Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

May 11^th, 2009

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  There are just two weeks of school left!! There will be no newsletter sent home next week. Please see the attached letter. Thank you!

  
  


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  Reminder- The school cleaning/work days are Wednesday and Thursday, May 27^th and 28^th from 5-9pm and Saturday, May 30^th from 8-noon and 1-5pm. Thank you in advance for your help on any or all of those days!

  
  

Story Time

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  Big is Big—By: Patrick Lewis

  
  


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  Lunch—By: Denise Fleming

  
  


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  My Dad's Job—By: Peter Glassman

  
  

Christ Light-- We are learning lessons 12A: An Angel Opens the Prison Doors, and 12B: Faithful Stephen. Next week we are learning 13A: Jesus Changes Saul's Heart, and 13B: Philip and the Ethiopian.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting—Kindergarten has been touching on many new sounds in Phonics these past few weeks. Take note of these sounds and please practice them over the summer months. They're everywhere!

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool and Kindergarten will be combined this week with Circle Time and Reading Activities.

Math—We are working ahead in Math! We will be learning more about telling time and counting money from now through the end of the school year.

Reading Activities—This week and next week we will finish up some United States symbols and holidays, and will be learning about inventors, inventions, and scientists!

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Wednesday, May 20th- Grades K-2 walk to the Dyckman Library.

  
  


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  Thursday, May 21st- K-8 sing in church-7pm.

  
  


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  Friday, April 22nd- Last day of school! Report cards sent home.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

May 4^th, 2009

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  Permission slip—Watch for a permission slip coming home this week, hopefully on Tuesday, if not already attached to this newsletter. Kindergarten will be taking a walking field trip to the Bakery, Police Station, Bank, and Post Office on Friday morning. A signed and returned permission slip is needed by Thursday. Thank you!

  
  

Story Time

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  Sometimes You Get What You Want—By: Meredith Gary

  
  


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  The Red Shoes—By: Eleri Glass

  
  


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  What Happens on Wednesdays—By: Emily Jenkins

  
  

Christ Light-- We are learning lessons 11A: Peter Heals a Crippled Man, and 11B: Peter Tells the Enemies about Jesus.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting—Kindergarten is nearly finished with our handwriting books for the year. We are plugging right along in Phonics and learning how to read more and more each day!

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will be learning about United States symbols and holidays with Kindergarten this week and next week.

Math—We are working ahead in Math! We will be learning more about telling time and counting money from now through the end of the school year.

Reading Activities—This week and next week we will be learning about some United States symbols and holidays, as well as important people. Some of the “highlights” include the White House, the Liberty Bell, the American Flag, the Statue of Liberty, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln.

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Friday, May 8th- Kindergarten walking field trip to Bakery, Police Station, Bank, and Post Office.

  
  


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  Wednesday, May 20th- Grades K-2 walk to the Dyckman Library.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

April 27^th, 2009

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  Book Orders—These are the last book orders of the school year! They were sent home last week and are due back to school on Friday, May 1^st.

  
  

Story Time

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  Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!—By: Mo Willems

  
  


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  When the Fly Flew In...—By: Lisa Westberg Peters

  
  


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  Stone Soup—Retold By: Willis Lindquist

  
  

Christ Light-- We are learning lessons 10A: The Coming of the Holy Spirit, and 10B: Peter Speaks to the Crowd.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting—Kindergarten is nearly finished with our handwriting books for the year. We are plugging right along in Phonics and learning how to read more and more each day!

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will be learning about insects this week with Kindergarten and Mr. I!

Math—We are working ahead in Math! We will be learning more about telling time and counting money from now through the end of the school year.

Reading Activities—This week we are learning about insects!

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Friday, May 1st- Book Orders are due.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

April 20^th, 2009

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  Book Orders—Are being sent home today. They are due back to school on Friday, May 1^st.

  
  

Story Time

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  Big Chickens—By: Leslie Helakoski

  
  


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  Armadillo Tattletale—By: Helen Ketteman

  
  


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  Baby Bear, Baby Bear, What Do You See?—By: Bill Martin Jr

  
  

Christ Light-- We are learning lessons 9A: Jesus' Ascension, and 9B: New Disciple.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting—Kindergarten is nearly finished with our handwriting books for the year. We are plugging right along in Phonics and learning how to read more and more each day!

