Welcome to Kindergarten!




5/11
On Wednesday, May 16th Mr. Nott will be holding our Spring Concert at 2:00 pm in the East Campus Gym. Kindergarten will be performing three songs, so we hope you can stop by!

5/7
There are two field trips left in our Kindergarten school year! The Shedd Aquarium on May 22nd and the Lincoln Park Zoo on June 1st. Please mark your calendars, and let me know if you wish to chaperone these field trips. The more the merrier!

$3 for the Shedd Aquarium is due this Friday, May 11th. If you wish to chaperone, please send $6 for you and your child.

4/17
Our class will be visiting the book fair Wednesday morning at 9:40am. If you wish to meet your child at the book fair and shop with them for books you are welcome to do so. You may also send your student to school with money in labeled envelope for the book fair. The book fair will also be open during report card pick-up on Thursday.

4/16
Thank you to everyone who contributed money to UNICEF. Our class voted to donate our money towards High Energy Buscuits. These buscuits contain vitamins and minerals that quickly improve nutrition levels. Our donation allows for 1,200 high-engery buscuits to be distributed in Africa!
 
Our field trip to see "Barrio Girl" is coming up on next week on Thursday, April 26th. I am looking for chaperones. We will leave school at 9:15 and return by 12:00. If you are interested in chaperoning, please let me know. Chaperones will need to pay the field trip fee as well. All fees are due by April 20th.

See you on Thursday, April 19th between 2pm and 6pm for report card pick up!

4/10
Our class will be participating in a fundraiser sponsored by UNICEF. We are asking that each student brings in $1.00 and in turn we will receive a t-shirt with the design of the aid our class chooses to support (ie. sanitation of drinking water and vaccinations against measles). The “price” of the t-shirt is really the cost of the aid. Once we have enough money collected, we will have each student in our class sign the t-shirt and hang it outside of our classroom.
Shirts range from $19.00 - $300,000.00!
100% of your donation will go to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF to support life-saving relief efforts for children.
The due date for money collection is April 13th.
Thank you for all of your help!
Here is the link if you are interested in learning more:

 http://www.threadless.com/UNICEF

Save the date! Thursday, April 19th from 2pm-6pm is Report Card pick up.

I am asking parents to sign up for snack for the remainder of April and May via the blog. This way you can go back and check the dates you signed up for. Please remember that we are trying to teach students to establish good eating habits. Only healthy snacks are acceptable. I greatly appreciate your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thank you!

3/26

This Thursday, March 28th is an early dismissal. There is no school on Friday, March 30th for the beginning of Spring Break. We will resume school on Tuesday, April 10th. A homework packet will be sent home for your child to complete over vacation. Have a great vacation!

The Square One Art fundraiser due date has been extended. Square One Art is now due March 28th.

3/7

Third Quarter Progress Reports went home yesterday. Please look over your child's progress report. Sign and return the second page of the progress report only by Friday. The other pages are yours to keep. Our next formal parent-teacher conferences will be held on Thursday, April 19. However, if you'd like to meet to discuss your child's progress before then, please contact me to schedule a conference.

Yesterday a note went home about an optional homework project. To coincide with our current unit on fairy tales and folklore, we will be learning about the Irish tradition and myth of the leprechaun. Students are invited to design and build a leprechaun trap at home. The students can then bring their traps to school where we will set them and try to catch a leprechaun. Please read through the information and let me know if you have any questions.  I hope that your child will be excited about this project!

We will be taking a field trip to see "The Lorax" tomorrow 3/8. Please remember that your child will be eating lunch at school as usual, just a bit later than normal. We will be leaving school at 9:15, so please make sure your child is on time on Thursday. Chaperones are asked to be here around 9:00. We should return to school by 12:15. If you have any questions about the show, please let me know.

Spanish classes are starting this week for those students who registered. We are just finalizing the schedule and hoping to start the first class tomorrow or Thursday. Spanish will take place on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays.

We will be taking a walking field trip with Chicago's Safe Routes Ambassadors on Tuesday, March 13th. They will teach us about pedestrian and bicycle safety. If you have not yet signed a permission slip, please do so by Monday, March 12th.

2/23
I want to remind you that our Dr. Seuss “Oh, the Places you’ll Go!” is due tomorrow. We are going to present these projects to the class and display them in the hallway, so please make sure your child turns his/hers in. Please remember that there are three parts to the project: a collage of pictures, a written “report”, and the country’s flag. If you have any questions about the project, please let me know.

A note went home on Tuesday about our next field trip. We will be going to see “The Lorax” on March 8th. If you have not done so already, please send in your child’s signed permission slip and money by Tuesday, February 28th.

