September 7
Kinder News #1
Hello, and happy weekend! We had an awesome first two weeks of school. The kids are still working hard to learn about our classroom and navigate kindergarten. They are doing an amazing job!
Thank you for all that you do at home (snacks every day, water bottles, and sneakers). You are all hitting it out of the park. If your child uses their emergency clothes, please send more back.
They filled our gem jar by following the school rules (We are kind, safe, and responsible).
We had an extra morning choice time to celebrate. We have several important dates coming up.
Important Dates:
Monday, September 8th, No Morning Recess (8:15-8:30). We will go inside at 8:15 with the bell. (Please let your child know)
Monday, September 29th: Early Release Day (1:00 dismissal)
Tuesday-Wednesday, October 7-8: Picture Day
Friday, October 10th: School Closed (Inservice Day)
Monday, October 13th: School Closed (Indigenous Peoples’ Day)
Thursday, October 16th Open House (5:30-6:30)
*ECO: Please check the weather on ECO days every other Tuesday starting in October. We will go out even in the rain! I take the kids out for recess even when it rains. Please include outdoor rain gear if possible.
Literacy Snapshot:
Letters/Letter sounds -Tt top /t/, Bb bat /b/, and Ff fun /f/
Name work-first letter uppercase and the rest lowercase.
Letter formation -pencil grip song and name writing practice.
Rhyming words
Blending to make new Compound words, for example, cup - cake = cupcake
Discussing our favorite color, favorite animal, and what we like
Assessment of name-writing -We are doing that this coming week
Some Books we read (and so many more):
The Feelings Book
Mean Jean, the Recess Queen
The Crayon Box that Talked
Owl Babies
The Kissing Hand
And many more!
Math Snapshot:
Number formation 0-10
Recognizing Numbers to 10
Counting Backwards from 10 like a Rocket Ship ready for take-off
Pattern Block Creations
Five Frames
Interlocking Connecting Blocks
Counted with manipulatives.
Two-Sided Counters
Geoblocks
Pattern Pillars
Science Snapshot:
Life Cycle of Butterflies
Metamorphosis: Are Caterpillars the only creatures that change?
Painted Ladies are all in their chrysalis
Next Week: Butterfly Symmetry Crowns, Finish our Butterfly Unit with the release of our last 5 Painted Ladies, Make our very own Butterfly Life Cycle
Social Emotional Lessons:
Mrs. Francke, School Guidance Counselor (Every Other Friday 11:50-12:20): What does a school counselor do?
The school rules (we are kind, we are safe, we are responsible)
How to earn gems
What does it look like to be a good listener
Mean Jean the Recess Queen (how to help someone be a friend)
Next Week: We will discuss the mindful station, create our Classroom Agreements, and work on safe hands.
Optional Questions to Ask your Kinder:
How do you earn a class gem?
Do a countdown from 10!
What sound does “b” make? What sound does “t” make? What sound does “f” make?
Are there other animals that change (Metamorphosis)like caterpillars?
What are the stages of a butterfly?
How many letters are in your name? Practice writing names using the uppercase first letter and the rest of the lowercase letters.
What is Owl time? This is an intervention block from 9:50-10:00 each day. Throughout the year, we will use assessments and observations to guide these short bursts of teaching points. Some interventionists include Jennifer Griffith (literacy), Leah Shoaff (math), a Member of the Social Emotional Learning Team, Abbie Eldridge (Speech), and, of course, me! If your child is receiving an intervention, you will get an email from one of the specialists. As always, if you have any questions, please feel free to send me an email.
Here is a note from the Social Emotional Team
Union Elementary School
Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools
1 Park Avenue, Montpelier, VT 05602
Office: (802) 225-8200
Fall 2025
Dear Caregiver:
Your child has been selected to participate in a small group focused on our SEL Prioritized Standard (Relationship and Connecting with Others). In Kindergarten, groups are usually play-based, and we attempt to include all students in at least one group throughout the year. Group members will practice these skills through games, art, and other activities.
Mrs. Francke and Mrs. Simpson offer various groups throughout the year in all grades as a part of our regular school counseling and intervention support programs. Small groups offer a wonderful opportunity for children to further strengthen skills in getting along with others and to practice interacting with peers in cooperative and respectful ways. Children generally find groups to be enjoyable as they can make positive connections with their peers while engaging in fun activities.
K Play Groups will meet with us 1 time per week for four weeks. We will meet in our space, which is at the end of the second-grade hallway. Our groups meet during OWL time or lunch. Many children have an opportunity to participate in these groups throughout the school year.
If you have questions about the group (or if you do not want your child to participate), please feel free to call us at 225-8247 or email us at suzannef@mpsvt.org or jessicasimpson@mpsvt.org.
Sincerely,
Suzanne Francke Jessica Simpson
School Counselor (K, 2nd, 4th grade) School Counselor (PreK, 1st, 3rd grade)
