Dave's Newsletter
Room 111 Newsletter
Monday, September 19, 2011
Hello families!
It was great hearing your kids tell us about their summer souvenir, and it was nice to see them feel comfortable enough to talk to the whole group… a great ice-breaking first homework assignment and presentation. Our routines are still coming together, and the kids are really getting in the swing of things.
We practiced our lockdown and shelter-in-place drill procedures, as well as more classroom routines (how to use our supplies, folders, notebooks, etc.).
Thanks to all the families who completed filling out the First Day Packet and returned it to school. If you have not yet had a chance to fill out the important forms in that packet, please take some time to do so soon, as the office needs these in case of an emergency.
Also, please complete the driver/background checks information as soon as possible. This way, we won’t have to worry come time for field trips and driver/chaperones.
Blue Folder
Please help your child keep track of their blue folder and its contents (keep it in their backpack when not in use, put it in the same spot every night before bed, etc). This is the most important tool for my correspondence with families, and it helps the children practice personal responsibility and accountability for their work.
Late Arrivals and how your child gets home from school
Please make sure that your home routines facilitate getting your child fed and to class on time by 8:30. I believe it is essential for every child to begin the day at the same time as their classmates to help them feel more a part of the community, and to start the day on the right foot.
Also, please make sure your child knows specifically how they will be getting home prior to getting to school whenever possible (bus, red zone, office, classroom). If you will be picking up your child after school in the hallway outside the classroom and you are later than the 2:35 dismissal time, your child will be asked to wait in the office for you, as I may not always be nearby after the bell rings.
Homework
Homework will usually come home on a Tuesday, to be turned in that Friday. Your child’s first reading home reading log went home. Last year I decided to add a grading component to help families understand the importance of nightly reading. Weekly reading logs (20-30 minutes per night) will be given on Thursdays, due the following Friday with any and all other homework. Please make sure your child fills in the reading log as a part of their homework responsibility. The reading log grading is simply a way for students to demonstrate good work habits and self-responsibility.
Art and Math
The kids their first art classes with Barb and worked on line drawings. These are now posted on the bulletin boards outside the classroom. We have also begun learning about number sequence and patterns in number in math class.
Music
Music began last Wednesday with Mary K. at 11:00 AM.
Literacy
From last week’s spelling test I will be setting up word sorts based on the results of last week’s spelling test. Groupings of kids will be working on their word sorts/ word patterns from the Words Their Way curriculum on a weekly basis. There may be a homework component of this as well.
Social Curriculum
Anthony completed his first lesson from the Connected and Respected curriculum.
Contacting Me
If you would like to contact me, I am available by work phone (252-1751) or email (drmiddleton@seattleschools.org), and will get back to you within 24 hours, usually much sooner. If you have an urgent message, please drop me a written note, or contact the office directly, as I am generally unable to answer calls and check email during the regular school day.
- Also, though it may seem convenient to have an impromptu conversation about a subject of concern during the school day, or even immediately before or after school, please know that this is not the case. Should you urgently need to speak with me, you can email me, write me a note, or leave me a phone message, and we can schedule a phone meeting, or a personal meeting as necessary, and I will be happy to assist you. Thank youJ
Snack Sign-up: I have put up a snack sign-up sheet on the wall outside our door for families to sign up for snack. Please drop by and put your name down for a week or two. I have attached the snack sign-up sheet with remaining dates. You may also email me to let me know what will work for you.
AM/PM Student Drop-Offs and Pick-Ups
This is a reminder to please be as efficient and safe as possible with this.
- Children may be dropped off no earlier than 7:55 AM, as we DO NOT HAVE ANY adult supervision before that time.
- All drop-offs and pickups are on 18th Ave NW ONLY. Please ENTER FROM THE NORTHso that your child exits your automobile on the west side of the street, avoiding the need to cross the street with lots of traffic.
Mark your calendars:
Wednesday, September 28th –2-hour early dismissal!!
IMMEDIATE VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES!!!
- Auction Coordinator– one-time job
- Adult Buddy Readers (TBD based on reading assessments) - ongoing job once to twice per week with a developing reader (at 8:30 AM until 9:00AM) except Fridays.
There will be other one-time and ongoing jobs as well. Please email me your availability should you like to take on one or more of them.
Thank you!
I hope you have a wonderful rest of the week, and see you soon!
Sincerely,
Dave
Room 111
Salmon Bay School
252-1751
