We will be focusing on...
Remember to think of this year as a race where everyone is a winner...it doesn't matter how long you take to reach the finish line so long as you get there before the end of the year.
Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year. Please check this area for previews of what is coming up...
Please!!!!!! Talk to your child. Encourage them to participate in conversations. Ask them what they did today, talk about books you read, or meals you cook or places you go. Encourage them to use specific language. "We went to the place" could be "We went to the ball park." What did you see? "playing" could be "We saw a baseball game." What happened at the game? "They played" could be "this one player hit the ball and it went way over the fence he got a home run." This builds your childs vocabulary and helps get them ready for writing and reading.
Work with your child on holding a pencil and writing their name. It takes practice to build those fine motor skills. If you need practice pages for the letters or writing strokes I can provide them.
Work with your children on the sight words... flash them, write, spell them, find them in books, it is very important that you work with your children on these words. It takes most children 25-50 repetitions to learn something. The words are:
New and Improved Kindergarten Sight Words (this is a big change)
the
to
and
a
I
you
it
in
said
for
up
look
is
go
we
little
down
can
see
not
of
2011-2012
First grade Sight Words:
down, got, up, and, in, oh, yes, make, they, walk, help, now, play, too, want, don't, of, so, buy, that, very, where, day, every, her, said, was, with, could, friends, new, put, she, use
In Math we are working on solving addition and subtraction story problems.
These skills are very important and any support you can give from home to supplement what is going on in class will help your child become more successful.
And of course if you need materials (index cards to make flashcards, writing paper, ideas etc...) Please let me know and I will do what I can.
Dearest Future Friend (and family)!
I am so excited to be your teacher! I cannot wait to meet you at orientation (if you can't make it to orientation have your grown up call or e-mail to arrange a special time). Your teacher will love you and have high expectations for you. I hope you are coming to school ready to learn. We will sing songs and have fun and at the end of the year you will be reading books and writing stories. You will count and add and subtract. You will be so smart you're parents (or other grown ups in your life) will not even know what to think! I am putting some lists down here that you will hopefully get a chance to look at.
I am going to be in school all summer doing college classes, I will also be taking some time to go to the beach and SeaWorld and other fun places too. I love to go to the library with my kids maybe I will run in to you there?
Below are some lists:
Basic School Supply List (based on 2011-2012)
Two boxes of 8 count crayons (don't get these see list below)
Two primary pencils with erasers (don't get these see list below)
One large bottle of glue (don't get this see list below)
Two composition books (please stick to solid colors)
Small pencil or supply box or zippered supply pouch (don't get the pouch they rip too easy)
One box gallon size freezer bags (get 1 box of one size you don't need to get both)
One box quart size freezer bags (get 1 box of one size you don't need to get both)
Ms. Fitzgerald's Version of the Supply List...
(1) sturdy back pack (it can be cool too, but the plasticy ones rip easy) The kids are hard on their back packs and after school starts they are harder to find and cost a lot more. It is not required but they need one to put their agenda, homework folder, and parent communication folder in.
(2) 16 or 24ct crayons (8 is not enough fun colors! I give them one box in August and hold the other till Dec/Jan when the others are ruined)
(12) #2 Pencils research has shown that small hands do better with smaller pencils (the primary pencils are the big fat ones and they usually are expensive skip them and get regular pencils)
(4-6) glue sticks-I have plenty of bottles of glue what I would rather you get is a few glue sticks for the kids to use.
(1) box of ziploc bags (either quart or gallon size at least 20ct)
(1) box of "soft" tissues (instead of 2 boxes of baggies get a box of baggies and a box of soft tissues the school ones are awful!)
(1) crayon/pencil box (the plastic ones that would hold their crayons and pencils)
(2) composition notebooks (don't get cute ones I am a control freek and color code everything-just buy solid colored ones they are cheaper and make me happy 
)
Things you may not think of as you shop/get ready for the first day of school...
It may sound silly-make sure they can do and undo their pants . Some buttons are tricky. If they can't get their pants down in time they can/will have a bathroom accident. It happens every year.
The same thing with the belt-if they have belt loops they are supposed to be wearing a belt make sure it fits comfortably (look out for big/pointy buckles and poke the kids when we sit on the carpet) and let them practice with it before school starts (again a tricky belt = potty accident).
Put your child's name on the outside of their backpack in some way-either with a tag or marker (don't worry about doing it on the rest of their supplies). If you don't I will. Kindergarten students often forget or won't say who they are, who their teacher is or where they are going. Especially if they are riding a bus. This helps any adult that is aiding them along the way. (They get scared being alone at a new school with 500 kids rushing in all directions)
We do not teach how to tie shoes in school anymore and I really hate to touch their laces. Think about all the nasty stuff they have drug those laces through including dirty public restroom floors. A lot of kids put them in their mouth so you go to tie them and they are all slobber covered. I really suggest as you are school shopping if they don't know how to tie find some super cool velcro shoes. If you have to get tie shoes payless had some "lace locks" they were $1.99 for 2 pair. Curly laces are also a great option.
Snack-If you would like to send a healthy and individually wrapped snack for the class (figure 18ish kids.) I usually try to give them a snack for the first few weeks of school. Once they adjust to the breakfast and lunch schedule I start to cut back. Breakfast is typically 7:30-7:50. Lunch is usually between 11 and 11:30. Most kids are fine once they get used to it.
The first few weeks of school your child will probably be EXHAUSTED! We work them hard even if they are not nappers it will wear them out.
With the AC some kids are cold in the classroom. They may bring a light jacket or sweater so long as it is red, white or navy (school colors). When it is winter and cold outside it doesn't matter what color coat they have this rule is for in the buildings. I really suggest you write their name or initials in their jackets. They will lose their jacket and this increases your chance of getting it back. Lost and found is in the cafeteria so you know where to look when it happens. 
In closing I promise to my students and families that I will always give you my best. I will have your child and what is best for your child at the center of the choices I make. I am firm but fair. I look forward to a new year with a new group of young minds to teach and train to be the best that they can be.
Yours in dedication to your children,
Rebecca Fitzgerald
Kindergarten teacher
