September 25, 2026

Our students have been working so hard on demonstrating positive behavior, following our classroom routines, and building our community. We were excited to end the week with the Zucchini Relay! Students had a blast running with their teams and cheering each other on as a whole school community. Inside our classroom, students have been working hard on demonstrating positive behavior and following our routines. Thanks to all their teamwork, they earned a special class reward!

Focus of the Week: Ways to Pay Attention

This week, students were introduced to a fun new character named the Mindful Yeti, who helps us notice our thoughts, feelings, and body sensations. We learned that being mindful and paying attention to our body is a way to calm the swirl of emotions (what we call "Hubbubbles") and help us be ready to learn. Over the coming weeks, we will continue learning techniques to help "settle the Hubbub" and practice paying attention no matter where we are. We also began talking about the "Power of Yet" (as in "I can't do this... YET!"). Students will be using this mindset to brainstorm goals for things they want to learn and master this school year.

During literacy, students explored our local neighborhoods and wrote about our favorite activities to do at home. They were also introduced some new routines to build skills for reading and spelling words. Students are beginning to apply these strategies directly into their writing by adding words and sentences to their pieces. In math, students continued developing and practicing different strategies for counting and adding.

Home Connection

• Literacy: When reading or watching a story, talk to your child about how characters are feeling. How do they know? Try using specific words do describe emotions. For example, instead of "happy" use "joyful" or "excited" and instead of "sad" use "disappointed" or "loney" based on what is happening in the story.

• Math: Many math activites include opportunties to work with a partner and play games. Practice being a good partner by taking turns, being kind, and helping each other.   

Character & Kindness:

Through games and classroom discussions, students explored new ways to show empathy and understand how others might be feeling. Learning to recognize classmate emotions helps us build a kinder, more supportive classroom community!

September 18, 2026

This week we celebrated an exciting experience in science when four of our classroom butterflies emerged from their chrysalises. We wish them luck on their journey south! Outside the classroom, students also spent time working in the community garden by harvesting potatoes that will be prepared in the school kitchen for everyone to enjoy. We even welcomed a special guest speaker named Recycle Rhonda, who gave an engaging lesson on waste management and taught us all about the 3 Rs: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle!

Focus of the Week: Belonging 

Our main focus this week centered on building a sense of belonging within our classroom and school community. After reading All Are Welcome, we discussed how every student plays a part in making our school a welcoming place. As a class we discussed how we can foster a sense of belonging by ensuring physical and emotional safety in our community. This included practicing using "safe bodies" by keeping our hands and feet in our own personal space during carpet time and while lining up. To help celebrate the concept of belonging, each student in the school decorated a paper circle with ideas on how to help others feel included. These will be displayed at the main entrance.

Home Connection

• Literacy: After reading a book, talk to them about if the book is giving information that is true (nonfiction) or if it is a made up story (fiction). How do they know?

• Math: Practice couting objects in different ways. For example, couting one at a time, arranging items in groups, and counting from a number other than 1.  

Character & Kindness: 

Creating a space where everyone feels emotionally safe relies on kindness. We continued to celebrate students using kind words, including others during play, and taking steps to build new friendships every day.

September 3, 2026

The past two weeks have been all about building our classroom community! We've spent time getting to know one another, learning names, and discovering new friendships.

Focus of the Week: Routines & Working Together

A primary focus this time of year is establishing foundational learning routines. Our class is actively practicing smooth transitions, lining up quietly, and working effectively with partners. A big part of establishing these routines means learning how to "Follow the Group Plan." In our classroom, we discuss the difference between "My Plan" (what an individual wants to do) and "Our Plan" (what the whole class is doing together). Following the group plan means putting our own ideas on pause so that all students can learn, transition, and work together safely and calmly as a team!

We are also placing an emphasis on "Whole Body Listening" (eyes on the speaker, calm hands and bodies, and quiet mouths).

Home Connection: Try it Out

You can help reinforce our classroom learning at home! Encourage your child to practice Whole Body Listening when sharing stories together by focusing on:

• Eyes on the speaker

• Calm hands and bodies

• Quiet mouths while others are talking

Character & Kindness:

We’ve been exploring what it means to be a helpful classmate. The students brainstormed and wrote about different ways we can show kindness every day. Please continue to point out and celebrate the small acts of kindness you see your child doing at home!

• September 7th: NO SCHOOL -> Labor Day

• September 9th: Student Early Release Day (2 hours earlier)

• September 9th: PTO Welcome Back Picnic (5:30-7p)

• September 21st: NO SCHOOL -> Yom Kippur

• September 24th: Student Picture Day

• September 25th: Zuchini Relays (more info to come)

Communication between home and school is so important! The best way to reach me is via email.

I check my inbox each school day in the morning and afternoon. I will do my best to respond to all emails within 24 hours on school days. If you would prefer to schedule a phone call to check in about your student, please feel free to reach out via email so we can find a time that works best for both of us to connect.