Here is a great Dr. Seuss website for students to play on at home: http://www.seussville.com/

A class mom found a free Dr. Seuss event that she thought may be of interest to our class. The information is as follows:  
Dr. Seuss Day
Saturday, March 3
12 - 4 pm
FREE
In honor of Dr. Seuss' birthday and Read Across America Day, this one-day-only event will celebrate the work of Dr. Seuss and engage children and parents in fun, Seuss-inspired activities in order to create excitement and enthusiasm around reading and writing. 
Stop in any time - we'll be celebrating all day with coloring activities, facepainting, cake, children's book discounts, AND with the following Super Suess Special Guests:
2/8
We will be celebrating Valentines Day in the classroom on Tuesday with some activities, treats, cards and pizza lunch! Please send your child with Valentines to pass out for the class. We need to make sure that there is one for everyone. We currently have 26 students in the class. I would appreciate it if the cards were not made out to specific children. This will take quite a while for them to distribute this way.  Have your child put their name on all the cards that they are handing out so that other students in the class know who the cards are from. If you would like to send in a store bought treat as well please feel free to do so. Please make sure that all candy is peanut free/tree nut free.

There is no school on Monday, February 13th and Monday, February 20th.

2/3
Attached to your child's report card was a note from Mr. Staral and a second copy of the Emergency Information Form. We must have all parents complete this form twice a year to ensure that all of its information is up-to-date. Even if your emergency contact info, doctor info, and address have not changed, please complete the form again and return it to school by MONDAY.  Thank you.

There is no school on Monday, February 13th and Monday, February 20th.

2/1
Second quarter report cards came home today. A note is attached for you to sign and return stating that you have received your child's report card. If you have any questions or concerns please let me know so we can schedule a conference.

1/27
Our 100th Day of School is just around the corner!  To celebrate, we have two special activities that we need your help with: the 100th Day Project and snack for our 100th day of school.  For more information on these activities, please refer to the note I sent home today.  Please send in your child's project and their contribution to our snack by Tuesday, February 14th in preparation for our 100th day of school.  If you have any questions along the way, please let me know. The actual 100th day of school is February 16th.

1/23
A note went home on Friday about our next field trip. We are going to see “Snow White” at the Emerald City Theater on Friday, March 23rd. We will leave at 8:45 for the trip, and we will return to school at about 12:00. The cost of the trip is $10 per student. Please send in your child’s signed permission slip and money no later than Monday, January 30th. If I do not receive your child’s permission slip and money by this date, I cannot guarantee that a seat will be available.

I also need a few volunteers to chaperone the field trip. You would need to be at school at 8:45. If you are interested in chaperoning, there is a $10 fee for you as well to cover the ticket and bus costs. If you would like to chaperone, please send in $20 for yourself and your child ASAP. Space is very limited.

Today, the most updated version of our class roster went home in your child’s folder. Please let me know if you did not receive a copy.

Thank you!  

1/11
This Friday (1/13) is a half day. Dismissal is at 12:00
This Monday (1/16) there is no school in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

1/9
Happy New Year! I hope everyone had a great holiday! Now getting back into the swing of things...
During the second half of the year, curriculum and homework will get more challenging. I encourage you to continue practicing skills at home. Skills to practice include, counting to 100 by 1s, 2s, 5s and 10s, writing numbers, practicing sight words (new words were added to the sight word pouches today!), Jiji, and read with your child every night :)

The Snow Animal project that went home before break is due this Friday. Your child will be presenting their work to the class. Please make sure your child is familiar with the animal they were assigned. Work together to decide what animal facts they want to share with the class.

If you have not yet sent back a signed copy of the progress report, please do so this week.

12/20
Progress reports will be going home with your child today, December, 20th.  Please look over your child's progress report.  Sign and return the bottom portion of the note so I can be sure your child's progress report made it home safely.  :)  If you have any questions or if you'd like to arrange a time for us to discuss your child's progress, please let me know.  Tomorrow is the Winter Concert at 2pm in the gym, our class will be performing. I hope to see everyone there! Please remember that Thursday, December 22nd is a half day of school.  Students will be dismissed at 12:00.  
See you on January 9th! Have a wonderful holiday!

