Mrs. Warner's KinderKids News
All news stories posted during the 2011-12 school year, from newest to oldest:
WW 5-18-2012
Submitted by Mrs. Warner on May 18, 2012 - 12:36am
Warner Weekly
St. John Vianney Kindergarten
18 May 2012
Dear Parents –
Our trip to Grandpa Tiny’s Farm and Wilderness Trails Zoo was FAB!! The weather was great, and the children learned about many, many ‘critters’ while we were at the two places. I appreciate the patience of all of our chaperones – the KinderKids had lots of questions! The staff at Grandpa Tiny’s shared with me that ours were some of the best behaved, polite children that had visited the farm. Many thanks to Mrs. Crowder, Mrs. Fechik, Mrs. Tyler, Mr. Stocker, Mrs. Higgerson, Mrs. Irwin, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Lince, Mrs. Mack, Mrs. Mackie, Ms. Smith, Mrs. Riopelle, and Mrs. Taylor!
Several of you have already returned your permission slips for the Planetarium trip on Tuesday – thank you! I love taking the KinderKids to see the light show with Fred Penner narrating. We will learn about the seasons, growing things, the night sky and constellations – it is both entertaining and informative. Following the Planetarium show, we will move to one of the classrooms to make a terrarium. The KinderKids will be reminded of what is needed for living things to grow, and will each have a terrarium to observe so they can ‘watch it all happen.’
Our chicks are incubating! We put 12 eggs in our incubator last Thursday, which means our ‘hatch day” should be Wednesday, May 30th. It takes 21 days for the chicks to incubate, and the KinderKids are bringing home a “keep-track-of-how-many-more-days-until-the-chicks-hatch” calendar. Please help them put it in a prominent spot, and help them remember to color in one of the squares each day.
It took a couple of days for me to get the incubator regulated to the proper temperature and humidity level. The eggs must be kept at a constant temperature of 100 degrees, and a constant humidity level of 86. There are two thermometers in the incubator that measure the heat and humidity, and I check them several times a day. The eggs must be turned each day, and the incubator has a motor with an arm attached to it that moves a screen in the incubator, causing the eggs to turn on a regular basis. It’s hard work being a mother chicken!!
Our caterpillars have formed their chrysalides, and they are now hanging in our butterfly house. They have to ‘hang’ in order to form properly (in nature they would hang from a branch or a leaf), but four of ours fell from the top of the caterpillar container and were laying on the bottom. I used some tacky glue to attach the four chrysalides to a piece of paper toweling, be very careful to get the glue only on the ‘stem’ that the chrysalis hangs from – keep your fingers crossed that it works! We will know by next week, as that is when we should have Painted Lady Butterflies.
This was the last week for the children to check books out for this school year, and all library books have to be returned by next week. I am grateful to Mr. Gifford, Mrs. Irwin, and Mrs. Lince for their help in library every single week!
We met Mr. Wonderful Wink and All Mixed-Up Mr. X this week. Penmanship and home activity papers are in folders. We are almost done! Certificates will be given to the children for returning all (or most) of their penmanship papers. Good habits in responsibility are being formed!
These Letter People do ‘stick’ with the students; one of the questions that the KinderKids ask of the first grade readers is, “Who was your favorite Letter Person?” They always have a quick answer and an explanation why! The Letter People are meant to be mnemonic devices to remember the sound that a letter stands for, and they certainly are!
In fact, two of our present eighth grade students came to our classroom this week to ‘borrow’ a Letter Person – they want it for their last 8th grade Mass, which they will celebrate next Friday. They carry up a series of ‘memories’ of their years at SJV, and a Letter Person has always been a part of their fondest memories. Makes me happy!
You have noticed that we are doing some additional work with sight words, creating sentences with them, writing rainbow words, cutting out the printed words to make sentences, and the like. The more ways children manipulate words, the more comfortable and confident they become using them.
Thanks to all who have sent in new, plain, white pillowcases. I will prepare the ones I have, and hopefully more of you will have had time to go to the store this weekend. I am also hoping that some of you parents can help me complete the project on Wednesday, (May 23.) Though not difficult, it is rather labor intensive. Please let me know if you are available. Thank you!
During the next two weeks, we will be doing end-of-the-year assessments. These skills checks show me the progress that your children have made throughout this school year. Hopefully the children will remain healthy and get lots of rest so that they can be in school every day.
Thanks to all of my parents and grandparents who volunteered to help with the Fish Pond at the Carnival/Ice Cream Social last week! It was a very joyful evening for the children, and the Fishpond was a busy, busy booth! I am grateful for your helping hands!
