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Septe:nther Newsletter

Hello Parents,

I am so pleased to have your children in my class this school year. I lookforward to growing with them and being part of their lives. Kindergarten is afantastic year; the children grow and learn so much. One of my favoritethings about teaching this age is their enthusiasm and sense of wonder.They constantly remind me of the beauty in life and simple joys. I feelhonored to be in your child's life and I take the responsibility you haveentrusted to me very seriously. As parents, you have the awesomeresponsibility of being your child's primary educator. At The Highlands, weare here to support you in this mission.

I have also been blessed this school year with a room mom, Mrs. RachelLamberti. Our room mom will be very busy this year, (I thank you inadvance for your work). If anyone else would like to help in or out of theclassroom, please let one of us know. I need volunteers for the lunchroom,on Wednesday. I need someone to help with opening food items, takingkids to and from the bathroom, going to recess, and overall supervision. Ialso need someone to take charge of our classroom web page.

At the beginning of the school year an activity fee is charged. Our room-moms will take care of collecting the fund. The fund is used to purchaseparty supplies, crafts for the school year, art supplies, and teaching aids.The fund will also will cover a Mother's Day gift, and a Father's Day gift.

Homework will be assigned about four times a week. All homework will besent home in the red folders. You may also find sight word lists and notesfrom school. Please help your child complete their own homework and returnit daily in the red folder. Students have been instructed on how to turn intheir homework and where to place the red folder every morning. Later,students will also be assigned reading books to read at home.

Soon the children will be painting art projects in school. Every child will needa smock to wear over their uniform. An oversized T-shirt will be fine.Please have smocks in by September 14.

Sight words - Every week we will be sending home 5 sight words. Thestudents need only to memorize the word. Flashcards are the best way tohelp with memorizing the words.

Soon, the students will check out Library books. The books may be takenhome, but are due back to the classroom on Friday.

Discipline is essential in any learning environment, without discipline, orderand structured learning cannot take place. Therefore, clear rules andconsequences have been established and are followed by the entire lowerschool.

1. 100% respect all the time2. Keep hands and feet and all other objects to self3. Raise your hand to speak4. Listen and follow directions-be prepared5. Remain seated

Students will receive a verbal reminder of the rule they have broken, if a ruleis broken again the student will be asked to move their name from green toyellow. Once on yellow the student will have a 5 minute time out and willloses their sticker for the day. If again the child breaks another rule the childwill move their name to red. If on red the child may have to go and talk withour formation director or academic coordinator. A note or call may follow,documentation will be kept and parent signatures will be required. If thechild is violent and in anyway injures another child you will be called to pickup your child early from school.

I recognize that each child has unique needs and what works for one childmight not work for another; there are many ways in which I encourage goodbehavior in the class. In the red folder is a sticker chart-for everyday thatthey stay on green they receive a sticker. Once they earn 20 stickers theyget something from the classroom "Treasure Chest". I also use positivereinforcement in my classroom through the marble party jar. As a class thestudents must earn 100 marbles for excellent class behavior. Once theyhave, as a team, earned a marble party they are rewarded with an afternoontreat (i.e. movie & popcorn, playground fiesta, ice cream party).

I understand that in the beginning of a new school year you may have manyquestions. Please feel free to e-mail me at mmerrill@thehighlandsschool.orgI will be sending home monthly newsletters and notes on occasion forreminders of special events .

. Important Dates

Sept. 9 Lower School Mass 8: 30Sept. 9 Parent Information Night 6:00Sept. 16 Lower School Mass 8: 30Sept. 18 Progress Reports

Oct.02 Fathers Day Mass/Breakfast 8:30 - GymOct. 09 Dads and Donuts 8:00

Mrs. Merrill's Wish List

Stickers"Treasure Chest" items (small toys and treats)Rubber stamps and ink padsPuzzles and gamesEducational toysCD's or tapes of music for the childrenVideos for the children (Veggie Tales, Magic School Bus)Cassette tape player (used is OK)BooksBooks on Tape

In the Classroom

Math- Writing and identifying the numbers 0-10, identifying left and right,graphing, order sets, small to large, first, second, last, most to fewest, andleast to greatest.

PhoniCS-Learning the letter and sound for c, a, a, d, g, q

Reading-Learning to blend and decode short vowel words, readingsentences and short stories. We will read in small groups, one-on-one, andindependently. Work on vocabulary, book study, and sight words.

Writing-Practicing writing their first and last name, letter formation,identifying and writing the letters Cc, 00, Aa, Dd, Gg, and Qq. Working onspacing and writing the numbers 0-10.

Language Arts-defining same and different, identifying lower anduppercase, rhyming and comprehension strategies.

Social Studies-Family, community, fire safety, community helpers, andJohnny Apple Seed.

Science-Personal hygiene, apple unit, four seasons, Fall

Religion-God, Angels, Creation, Adam & Eve, fall of man, Noah, Tower ofBabel

Thank gou for b!ling a part of Th!l1iighland~ f'amilg. I look forwardto working with gou and to having a gr!lat school g!lar.

Your~ in Christ,Mr~.M!lrrill