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will be learning about dinosaurs this week with Kindergarten and Mr. Q!

Math—Beginning this week, we are working ahead in Math! We will be learning more about telling time and counting money from now through the end of the school year.

Reading Activities—This week we are learning about dinosaurs!

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Friday, April 24th- Grades K-5, MLC Children's Theater and Pizza Ranch field trip.

  
  


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  Friday, May 1st- Book Orders are due.

  
  

   

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

March 30^th, 2009

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  END OF BOOK IT!--This is the last month of Kindergarten Book It! Please have your child bring in his/her journal for a final tally of minutes towards a free pizza! 330 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal. If your child met the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award this week.



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  PRESCHOOL BOOK IT!--Preschoolers and parents, please use the Book It calendar that was sent home last week to keep track of your reading progress at home. Aim for the suggested 20 minutes per day. Return the March portion of the calendar at the end of March for a Pizza Hut certificate!



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  Book Orders—Are being sent home today. They are due back to school on Friday April 17^th.



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  Permission Slips—If you have not yet returned your child's permission slip for our trip to Ross Park this Friday, please do so. Thank you!



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  There will be no newsletter sent home next week due to only having three days of school next week.



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  Have a Blessed Easter everyone!

Story Time

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  Is Your Mama a Llama?—By: Deborah Guarino



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  It Looked Like Spilt Milk—By: Charles G. Shaw



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  Banana—By: Jonathan Allen

Christ Light-- We are learning lessons 6A: Jesus Appears to the Women, and 6B: Mary Sees Jesus.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten has finished every letter in handwriting and will now be working on numbers and perfecting some of the letters we have had problems with. In Phonics we are catching up and will be soon beginning more work on tricky combinations of letters, like digraphs.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will continue learning about animals for the next few weeks, as well as doing other projects. We will not have any letter people for a few weeks.

Math—We will be working on dividing shapes in half, comparing objects by weight, and acting out math stories this week in Math class.

Reading Activities—This week we are learning about many of the animals that live in the forest. Next week we will be learning about desert animals.

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Friday, April 3rd- Grades K-2, Easter Egg Hunt at Ross Park.



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  Thursday, April 9th-Monday April 13th—No School



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  Friday, April 10th- Grades K-8 sing in church



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  Easter Sunday, April 12th- Grades PK-8 sing in church



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  Friday, April 17th- Book orders are due

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

March 24^th, 2009

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  Parents- Please return the feedback sheets I sent home last week. Thank you!

  
  


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  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). 330 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of March in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. March is the last month Book It! for Kindergarten. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


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  PRESCHOOL BOOK IT!--Preschoolers and parents, please use the Book It calendar that was sent home last week to keep track of your reading progress at home. Aim for the suggested 20 minutes per day. Return the March portion of the calendar at the end of March for a Pizza Hut certificate!

  
  

Story Time

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  Jump, Frog, Jump!—By: Robert Kalan

  
  


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  The Cow Who Clucked—By: Denise Fleming

  
  


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  Hooray for Fish!—By: Lucy Cousins

  
  

Christ Light-- We are learning lessons 5A: The Empty Tomb, and 5B: The Guards Tell Lies.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten has finished every letter in handwriting and will now be working on numbers and perfecting some of the letters we have had problems with. In Phonics we are catching up and will be soon beginning more work on tricky combinations of letters, like digraphs.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will be learning about zoo animals this week with Mr. Z. We will read the books Goodnight Gorilla by: Peggy Rathmann and Zip to the Zoo by: Kathleen Hollenbeck.

Math—We will be working with tangrams and geoboards this week in Math class.

Reading Activities—We are focusing on animals that live in, or near, the water. From crocodiles and alligators, to whales, frogs, and turtles, we will be learning about all of these animals this week.

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Today- Preschool Open House from 9-10am. 3^rd Quarter report cards go home.

  
  


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  Wednesday, March 25th- Kindergarten Open House 8:15-noon.