Reminder: On Tuesday, May 22nd, I will bemeeting with the parents of next year’s Kindergarten children to discuss School Readiness. If you would like to attend, or if you know anyone who would like to learn more about child development and its importance to school success, you are welcome to invite them to this meeting. It will be at 7:00 in the Library. Please talk to me if you have any questions about the meeting or about the development of readiness in children.
Info/reminders about our Fun in the Sun Day on June 1st: In the morning, we will practice for our program. We will have lunch (I’m hoping we can order pizza for everyone) and then spend the afternoon outside. Can anyone bring in a wading pool or two? They can be brought to school that morning. Some bubbles would be fun – any ‘outdoorsy’ stuff that would be fun for the children to do. KinderKids can bring bathing suits to change into, or wear the suits under their clothes. Sunscreen and a towel would also be in order. We will be splashing in the wading pools, playing on the playground, bouncing in the Bounce House, snacking, and enjoying the company of our friends. It is a joyful day!
Of course we need SNACKS for Fun in the Sun Day! A cut up watermelon, some other fruits and veggies, some cookies/brownies, popsicles, some juice boxes – anything goes. We want the day to be very special for them………. I am sending a sign-up slip so you can let me know how you can help –please return it by Wednesday, May 30th). Thanks!
Parents who are going to join us on June 1st to help with lunch and the afternoon’s activities should come to school about 11:45.
Monday, June 4, will be our last ‘regular day’ of Kindergarten, and I want the kids and I and Mrs. Lince to spend it together in our classroom.
Tuesday, June 5th, is our End-of the-Year Program, and the last day of school for the KinderKids. We will ask for your help one last time for that day – we want to have punch and cookies for the KinderKids and their guests following their program, and ask that you help in that regard, please. Again, I am sending home a slip asking how you can help for those last days of school.
Three children were out sick today – lots of illness still around….
See you all on Monday -- Shalom!
We can help with Fun-in-the-Sun and the End-of-the-Year Celebration!
Please return this form by Wednesday, May 30th, so that I’ll know what I still have to get. THANKS – you know that we couldn’t do without your help and support!
FUN IN THE SUN DAY, Friday June 1st– We’ll practice for our program in the morning. Children should bring bathing suits or wear them under their clothes, as we’ll be getting wet in the afternoon (weather permitting). They’ll also need sunscreen and a towel. Each child needs to bring a snack for the morning, and we will order pizza for lunch. If your child does not like pizza, please send a cold lunch.
_____We can send in some juice boxes or Popsicles. (circle one)
_____We can send in some snacks for the afternoon “fun” – (watermelon, brownies, fruit, chip, veggies – anything is fine, but I do need to know what so that I can coordinate a bit.)
_____I don’t want to miss the fun – I’ll be at school about 11:45 A.M. to help supervise lunch and spend the afternoon with the children.
_____I have a wading pool or sprinkler that I can bring to school for the day.
END-OF-THE-YEAR CELEBRATION, Tuesday, June 5th– All children report to our room at 8:30 AM as usual. Dress should be “Sunday Best.” Parents should report to the gym to get a seat for the 9:30 performance. We will have punch and cookies in the gym after the program. Each family needs contribute some refreshments, please.
_____We will send in two dozen cookies.
_____We will send in bottled water.
_____We will send in juice boxes
_____We will send in a can of Hi-C and 2-liter bottle of 7-up.
Your name_______________________________________________________
THANK YOU!!!
Print
E-mailFarm and Zoo Field Trip Permission Slip
Submitted by Mrs. Warner on May 13, 2012 - 10:59amST. JOHNVIANNEY CATHOLIC SCHOOL CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF LANSING
2319 Bagley Street 300 West Ottawa Street
Flint, MI 48507 (810) 235-5687 Lansing, MI 48933
PARENT PERMISSION FORM FOR FIELD TRIP PARTICIPATION
Dear Parent or Legal Guardian:
Your son/daughter is eligible to participate in a School sponsored activity requiring transportation to a location away front the School building. This activity will take place under the guidance and supervision of employees from St. John Vianney Catholic School. A brief description of the activity follows:
Name of Event: “Spring’s New Life”
Destination:Grandpa Tiny’s Farm, Frankenmuth, and Wilderness Trails Zoo, Birch Run
Designated Supervisor of Activity: Mrs. Warner
Date and Time of Departure: Monday, May 14th, 8:40 AM
Date and Anticipated Time of Return: Monday, May 14th, 3:00 PM
Method of Transportation: Parent Drivers
(insurance info should be on file in the office)
Student Cost: $9.00
…………………COMPLETE AND RETURN ONLY THE BOTTOM PORTION………………..
___Yes, I’d love to chaperon/drive, and have seat belts for _____ children!
(Adult cost: $9.00) If you are not a driver, your child needs to bring a booster seat for the trip. Everyone needs to bring a sack lunch – no glass containers, please.
