Below you will find some information about things that are going on in our room. There are lots of things to help you out!!
Welcome!!
This week your child will complete one of the most important milestones in his/her life — the first day of school! You and your child may have anticipated this day with excitement or apprehension (or a little of both) and I hope that this letter will help you to know what to expect in kindergarten this year and answer any questions you may have.
To start, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Stephanie Laughlin and I am so excited to be starting my second year of teaching! In December of 2010, I graduated from Northwest Missouri State University obtaining my elementary education degree with a minor in early childhood studies. I moved to Red Oak to start my student teaching at Inman that following fall. I can’t believe how fast the time has flown and now it is time for another school year to start! I am looking forward to an exciting journey as I start this new year, and I feel very blessed to have your child taking this journey with me!
School Attendance
Your child’s regular and prompt attendance at school is crucial to his/her success. Most of the learning activities that we do are hands-on and group/partner oriented. Please see to it that your child attends every day except in case of illness or emergency. If you know that your child will miss school ahead of time, please send a note, give Inman a call at 623.6635, or give me a call (712) 246-9100 so that I can plan activities accordingly.
Labeling
Please label everything your child brings to school. This includes backpacks, jackets, folders, supplies (except pencils and erasers), boots, mittens, hats, etc. This will help me greatly throughout the year!
Communication
Please check your child’s take home folder daily for any notes. This is one of my primary sources of communication. I would also love to hear from you, so please use it to send notes to me as well.
Show and Share
Please have your child pick one item to bring for show-and-share. (This item must start with the letter of the week-this will not take place for the first several weeks of kindergarten so they may bring an item of their choice.) We will have show and share every Friday unless the schedule changes in the next few weeks. If this happens a note will be sent home informing you of the new day. Also please inform your child that the item they bring must only be out during show-and-share. I do not want toys causing hurt feelings or problems among the students. Once again to avoid problems please make sure that the item is labeled! If at any time your child would like to bring a person, pet, or other large item for show and share, please contact me, and we’ll pick a time when that will work. We are always open for anyone who wishes to come and read to the class as well. We love visitors!!
Changes in Transportation
If your child is going somewhere different after school, please send me a note or call the office. If no note or phone call is received, your child will be sent home by their usual method of transportation.
Birthdays
Please do not send birthday invitations to school unless you are inviting the entire class. Although it may seem convenient to distribute invitations this way, it may result in hurt feelings for those not invited. We celebrate each child’s birthday or half-birthday in class, and he/she may bring birthday treats for the class if you wish! Please plan on sending enough for 23 students.
Water Bottles
Your child may keep a water bottle at school. Please use a water bottle with a pull top lid so that it will be spill proof. Water bottles without a pull top lid will be sent home.
Outdoor Recess
The children will be going out for recess two times a day unless it is raining or extremely cold. Please keep this in mind when helping your child select clothing for the day.
Book Orders
Your child will be bringing home two forms to order books once a month. If you wish to place an order, simply fill out the form on the back of the flyer (taxes do not apply) and send the correct amount of cash or a check in an envelope, along with the order form. Please make checks payable to Scholastic Book Clubs.
Snacks
IPS was accepted for the fruits and veggies program!! Every afternoon we will be provided with a healthy snack consisting of either fruit or veggies. If you would still like to send prepackaged snack items to school with your child you may do so, sometimes we just can’t wait until lunch time to eat. I will store these snacks in a cupboard and use them as needed. The fruits and veggies program will not start until at least two weeks into the school year so if you would like to help our class and send a snack that would be greatly appreciated!! Please send enough for 23 children. Some examples of possible low-cost snacks are crackers (animal, graham, snack), granola bars, raisins, popcorn, fruit snacks, Little Debbie’s, etc. Thanks for your help with this!
Starof the Week
We will be having a “Star of the Week” every week starting in September. When it is your child’s turn to be featured, he/she will take home a special backpack labeled “Star of the Week Pack”. In it will be a note requesting some pictures of your child and the people (or animals) that are important to him/her. I will also ask you to send your child’s favorite book from home or the library so that we can read it as a class, as well as do a few activities with your child prior to the week that he/she is “Star of the Week”. The pictures and book will be returned the following week. More Information will be sent out on this when your child is “Star of the Week.”
Our “chilly” room
We are very lucky here at IPS to have an air conditioner that works very well! This will feel wonderful when your child returns from recess, but he/she may be cold after being in the classroom for awhile. Because of this, I strongly recommend sending a sweatshirt with your child (with his/her name on the tag) that can stay in his/her backpack or locker. This way your child can put it on whenever he/she is feeling cold.
I am looking forward to a great year with your child! If you have any questions or concerns (or you’d just like to chat), please feel free to contact me here at school between 3:45 and 4:45 at 712.623.2102 or via email at laughlins@roschools.com. I do not have a land line, but if you need to call my cell phone the number is 712.246.9100.
Thank you!!
Miss Laughlin
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