  
  


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  Friday, April 3rd- Grades K-2, Easter Egg Hunt at Ross Park.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

March 16^th, 2009

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  This week marks the end of the 3^rd Quarter. I will be contacting any families that I would like to conference with and I hope you will do the same for me. Please return the attached sheet to me by Thursday. I will be out of town this weekend; Mrs. Brown will be teaching Kindergarten on Friday. Thank you!

  
  


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  Open House!--If you know of anyone who is looking for a place to send their preschool or kindergartener, be sure to let them know about our open house days coming up on Tuesday and Wednesday!

  
  


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  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). 330 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of March in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. March is the last month Book It! for Kindergarten. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


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  PRESCHOOL BOOK IT!--Preschoolers and parents, please use the Book It calendar that was sent home last week to keep track of your reading progress at home. Aim for the suggested 20 minutes per day. Return the March portion of the calendar at the end of March for a Pizza Hut certificate!

  
  

Story Time

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  Where Are My Chicks? —By: Sally Grindley

  
  


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  Mrs. Wishy Washy's Farm—By: Joy Cowley

  
  


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  Cock-a-doodle-hooooooo!—By: Mick Manning

  
  

Christ Light-- We are learning lessons 4A: Jesus Is Put on the Cross, and 4B: Jesus Dies on the Cross.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten has finished every letter in handwriting and will now be working on numbers and perfecting some of the letters we have had problems with. In Phonics we are catching up and will be soon beginning more work on tricky combinations of letters, like digraphs.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will be learning about farm animals this week with Mr. R. We will look at all the different animals that live on farms as we read books like Farmer Duck by: Martin Waddell and Pigs by: Rozanne Williams.

Math—We will be working on counting coins this week. We will also begin to learn how to play dominoes!

Reading Activities—We are focusing on farm animals this week. We will be learning about all kinds of animals that live on farms and all the work that goes into taking care of those animals.

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Monday, March 23rd- No School.

  
  


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  Tuesday, March 24th- Preschool Open House from 9-10am. 3^rd Quarter report cards go home.

  
  


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  Wednesday, March 25th- Kindergarten Open House 8:15-noon.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

March 9^th, 2009

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  Pets!--This week we are learning about pets in Preschool and Kindergarten. You are welcome to bring your pet in to school any day this week for your child to show the class. Please speak to me about when would be a good time/day for you. Right at the beginning of the day or at the very end would be the best times of the day for that excitement.

  
  


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  Book Orders—Are due back to school on Friday.

  
  

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  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). 330 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of March in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. March is the last month Book It! for Kindergarten. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


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  PRESCHOOL BOOK IT!--Preschoolers and parents, please use the Book It calendar that was sent home last week to keep track of your reading progress at home. Aim for the suggested 20 minutes per day. Return the March portion of the calendar at the end of March for a Pizza Hut certificate!

  
  


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  Lutheran School's Week—Has come to a close. I hope all parents and grandparents enjoyed The Annual Granny Awards! I was pleased to see so many parents and grandparents show up for the performances. It really means a lot to your child to have you come and support him/her! Thank you! This week, we are looking forward to finally getting back into our routine again.

  
  

Story Time

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  Millions of Cats—By: Wanda Gag

  
  


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  Mama Cat Has Three Kittens—By: Denise Fleming

  
  


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  Farmer Cap—By: Jill Kalz (who is a local author, from New Ulm!)

  
  

Christ Light-- We are learning lessons 3A: Peter Sins, and 3B: Jesus Before Pilate.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Qq” this week in Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will be learning all about pets this week with Ms. S. We will be learning about what animals make good pets and what animals would not make good pets. We will also be learning about the responsibilities that come with owning a pet. We will be reading My Dog Rosie by: Isabelle Harper and Barry Moser.

Math—This week we will be working a lot on counting and adding nickels. We will also be working with shapes and halves of shapes.

Reading Activities—This week begins our unit on animals! We are focusing on pets this week. We will learn all about which animals make good or bad pets, all the work it takes to care for a pet, and the responsibility, but also fun, that comes along with having a pet!

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Monday, March 23rd- No School.

  
  


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  Tuesday, March 24th- Preschool Open House from 9-10am. 3^rd Quarter report cards go home.

