Monthly Newsletter to Parents

Scroll down to see additional newsletters.  I will not delete any of these, so this site might get very full!

Class List:  The students are also listed in the "writing center" section with their birthdays.

Anthony

Adriana

Camron

Chandler

Chloe

Gage

Helen

Iam

Jacob

James

Jesenia

Kemia

Kendall

Lizbet

Micah

Megan

Michael

Nicholas

Nikki

Nicky

Hello to all families!

     It is a new school year, and your child is ready to begin an exciting year of Kindergarten.  The first month of school is generally a time to learn about school routines, explore the learning materials in the room, become accustomed to new experiences and begin to understand how behavior and attitude affects school success. 

     We will learn many new names, write words, read, count and compute, work with patterns, learn to sing songs, play and learn new games, and begin to see that our school family cares for us and wants each of us to succeed.

     Our daily schedule will always include instruction in reading, writing, math, science, social studies, computers, and physical education.  We will also have the opportunity to visit our art, music, media, and computer lab teachers once a week.

     Tips for helping your child adjust to school:

1.  Set a bedtime routine and follow it every day.  8:00pm is not too early for children to go to bed.

2.   Look in your child's backpack and read correspondence from school daily.

3.  Establish a daily time to read to your child and a place to do homework together.

4.  Healthy foods help your child grow, think, and play.

5.  Always speak about school in a positive way.  Any problems you have should not be discussed in front of your child. 

6.  Unexcused absence or tardiness is NOT a good way to begin your child's school year.  Set the alarm and get your child up and ready for a positive and happy day at school.

7.  Work with your child to build independence in tying shoes, zipping zippers, snapping coats/pants, and toilet/hand washing manners.

Dear Parents,

October is such a beautiful month here in North Carolina.  I love to see the leaves beginning to turn colors later in the month, and enjoy the cooler mornings.  Your child has been in school now for 31 school days!  The time seems to be just flying past.  We are in the midst of learning about seasonal changes, and are looking forward to all of the beauty that Autumn brings.  We also are looking forward to Winter, and hopefully some snow!

Your child has been busy learning about Fire Safety, and will be bringing home lots of helpful information about how you can be safe at home.  Check your smoke alarms, and also have a family plan for evacuating your home if a fire occurs.  Being safe and strong means knowing what to do...this makes your child feel safe and secure.

We are learning about patterns, sorting and classifying, writing numerals, learning the days of the week as well as the months of the year, and the seasons.  Every day we spend lots of time learning about many math concepts, and we all agree math is fun!

Alphabet recognition and letter sounds are a major focus for us now.  You will notice papers coming home, and when you sit with your child, review the work that has been done and practice these same skills whenever possible.

Reading "early emergent" books during the day helps all children begin to feel comfortable with the reading process.  Please spend as much time as possible each evening reading to your child and with your child.

Field Trip:  Hopefully, October 23 to Quinn's Market for a hayride!!   COST IS $2.50.

Julie Hollen  :)

November 2,

I am here at school awaiting the start of our Harvest Festival.  I hope I get to visit with you tonight....I am at the drink booth.  Also, just a short note....Gage is moving to Craven County, and he had a very emotional goodbye to his friends today.  We are losing a good friend, but we are hoping Gage will make lots of new friends at his new school. 

Julie Hollen

November 28

Dear Families,

I have sent a newsletter home this week, but wanted to have the same information on the website.  We will be heading to the Festival of Trees on Dec. 11 for a 11:00 appointment.  However, we are hoping to also schedule a tour of a local restaurant, maybe McDonald's or Pizza Inn.  If we do, we will visit there after the tree exhibit.  Look for a permission slip in your child's folder the week of December 3.

We have been learning about "needs" and "wants" and hopefully your child has mentioned to you that there is a difference.  We have learned we Need things like a home, good food, clothes, water to drink, and a loving family.  We may Want other things, but our needs are more important.  During the month of December when we are bombarded by all of the gifts we can give, hopefully you will help your child understand that those "needs" are so very important for all of us.  Maybe you can help someone else by providing one of those "needs" that they are missing.

Last day of school is December 19, an early release day.  School resumes on January 3.

Have a wonderful holiday season, and enjoy your child during our vacation from school.

*********

Hello to everyone...welcome to 2008!  We are in the midst of major renovation in our building, as well in other parts of the school.  We are being extra-careful when traveling around school.  The workers have been so kind and considerate, and we are excited seeing all of the progress.

We have a new student!  Nicky T. has come to Newport Elementary School from The Tiller School.  He is a very kind and polite young man, and we are so glad to have him in our classroom.

We are learning about animals in winter and also the animals that live at the North Pole and the South Pole.  We observed ice and how long it takes to melt inside our classroom...it was lots of fun!

Enjoy the chilly weather!  Julie Hollen and Susan Newton

Hi Parents,

We are preparing for a busy month of February by learning about our teeth, heart, community, and our nation.  Did you know that we can be healthier by doing very simple things every day?  Brushing teeth, getting enough sleep, eating healthy foods, cutting down on sweets, and smiling and laughing together are just a few very important things we can do.  Others?  Limit television watching or using the computer; try to limit eating junk food; stop being a "couch potato";  play safely; and instead of arguing with our family and friends, talk out your problems.

The last week of February will be devoted to Dr. Seuss and the wonderful books he wrote to entertain and teach all of us!!

And parents...don't forget our trip to New Bern to see a live stage production!!!  We are going on March 3. 

Ariana has moved to Richlands, NC and Gage has moved back to Newport from Havelock.

Hello to all....

March has arrived with some unusual weather.  We are graphing our daily weather and are always talking about how weather can be unpredictable.  We do love the warm days for playground time!

Our Spring Fling....the celebration of Spring arriving....will be on our early release day, Friday, March 21.  We will have crafts to make, games to play, and a spring basket to decorate.  We have been talking about the lifecycle of certain animals, and our Painted Lady butterflies did come out of their chrysalis this week!!!!  We are so excited.  We hope to release them on Friday during our Spring Fling.

Have a restful and enjoyable spring vacation.  See you on March 31.

April Showers bring....a muddy playground!  It did rain today, so we spent the recess time playing with puzzles and board games.  We loved it! 

We are now learning about pond animals, and will begin next week on farm animals and other aspects about farm life.  Our planned trip to a real farm is April 15.  This is the Kirkman Farm, and believe me, it is a fun place to visit.  The farmer even raises ostrich!!

Keep working at home on reading, numbers, shapes, time, and money.  We are getting ready for first grade.  Although, many of us think Kindergarten is the best!

Take care and enjoy our new season, Spring!