12/7
Last week a note went home about the Learner Profile Art Contest. As part of our IB program, we teach students different characteristics and attributes that we hope they will have as a life long learner. Each month the students study a different profile. Our yearbook staff would like to feature these profiles in the yearbook this year. They are asking that each child choose a profile and illustrate it. They will then choose one piece of artwork for each profile and feature it in the yearbook. Please take some time to discuss with your child the profile choices. Help them choose and illustrate their chosen profile. Don't forget to put the name of the profile on the art work somewhere. You can find a copy of the Learner Profile Art Contest assignment in the Useful Documents section of the website.
This assignment is on due December 12

12/1
Reminder! Family Tradition Collage due tomorrow 12/2. The projects will be displayed outside our classroom as of next week. Please feel free to stop by and view all of our students hard work!

11/30
I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! We are back in the swing of things and having a fun week studying The Gingerbread Man! I have the student sight word bags and I am currently adding the new words for December. Please make sure you study the words every night with your child. The pile of words is quickly growing. I am missing a few sight word bags, please make sure they come to school this week.

I am asking parents to sign up for snack for December and January via the blog. This way you can go back and check the dates you signed up for. Please remember that we are trying to teach students to establish good eating habits. Only healthy snacks are acceptable. I greatly appreciate your cooperation in this matter. If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thank you!

*Mark your calendar, the winter concert is December 21, 2011 @ 2:00. Our class will be preforming and we would love to see you there!

11/19
It is hard to believe that it is already Thanksgiving! The year is flying by! Please remember that there is no school next week for Thanksgiving Break. I sent home a homework packet that I ask you to complete with your child. This will help him/her stay in the routine of daily skills practice. I encourage you to have your child complete just a page or two a day. Please return the packet when school resumes on Monday, November 28. Have a great Thanksgiving! 

11/15
Report cards will be going home with your child tomorrow, Wednesday, November 16. Please look over your child’s report card and the attached note. Sign and return the bottom portion of the note so I can be sure your child’s report card made it home safely. If you have any questions regarding the report card or if you would like to arrange a time for us to discuss your child’s progress, please let me know.

This Friday, November 18th is a half day of school. Students will be dismissed at 12:00.
There is no school next week for Thanksgiving Break. Have a great holiday!

10/31
Our Halloween festivities were a huge success! I want to thank all the parents who volunteered in 113 throughout the day. This week we are studying Day and Night. To conclude our study, we will be dressing in our pajamas/robes on Friday, November 4th. Please make sure to send your child in shoes and socks as we will still be going out to recess. 

Also, I wanted to let everyone know that the CPS email system will be down from Tuesday evening until Wednesday evening. During this time, I may not have access to my email account. I will respond to emails once the system is up and running. If you have to contact me, please call the school phone number and leave a message at my extension: 82281

10/28
We had a wonderful time yesterday at the museum. I think the students really enjoyed the play and the exhibits. Thank you to all the parents who volunteered to chaperone the trip! 

Monday's Halloween parade will begin at 1:45. We will start at Oak and State, travel towards Clark, walk south on Clark, through the park, and return to the building for "trick or treating". Please feel free to come by for the parade and lots of fun! I anticipate that the parade will take about 30 minutes. 

Have a great weekend. 


10/25
part 1
Just a reminder that our field trip is this Thursday the 27th to see Jack and the Beanstalk and then to spend the day at the museum. All chaperones should come to 113 in the morning. We are leaving at 9:15am. Please make sure your student has a bagged lunch for the field trip. If you have any questions please feel free to email me. 

part 2
On Monday, October 31st your child may dress up for Halloween. Please make sure your child is dressed in regular clothing under their costume. This gives your student a chance to change if they are not comfortable.  All masks and costume accessories will stay in the lockers until after lunchtime.
In our classroom, we will begin Halloween activities at 12:00. I am looking for parent volunteers to help with our Halloween activities. Please let me know by Friday if you are available to volunteer in the classroom on Monday afternoon (12:00 – 3:00).
At 1:45 our class will participate in a Halloween parade around the school and go trick or treating. You are welcome to come and take pictures. We will be using the bat bags we made in class for trick or treating. 

Thank you to all the parents who sent in two bags of candy!

10/7
We are taking a break from studying bats and spiders and moving onto Nutrition (just in time for Halloween!). Don’t forget to send a food flyer from a grocery store next Wednesday, October 19th. We will be using them to cut out and collage the different food groups (grains, vegetables, fruits, milk/dairy, meats & beans).

New words were added to the sight word bags. Please remember to practice the sight words everyday with your child.

Take notice to the new tab on our website “Useful Documents” here you can find worksheets to print for practice at home. As we cover new material, new documents will be added.

Have a great weekend.

10/5
**Change of plans** Thank you to everyone who sent in a white t-shirt with your child. However, a class parent generously donated 25 canvas bags to our classroom. Instead of making bat t-shirts, we are going to make bat bags (to use for trick or treating etc.). I will hold onto the t-shirts and we will use them for a different project during the school year.

