Mrs. Kirkus' MEWS

Field Trips will be here soon.  The first one to the pumpkin patch is in October.  Thank you for sending the permission notes and money.  We'll have fun!

Treasure Chest-We have a treasure chest for a reward when my class gets compliments from adults on group behavior.  I need more "small" toys for our chest.  When you clean your child's drawers, please send the small toys in a bag to our classroom.  (Examples-kid's meal toys)  The toys should be small.

E-Mail-You may send e-mail to regina.kirkus@cobbk12.org.  However, do not expect me to read my e-mail about a change of transportation because I do not have time to check e-mail throughout the day.  If you have a change of transportation for your child, please send me a note.

Email Notification Service

Parents
The service that we use to automatically notify you when the blog is updated has changed their terms of service in such a way that an ad will begin showing up at the bottom of the email that comes to you. Your email address is still not being shared with anyone other than the school! The mere placement of advertising in school communications is of concern to us, especially since we have no control over what the ad may be.

We are exploring other means of providing this service to you at this time. For now, we ask your patience as we work through the concern. In the meantime, if you receive an ad that is objectionable to you, we would appreciate your notifying the school, and holding onto it so that it may be forwarded to proper personnel.

Thank you for your patience!

August 29, 2007

Accelerated Reader-On Friday, August 31, our class will visit the media center to check our library books.  Your child will bring the book home for the Labor Day weekend to read with you.  Your child needs to bring the book back to school on Tuesday, September 4 for an A.R. test.  I will be sending a letter, explaining A.R., on Friday with your child's library book.

Open House-Dowell will host an Open House on Thursday, September 6 at 6:00.  You will have an opportunity to come for me to explain our classroom procedures and curriculum.  I hope to see you.

Thank you-I would like to express my appreciation to all the parents that have contributed to our classroom by sending paper plates, cups, baggies, plastic spoons and forks, jump ropes, extra snacks, band aids, and hand santizer!  Thank you very much!

August 17, 2007

We are easing into our first grade workload and routine.  The children are doing a fantastic job gaining independence and adjusting to first grade with smiles on their faces.  "Buddy Folders" are an important part of our organization, so please check your child's folder each evening for any notes, graded papers, and homework.  Homework books and/or papers will be in the baggie attached to the Buddy Folder.  Please initial or sign the homework sheet which is stapled in the Buddy Folder.  Help your child be responsible by returning the "Buddy Folder" each morning.

Snack-Please send a healthy snack with your child every day.  (peanut butter crackers, raisins, fruit, cheese, yogurt...)  Our lunch time is late in the day, 12:36-1:06.

WAYS TO HELP AT HOME

Check Buddy Folders "every" day.

Read with your child every day for at least ten minutes.

"MEWS" from Mrs. Kirkus

Kennesaw TOSS Student-Ms. Crumbley will be in our classroom every day to assist and observe beginning on Monday, March 26.  This is the semester before her student teaching.  It will be a benefit to the students and me to have Ms. Crumbley working in our classroom!

Accelerated Reader-Our new AR goal began on Monday, March 19.  Your child should read at least two library books a week to meet the class goal.  The media center will not allow students to check our books after May 8.  Therefore, our new goal is twelve books.  PLEASE encourage your child to bring library books home to read with you!  The more your child reads the better he/she will perform in school.  That is a proven fact!

Spring Break-We will have spring break the week of April 2.  The students will return to school on Monday, April 9.

CRCT Testing-We will be testing the week of April 2.  We have been practicing and will continue to practice.  It is crucial for you to have your child at school on time and make sure he/she has had a nutritious breakfast.  This test will determine your child's second grade class.  This is a statewide assessment program whcih tests the students on how well they have learned the content in reading, language arts, and math.

Snack-Please continue to send a snack with your child every day.

"MEWS" from Mrs. Kirkus

Picture Day-All students will have their picture taken on Thursday, March 15. (individual and group)

Report Cards-Report Cards will be sent home on Wednesday, March 21.