If you would like your child to participate in this event, please complete, sign, and return the following statement of consent of acknowledgement. As parent or legal guardian, you remain fully responsible for any legal responsibility which may result from any personal actions taken by the named student.
I hereby consent to participation by my child (name)______________________________,
in the field trip to Grandpa Tiny’s Farm and Wilderness Trails Zoo, as described above. I understand that this event will take place away from the School grounds and that my child will be under the supervision of Mrs. Warner on the May 14, 2012. I further consent to the conditions stated above on participation in this event, including the method of transportation.
____________________________ _________________________________ ___________
(Print Parent's Name) (Parent's Signature) (Date)
Please return this form and money by Wednesday, May 9th. Thank you!
2319 Bagley Street 300 West Ottawa Street
Flint, MI 48507 (810) 235-5687 Lansing, MI 48933
PARENT PERMISSION FORM FOR FIELD TRIP PARTICIPATION
Dear Parent or Legal Guardian:
Your son/daughter is eligible to participate in a School sponsored activity requiring transportation to a location away front the School building. This activity will take place under the guidance and supervision of employees from St. John Vianney Catholic School. A brief description of the activity follows:
Name of Event: “Spring’s New Life”
Destination:Grandpa Tiny’s Farm, Frankenmuth, and Wilderness Trails Zoo, Birch Run
Designated Supervisor of Activity: Mrs. Warner
Date and Time of Departure: Monday, May 14th, 8:40 AM
Date and Anticipated Time of Return: Monday, May 14th, 3:00 PM
Method of Transportation: Parent Drivers
(insurance info should be on file in the office)
Student Cost: $9.00
…………………COMPLETE AND RETURN ONLY THE BOTTOM PORTION………………..
___Yes, I’d love to chaperon/drive, and have seat belts for _____ children!
(Adult cost: $9.00) If you are not a driver, your child needs to bring a booster seat for the trip. Everyone needs to bring a sack lunch – no glass containers, please.
If you would like your child to participate in this event, please complete, sign, and return the following statement of consent of acknowledgement. As parent or legal guardian, you remain fully responsible for any legal responsibility which may result from any personal actions taken by the named student.
I hereby consent to participation by my child (name)______________________________,
in the field trip to Grandpa Tiny’s Farm and Wilderness Trails Zoo, as described above. I understand that this event will take place away from the School grounds and that my child will be under the supervision of Mrs. Warner on the May 14, 2012. I further consent to the conditions stated above on participation in this event, including the method of transportation.
____________________________ _________________________________ ___________
(Print Parent's Name) (Parent's Signature) (Date)
Please return this form and money by Wednesday, May 9th. Thank you!
WW 5-4-2012
Submitted by Mrs. Warner on May 7, 2012 - 12:06am
Warner Weekly
St. John Vianney Kindergarten
4 May 2012
Well, my first ever flood day!
Congratulations to Emily and Madison, who had a joint birthday celebration this weekend. Hope you enjoyed your special days, Em and Maddie!
Not being in school delayed my getting to you permission slips for Grandpa Tiny’s Farm and Wilderness Trails Zoo. The trip is tentatively planned for Monday, May 14th. I say tentative as I cannot confirm with them until I know that we have enough drivers. We will leave at 8:40-ish and return about 3:00-ish. Could you send me a note ASAP and let me know if you can drive and how many children you can transport? Permission slips are included with today’s note, and I ask that they be returned Wednesday, May 9th. Thank you!!
Our caterpillars have arrived!! Six Painted Lady caterpillars are in residence in our room as of Thursday morning. They will eat and eat and eat and shed their skins about four times in the next week to ten days before forming their chrysalides.
Our Luna Moth also arrived, and we soaked it in water for one minute (to hydrate the cocoon) before placing it in our butterfly house. We will wait for one to three weeks for it to hatch.
We also have Praying Mantis egg cases that are in the mantis habitat (thank you to Madison’s family.) And our canvas bag full of Lady Bugs is also here, and we misted them and then released them into their habitat. I have collected many ‘environments’ for various insects over the years, so have the proper housing for each insect.
I will pick up our fertilized chicken eggs on Tuesday, and we will begin the countdown to hatch day -- we will have lots of writing and math experiences with the focus being on our eggs and insects – check them out as they come home!
In folders are the ‘hands’ for the Read and Grow people. Please color/decorate them and return them within two weeks. Some children also have another pair of ‘pants’ to complete – I would appreciate those being returned next week, along with the feet. Remember, these ‘people’ will be used in our end-of-the-year program, so each child does need to complete one.
We met Mr. Tall Teeth and Miss Umbrella – penmanship and home activity papers are in folders.
We are welcoming some wonderful guest readers to our room. I invited the first grade students to come and read books to us. Antonia Ash was our first reader, and your children were FABULOUS listeners! I love listening to my former students, and they love showing off their reading skills. Our first grade readers are inspiration!
