Ms. Mikki’s Classroom News

September 29, 2017

Wow!  Is September already over?  This week we read more Pete The Cat stories.  They just can’t get enough of Pete.  We had fun searching for Pete’s buttons around the classroom.  When we found them we sorted them by color and created a graph on the board.  We practiced counting how many of each color we found, determined which color had “the most” and “the least”.  I started pre-assessing sorting and shape identification.  I will be posting videos of your child’s assessment on their See Saw online portfolio this week and next.  We read Pete The Cat and His Magic Sunglasses.  This book took Pete the Cat to different places in the school.  They had to listen to the clues given in the story (listen for a purpose) and then guess where Pete was going (using verbal and picture cues).  Ex:  A room full of books from wall to wall= library.  Our attention spans and listening skills are still a work in progress, but I am already seeing good progress during circle time.  

October will be all things FALL.  We’ll be using apples and pumpkins throughout the month for science, math and cooking experiences.  We are requesting that each student bring in one red, one yellow, and one green apple next week.  Murfins Market will have some pre-packaged ones for you this weekend.  We would also love some pumpkins and gourds  of all sizes and colors.  If you’re able to donate pumpkins, that would be wonderful!

We look forward to our trip to the Pumpkin patch next Thursday.  Don’t forget to wear your green preschool t shirt.  

Thank you to everyone who came out to the volleyball game Tuesday!  I loved seeing all of my sweet little faces in the crowd!  The high school FBLA organization raised over $600!  Even better, an anonymous donor donated the money to get them to the $1000 mark!  All proceeds were donated to the Hurricane Relief.  I love our little (growing) community!

Fundraiser-  Next week is the last week of the cookie dough fundraiser.  Thanks for participating.  PTA does so many wonderful things for our school with the funds they raise.  

Box Tops-  Please keep collecting and sending in Box Tops for Education.

Reading Logs-  I hope you and your child had fun reading this month.  Please send your completed reading logs to school next week.  Be on the lookout for an October reading log.  We place them on the backside of your child’s take home folder.  

Scholastic Book Orders:  October book orders are due 19th.  You can order online, or you can send your order form to school with a check payable to Scholastic Book Clubs.  Our online class code is:  QC78V.  We appreciate your orders.  Every order gives us classroom bonus points which we use to purchase books for students and our classroom library.  

Tuition for October is due.  Please let me know if you need another copy of the payment schedule.  

October 5th:  School picture day-  We will have our pictures taken before we leave on the field trip.  Please have your student at school by 8:00.  We will take them to have their picture taken.  Parents will need to stick around with their child during pictures.  As soon as they are done, you may take your child and meet us at the pumpkin patch.  We are not having preschool classes this day.

October 5th - Field trip to Campbell’s Pumpkin Patch.  We are not having preschool classes this day.  A permission slip and waiver was sent home last week.  Please fill it out and return it and $5.00 (student admission) to school this week.  All students attending the pumpkin patch must be accompanied by an adult (parent, grandparent, guardian).  Adults attending the field trip will pay for their own admission at the gate ($5.00).  We have reserved tables at the pumpkin patch.  All students and parents are welcome to join us for a picnic lunch after touring the farm.  Please pack a lunch if you’re planning to stay and eat.  

October 6th:  PAT Storytime-  10:00

October 7th - PTA Fall Festival

October 9th-  Fire Prevention Week

October 13th - Fall Break- No school

October 16-17th - Parent/Teacher Conferences

October 30th:  M/W class Halloween Party-  10:00- stay tuned for more details

October 31st:  T/Th class Halloween Party-  10:00-  stay tuned for more details

Heads up!  In October I’ll be assessing “Personal Information”.  This is something that we’ll need a lot of parent/home support on.  Over the course of the month, I’ll be asking your child these things:

First and last name

Birthday (Day and month)

Mom and Dad’s name

A phone number

Address-  I’ll be happy with a street name and City (ex:  Mt. Carmel Rd, Clever)

Name two/three friends in class

Ms. Mikki's Classroom News- Sept. 22

Ms. Mikki’s Classroom News

September 22, 2017

September Learning Targets:

Math:  I can count from 1-10 and beyond

Language:  I can listen and respond to books and stories

Social/Emotional:  I can listen while others are speaking

I can take care of my own belongings

We had another great week at school!  I am amazed at how well they have adjusted to school routines.  We continued to read more Pete The Cat books.  This week we read Pete The Cat And His Four Groovy Buttons.  This book helped us count, identify numbers 1-4, introduced subtraction, and helped us predict which number came next in the sequence.  They really enjoy the Pete The Cat books!  

The M/W class enjoyed a Day At The Farm exhibits presented by the high school FFA members.  We learned information about each animal such as animal names (cows, pigs, horses, etc), animal breeds (dairy vs. beef cow), gender names (chickens:  male- rooster, female = hen, etc), what they eat, what each animal provides to us (pigs= bacon, ham, etc), and more.  