  
  


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  Wednesday, March 25th- Kindergarten Open House 8:15-noon.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

February 23^rd, 2009

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  Lutheran Schools Week—Is next week! We are very excited especially about the first two days. Please read your Warrior Weekly for information about the events. If you have further questions, you know where to reach me.

  
  


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  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). 300 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of February in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  

Story Time

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  Goldilocks and the Three Bears—By: Darlene Spivak

  
  


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  First the Egg—By: Laura Seeger

  
  


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  Go, Dog. Go!—By: P.D. Eastman

  
  

Christ Light-- We are in Set 3 of the Christ Light Series this week and will be learning lessons 1A: The Wicked Farmers, and 1B: The Wedding Clothes.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Xx” this week in Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool is learning about planets and stars this week. Mr. X join us in reading the book Planets by: Kim Jackson. We will even be making our own rockets!

Math—We are working with tangrams this week in Math.

Reading Activities—This week our focus is on the stars and planets. We will be creating our own large drawing of the planets and reading the book I Want to be an Astronaut by: Byron Barten.

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Friday, February 27th- No School. MLC Basketball Tournament

  
  


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  Monday, March 2nd- Parents Day at St. John's!

  
  


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  Tuesday, March 3rd- Grandparents Day at St. John's!

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

February 9^th, 2009

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  Valentine's Day—On Friday we will be celebrating Valentine's Day here at school with a small afternoon party. If your child is attending school that day, you are welcome to bring valentines along to pass out. We have 7 students in our class. If your child does not attend on Friday, but would still like to bring valentines, he/she is welcome to bring them on Thursday.

  
  


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  Ross Park—Grades PK-2^nd will be visiting the Ross Park Adult Day Care on Friday. Attached is a permission slip. Please sign and return by Thursday. Thank you!

  
  


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  No School—There is no school next week Monday, February 16^th and Thursday, February 19^th. Due to having only three days of school next week, I will not be sending home a newsletter next week. Next weeks info is included in this week's newsletter.

  
  


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  Book Orders—February book orders are due back at school on Friday. Thank you!

  
  


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  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). 300 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of February in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  

Story Time

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  Froggy's First Kiss—By: Jonathan London

  
  


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  Fox in Socks—By: Dr. Seuss

  
  


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  Cookie's Week—By: Cindy Ward

  
  

Christ Light-- We will be learning lessons 12A: The Story of the Three Servants, and 12B: The Workers in the Vineyard. Next week's lessons are 13A: Taxes to Ceasar, and 13B: A Poor Woman's Offering.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Vv” this week in Handwriting. We are catching up in Phonics. Next week we will be learning the letter “Jj.”

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool is experimenting with water this week. Ms. U join us in reading the book Splash! by: Flora McDonnell. Next week we will be experimenting with all different kinds of sounds. Ms. J will read Mice Squeak, We Speak by: Tomie dePaola.

Math—During the next two weeks of Math, we will be ordering objects according to their length, acting out addition and subtraction stories, comparing numbers, and making ABBC patterns.

Reading Activities—This week we will be learning about different landforms all over the earth. We will even be going on a rock hunt! Next week we will be learning about the importance of recycling and how we can help to keep our earth clean!

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Friday, February 13th—Grades PK-2^nd walk to Ross Park for a visit

  
  


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  Friday, February 13th—Book orders due back at school

  
  


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  Monday, February 16th—No School – President's Day

  
  


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  Thursday, February 19th—No School – Faculty Seminar Day

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

February 2^nd, 2009

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  Happy Groundhog Day! If you haven't already looked into it, be sure to ask your child if Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow today!

  
  


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  Book Orders—February book orders are being sent home today. They are due back at school on Friday, February 13^th. Thank you!

  
  


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  BJ Bear is on the move again!

  
  A schedule with names and dates has been sent home.

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  Our 100^th Day of School—We will be having a party at school in grades PK-2 to celebrate our 100^th day of school this Friday, February 6^th! All Kindergarteners and Preschoolers (who attend that day) will be asked to bring to school 100 of something. Examples: 100 pennies, 100 matchbox cars, 100 paper clips, 100 pencils, 100 beads, 100 crayons, anything you may have around the house and can fit in a grocery bag! Feel free to get creative with it!

