- Please ensure that your child's name is on everything they bring to school- shoes, backpacks, coats, lunch bags, mittens etc.
- Inside shoes can be left on the cubby shelf above your child's coat hook at the end of the day.
- When picking up your child outside of regular hours, please use the main door by the office as all other doors are locked during school hours for the children's safety. You must also sign out your child with the office.
- Your child will come for a full day (8:30-2:30) either next Monday or Tuesday. If you aren't sure which day they should come, check with myself or the office. Don't forget to send a snack and a lunch.
- ALL the children will start full days, every day, on Wednesday, Sept. 11.
- Scholastic book orders are due Friday, Sept. 13. If you wish to order something, return the order to me or pay/ order online (see previous post for info).
- The first Buddy Bags will go home Friday, Sept. 13, with three children. Check the calendar for your child's weekend. Instructions/ expectations are in the front cover of the Buddy's journal. Please return all the items, in the pack, on Monday for sharing.
- We will begin our library time the second or third week of September with Ms. Kipp.
- We will participate in the Terry Fox Run at BEST on Friday, Sept. 13. If you would like, send a Toonie for Terry. There is a jar at the office or leave it with me.
- Sharing will begin the week of Monday, Sept. 16. Check the calendar for your child's day. Please refrain from sending toys to share.
- Tuesday, Sept. 17 is a Meet & Greet from 8:30-9:00. Grab a coffee by the office and come in to check out what we are doing.
- Monday, Sept. 23, is an NI day which means there is no school for students.
- School supply fees are due into the office if you haven't already sent them. Check with Ms. Ladouceur for cost for each grade.
- If you would like to send a water bottle with your child's name on it to leave on the back counter, you are welcome to. Remember to take them home occasionally to wash, especially after an illness. We do have a fountain in our sink but it is difficult to work.
- Although we are not in cold season yet, it is coming. If you could send a box or two of tissues for our classroom it would be very much appreciated.
- I have not yet, but eventually I will ask you to send a pair of earphones for your child to use with the iPads. Put them in a labelled ziplock bag to help keep them organized please. Earbuds are often not the best choice.
Yay! We have all successfully navigated our first day of school. Some of us were anxious, some timid but none downright reluctant and there was a tiny spark of excitement in all of us. Let's see if that tiny spark can't be fanned into a full-blown wildfire of excitement for school and learning this year.
All the interviews have gone well and the students and parents have gone away a little more reassured (I hope) about this next big step. That being said, I am always a bit nervous, anxious and excited for the first 'real' day of school and I am sure there are a few little bodies out there feeling exactly the same way. If the first day comes and your child has not slept the night before, will not eat breakfast, is complaining of stomach or headaches (and you know it is not illness) and/or they are emotional, trust that these are all normal signs for many kids transitioning into Kindergarten. Reassure them they can do it and that it is normal to feel worried. For the majority of kids, by the end of the first week they will feel completely confident going to school. It is crucial to ensure they attend school in those first few days even if they are expressing these complaints. Remind your child you are there to support them as are the teachers at school. I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow!
Find more info on how to use the Safe Arrival program and report an absence or late arrival to school here.
Your child will come to school for their first time on Friday, either from 8:30-11:00 or 12:00 to 2:30. Whether they attend in the morning or afternoon, a snack is needed. Balanced, nutritious snacks can help children maintain energy and lengthen their attention span throughout the day as well as provide fuel for growth and development. There are many options for healthy snacks that are low in sugar to provide your child with the zip they need until the next meal. Some suggestions are baby carrots or sliced apples, boiled eggs, whole grain crackers w/ cheese, pretzels, mini meatballs, applesauce, popcorn and drinkable yogurts. These options are all easily eaten by hand, come ready-to-eat and will fill a tummy until lunch time. Having your child choose their own snack makes them more likely to eat it. Happy snacking! A reminder that BEST is a nut aware school as we have students with severe allergic reactions to peanuts and tree nuts in the school. In order to minimize the chances of those students coming into contact with nuts I respectfully ask that you refrain from sending products with nuts in your child's lunch to school. If your child has eaten peanut butter or other nut products before leaving for school please have them wash their hands thoroughly. Although we encourage young children to share, the students in our class will be discouraged from sharing their food, drinks and eating utensils with others in order to provide all children with safe conditions. I realize that helping us to maintain a nut-free classroom takes a certain amount of effort and diligence on your part, and I thank you in advance for your cooperation in helping us maintain a safe, healthy environment for all of our students. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me or the office at the school. There are a number of spreads that are similar to peanut butter that are acceptable substitutions. SunButter (made of sunflower seeds), NoNuts Golden Peabutter (made of peas) or WOWBUTTER (made of soy) are all safe alternatives although they do not taste exactly like peanut butter. Welcome to the 2019- 2020 school year! This is an exciting time for your child, although he/she may be a little apprehensive about going to "real" school.
This is also a time of mixed emotions for parents--- joy that your child is ready for school, but sadness because he/she is no longer a "baby"! The first day of school will mark one of the most important milestones in your child's life. I’m so glad I get to share that with you. Be assured that I will do my best to make this school year an enjoyable time for your child, but also a time filled with real learning. The skills we practice daily in kindergarten are the building blocks for your child's future success in school and in life. I know if we all work together, we can make this a wonderful year for our students and help them reach each goal that is set for them. I am looking forward to getting to know all the children. I am sure that all of us will learn a lot in the upcoming months! I will update this blog regularly to keep you informed and up-to-date on what the children are doing in the classroom, as well as what you can do with your child at home to provide additional practice in certain areas. If you ever have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact me through this blog, email, the school or in person. All Elementary classes will begin at 10:30am and end at 12:00pm on Tuesday, September 3, with the exception of Kindergarten students. Please contact the school for Kindergarten specifics if you haven't already received the letter sent home to families by the K teachers.
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Mrs. Bowden &
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