Further info regarding our Fun Day on Friday, June 1st. In the morning we will practice for our program, then have lunch (I mentioned getting pizza for all in last week’s note, or everyone will bring a sack lunch, please – ), and we will spend the afternoon playing outside in wading pools and in the bounce house. We would love to have some snacks and drinks during the afternoon, and I’ll need your help for that. J
I will also need your help for our end-of-the-year program on June 5th, please. After the children are done with their performance, we want to have punch and cookies for the children and their guests (that would be you!) I will be sending home a slip in the next couple of weeks listing what we need, and asking what you can provide. Thank you!
And, a reminder to invite Grandmas and Grandpas and Aunts and Uncles to the program on June 1st. It will begin at 9:30, and will last about 45 minutes, with punch and cookies to follow. The KinderKids are done with school “for the year” following the program. Where has the time gone???????????
We will check books out of the library for the final time of the year next Thursday. Thanks to those who have turned in overdue library books – please make another search this weekend. After those books have been checked back in to the library, we will print another list of any still out. School policy dictates that report cards must be held if any books are overdue.
We will spend a good part of the next few weeks doing individual skills checks, evaluating each child’s progress to date in Kindergarten. Please keep the children as well rested as possible so they can be at their best (and their healthiest!) for these few days – we have much to accomplish.
On Tuesday, May 22nd, I will be meeting with the parents of next year’s Kindergarten children to discuss School Readiness. If you would like to attend, or if you know anyone who would like to learn more about child development and its importance to school success, you are welcome to invite them to this meeting. It will be at 7:00 in the Library. Please talk to me if you have any questions about the meeting or about the development of readiness in children.
Are your children registered for next year?? I want to be certain to see their smiling faces in our hallways! J It is important to us to know now who will be here in August as we are making staffing decisions and ordering supplies. Bring a friend to SJV! J
Do you all know that you can earn tuition credit by working bingos and working at the Palace and DTM (Pine Knob)? I know several families who have earned enough to cover a whole year’s tuition. If you are interested in further information, talk to me, or contact Melinda at the church office. We know you make sacrifices to send your children to SJV, and we want you to be aware of anything that can help you give your children the best.
I want to do a special project with the children, and need your help, please. I’M ASKING THAT YOU TO SEND IN A NEW, PLAIN, WHITE PILLOWCASE, PLEASE. We also need acrylic or fabric paint (not puff paint) in primary colors. I know it means a trip to the store for you, but it is for a keepsake that the children will love having. It is very important that EVERYONE has one, so please send one in next week for your child. Thank you!
See all of you at the Ice Cream Social/Carnival Thursday evening!
Mrs. Warner
WW 4-26-12
Submitted by Mrs. Warner on April 27, 2012 - 1:34am
Warner Weekly
St. John Vianney Kindergarten
27 April 2012
Dear Parents –
We had another busy week! Seems every day is packed with activities and happenings.
Our trip to Sloan Museum was great! The dinosaur exhibit was very realistic, and the KinderKids had hardly looked at one of the ‘terrible lizards’ when another of them caught their eye and they were off to see something else. We got to say, ‘hi,’ to Camille’s Daddy, who helped set up the exhibit. Walking through the rest of the museum is always interesting to both children and parents alike. I love talking to the children about the Native American display, the lumbering display, and the many displays depicting the creation of the automobile here in Flint. We need these little people to be proud of all that has gone before them! I was surprised at how many exhibits have been added since I was there last year at this time – what a treasure we have in the Sloan! Thank you to all the moms, dads, grandmas, and grandpas who accompanied us. Couldn’t do it without you!
We were honored on Thursday by the travelling replica of the image of Our Lady of Guadalupe that was brought to SJV. There are only two of the missionary pictures that travel around the world, and our students were fortunate to be able to hear the story of how the image came to be. We have several students from Our Lady of Guadalupe Church that attend SJV, and it was an honor for us to learn more about the lady after whom their church is named. You would have been so proud of your children – the presentation was long, but they were SO attentive and polite and interested. Only some of the students received a Holy Card of OLOG, but they are going to send more.
Thank you to Charity’s family for the paper towels this week, and thanks to Camryn’s Mom for joining ‘the regulars’ to help with recess and lunch this week. Also thanks to Lauren’s family for the tadpoles – we talked about metamorphosis and how the tadpole body will make a complete change into a frog.
I need to ask for some help, please, for the Field Day that Powers Catholic is sponsoring for all of the areas elementary schools. We have been asked to bring with us a couple of parent volunteers who can spend the day with us. Can you help? Please send me a note on Monday if you can join us for the day – names are being submitted on Tuesday. Thanks!
