular lunch with the children!

☺ Writing the “Kindergarten Way”  We have been practicing writing our names using one capital letter and the others lower case.  Please help your child continue this practice at home.  Letter formation is an important skill for beginning writers.  We will be teaching penmanship in kindergarten.

☺ No School - Monday, September 7.

 Picture Day is Tuesday,September 8.

No School - Friday, September 18.

  The Moose is Loose walk will be Saturday,October 3.

Curriculum Night for Kindergarten is ext Wednesday, September 2, 6:30 – 7:40.  The kindergarten presentation will be 6:30-7:00. This is your chance to learn everything you ever wanted to know about kindergarten at Southmoor.  Please come join us for this ADULT evening.  Childcare will be NOT provided by reservation. We will go over the kindergarten curriculum, procedures and answer any questions you may have for us.  We are not yet ready to discuss the academic progress of individual students. Parent-Teacher conferences will be October 28.

☺It has been a remarkably smooth transition to a full day of school!  The children have figured out who goes where and how the lunchroom works!  We have been exhausted and exhilarated by the end of the day.  We hope the children have been as well. 

       Just a reminder that you can write a check to put money in your child’s lunch account.  They have a special card which we keep at school that they use to draw money from that account when they buy lunch or milk.  The lunchroom will send a note when you are out. 

       We think we have been getting everyone to the right place after school.  Some go on the bus. Some go the after school Kaleidoscope, and some walk out with us to Peach Street.  If your plans change for your child, please let us know!

☺We are starting to learn how to do things “The Kindergarten Way.”  We are writing names with one capital letter and all the rest lower case.  This is an adjustment for many of our friends who have learned to write their names with all capital letters.  You can help at home by asking your child to practice writing using lower case letters. 

☺ Children will be bringing home their notebooks on Friday.  We hope you enjoy listening to your children read the songs in his notebook with the “Reading Finger.”  They will have new songs/poems every week! Please be sure the notebooks come back to school every Monday.  If your child does not yet have a notebook, please be sure it is here by Monday.

☺ We are fortunate to have Mrs. Vivian Masters assisting in our class on Mondays and Fridays.  She is in a teacher certification program at UNC.

☺Assessments are continuing at a MUCH slower pace.  We are almost finished with literacy assessments and will be beginning with math soon.

☺Please be sure to let us know if your child has any food or other allergies.

☺We update the kindergarten website weekly.  If you send us an email, we will add you to the distribution list so you get the weekly updates.

Picture Day - Tuesday, September 8.  Portrait packages will only be printed for students paying on portrait day.  More information will be in next week’s folder

No School on September 7 – Labor Day

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Mrs. Betz, Mrs. King, Miss P., and Mrs. Sparks are all really excited to meet our new kindergarten friends!  Southmoor kindergarten  is a fun place to be.  We are busy getting ready for our new friends. We look forward to meeting them at the Ice Cream Social on August 17.

            The first three days of school, August 19, 20, and 21, will be half days for all kindergarteners. Dismissal will be at 11:40.  We will walk the students out the door on Peach Street and meet parents there.

            Those afternoons, we will schedule individual half hour appointments with students for assessments.  These will include name writing, letters and letter sounds, reading, writing, and number sense.  It is important to know what academic knowledge each student brings to kindergarten so that we can provide appropriate instruction.  It also gives us a chance to get to know our students personally.  It is unlikely that we will be able to meet with every child those three afternoons.  We will continue with assessments the following week during the school day.

            There will be a sign-up sheet for assessment appointments in the classroom at the Ice Cream Social.  You may also bring school supplies that evening if you would like.  The first day is hectic enough without dealing with supplies!  The only thing they must have the first day is a backpack.

            You may also schedule an appointment by email.  Click on the email icon at the top of the kindergarten home page.  Email is always the easiest way to reach us.