  
  


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  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). 300 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of February in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  

Story Time

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  Groundhog Gets a Say—As Told To: Pamela Swallow

  
  


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  Sheila Rae, the Brave—By: Kevin Henkes

  
  


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  Once Upon a Banana—By: Jennifer Armstrong

  
  

Christ Light-- We will be learning lessons 11A: Mary Anoints Jesus, and 11B: Jesus Rides Into Jerusalem.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Ll” this week in Handwriting. We are catching up in Phonics.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool is learning about light and dark! We will be doing a lot of experimenting with light and dark. We also will read What the Sun Sees, What the Moon Sees by: Nancy Tafuri.

Math—This week in Math, we will be doing many different things from ordering the numbers 0-20 to graphing, geoboards, and comparing the length of classroom objects.

Reading Activities—Our focus this week is on the seasons. We will be watching some short videos about the different seasons. As we read The Tiny Seed by Eric Carle, we will look at the life of a seed and how it travels throughout the seasons.

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Friday, February 6th—Our 100^th Day of School!

  
  


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  Friday, February 13th—Grades PK-2^nd walk to Ross Park for a visit

  
  


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  Friday, February 13th—Book orders due back at school

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

January 26^th, 2009

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  Our 100^th Day of School—Provided we do not have any cancellations between now and then, we will be having a party at school in grades PK-2 to celebrate our 100^th day of school on Friday, February 6^th! All Kindergarteners and Preschoolers (who attend that day) will be asked to bring to school 100 of something. Examples: 100 pennies, 100 matchbox cars, 100 paper clips, 100 pencils, 100 beads, 100 crayons, anything you may have around the house and can fit in a grocery bag! Feel free to get creative with it!

  
  


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  It is very important that all students bring their WEB journals to school every day beginning today. We will be using them every morning for the remainder of the year. Thank you!

  
  


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  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). 300 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of January in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  

Story Time

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  Substitute Groundhog—By: Pat Miller

  
  


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  Officer Buckle and Gloria—By: Peggy Rathmann

  
  


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  Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!—By: Candace Fleming

  
  

Christ Light-- We will be learning lessons 10A: Jesus Raises Lazarus, and 10B: Zacchaeus.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Yy” this week in Handwriting. We are catching up in Phonics.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will begin our unit on nature this week. We will begin with Ms. V teaching us about seeds and plants. We will be reading the books Flower Garden by: Eve Bunting and Seed Song by: Judy Saksie.

Math—We will be learning how to place pictures on a pictograph this week. We will also be doing a lot of measuring and comparing the length of objects.

Reading Activities—We will be learning all about weather this week! From the sun and wind, to rain, snow, and storms, we will cover it all. Weather and the change of seasons is a great gift from God! We will be watching the weather closely this week and using our journals to keep track of what we see happening outside.

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Friday, February 6th—Our 100^th Day of School!

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

January 20^th, 2009

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  It is very important that all students bring their WEB journals to school every day beginning today. We will be using them every morning for the remainder of the year. Thank you!

  
  


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  Sunday-Grades K-2 are scheduled to sing at church for the early service. We will be joining the choir for this piece of music. The children's part is “Jesus Loves Me” and because the Preschoolers also know this song, they are more than welcome to join us on Sunday!

  
  


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  Parents of Kindergarteners- Please be sure to have your child read the words on the back of his/her phonics worksheets to you as they are sent home. Thank you!

  
  


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  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). 300 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of January in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  

Story Time

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  The Thing That Bothered Farmer Brown—By: Teri Sloat

  
  


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  Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse—By: Kevin Henkes

  
  


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  Where The Wild Things Are—By: Maurice Sendak

  
  

Christ Light-- We will be learning lessons 9A: The Rich Man and Poor Lazarus, and 9B: The Rich Young Ruler.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Ee” this week in Handwriting. We are catching up in Phonics.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will be learning about transportation this week with “Ms. T.” We will be reading the book D. W. Rides Again by: Marc Brown and reviewing On the Go by: Ann Morris. This is the same material as listed in last week's newsletter. Due to the short amount of time spent at school last week and some preschoolers being absent each day, we did not have time for much Circle Time at all.

Math—We will be continuing with what we did not get around to last week, as well as using dimes to count up to $1.00.