Dates and Reminders:

Tuition for October is due this Friday, September 29th

September 26th:  Elementary night at the Volleyball game and hurricane relief fundraiser sponsored by the high school FBLA.  All PK-4th grade students will get in FREE to the volleyball game.  The first 50 PK-4 students who make any donation will receive a free Lady Jays Volleyball t shirt.  Dig out your spare change and show your support for your Lady Jays and the our fellow Americans in Texas and Florida.  No donation is too small.  Come and stand on the court in the team tunnel with Ms. Mikki!  The first game starts at 6:00!

September 29th:  Volunteer Training:  9:00-9:30.  If you wish to volunteer in the school other than class parties, you must attend this training.  

October 5th:  School picture day-  We will have our pictures taken before we leave on the field trip.  Please have your student at school by 8:00.  We will take them to have their picture taken, and then parents may take them and plan to meet us at the pumpkin patch at 9:00.  We are not having preschool classes this day.

October 5th - Field trip to Campbell’s Pumpkin Patch.  We are not having preschool classes this day.  A permission slip and waiver was sent home last week.  Please fill it out and return it and $5.00 (student admission) to school this week.  All students attending the pumpkin patch must be accompanied by an adult (parent, grandparent, guardian).  Adults attending the field trip will pay for their own admission at the gate ($5.00).  We have reserved tables at the pumpkin patch.  All students and parents are welcome to join us for a picnic lunch after touring the farm.  Please pack a lunch if you’re planning to stay and eat.  

October 6th:  PAT Storytime-  10:00

October 7th - PTA Fall Festival

October 9th-  Fire Prevention Week

October 13th - Fall Break- No school

October 16-17th - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Heads up!  In October I’ll be assessing “Personal Information”.  This is something that we’ll need a lot of parent/home support on.  Over the course of the month, I’ll be asking your child these things:

First and last name

Birthday (Day and month)

Mom and Dad’s name

A phone number

Address-  I’ll be happy with a street name and City (ex:  Mt. Carmel Rd, Clever)

Name two/three friends in class

A note for my Tues/Thurs class

Here's a note from the T/Th class homeroom mom.  M/W class....stay tuned!

Hello! I am Megan Skipton, Sydney Skipton's mom, and I am Ms. Mikki's Tuesday/Thursday homeroom mom. 

A handout will be sent home with your child on Tuesday with different information on it and with the bottom portion to be completed and returned to school. Please watch for that. A handout will also be sent out next week regarding the Halloween party. I will be sending home handouts throughout the year with information about our class parties etc. My handouts will always be on brightly colored paper, so be on the lookout for those. 

Please feel free to text or email me if you ever have any questions. My phone number is 417-848-2131, and my email is meganasher@sbcglobal.net. 

I am excited for this school year and look forward to getting to know everyone better!

Thanks! 

Megan

Group Connections

PAT Group Connections

Fall 2017

Reminder:  Attending 2 group connections in the Fall and 2 in the Spring is a requirement that all preschool families must meet in order to remain enrolled in our preschool program.  

OCTOBER:

Thursday, October 5th ----9:00 Pumpkin Patch Trip to Campbell's Farm in Clever. Details/cost will be posted later.

Friday, October 6th---10:00 Story Time in the Preschool Room

NOVEMBER

Friday, November 3rd----10:00 Playgroup on campus (location will be announced as we get closer to the date).

Saturday, November 11----9:00-10:00 The return of our big hit from last year, SPA SATURDAY! Clever Conference Center. This is moms and daughters only!

Thursday, November 16---6:00-7:00 PM Stone Soup in the Elementary Cafeteria ****THIS EVENT IS ONLY FOR PRESCHOOL STUDENTS****

DECEMBER

Thursday, December 7---5:00-7:00 SANTA BASH in the Elementary Cafeteria ****PRESCHOOL APPLICATIONS FOR THE FOLLOWING SCHOOL YEAR WILL BE AVAILABLE****

We will post Spring 2018 Group Connections in January.

Day on the Farm

On Wednesday the Clever HS FFA organization will be hosting their annual Day on the Farm.  The preschool classes will attend a short presentation at 8:30, followed by a tour of the farm exhibits on the field next to the bus lane.  Students in the M/W class will attend as a class.  T/TH students are invited to join us with their parent.  T/TH parents, please RSVP to me via email so I can let the office know who will be checking in on Wednesday.  Thanks!

teaguem@cleverbluejays.org

Watch Dogs

PIZZA NIGHT FOR DADS AND KIDS

WHO ARE WATCH DOGS?  Dads who volunteer at school K-4

WHEN IS THE FREE PIZZA NIGHT FOR DADS AND KIDS? Thursday, Sept. 21

WHAT TIME? 6:00 pm

WHERE?  FEMA/Cafeteria

HOW DO I SIGN UP?  Call 743-4810 to register

and get information on the program

Cox Care Mobile- September

The Cox Care Mobile is scheduled to be at Clever Schools tomorrow, Tuesday, September 19. The Care Mobile is a medical office on wheels that provides FREE services to children ages birth to 18 years. This service is provided whether you have insurance or not. You may call the school nurse to inquire about the services provided, to schedule an appointment, and to receive the necessary paperwork. Thank you!

