Thursday, Sept. 6 - Great Start-up!

Our first day together as a class, went very well! Everyone enjoyed our gym class, assembly, mini-centers, and music with Mr. O'Reilly.

Tomorrow, is our first Fresh Air Friday. Please remember to dress your child for the weather. So far, Friday's weather should be sunny and warm. I am planning on taking everyone out for a nature walk, to look for science table artifacts. The kindees will be extra excited about their  introduction to  our Big Centers. 

For daily pick-up of your child, I would appreciate a written note indicating who is allowed to pick up your child. This note can be a list of adults, who you give permission for picking up your child for play dates and so forth. For specific play dates, I have some stickies inside the Kindergarten classroom door that you are welcome to jot a quick note for my use at the end of the day. You are also welcome to email me this information. 

lawilkens@cbe.ab.ca

Today, school paperwork was put in your child's backpack. Please return your completed paperwork by Tuesday, Sept. 11 to me. I have a tray in my classroom, by the door for our paperwork. Just in case I am unable to accept it personally, please put paperwork in the tray. 

Thank-you everyone for a great start to our year!

Friday, Aug 31 Welcome to KIndergarten!

I hope you enjoyed a wonderful summer! I sure enjoyed my summer holidays, visiting my family in Ontario. I love cottage life!
The first two days of school are staggered entry. You should have received an email from Mrs. Rennie, as to which day you're child attends school. If you did not receive an  email then please join us on either the Tuesday, Sept. 4 or Wednesday, Sept. 5 next week. All Kindergarten students will attend class on Thursday, September 6.
I have a very exciting week of activities planned for my new learners. The centers are ready (every one's favorite)  and learning tools are ready to go! Please remember to send indoor shoes that you're child can put on independently and that are appropriate for gym. Another favorite for everyone is snack time. Please remember to send a nut free snack and drink to school.
See you soon!

Butterfly Release

Close-up

Last Friday, in Whispering Woods, we released 10  butterflies. For the first time, every single butterfly was reluctant to leave their habitat! Here are some pictures.

Opening  Habitat

Fly Butterfly Fly!

Thursday, June 15 - Sports Day

Tomorrow, is Dr. Coffin's Sport's Day! So far, the weather for the morning is looking good . However, please ensure that your child is ready for a sunny morning, and that they bring a raincoat just in case we get a rain shower. Water bottles, hats and running shoes are highly recommended. For Sport's Day, students will be placed in groups that include K to 6, students.
Home time for Kindergarten will be at 11:20 AM, our usual time.
Monday, will be our final 'regular' school day.
Tuesday, I am looking forward to visiting with everyone and enjoying our picnic together. I will have some fun activities for everyone to share in, i.e.: bubbles, chalk and parachute games.

Tuesday, June 19 - Just e few things

Today, was the Environmental Club's, Treat Day. If you forgot to send in your 50 cents for their fundraiser (banana bread), please send it in tomorrow.
Tomorrow, from 9:00 am to 10:30 am, is Transition Day to next year's grade.
A very big thank-you goes out to our clean-up volunteers! It's a big job washing the Kindergarten's many counting and sorting math toys, and  our favorite Lego! If anyone has time to assist us on Thursday, Friday, or even next Monday with this job, we could really use your help!
Sports Day is this Friday! We have two volunteers signed up for this fun event!
If anyone has plans to depart school, prior to next Tuesday, please let me know. I don't want to miss saying farewell for the summer and giving everyone their schoolwork.
Thank-you for returning your Home Reading Books (which thanks to our volunteers are sorted and wiped down) and your Library Books. We are still waiting for just a few more books.

Berenstain Bear Books Give Away

I have heard that Berenstain Bear books, are great books for our young readers. They are definitely above level six (the highest level in my Kindergarten classroom). I have quite a few of these books that I would be happy to give away. Even if you are not ready for them just yet, please come and pick up a few. I could use your help in the purging of my classroom.

