Kindergarten Newsletter!
Week of Feb 20-24, 2023
Dear Parents,
We hope you are enjoying some extra time with your child this weekend since there is a three day weekend! Happy Presidents' Day tomorrow!
A big thank you to all the parents who were able to volunteer at the Valentine's party last week! This party was designed by our fabulous PTA and the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves! Thanks for also sending in Valentines. Students were sweet to thank their friends as they opened their cards! There is a lot more fun to be had in kindergarten as we continue through the semester!
The K Team
Inclement Weather Update
GCISD has determined that because of the number of additional minutes built into the 2022-2023 school year, the days missed will not need to be made up. Additionally, at their February 13 special meeting, the Board of Trustees approved for GCISD to apply for a waiver to the Texas Education Agency, and pending no additional inclement weather this school year and the approval of the waiver at the state level, the instructional calendar for 2022-23 will remain the same.
Don't Be Late!
Valentine's Day Fun!
Kindergarten Lunch Dates
1500 Minutes of Reading!
What are We Learning About...
Our curriculum focus this week...
Writing: We will work to communicate our ideas through detailed pictures and letter/sound connections. We will work to use spaces between words, put a period at the end of a sentence, and improve our writing by going back to edit. We will begin using our new reading curriculum adoption.
Reading: We will learn how to read/write our trick words focusing on the words "THEY"! We will look for our sight words in books and poems. Our sight words so far are: I/a/see/can/the/at/my/to/and/go/we/he/for/is/are/his/was/she/be/me/you. We will continue using super strategies such as pointer power, words in a snap, and picture power to be super readers. Please practice these sight words at home!
Phonics/Handwriting: We will build confidence with letters as we review how to form them. We are learning that we can write more words by changing one letter. We are practicing the -CK rule. -CK follows a short vowel at the end of a word. We are listening for short and long vowels in words. We are learning how to write our sight words/trick words.
Math: We will describe and sort 2d shapes. We are learning how to solve and explain our strategies used when solving word problems. We are composing and decomposing big numbers to 20 to show all the ways to build that number.
Science: We will bring closure to our force and motion unit. We will practice putting objects in specified positions such as above, below, under, beside, behind and between.
Social Studies: We will compare physical characteristics of landforms and bodies of water then explain how they provide entertainment. We We will spotlight some cool inventors, illustrators and astronauts that have paved the way for black history.
Dates to Remember!
February 20: No School/Professional Development
February 28: Class Pictures and Spring Pictures
February 27- March 3: Read Across America
March 3: Friendship Day (during Specials)
March 3: Open House (5-6:00) / PTA Family Movie Night (6-7:30 PM)
March 13-17: NO SCHOOL / Spring Break!
April 7: Bad Weather Day
April 10: Bad Weather Day
April 19: Early Release (11:45am)
April 25: STAAR Reading (3rd-5th grade)
April 27: STAAR Science (5th grade)
May 9: STAAR Math (3rd-5th grade)
May 19: Field Day
May 25: Last Day of School! Early Release @ 11:45am
Old News but Good to Remember...
Jackets Please!
Trick Words/Sight Words
“Trick” Words are simply sight words or familiar words. We have started reading these words in class but any extra practice at home goes a long way!
Kindergartners need to read and write these words quickly and correctly. Instant recognition helps your child read more fluently and less “robotic.” Fluent reading leads to comprehending or understanding what is read. It all works together!
Reading Homework Bags
Don't Forget!!!
1. Practice lunch codes at home. They will need to memorize and practice identifying these numbers on a keypad at home.
2. Please label all backpacks, jackets, sweatshirts, lunch boxes and thermos.
3. Bring a spill proof water bottle daily - WATER ONLY!
4. Return the BLUE Daily Folders each day! Initial behavior chart daily and remove papers!
5. Bring your PINK dismissal card EVERY day when you pick up. This is a safety precaution and helps the process be more efficient!
6. Please call the office (817)251-5700 if you have a change in dismissal!
Breakfast Bunch
Snack Break!
Behavior Expectations
We use CHAMPS! (Communication, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation, and Success) Right now we are focusing A LOT on the letter "C!" - COMMUNICATION. We talk a lot about appropriate voice levels. We also use our "Rainbow Chart!" Please don't worry too much about what color they are on unless it is BELOW "Green - Ready to Learn!" Ending a day on YELLOW, ORANGE or RED means your child was not doing their best and probably got their behavior chart signed. Students move clips down but they can also work to move clips back up!
Dove's 4 Bs for Behavior Expectations
BE Respectful
BE Responsible
BE Safe
BE Ready to Learn
Kindergarten Team
Bojana Cubrilo- Bojana.cubrilo@gcisd.net
Keari Hatton - Keari.Hatton@gcisd.net
India Maine - India.Maine@gcisd.net
Christine Dunker - Christine.Dunker@gcisd.net