Ms. Mikki’s Classroom News

September 15, 2017

September Learning Targets:

Math:  I can count from 1-10 and beyond

Language:  I can listen and respond to books and stories

Social/Emotional:  I can listen while others are speaking.

I can take care of my own belongings

It takes a lot of practice for us to learn to sit in a group and maintain attention for brief periods of time.  As our year goes along and our attention span grows, our circle time will also grow.  

We read Pete The Cat- I Love My White Shoes and did several activities to support our Language and Social/Emotional learning target.  We took turns listening to our friends as they each shared their favorite color.   We also used our recall skills as we charted the things that Pete stepped in, and what color it turned his shoes.  We also made a “predictions” chart.  If I stepped in ____, my shoes would turn ____.  Next week we will continue to read other Pete The Cat books.

Are you reading at home?  Last week I sent home a reading challenge calendar.  If you didn’t get one, turn over your child’s folder.  It is tucked inside the clear pocket on the backside of the folder.  

Assessments:   There are a couple of different ways I assess skills, expressive and receptive.  I always assess expressive first.  This method involves language (meaning they have to give a verbal response).  If they are not successful this way, I assess the same skill using receptive skills.

Example:

Expressive-  What color is this? They respond with a color word.

Receptive-  Point to the gray block.  They respond by pointing to the correct color.  

A child may be able to identify all of the colors receptively, but may not be able to name all of the colors expressively.  Either way both methods provide knowledge of the skill.

This week I assessed rote counting from 1-10.  I posted a video of your child counting on their See Saw portfolio.  

I also assessed color naming and recognition.

 Heads up!  In October I’ll be assessing “Personal Information”.  This is something that we’ll need a lot of parent/home support on.  Over the course of the month, I’ll be asking your child these things:

First and last name

Birthday (Day and month)

Mom and Dad’s name

A phone number

Address-  I’ll be happy with a street name and City (ex:  Mt. Carmel Rd, Clever)

Name two/three friends in class

Reminders:

Just wanted to make sure everyone is signed up for the blog emails.  If you did not receive the blog email on Monday, there may be one or two things to check.  (1) Make sure you have gone to the preschool website at http://cleverpreschoolteague.blogspot.com/ and entered your email address in the box on the right hand side down a little bit that says “Follow by Email”.  (2) Once you have followed those directions, you will get an email at the address you entered from “Feed Burner” and you will need open the email and follow the directions to verify your subscription to receive the blog emails.  If you do not verify, you will not receive them in your email each week.  (3) If you do not receive an email from Feed Burner, make sure you have checked your junk mail or spam mail folder.  (4) If you have tried steps 1-3 and still can not find it, please email me to let me know and we’ll try again.  My email is teaguem@cleverbluejays.org

Facebook Page:  If you have Facebook you can also keep up with our class news at Ms. Mikki’s Clever Preschool Class.  Be sure to “Like” the page.  I post reminders, newsletters and other school news there.  

Tuition:  If you haven’t sent in your September tuition, please do so this week.  If you would like an application for state assistance, please let me know and I’ll send one home with your child.

1-2-3 Magic- I use this daily for classroom management.  Everyone has been through the training and should be familiar with it.  We highly encourage you to use this method in your homes as well as it provides consistency between home and school.  I won’t always send home a note if they have to “Stop and Think” (timeout), but if a behavior continues to be an issue I will send home a note.  Automatic 3 “Stop and Think” offenses include hitting, pushing, biting, pinching, kicking or any other form of aggression.  I will always send a note home for these behaviors.  

Dates to Remember:

September 18th:  School wide fundraiser kickoff.  Stay tuned for more info!

September 19th - Cox Care Mobile - The Care Mobile is a medical office on wheels that provides FREE services to children ages birth to 18 years whether you have insurance or not. You may call the school nurse to inquire about the services provided, to schedule an appointment, and to receive the necessary paperwork.

September 20th - Day on the Farm (during class times)

September 21st:  WATCH Dogs Pizza Party-  6 pm

September 26th:  Elementary night at the Volleyball game and hurricane relief fundraiser sponsored by the high school FBLA.  All PK-4th grade students will get in free to the volleyball game.  The first 50 PK-4 students who make any donation will receive a free Lady Jays Volleyball t shirt.  Dig out your spare change and show your support for your Lady Jays and the our fellow Americans in Texas and Florida.  No donation is too small.  