We met Mr. Ripping Rubber Bands this week. He was not a nice person at all when he first began visiting classrooms, but found out that people would not want to be around him if he was unkind. We also met Mr. Super Socks (my personal favorite) – penmanship and home activity papers are in folders. J
I told you last week about our new Boxcar Children book being The Mystery of the Guide Dog, and that I was telling the KinderKids about blind people reading Braille. I showed them some of the dot configurations, but of course could not replicate the texture of the dots. Imagine my excitement when, while touring the new Powers Catholic High School this week, I found an old book written in Braille that was being discarded! It is now on our Art and Writing table, and the students are all ‘feeling’ the writing in the book. I typed up a key for them to use to identify which dot configuration is what letter – more experiences!!
Also regarding a Boxcar Children book, our last book was the Mystery of the Tigers Eye, so I wore my Tiger’s Eye ring to school all week so they could see what the real thing looks like.
Our new task, for breakfast this morning I had… is both a penmanship lesson and a writing experience. The students are working hard to print inside the proper lines that I put on the pages, and they are doing well with their inventive spelling!
Seems I am forgetting something – I may have to send you an email this weekend! By the way – I did send an email to all parents last Sunday. If you did not receive it, please send me your correct email address.
Several of the KinderGirls are looking forward to attending the Daddy-Daughter Dance this Saturday evening! Of course if a Daddy is not able to attend, the girls can invite a different adult male to accompany them to the dance. As is the tradition, Moms have the privilege of helping their girls get ready for the dance, but only the Dads are allowed to attend this special evening with their daughters. I am looking forward to seeing pictures!
Send in those Carnival/Ice Cream Social reservations – looking forward to seeing all of you there!
Happy Cinco de Mayo this week!
I can help with the Fish Pond! I can be at the Carnival
4:50 – 5:30________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
5:30 – 6:00________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
6:00 – 6:30 ________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
6:30 – 7:00 ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
(Need two per shift, please.)
Thank you!!
WW 4-20-12
Submitted by Mrs. Warner on April 22, 2012 - 3:29pm
Warner Weekly
St. John Vianney Kindergarten
20 April 2012
This was quite a week for the Tooth Fairy in our classroom. Ariel, Grace, Camille, and Zoe lost teeth at the beginning of the week, and then Ariel and Henry both lost teeth in school on Thursday afternoon!! Congratulations to all on the new ‘windows’ they have in their mouths!
We have enough drivers for our trip to Sloan to see the dinosaurs on Tuesday afternoon. We will leave SJV about 12:40-ish and caravan to the museum. After experiencing the dinosaur exhibit, we will walk through the rest of the museum to see other exhibits that are there. We will leave Sloan about 2:30 PM. Those of you not driving, please remember to send a booster seat with your child as they are required by law. If you haven’t returned your child’s permission slip, please do so on Monday morning – there is an extra one in your child’s folder.
We drew our pictures of Mr. Pointy Patches and Mr. Quiet this week. You will find penmanship and home activity papers in folders. The KinderKids are becoming more and more comfortable with matching up the pictures to the words on the back of the Letter People papers, and more and more reading strategies are coming in to play as they are continually exposed to them. Unless you are in our room, you have not seen these Letter People papers as I am keeping them all at school to bind into a book when they are all finished.
We began reading our ninth or tenth Boxcar Children mystery this week. The last one (The Mystery of the Tiger’s Eye) sparked interest in Harry Houdini as he was mentioned many times in the book. I love that the KinderKids tell me that they look things up that they hear about at school – sparking an interest in discovery is what school is about! Actually, their usual phrase is, "we Googled it."
The book we are reading now is The Guide Dog Mystery. It will give us opportunity to learn about the important contribution these animals make to those who have sight difficulties.Thursday, May 10th, from 5:00 until 7:00PM,is our Ice Cream Social and Carnival. This is the premiere Social Event of the Spring for the children! You can have dinner in the social hall (hot dogs and sundaes), and play many carnival games in the gymnasium. The teachers have chosen a game/event for their class to host, and are busy getting their ‘booth’ ready. Our kindergarten class is sponsoring the Fish Pond, and we need adult help to run the pond. We need at least 2 people working the booth for each time period, working in half hour shifts. That means that at least 8 kindergarten parents are needed to cover the time slots. You are certainly welcome to work a longer shift if you would like!
A sign-up sheet is hanging on the door of our classroom – please fill in a time slot when you can help. A fun way to take care of those volunteer hours!! The carnival is such a joyful event for the children – you will want to experience that with them! Thanks!The subtraction concept we are working on with our dot counting is proving a bit of a challenge – as I tell the children, it’s a little hard, but not too hard.