Reading Activities—We are continuing to learn about transportation this week! This week we will focus on reading and using maps to get around.

Important Upcoming Dates:

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  Sunday, January 25th—K-2 sing for the early service. (Preschool is welcome to join us as well!)

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

January 12^th, 2009

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  Parents of Kindergarteners- Please be sure to have your child read the words on the back of his/her phonics worksheets to you as they are sent home. Thank you!

  
  


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  Beginning this week, our morning work time will be slowly replaced with center time in the morning. This means that, especially for the Kindergarteners, they will have a more structured work time which will better prepare them for 1^st grade!

  
  


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  Just a heads-up to parents of preschoolers...January 16^th is the end of the 2^nd quarter. If you are interested in changing the days your child is attending, you will be able to change the attendance starting on the 20^th.

  
  


• 
  

  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). 300 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of January in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day—By: Judith Viorst

  
  


• 
  

  Harold's ABC—By: Crockett Johnson

  
  


• 
  

  No Jumping on the Bed!—By: Tedd Arnold

  
  

Christ Light-- We will be learning lessons 8A: The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and 8B: A Father Forgives His Son.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Cc” this week in Handwriting. We are catching up in Phonics.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will be learning about transportation this week with “Ms. T.” We will be reading the books D. W. Rides Again by: Marc Brown and On the Go by: Ann Morris.

Math—We will be identifying and ordering the numbers 0-20 this week, as well as working with cup and quart containers!

Reading Activities—We are learning about transportation this week! There are so many different kinds of transportation to talk about in so little time! Next week we will be looking at how we can use maps to find out where we are and how to get where we want to go.

Important Upcoming Dates:

• 
  

  Friday, January 16th—End of 2^nd Quarter. Early Dismissal at 12:30pm

  
  


• 
  

  Monday, January 19th—No School

  
  


• 
  

  Sunday, January 25th—K-2 sing for the early service. (Preschool is welcome to join us as well!)

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

January 5^th, 2009

• 
  

  Happy New Year! I am really looking forward to getting back into the swing of things this month. The chaos of Christmas, rehearsals, and schedules being crazy at home and at school really took its toll on the students (and teachers!) in December. Here's to January being a calm month!

  
  


• 
  

  Beginning next week, our morning work time will be slowly replaced with center time in the morning. This means that, especially for the Kindergarteners, they will have a more structured work time which will better prepare them for 1^st grade!

  
  


• 
  

  Just a heads-up to parents of preschoolers...January 16^th is the end of the 2^nd quarter. If you are interested in changing the days your child is attending, you will be able to change the attendance starting on the 20^th.

  
  


• 
  

  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). 300 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of January in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  Mrs. Toggle's Beautiful Blue Shoes—By: Robin Pulver

  
  


• 
  

  Harold and the Purple Crayon—By: Crockett Johnson

  
  


• 
  

  I'm Not Feeling Well Today—By: Shirley Neitzel

  
  

Christ Light-- We will be learning lessons 7A: Mary and Martha, and 7B: The Great Dinner.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Zz” this week in Handwriting. We have plenty of catching up to do in the coming weeks in Phonics.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will be reviewing all of the letters we have learned so far. We will be using all different things from shaving cream to paint to glue and glitter to review our letters. We will also be doing many fun things including cutting, sewing, and coloring, all of which will strengthen our fine motor muscles.

Math—This week in Math Class we will be learning about dimes! We will also do some more work with our geoboards.

Reading Activities—We are finishing up our work with jobs this week. It is interesting to hear as lesson wraps up, just what each students wants to be when he/she grows up.

Important Upcoming Dates:

• 
  

  Friday, January 16th—End of 2^nd Quarter. Early Dismissal at 12:30pm

  
  


• 
  

  Monday, January 19th—No School

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

December 15^th, 2008

• 
  

  Gift Exchange—The past two weeks of the Warrior Weekly has included information about the gift exchanges going on in each classroom. Please be sure to bring your child's gift for the gift exchange on Tuesday, December 23^rd. If you cannot bring a gift, please let me know as soon as possible. Because we have two boys and two girls in each of preschool and kindergarten, you can probably figure out who your child's gift will go to for our Christmas party. Questions, feel free to ask.