September 29th:  Volunteer Training:  9:00-9:30.  If you wish to volunteer in the school other than class parties, you must attend this training.  

October 5th:  School picture day-  We will have our pictures taken before we leave on the field trip.  

October 5th - Field trip to Campbell’s Pumpkin Patch-  4 year old classes will ride the bus to the Pumpkin Patch.  3 year old classes will need to provide their own transportation.  This is also a PAT event, so siblings enrolled in PAT are also encouraged to attend with their parents.  More details to follow soon.

October 6th:  PAT Storytime-  10:00

October 7th - PTA Fall Festival

October 13th - Fall Break

October 16-17th - Parent/Teacher Conferences

Upcoming Dates

A note from Mrs. Ramey (Elementary Principal)

-No School on Monday, September 11th and Tuesday September 12th.

-Greg Tang Parent Math Night on Monday, Sep. 11th from 6:30-7:45pm 

 Flyer found HERE 

-Watch D.O.G.S (Dads of great students) Pizza Night Sept 21 @ 6pm In FEMA

-Volunteer Training September 29th from 9-9:30am in FEMA

If you wish to volunteer in the school (beyond class parties) you will need to attend the Volunteer Training.

Speaking of class parties, I am in need of 1-2 homeroom moms for each class.  Your responsibilities will be planning class holiday parties and Teacher Appreciation week.  We keep things simple in the Pre K world, so I promise it won't consume your time.  PTA will provide a packet of information for you.  If you are interested, please let me know.

Thanks-  

Ms. Mikki

Ms. Mikki's New- Sept. 1, 2017

Ms. Mikki’s Newsletter

September 1, 2017

We had a great week!  During circle time we read “From Head To Toe”, and “ I like Me”.  We continued to sing our “name game” song so we can learn each other’s names.  This week we didn’t announce our names though, we had to guess each other’s name.  We continue to practice how to listen, take turns talking, and following directions in circle time.  They are doing a great job in such a short time of being in school.  We had fun doing what the animals did in “From Head To Toe”.  Our literacy activity was an “I Can” chart.  We each shared something special we could do.  We will be using the phrase “I Can” throughout the year as we set and achieve learning targets.  

This week’s learning targets focused on self- help skills (social/emotional development domain)

1. I can wash my hands by myself.
2. I can take care of my belongings (put backpack away, clean up snack trash, etc).

Do you want to know something they CAN  do all by themselves?  They can make their own peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!  And we did just that for snack.  We had fun singing the Peanut Butter and Jelly song.  We made a list of things needed to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.  I was so proud of them. They came up with everything on the list with no help from me.  Ask them if they remember the things we needed:  bread, peanut butter, jelly, knife and a plate.  Sorry mom and dad….they are getting big and independent.  It was a little messy and maybe didn’t turn out the prettiest, but they did it “ALL BY MYSELF”!  

Reading Challenge-  I place a reading challenge calendar on the backside of their take home folder.  I encourage you to read to your child for at least 20 minutes daily.  It doesn’t have to be 20 consecutive minutes.  I hope this calendar makes reading time more fun!

Reminders:

A paper should have come home about the Seesaw app.  This is an online portfolio of your child’s progress through PreK this year. If you need another copy of the SeeSaw access code, please send me an email and I’ll send one home with  your child this week.  This is an awesome app that I used frequently to upload pictures, notes and reminders, and individual assessments.  

Dates to Remember:

September 8th - Grandparents Day Breakfast in FEMA (9-10:00 a.m.)

September 11-12 - No School (Fall Break)

September 19th - Cox Care Mobile - The Care Mobile is a medical office on wheels that provides FREE services to children ages birth to 18 years whether you have insurance or not. You may call the school nurse to inquire about the services provided, to schedule an appointment, and to receive the necessary paperwork. Thank you!

September 20th - Food for America (during class times)

October 6th - TENTATIVE date for field trip to the Pumpkin Patch

**PLEASE NOTE CHANGES TO GRANDPARENT’S DAY**

Thank you for RSVPing to Grandparents Day on Friday, September 8th. Due to the large number of attendees, we are making adjustments to the schedule as follows.

PreK and Kindergarten Grandparents: 9-10am

1st-4th Grade Grandparents:  10-11am                                                                        

Parking: Field West of Bus Lane (Parking attendants will be present)

Things we could use:

Tin cans (clean and no rough edges please)

Stickers and scrapbook supplies- If you’re cleaning out your craft closets, keep us in mind!

Greeting cards-  they can be new or used and any occasion.  They really enjoy using these in the writing center

Have a great week!