After a couple more weeks of doing it, they will be as confident with it as they were with the addition. Experience is the key! I want you to know something about our dot-counting task – the children’s work is checked daily, and KinderKids are called back to the table to correct any mistakes they make. I tell you this to be sure that you understand that the final work you see on the paper may not be totally the work of your child; if they made any errors on the page, the errors were corrected before the paper came home to you.Thanks to Emma’s family for sending in paper towels this week.
All of our ‘critters’ are ordered, and should begin arriving in our room next week. Caterpillars, luna moth cocoon, ladybugs, praying mantis egg cases, fertile chick eggs – much of God’s nature to observe! I am also hoping to get some tadpoles so we can watch that metamorphosis. We will share more information about ‘Spring’s New Life’ as they arrive.
We do have several trips and activities planned for the next few weeks, and they do involve you spending some extra money. If you find that difficult at the moment, please let me know – I have funds available for just such occasions. I don’t want my KinderKids to miss these experiences, nor do I want our activities and/or field trips to be a hardship on anyone.
Some dates to remember for KinderKids activities:
Tuesday, April 24th –Trip to Sloan Museum to see the Dinosaur Exhibit.
Thursday, May 10th-- Ice Cream Social and Carnival
Friday, May 11th– No school
Friday, May 18th –All Catholic School Field Day
Tuesday, May 22nd– Trip to Flint Longway Planetarium (tentative)
May ?? –Trip to Farm and Zoo (date not yet confirmed)
Friday, June 1st– Fun-in-the-Sun Day (more info to follow)
Tuesday, June 5th – Our Kindergarten End-of-the-Year Celebration program. The program will be in the gym at 9:30 AM, (the KinderKids will be on stage!) and parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles are all invited! At the conclusion of the morning, the KinderKids are dismissed for the school year.
Regarding Fun-in the-Sun Day (held on the playground); we will practice for our program in the morning, and then have lunch and spend the afternoon on the playground. I have arranged for a Bounce House to be brought in, and am thinking we could order pizza for lunch that day if some parents would be willing to chip in to pay for the pizza. The KinderKids will need your help during the afternoon to help supervise the Bounce House and sprinklers/wading pools and snacks.
I am in the process of putting together one more field trip for all of the children. Whether or not it happens depends on if we can line up drivers for the all-day trip. I would like to take them to Grandpa Tiny’s Farm in Frankenmuth to see all of the new baby animals and tour the rest of the farm, and to the Wilderness Trail Zoo in Birch Run. As well as lots of other animals, the zoo has a Butterfly House! The day would tie in perfectly with all of the “Spring’s New Life” that we will experience in our classroom. We would be gone most of the day, and would need parents to transport us. As soon as I can firm up a date with both places (the Zoo doesn’t open until May, so I can’t contact them yet,) I will let you know so you can check your calendars. Thanks!
See everyone Monday!
Mrs. Warner
WW 4-13-12
Submitted by Mrs. Warner on April 13, 2012 - 9:16am
Warner Weekly
St. John Vianney Kindergarten
Friday, 13 April 2012
Dear Parents –
Happy Birthday to Kyndyll, who celebrated her special day on Monday! Congratulations to Camille and Madison for losing teeth – we do keep that tooth fairy busy!
I hope all of you saw the happy faces on the students following their Easter Egg Hunt. I posted a photo on our class website before Easter, and there were lots of smiles!
Please return the Power Down blankets and pillows that were taken home over Spring break to be washed – thanks!
Thanks to Zoe’s family and Emma’s family for sending in classroom supplies (magic erasers and extra snacks.) Another person left some of the erasers on the sink today, but I don’t know who to thank for them. They are much needed and appreciated! We are also in need of paper towels and napkins if anyone is going to the store.
The children have probably told you about the nest that we have out on the playground. A duck has laid ten eggs in it! Well, it could be more than that by tomorrow as there have been more eggs every time we look. All of the students are being very careful around the nest, and we hope that Momma Duck gets used to the noise, activity, and happiness that is a playground. She was walking around the grassy area today, but didn’t fly off when the children were playing. That’s progress!
You will find penmanship and home activity papers for Mr. Noisy Nose, and Miss Optimistic Optimist in today’s folders.
On Monday, our dot-counting task will again change. We will be doing subtraction (or take-away or minus – they might call it any of those things.) for a few weeks. Again, this is not so that they will memorize facts, but so that they are exposed to the process of taking away and begin to understand what it means. As I did when explaining addition to them, I often use the example of cookies on a plate. “If Mom or Dad put six cookies on a plate and you ate two of them, how many cookies would still be on the plate.” Very real examples make it easier for them to understand and visualize.
I am asking for your help at home, please. Several times a week, please ask your child to print the alphabet from Aa-to-Zz. Lined paper would be good as it offers structure to them, which they love. Many of the students are still lagging a bit in their letter fluency, and need to practice. You could do the same with numbers, asking them to print from 1 to 30.