PTA/Reading Night-Thursday, March 22

Accelerated Reader-The last day for this nine weeks goal is on Thursday,  March 15.  We will begin a new AR goal on Friday, March 16.  Be sure to ask your child about his/her amount of AR stickers!

"MEWS" from Mrs. Kirkus

Thank you very much for my gift certificate and all the special gifts for Christmas!  I appreciate your thoughtfulness and kindness.  I hope everyone had a spectacular holiday and enjoyed the time with family and friends!!!

Report Cards-You will receive your child's report card on Friday,  January 12.  Please sign the signature card and return it in the brown envelope provided.  Do not seal the envelope.

Accelerated Reader-I am so proud of my students!  Sixteen out of twenty students reached our A.R. goal!!!  The awards were passed out today.  We are starting a new A.R. goal for this nine weeks of 18 books and tests passed.  Please encourage your child to read at least two library books a week at home.  The A.R. program will help your child's reading level improve!  You have to communicate with your child about the importance as I do at school.

Holiday-MLK Holiday is Monday, January 15.

Spelling-We will begin our formalized spelling homework and assessments on Monday,  January 22.  I will send a letter explaining the homework and assessments the week before January 22.

"MEWS" from Mrs. Kirkus

Winter Party-Please send your contribution of $5  for our "Winter Party".  This will allow us to have a wonderful party for the children.  Mrs. Simmons will buy all the food and goodie bags for the children which will alleviate you preparing food and donating items.  Thank you!  Also, thank you to the three families that have sent in money for the party.

Library-The students may check out library books on Monday, December 4. 

Early Release-Students will be dismissed at 12:20 on Wednesday, December 6.

Student Teacher-Miss Scott's last day is Wednesday,  December 6.  She has been an assest to the students and me!!  We will miss having her in our classroom.

Winter Party-Wednesday, December 20 at 10:00.

Winter Holidays-Friday, December 22 through Friday January 5.  Students return to school on Monday, January 8.

"MEWS" from Mrs. Kirkus

Conferences-I enjoyed speaking with all of you at conference.  I hope you feel you received pertinent information about your child and his/her academic level.  I'm proud that every parent came to conference!!!  As you know, your child will be more successful with your involvement.

Student Holiday/Teacher Workday-Tuesday, November 7

Pillow Case-Please send one white or pastel pillow case for a tie dye activity.  We will use these as costumes for Native Americans.

Field Trips-We did make the right decision to cancel our trip on Friday,  October 27.  Our new date is Monday, November 13 for the Pumpkin Patch.  Etowah Indian Mounds field trip is on Friday,  November 17.

Play-Our class will present a Thanksgiving play in November.  I will be sending you an invitation for a RSVP.  We hope you will attend!

Accelerated Reader-Please continue to ask your child about the amount of "stickers" he/she has on our chart.  Encourage your child to bring a library book home and read it at least two times.  This helps with reading comprehension.

"MEWS" from Mrs. Kirkus

Picture Day-October 10  Please send your money on that day if you want to buy the pictures.  Everyone will have their picture taken to be in the yearbook.  Smile!

Student Holiday/Teacher Workday-Friday, October 13   

Conference Week-October 16-20  Students will be dismissed at 12:20 that week.  I will see you  conference week.  If you haven't returned the conference forms or contacted me, please do so.

Book Fair-The book fair will be in our media center during conference week.  If you would like to purchase any books for your child, you could do so before or after our conference.  Please plan to visit the book fair.

Dowell Math Night-Thursday, October 19  Bring your family to Publix to participate in a math activity and take home a goodie bag.  The PTA meeting will be at 7:00-7:20 in the storage room of  Publix.  The times to participate coincide with your last name. (A-M 6:00-6:50 and N-Z 7:20-8:00)

Mable House-Children' s Storytelling Festival  Saturday, October 7 at 11:00-4:00.  Free Admission.

Accelerated Reader-Please encourage your child to bring a library book home to read "2" times to have better comprehension.  You may read the book to your child or with your child.  If the book is a chapter book,  it may be read just once.  Your child may then take the AR test when he/she returns to school.