Tuesday, July 26, 2011

It's Almost Time!

Get Ready for a New Year!


It's hard to believe that summer is almost behind us and that it's already time to start thinking about our new school year!  I am so excited to meet all my new munchkins and begin a new journey together. 


Our first day is Wednesday, August 17. 

For those of you that are becoming anxious, apprehensive or downright nervous about what to expect that first day, let me ease your mind!

Our school has a fun gathering activity at the beginning of every school day.  We all gather on the blacktopped playground area in the front of the school and walk together until the 8:00 bell rings.  It gives all the kids a chance to catch up with old friends and make new ones before the day begins.  I am always there, too.  I try to gather all my little munchkins to walk with me, so the process is less intimidating and we can all get used to the routine. 

(On the first day, parents are welcome to stay and walk too, or watch from the perimeter.  On subsequent days, it is preferred that only students be on the blacktop.)


On the first day, the munchkins will have so many school supplies, it will be almost impossible to walk with them all!  Parents are welcome to set these along our classroom ramp and we'll get them when we go inside.

As the 8:00 church bell rings, all the kindergarten munchkins will gather in a line right at the bottom of the ramp to our classroom.  Be careful...all the big kids will be running to their classroom lines and we don't want to get caught in a stampede! 


Mr. Bustle will give a morning greeting and we will all say the morning offering prayer together.  (Don't worry about not knowing it yet...you will soon!)


We will all go into our classroom together and sit in a circle on the floor.  Parents will be allowed to enter the classroom on the first day of school to snap a few pictures and say one last good-bye! 
(On subsequent days, parents should please say good-bye outside at the ramp unless you need to speak to me.)


Our first day will be an easy one...getting to know each other and our classroom.  We will have so much fun, it will be time to go home before you know it!


We'll dismiss at 11:30 on our first day.


I will bring all the munchkins to the kindergarten "square" at the edge of the blacktopped playground area.  All munchkins will stay inside the square.  Parents generally gather along the edge of the road.  I will dismiss the munchkins one at a time when I see the person with whom they are to leave. Be sure to let me know in writing if your munchkin is going home with someone other than Mom or Dad.


Please do not try to take your munchkin until I have given him permission to leave.  This is for the safety of all the little ones and for my own peace of mind.  Nothing scares me more than losing one of your babies.


One last note: During the first week of school, it is helpful to me if parents park in the designated parking areas and come to the playground to get their children.  As we all become more familiar with each other and I begin to recognize cars, we can start using the "drive up" area. 
Thanks for your cooperation with this!


Please contact me if you need any help or if you have any questions. 


Visit "Our Class Supplies" if you have forgotten what to bring our first day!


See everyone on August 17!


Until next time,
Giggles,
Mrs. D.