Welcome Back!

Welcome back!  It was a gorgeous summer and I am looking forward to a fabulous fall, especially with your children in my class.  

Starting grade one is a big step in your child's life.  You can help your child adjust to school in the following ways: 

1. Encourage your child to dress independently; including putting on his or her own shoes. However, tying shoes can be very difficult for a 5 or 6 year old. So most students do prefer velcro shoes as it gives them more independence. 

2. Encourage your child to follow three step directions such as "Find your crayons, make a picture and bring it to me". 

3. When your child comes home from school, ask him or her specific questions such as "Who did you play with today?" "What center did you play in and what did you do there?" and "Tell me about the story your teacher read today?"

4. Establish a consistent bedtime routine for your child.  Tuck your child into bed with a story such as Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney, Love You Forever by Robert Munsch, Time for Bed by Mem Fox or Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown.  

There are a number of books available at the public library, our school library and/or from bookstores on the topic of starting school.  Some titles you and your child may enjoy are: 

• The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn
• Franklin Goes to School by Paulette Bourgeois
• Kimberly Worries by Kevin Henkes
• Who Will Be My Teacher This Year? by Jerry Pallotta
• Every Cowgirl Goes to School by Rebecca Janni

What to Bring to  School 

Your child will need to bring a bag or backpack to school every day to carry home papers/projects from school.  Please check the contents of this backpack daily! In addition, your child will need to have a nutritious snack and lunch.  We are an allergy aware school.  However, we do have a student with severe nut allergies in our classroom.  So we are trying to be as nut free as possible for the safety of our students.  

Water Bottles

Proper hydration is very important for students.  "The brain is a water-loving organ, and if it doesn't get enough of it, it doesn't work right".  Studies have also shown that children need a higher amount of water than adults.  So I am strongly encouraging all students to bring a water bottle to school every day.  Please write your child's name and room number on the bottle with a permanent marker.  

Your Child's Belongings

Please, please, please put your child's name on everything that comes to school, including hats, mittens, shoes, coats, snow pants etc... As the seasons change so quickly in Calgary, sometimes the kids are coming to school in different coats on different days.  At times they don't recognize their own belongings.  If their name is in on their belongings, it makes it much easier to help them keep track of their belongings.  

Toys and Other Precious Belongings

The school strongly discourages students from bringing toys, gaming systems such as iPods and other precious belongings to school as they may be lost, stolen and/or broken. 

Volunteering at Kenneth D. Taylor School 

We welcome volunteers!!!  Volunteering in your child's classroom or volunteering as a parent helper on a field trip is a great way to get to know your child's school even better.  For safety reasons, all volunteers, must have a valid police check and CBE clearance to volunteer. 

Please ensure your police check and all office paperwork have been processed. Starting in October, volunteers are welcome to volunteer in the classroom.  This gives the students time to learn our school routines and feel comfortable in the classroom environment.  Please Do NOT bring siblings to school on your scheduled volunteer day so that you can enjoy a "special" time with your child.  

Scholastic Book Orders

Throughout the school year, students will have the opportunity to order books from Scholastic.  Order forms will be sent home with your child.  You are NOT obligated to purchase anything.  However, scholastic books provide a great way to increase your home library or make great gifts.  Through Scholastic purchases we are able to earn free books and materials for our school.  We ask that you please send cheques only (made payable to Scholastic Canada Ltd) for the exact amount ordered.  Please include your child's and teacher's name on the order form.  Return order forms by the due date.  We cannot process orders past the due date.  

* A very important volunteer job is the collection and organization of the Scholastic book orders.  We are in need of a parent to do this very important job for our classroom. If you're able to help us out please contact me as soon as possible.  

When Should My Child Be Kept Home From School ? 

For the benefit of all of the students and staff, children who are sick are not to attend school.  Please keep your child at home if they are sick.  Children are considered sick if they have any of the following: 

• Fever
• Green or yellow discharge from nose
• Any infection requiring antibiotics
• Any communicable diseases
• Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours

If your child has been running a fever or vomiting they must be symptom free for 24 hours before returning to school. 

Attendance

If your child is going to be absent from school please phone the school and leave a message on our attendance line.  A brief message listing the symptoms of the illness will be very helpful.  

Important Dates:

• September 21 - Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences 3:30 - 7:30pm
• September 22 Student/Parent/Teacher Conferences - No School - Conferences will run from 8:00 - 1:00p.m. 
• September 25 - Non-Instructional Day - No School 
• September 29 - Orange Shirt Day / Terry Fox Run

I look forward to working with you and your child throughout the year.  It's going to be a fun year with lots of learning and new adventures along the way. You will find a lot of information here on our classroom blog.  However,  if you have any questions or concerns please contact me at mllai@cbe.ab.ca 

Thank you for entrusting your children with me. I love what I do and promise to treat your children with the kindness, respect, and love that they deserve! 

Warm Regards, 

Mrs. Lai