Thank you as always to our valued volunteers!
This week we saw a presentation called "The Power of One" regarding bullies, targets and bystanders. While bullying is never something to be ignored it isn't typically in the realm of Kindergarten behaviour. Remember, we have a room full of enticing activities and are asking the most egocentric age group of all (me me me my turn my toys I want it mine mine...) to wait their turn, share with 25 or more at a time and accept that some days the time runs out before their turn comes!! Not getting a turn or having someone say you can't play because the activity is full may feel mean and sad but it really is just the reality of a group setting and it certainly isn't bullying! Although we struggle as parents to hear stories from our children about missing turns or being left out, remember to think in terms of the big picture. These small instances feel huge to young students just learning to share and find their way in a large group of kids and your reaction will determine how they come to think about their school day and their peers. We don't sweat the small stuff, we don't focus on the negative and we reinforce that school is a good, safe place.
We made it through a few very rainy days this week - coats to put on and boots to wear! Most of the children are somewhat if not completely independent in dressing, well done! Check the zippers on your child's coats for ease and function and if you are having trouble, imagine them doing it! A zipper pull is a handy help for small fingers - just add a keyring circle to the zipper tab and it becomes much easier to grasp and pull. Poorly functioning zippers can usually be replaced by the dry cleaners for less than the price of a new jacket.
While Ms. Mosun and I are obviously there to help, the focus and goal is becoming as independent as possible. We dress and undress 7 times over the course of every day making it extremely frustrating for children who rely on adults to help. Practise at home as much as possible, be sure your
caregivers are on the same page and not doing things for the kids and you will have an independent child in no time. They want to do it!
PLEASE be sure everything is labelled as we often have doubles of things, shoes and boots for sure and including LUNCH BAGS and WATERBOTTLES!
INDOOR SHOES are a MUST. Your child cannot spend all day in a pair of boots. Outdoor boots and shoes that get wet and dirty make our carpet wet and dirty...and we SIT there to learn, read and play! Yuck! Each child has their own hook for a coat and backpack as well as 2 cubby boxes to store hats, mitts and shoes in. Shoes are safe to leave each night so your child does not need to carry them back and forth.
Our October Sharing Assembly is this Friday at 9:00 in the gym. We have been learning something to share with you all and will be awarding certificates for demonstrating responsibility in the class. Responsibility looks like taking care of your belongings, taking out what you need such as library books and mailbags, making sure you have done what needs to be done-independently! We congratulate Zoya, Sofia and Torin for a great job being very responsible. Well done! Remember, this is a surprise to the class, they don't know who will get certificates until it happens!
Please reread last week's "Halloween Tips" or ask if you are unsure of costumes or treats in the school setting. We are looking forward to a fun parade and Halloween party in the morning and sharing our treats in the afternoon. Thank you to those volunteering to help.
This week looks like:
Monday - PM Day 3 LIB/IT
Tuesday - MAILBAGS, Reading Buddies AM, Mystery Reader PM
Wednesday - AM Day 5 LIB/IT
Thursday- AM Photo Retakes, AM Music
Friday - Mailbags, Sharing Assembly 9:00, Mystery Reader AM, Pizza Lunch
Have a great week,
Ms. I.