Please return the Read and Grow pants next week. The feet for the Read and Grow People are in today’s folder. Please return the feet the first part of May. Thanks!
I have tentatively planned some field trips during these last two months of school. The first one will hopefully be on Tuesday, April 24th, and we will go to Sloan Museum to see the dinosaur exhibit. We will go in the afternoon, and I am requesting parent drivers. Please check your schedules, and let me know if you think can drive some of the KinderKids to Sloan that afternoon.
A trip to Longway Planetarium is tentatively planned for Tuesday, May 22nd. We will leave school just before noon. Again, I need you help transporting the children, please.
I am also in the process of coordinating a visit to Grandpa Tiny’s Farm in Frankenmuth, and the Wilderness Trails Zoo in Birch Run. That will be sometime in the middle of May, and will be an all-day trip. Again, I am asking that parents drive the children to our destinations and then back to school. This visit will be the culmination of our “Spring’s New Life” unit, after we hatch our butterflies, Luna moth, praying mantis, lady bugs, tadpoles, and chicks. J
So, please send me a note if you are able to drive for any of these trips, and also let me know how many children you can transport – thank you! J
I will have more important dates listed for you in next week’s note – we are busy, busy, BUSY!!
Several children have been bringing in books to read to the class, which is FABULOUS! However, please know that we can’t always read them the day they bring them as I have many other activities planned. Thanks for your understanding.
The KinderKids have loved playing outside, and we will try to get out more often as they love it so.
Shalom – see you all on Monday!
Mrs. Warner
WW 3-29-2012
Submitted by Mrs. Warner on March 31, 2012 - 12:00pmWarner Weekly
St. John Vianney Kindergarten
29 March 2012
Dear Parents –
Happy Birthday to Evelyn and Emma, who celebrated their special days this past week! And, congratulations to Kyndyll for losing a tooth.
Our paper mache eggs are coming home today – they are beautiful! It was a multi-step process making them, and the children did very well. We discussed the fact that they are ‘signs of new life’ and thus a symbol of Easter. You will find additional Easter projects in folders, also.
Thanks to those of you who sent in eggs for the ‘hunt’ tomorrow. When I counted them tonight, we have enough for each child to ‘hunt for’ ten eggs. J Thanks also to Nyla’s family for sending in some Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.
We are totally out of paper towels. If you could help out with any, it would be appreciated. Thank you!
We made Easter cards this week for several Seminarians who are studying all over the world. We also made some for Evelyn’s great-aunt. Showing caring and compassion is what Jesus wants us to do…..
We turned in our Hope in a Box items today -- thank you for the items you sent in for Catholic Charities. Though anything is welcomed and needed, the items being focused on and collected for April are tooth brushes and tooth paste.
No penmanship papers over the Break – we will double up when we return to school in April.
It seems so very strange to be having Easter Break during Easter Week. Whether you are traveling or staying close to home, enjoy this time together with your family and create some wonderful memories.
Mrs. Lince and I wish you a BLESSED EASTER!
St. John Vianney Kindergarten
29 March 2012
Dear Parents –
Happy Birthday to Evelyn and Emma, who celebrated their special days this past week! And, congratulations to Kyndyll for losing a tooth.
Our paper mache eggs are coming home today – they are beautiful! It was a multi-step process making them, and the children did very well. We discussed the fact that they are ‘signs of new life’ and thus a symbol of Easter. You will find additional Easter projects in folders, also.
Thanks to those of you who sent in eggs for the ‘hunt’ tomorrow. When I counted them tonight, we have enough for each child to ‘hunt for’ ten eggs. J Thanks also to Nyla’s family for sending in some Mr. Clean Magic Erasers.
We are totally out of paper towels. If you could help out with any, it would be appreciated. Thank you!
We made Easter cards this week for several Seminarians who are studying all over the world. We also made some for Evelyn’s great-aunt. Showing caring and compassion is what Jesus wants us to do…..
We turned in our Hope in a Box items today -- thank you for the items you sent in for Catholic Charities. Though anything is welcomed and needed, the items being focused on and collected for April are tooth brushes and tooth paste.
No penmanship papers over the Break – we will double up when we return to school in April.
It seems so very strange to be having Easter Break during Easter Week. Whether you are traveling or staying close to home, enjoy this time together with your family and create some wonderful memories.
Mrs. Lince and I wish you a BLESSED EASTER!