10/3
We have our walking trip to the Fire Station on Thursday. Please make sure that your child is wearing comfortable shoes as we will be walking there and back. If you are chaperoning the trip, please arrive at school around 9:30. We will be leaving at 9:40. We should return to school around 10:45.
Our class will be visiting the book fair Thursday morning (before the walking trip) from 9:00 - 9:20. If you wish to meet your child at the book fair and shop with them for books you are welcome to do so.

Friday, October 7th is Parent Teacher Conferences. During our 10 minute conference, I will go over your child's mid-quarter progress report. If at the end of our meeting you feel you need more time to discuss your child's progress with me, I would be happy to scheudle a time to meet at a later date. The book fair will be open for parents to visit during conferences on Friday. As always, donations to our classroom library are welcomed. You can visit the Book Fair for a "wish list".

New words were added to the sight word bags today. Please practice these words with your child everyday.

9/29
Museum of Science and Industry info: Please remember that all fees and signed permission slips are due tomorrow, Friday, September 30th. If you are planning to be a chaperone on our trip please send in $10 for you as well as your child. Thank you.  
Tomorrow, Friday, September 30th is an early dismissal. We will dismiss at noon.

9/27
Today our class will not have NWEA as originally planned. The proctor for the test is out of the building and NWEA will be postponed until further notice. Sorry for this inconvenience, I will post the new date as soon as it is rescheduled. Thank you for your understanding.

9/23
Lots of important information to share today! In your child's folder is a permission slip for our first field trip. We are visiting the Museum of Science and Industry to see the play "Jack and the Beanstalk" on Thursday, October 27th. We will be spending the day there and will have plenty of time to tour the museum after the show. Please send $10 and the signed permission slip in a sealed envelope back to school. ALL forms and fees are due by next Friday, September 30th. If you would like to chaperone this trip, please complete the bottom portion of the flyer. Chaperones will need to pay $10 as well. Our class can bring a total of 10 chaperones. If you have any questions, please ask.

On Thursday, October 6th our class will be walking to the local fire station (202 E. Chicago). I am looking for volunteers to come along on this exciting experience. We will leave Ogden at 9:40 and return to school at about 10:45. Please email me: rehochman@cps.edu if you would like to volunteer on this walking field trip!

Also, there was a misprint on the previous Walking Trip Permission Form. An updated version was sent home with your child today. Please complete it and return it to school ASAP. I cannot bring your child on our walking trip without a new, completed permission slip. I apologize for the confusion.

Lastly, Scholastic book orders are due by this Monday, September 26th.

9/21
This week we are learning about community helpers. On Thursday we will be having various community helpers visit our classroom to talk about their jobs. Our visitors include, a fire fighter, a librarian, a pest control worker, a construction worker, a hair dresser and a police officer.

9/19
Sight word bags went home today with your child for the first time. Please begin practicing these words nightly. It is important to keep up with them, as new words are added at a rate of about 4/5 words per week. Please remember to take good care of this bag and return it to school each day with your child.

Thank you to everyone who participated in our Bear study last week and sent in a teddy bear with your child! It was very exciting to have our teddy bears in school learning with us!

9/15
Thank you to those parents who attended Open House on Tuesday night! I know it was a lot of information and I really appreciate the time you took to come by.  If you were not able to attend, I sent home my packet and with your child. Please fill out the necessary paper work and send it back to school.

I recieved dates that our class will take the NWEA. Our students will take the Math test, September 27th and the Reading test, October 11th. This test will be an accurate first measure of where your child currently is. If you have any questions about the NWEA test, please contact me or visit the NWEA website at http://www.nwea.org/

9/1
We made it through our first week of Kindergarten! The beginning of the year is very exciting yet very tiring for the students. Your student may be coming home very tired, especially if he/she is used to taking a nap. As the year goes on this will fade as their stamina builds. 

Our class schedule has been posted on the "Classroom Schedule" page of this website so you know what special your child has each day. Please remember to send your child in sneakers on Tuesdays, as that is the day we have P.E. 

See you on September 13th at 6:00pm for Open House! 

8/28 
I hope everyone had a great summer. I am very excited to start the school year and meet all of my students. I have been doing a lot of planning this summer to prepare for Kindergarten. The 2011-2012 school year is sure to be a fantastic year of learning, growing and having fun together!

Please check this website often as I will update it with important information each week. If you need to contact me for any reason the best way to reach me is at rehochman@cps.edu. You may also send a note to school with your child if that is convenient for you.

Remember to check Ogden's website for regular updates from the school.