Kindergarten – Mrs. Jean Noss

Dear Families,

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year! This is an exciting time for your child, although he/she may be a little apprehensive about going to “real” school. This is also a time of mixed emotions for parents, joy that your child is ready for school, but sadness because he/she is no longer a “baby”! The first day of school will mark one of the most important milestones in your child’s life. Thank you so much for entrusting your child to me and our school community!

Kindergarten is a time when children experience important transitions and acquire new skills. I will provide a nurturing and stimulating environment in which children grow to their maximum potential not just academically, but also spiritually, socially and emotionally. These experiences and activities will help build confidence and self esteem. I will encourage my students to do their best so they may become independent and confident with a lifelong enthusiasm for learning.

The children will have several opportunities to share with the class. One child will share every day. When your child brings home the sharing card you will know that it is his/her turn the next day. Students are encouraged to bring one or two small items to share in conversation as this will help develop language and communication skills. You may want to practice sharing the first few times at home so your child will come to school prepared and be more at ease in front of the class.

We will celebrate each child’s birthday in our room and every child will participate in a Birthday Liturgy. Summer birthdays will be acknowledged on the students’ half-birthday month in December, January, or February. An invitation to your child’s Mass will be sent home to inform you of the date. We will attend the monthly birthday Mass, Holy Days and special Liturgies from September through December. After Christmas, we will attend Mass on a weekly basis.

We will go to the Library once a week. Please help your child understand the responsibility of bringing books home by taking care of them while in your home. Books should be returned on or before the due date.

Students will be given the chance to order books from book clubs monthly. Many of the books read in class can be purchased inexpensively. This is a great chance to build a personal library for your child. If you decide to order, please fill out the order form and send a check payable to Scholastic. PLEASE, NO CASH.

Any time there is to be a change in the normal way your child is to go home from school the teacher/school must be informed. This information should be in written form. If you forget a note or if an emergency arises, please call the office and they will inform me of the change. If no written information or office message is received, the student will be sent home by the usual means.

I am dedicated to making this a busy, productive, fun and successful year for all my students. I will try to communicate with you often about classroom activities, school events and other activities as they arise. If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me. Together we can make this year a building block for future success in school and in life.

Sincerely,

Jean Noss