It’s hard to put into words why I absolutely adore my class but here’s a start…

• Our kindergartners come to school ready to learn, motivated, and excited! We start our day with morning meeting and celebrate our classroom community. They are amazing; they cheer for one another and build each other up! If you’re feeling down, come join us and I promise they will brighten your day!
• In kindergarten, we are constantly helping one another learn. Not only do my students teach one another but I’m constantly learning from them. They are even keeping me young by teaching me the griddy!
• Our days fly by because we are having a blast! Whether they are learning how to read or discovering the world around them with their five senses, we are always smiling and having fun!
• Each day I’m guaranteed lots of hugs and leave the classroom with a full heart.
• This class is bursting with kind, respectful individuals and I cannot wait to watch each one grow up at MC! We’ve got a BRIGHT future!
• I can’t imagine being any where else and I’m thankful for this classroom full of students (and all of my previous students) who give me the reason to say…Kindergarten rocks, and I love my job!

• October 3 - Police safety with PK and Kindergarten
• October 7 - Fundraising U delivery day - Pick up the items your child sold in the cafeteria at the end of the day.
  
• October 10 - Fire safety with PK and Kindergarten
• October 12 - Art to Remember orders are DUE! Contact Miss Henggeler with questions! (payton.henggeler@mndcty.org)
• October 13 - Title 1/PAT Fall Family Night; Grades K-2 - More info. below.
• October 18 - Last day of quarter 1; picture make-up day
• October 19 - First day of quarter 2; wear ORANGE for Unity Day
• October 20 - Early dismissal at 12:30; Parent/Teacher Conferences from 1-7 PM - More info. below, including elementary SCHEDULING!
• October 21 - NO SCHOOL
• October 26 - Wear RED for Red Ribbon Week
• October 24-28 - Red Ribbon Week
• October 25 - Quarter 1 awards assembly - More info. below.
• October 26 - 7th and 8th grade Civic Immersion Project - More info. below.
• October 31 - Class parties - More info. below.

• Please do not linger in the hallways after 8:00 AM. All classes (PK-12) begin promptly at 8:00 AM.
• Please do not drop off students before 7:40 AM. Students are NOT supervised before 7:40 AM at the school.
• Breakfast is served between 7:40-7:57. Breakfast is NOT served after 8:00 AM.
• Please share an active email address on the enrollment form and with your child's teacher for easy communication.

Having power over your own actions and emotions

A few examples of how to demonstrate self-control:

• Thinking before you speak or act
• Concentrating in class
• Making healthy choices
• Recognizing when you are experiencing an emotional reaction
• Seeking help if you are in distress

SELF-CONTROL is worth THREE PBS points during the month of October.

These students were chosen by their teachers for being shining examples of RESPONSIBILITY.

These students were chosen by their teachers for being shining examples of RESPECT.

Every environment has a set of unwritten rules that people expect to be followed such as… talking when it is your turn, respecting personal space, etc. When people follow these rules, then he/she is considered to be “doing what is expected.” Students who don’t follow the rules are doing what is unexpected and people may have “weird" or "uncomfortable” thoughts about them. However, sometimes kids don’t always know what behaviors are expected in different circumstances. Other times, they might forget. As a parent/guardian, you can help by reminding them of the expected behaviors. Ex: “When we go to the restaurant, I expect you to use polite words such as please and thank you. I expect you pick up your mess after you eat. I expect you to use an inside voice. I expect you to stay in your seat or stand next to me.” By simply explaining expected behaviors, you will help your child to learn and to make a more pleasant environment for both you and your child. So the next time you go somewhere, try it! See if it helps.

Expected behavior is simply behavior that is normal, reasonable, and anticipated. Unexpected

behavior is behavior that is out of the norm and is unusual.

This past month we have been relating our word of the month “Respect” back into our friendships. I

hope that you can use some of the following information to incorporate into your lives outside of

school.

We focused on listening as a respectful quality in a friend. Some of our topics included:

1. What listening looks like – listening with our whole body - laser eyes, still as a statue, no talking
2. Reflective listening – being able to repeat what someone says plus look for feeling clues. Ex: “you seem sad that you can’t go to your grandma’s house after school.”
3. Disagreeing politely. When you disagree appropriately, you are more likely to understand each other and less likely to need an adult to help. Others will consider your opinions if you present them calmly, and others will give you the respect you deserve. Ex: “That’s a good idea, but I think…” or “I have a suggestion…”
4. “I” Messages – these help communicate how you are feeling in a respectful way and to be a problem-solver. Ex: I feel sad when I am left out. Could you please sit with me at lunch?

Students discussed the School-Parent-Student Compact at the beginning of the school year. Elementary teachers will ask parents to sign this compact at parent/teacher conferences. Please review the compact (attached below). Reach out to Mrs. Osburn (sarah.osburn@mndcty.org), your child's classroom teacher, or Mrs. Petersen (emily.petersen@mndcty.org) with questions.

Progress monitoring will begin in K and 1st grades. It will include the same assessments that were given at the beginning of the year. We will be working toward achieving the middle of the year goals through the second quarter. Here is what we are learning in the classroom:

• K--basic concepts, identifying and grouping numbers 1-10, greater than and less than, next number, and understanding addition
• 1st--fluently adding and subtracting within 10
• 2nd--adding and subtracting fluently within 100
• 3rd--identifying the properties of multiplication, using multiplication to divide, and learning division facts
• 4th--using strategies and properties multiplying by a 1 and 2-digit number.

We encourage all students to continue working on math facts that are relevant to their age. Fluency with numbers is the gateway to the language of math.

Because there is no point!