Thursday, June 14 - Last F.A.F + Library Books

Tomorrow, is our last Fresh Air Friday. Please ensure that your child is dressed for the weather.
Please, on a daily basis, your child needs to be prepared to go outside for recess. Sometimes the wind is cold, or it rains and we must be prepared for  cooler as well as warmer temperatures.

Mrs. Kidd, our librarian came to me today with a very sad face. Many of our Kindergarten children have overdue library books. If you are unable to find your book(s), I would suggest that you email Mrs. Kidd  to let her know. She's trying to update her inventory of our school books and resources.
dckidd@cbe.ab.ca
We have butterflies! For the first time, we were able to observe a butterfly emerging from their Chrysalis.

Beach Day

Beach Day is on Wednesday, June 13th.
No bathing suits pls.

Tuesday,June 12 - Potatoes!

Today, we took our potatoes outside to see if we had any little potatoes, growing in our pots.
We did find some very tiny new potatoes growing on the roots. So we decided to replant some of the
potato plants with their roots intact. Just for good measure, we also planted a few more seed potatoes.
These potatoes are planted in the school garden by the sun circle. It will be interesting to return in
September, to find out how our plants and potatoes grew.
Snack and recess outside is very, very, exciting for Kindergarten. Today we were a bit late for music, so next recess we will work on lining up a bit quicker, and not forgetting our snack bags.
Tomorrow, Library Books are due. If you have any questions or concerns about your library books, please email Mrs. Kidd.  dckidd@cbe.ab.ca

Tuesday, June 5 - Outdoor Recess and Gym

Last week in gym,  Kindergarten students worked on their Frisbee skills. Frisbee Golf here we come!

This week, we have begun our Lacrosse unit. So far, we are learning to run around the field holding our Lacrosse sticks and trying not to drop the ball. Next, we are learning how to flick (rocking motion) the ball into the air and catch it in the basket of our Lacrosse sticks. Overhead throwing, will be our next challenge 😉

In preparation for Grade One recess, I am planning on Kindergarten eating their snack outside and joining the rest of the school for recess. This transition will be on the playground equipment and the adjacent Nature Ground. Please ensure that your child's snack is easy to open and good for outdoor eating.

Mark Your Calendars:
Wednesday, June 6 - Last day to check out Library Books
Friday, June 8  - No classes for students
Monday, June  11 - Last Day for Home Reading Book Exchange
Wednesday, June 13 - All Library Books Due For Inventory
Thursday, June 14 - All Home Reading Books Returned to Class for Clean-up
Thursday, June 14 to Monday, June 25 - Classroom Clean-Up - Volunteers are Welcome
Wednesday, June 20 - 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM Whole School Transition Time to Next Grade 
Friday, June 22 - Sports Day

🎉🎉🎉 Tuesday, June 26 - Last Day of Kindergarten - Kindergarten Class Picnic - 10:00 AM to 11:20 AM

• School day begins at 8:20 AM for students
• parents, siblings and grandparents are more than welcome
• outdoor activities and picnic lunch (bring something to share for potluck and/or bring your own food) 
• bring your own lawn chair and/or picnic blanket
• Summer born birthdays will be celebrated

Friday, June 1 - This Weeks Highlights

What an exciting week! Our sketching residency went very, well. Outside the classroom, everyone's art is on display. Here is a collage of the student's sketches of flowers, that our artist made for us.

Despite the rainy weather, our field trip to the Calgary Zoo was lots of fun! Some excellent learning took place about the lifecycle of butterflies. One of our students, was transformed from a mammal to a butterfly (dressed up). The Panda walk was very educational. There were many displays and videos about the Panda. While their dad slept, the younger Panda's were gently playing with one another. There were many displays and videos about the Panda. A very big 'thank-you', goes out to our parent volunteers!

In our classroom, our Painted Lady Caterpillars have metamorphosed into the Chrysalis stage. Today, we set up their new butterfly habitat. I have attached the chrysalises to the top of their habitat.