Kinder news 2

 Kinder News,

We had a very productive two weeks of school. Our students demonstrated exceptional behavior, filling our gem jar twice by following the school rules ( We are kind. We are safe. We are responsible). This led to an extra choice time in the morning and rainbow popsicles.  

Important Dates:

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)

Tuesday, October 14th, Our First ECO to Harrison Field

Wednesday, October 1,5 Field Trip to Flynn Theater  The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Thursday, October 16th Open House (5:30-6:30)

Monday, October 27, Pumpkin Week in Kindergarten

Pumpkin Day and Apple Donations:

We are grateful for your support and contributions. We will have Pumpkin Week starting October 27 and need small pumpkin donations. Each child needs their own pumpkin, so extra contributions are greatly appreciated. We also need apple donations. For the next couple of weeks, we will use apples for science and cooking. Your support is invaluable, and we thank you for it.

ECO:

We have our very first ECO on Tuesday, October 14.  We will walk over to Harrison at 11:15-1:00.  Please make sure you help your child dress for the weather.  We usually go rain or shine.  

RECESS:

I bring the children out for recess twice daily, rain or shine.  It is very helpful that the children are properly dressed for the weather.  Thank you for your help!

EXTRA Clothes:  Please remember to restock extra clothes for cubbies. The school does not have extra clothes.

Literacy Snapshot:

Letters/Letter sounds -M man /m/, N nut /n/, I itch /i/, U up /u/

Name work/Writing our names with the first letter uppercase and the rest lowercase

Name puzzles

Handwriting Daily

Letter formation uppercase  m, n, p, r, all capital frog jump letters

Segmenting and deleting syllables

Rhyming words

Some Books we read:

Can I Play Too?

Our Class is a Family

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

I Like Me 

Giraffes Can’t Dance

Future Plans:  Letters/letter Sounds - Oo Octopus /o/, Uu Up /u/, Aa Apple /a/, Gg Game /g/, Learning all about Vowels-Syllables, blending and segmenting sounds, compound words, counting words in sentences, beginning and final sounds in words

Math Snapshot:

Counting to 100+

Practiced Proper Number Formation 0-10

Played a dice and number match game

Counting through the teen numbers

Discussed the pre-teen numbers 10-12

Discussed the teen numbers 13-16 

Future Plans: Number Formation 0-10, Partner Math Games

Science/SS/SEL Snapshot:

We had guidance with Mrs. Francke

Something you hope to do in kindergarten

Fire Drill Practice

Restorative Circle Practice

Being Kind and Helpful

Playing group games/taking turns

Will you get a turn “maybe”

Caterpillar and metamorphosis

We released many painted lady butterflies

We made butterfly headbands

We made butterfly puppets

Life Cycles of Butterflies

Fourth Grade Buddies coming this Friday!

Recycling and Composting with John Jose (Guest Speaker from Central Vermont Solid Waste Management)

Winnie (Therapy Dog)and Mrs. Pine on Tuesdays

Miss Tringe (student teacher/CBL student from the High School

Future Plans:  Mindful Station (taking a break space), Breathing Activities, Self-Space, apple and pumpkin life cycles

Questions to Ask your Kinder:

What are the preteen numbers?  What are the teen numbers?  What do they start with?

Practice making the letters M and N. They are frog jump letters.

Sing the pencil grip song!

How did the little green monster change in the book?

Will you always get a turn? (kids respond with maybe)

What are some games we play in kindergarten?

How do you earn gems?

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me.  I will respond as soon as I can. 

denac@mpsvt.org  Fondly, Dena

Sept 7 Kinder News #1

 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)

Kinder News #16 June 2, 2025

 Hi Kinder Families,

We have just 12 days left in kindergarten. The year has gone by so fast. We have a hectic schedule for the last two weeks of the school year. Thank you all for letting me care for your children! This will be our last Kinder news for the year. Please review the following dates.

Important Dates:

Thursday, June 5th, During Library Class, visit Kellogg-Hubbard Library

Tuesday, June 10th, Field Day 1:00-2:20 Harrison Field, Sneakers Please

Thursday, June 12th Field Trip- Montshire Museum 

Tuesday, June 17, the Last Day of Kindergarten/Step Up Day, meet the first-grade teacher.

June 5th Library Visit:

Next week in library class, we’re taking a memorable walking field trip to our wonderful Kellogg-Hubbard Library! We’ll meet the new youth librarian, explore the children’s section, and hear all about the exciting, free summer programs planned to keep kids engaged and reading all summer long. Students will also learn how easy it is to obtain their own library card. This visit is a joyful way to celebrate reading, build excitement for summer adventures, and remind our learners that the library is a place for fun, discovery, and connection—any time of year!

Field Day Tuesday, June 10th:

-Wear comfortable clothing and sneakers

-Pack a filled water bottle

-sunscreen applied at home before school (extra in backpacks)

-There are ticks, so please check your child on Tuesday night. Bug spray is optional!

We have had PE events, art events, special ice treats, and dancing in the past!

Field Trip(last reminder): Preparation List for Montshire Field Trip

Please Send In the forms sent home last week. I need to order lunches!!!! Thank you if you have already returned them.

• Arrive at school by 8:15

• Bring a snack, a bagged lunch (no glass containers), and a water bottle in a backpack. I will order lunches for kids who submit a lunch order request.

• Wear comfortable walking shoes for the Woodland Garden and Planet Walk trails.

• Apply sunscreen before arriving at school. Pack extra lotion in your backpack. Bug spray is optional.

• Wear a swimsuit under your clothes.

• Bring a change of clothes and a towel for the water exhibits in the Park.

• Bring a plastic bag for a wet bathing suit.

• PLEASE DO NOT SEND $ for the gift shop or to purchase food at the Museum - we will not be going!

Snapshot of learning: 

Chicks, the show, becoming a plant, needs of plants and animals, 2d/3d shapes, maps, and open syllables! Sent home book 2 of writing journals -finished with bridge words. Additionally, a new record was set with three kids losing teeth on the same day, and four in one week! Please enjoy some photos.

 

Thank you, Dena Cody