WW 3-23-2012
Submitted by Mrs. Warner on March 22, 2012 - 11:08pm
Warner WeeklySt. John Vianney Kindergarten 23 March 2012
Dear Parents –
It was “leprechaun mania” in our room last Friday! The KinderKids had so much fun setting the leprechaun trap and checking it before leaving school on Thursday – but the little person was too clever and too quick to be caught!! He got the carrot left for him, but he (once again!) escaped our trap. We did get his lucky leprechaun dust, however! We mixed it with milk (per his instructions in the note he left us!), and each tasted some and had the “luck ‘o the Irish” for the day. It was a joyful day, and hopefully will be another of those memories that stays with the children for years to come.
The leprechaun evidently doesn’t take kindly to traps – he really did lots of mischief in our room! Furniture was moved all over the place, our tasks were in the wrong places, everything was covered with gold dust – the children kept discovering more and more things that the rascally wee fellow messed up! It is amazing to watch the KinderKids, however – they very methodically sorted table tubs, moved furniture, and got the room totally organized with little adult direction – they knew that they wanted everything returned to its proper place, their environment ordered, and they handled it!
We did lots of skills checks the last two weeks as it is the end of the quarter. Iwant to remind you that the paper/pencil tasks we do are “recording sheets” – the children record what they know so I can evaluate and determine what I still need to teach them. Most of them are very successful with the recording sheets, a few struggle. They should be successful with almost everything I ask of them when doing the skills checks, and we will talk about how best to help the children who struggle.
Many of the skills checks are done orally, one-to-one with the children. Some of the less difficult papers were done not only to assess skills, but to assess the ability to follow directions. In the story corner, I gave directions to two or three papers at one time. The children then moved to their “offices” (study carrels in which they can work privately), and I monitored who could retain and follow the directions given. These are skills that greatly contribute to school success.
Time has gotten away from me! I am totally surprised that we have only one more week of school before Easter Break. I should have asked sooner, but can you help me put together an Easter Egg hunt for the children? If you could send in some plastic eggs stuffed with wrapped candy, we will have the hunt next Friday (March 30th.) It will be more fun if it is a surprise for the KinderKids, so please send the ‘stuff’ in brown paper bags so they can’t see it. I will count the number of eggs you all send, divide that number by the number of children in our room, and they will each be able to find that many eggs on the day of the hunt. If it’s still warm enough, we’ll have the “hunt” outside – otherwise, we’ll do it in the Social Hall. Thanks!!
On Monday, we are going to make paper mache eggs with balloons, paper towels, and liquid starch. Such a mess, and such fun! After they dry for a couple of days, we will paint them. You will have a beautiful Easter decoration to display for many years to come.
Repeating the information that I posted on our class website earlier this week, we had a case of ringworm in our classroom that was undetected for some time. Symptoms of ringworm include:
· Itchy, red, raised, scaly patches that may blister and ooze.
· The patches tend to have sharply-defined edges.
· Red patches are often redder around the outside with normal skin tone in the center. This may look like a ring.
· If ringworm affects your hair, you will have bald patches.
Ringworm can spread easily from one person to another. You can catch ringworm if you touch someone who has the infection, or if you come into contact with items contaminated by the fungus, such as combs, unwashed clothing, and shower or pool surfaces. If you see any patches on your child, please call your pediatrician for advice.
There is also a virus around that causes cold sores and sores in the mouth, and a case or two of pink eye hanging around. This unseasonable weather hasn’t killed off the germs!
I suggest that everyone take their Powerdown blankets and pillows home over the break and wash them – let’s start April with a germ-free classroom!
You all received an email from Mrs. Allen with a change in the dates for Easter Vacation. We will also have Monday, April 9th, included as a day to celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord -- school will resume on Tuesday, April 10th. Be sure to mark your calendars.
The KinderKids who came to the Academic Fair were SO PROUD to share their work with you! The books that we have created, their insects in their environments, their layered painting -- the pride and appreciation that you show in their work inspires them to do even better. Great job, parents!!
PLEASE help your child remember to bring both a morning and an afternoon snack each day. Though we have very generous parents who have supplied extra snacks for the classroom, those should be for the occasional forgotten snack.
Mr. Munching Mouth visited our classroom, and we read the story of how he caused the store in which he shopped to be named the ‘Munching Monday Market.” Ask you children to tell you about it! (This is the ‘can retell a story’ skill that is listed on their report cards!) Penmanship and home activity papers are in today’s folders.
An unusual request: Our plastic chairs have lots crayon and pencil marks on them, and the only thing I have found to be successful in removing the marks is Mr. Clean Magic Erasers. If anyone has any, we will put them to good use cleaning our chairs. Thank you!
I see that several of you have you registered your children for next school year, and that makes me very happy -- I want to be certain that each of ‘our children’ has a spot at St. John Vianney.
This is a wonderful environment for your children. “For everything there is a season…” As we celebrate the first week of Spring, we see the tulips and daffodils that pushed their way toward the sunlight, waiting until it is their time to bloom. We are thankful for the New Life God gives us.
Mrs. Warner