• 
  

  There will NOT be a newsletter sent home next week, due to it being a very short school week.



• 
  

  Christmas Rehearsal—We will be doing a lot of practicing for the Christmas program this week at school, however, it is very important that your child is in attendance at the rehearsal scheduled for this coming Sunday at church at 9:15am. This is the only rehearsal that our Sunday school students who are not St. John's students, will be attending and it is important that all students are there for everyone to realize where they will be sitting, who else will be speaking/singing with them, etc. Please let me know if your child is unable to attend the rehearsal this coming Sunday. Thank you!

• 
  

  Christmas gifts?—If anyone is interested in getting a gift for Miss Zastrow for Christmas… I ask first that you please do not. The privilege of having your children in my classroom every day is most certainly the most I could ever ask for! But if you absolutely must, with last week's newsletter, I attached a list of games that I would like to have for classroom use. Thank you!

• 
  

  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). I realize that December can be a busy month, however, please do not forget the importance of reading and routine in your child's life. For the month of December, we will count just the # of school days at 15min/day. 255 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of December in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.



• 
  

  Merry Christmas! I pray that you all have safe travels and a truly restful, enjoyable, Blessed Christmas, as you remember and celebrate the birth of our Savior!

Story Time

• 
  

  Thomas' Snowsuit—By: Robert Munsch



• 
  

  Caps, Hats, Socks, and Mittens—By: Louise Borden



• 
  

  The Stable Where Jesus Was Born—By: Rhonda Gowler Greene

Christ Light-- We will be learning lessons 5A: The Good Samaritan, and 5B: The Servant Who Did Not Forgive.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Bb” and “Uu” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time—Preschool will be spending circle time working on some (top secret!) Christmas projects this week, as well as rehearsing for the program.

Math—This week in Math Class we will be working more with our geoboards and paying for items using pennies.

Reading Activities—We will continue with our unit on Community and Jobs this week. Firefighters will be our first focus. We will then move on to many others, including police, doctors, librarians, etc.

Important Upcoming Dates:

• 
  

  Friday, December 19th—PK-8 Caroling at Sleepy Eye Care Center, Divine Providence, and Ross Park



• 
  

  Sunday, December 21st—Christmas program rehearsal at church, 9:15am.



• 
  

  Wednesday, December 24th—No School. Christmas Eve Service, 6:30pm.



• 
  

  Wednesday, December 24th-Sunday, January 4th—No School

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

December 8^th, 2008

• 
  

  Our classroom hair salon area has become a Christmas wrapping area! Many thanks for the donations towards this area! I will let you know if we have a need for more donations in the form of wrapping paper or scotch tape.

  
  


• 
  

  Gift Exchange—Be sure to look at the Weekly Warrior for information regarding our Christmas gift exchange. This applies to our classroom as well as all the other rooms. Because we have two boys and two girls in each of preschool and kindergarten, you can probably figure out who your child's gift will go to for our Christmas party. Questions, feel free to ask.

  
  

• 
  

  Christmas gifts?—If anyone is interested in getting a gift for Miss Zastrow for Christmas… I ask first that you please do not. The privilege of having your children in my classroom every day is most certainly the most I could ever ask for! But if you absolutely must, with this week's newsletter, I have attached a list of games that I would like to have for classroom use. Thank you!

  
  

• 
  

  Christmas program—Information has been sent home with your child about his/her lines for the Christmas program. If you would like a CD of the music to borrow to practice with at home, let me know and I can get you one. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  BOOK IT!--We have increased our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). I realize that December can be a busy month, however, please do not forget the importance of reading and routine in your child's life. For the month of December, we will count just the # of school days at 15min/day. 255 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of December in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


• 
  

  Story Time—I would love to have more parent (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, friend, etc.) volunteers for our morning story time. Let me know if you would like to come and read to the students from about 8:15-8:45 in the morning. You may come every day for a whole week, or any day or days that you can make it.

  
  
  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  Good-Bye, Arnold!—By: P.K. Roche

  
  


• 
  

  Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed—By: Eileen Christelow

  
  


• 
  

  Nativity—By: Felicity Brooks

  
  
  
  

Christ Light-- We will be learning lessons 4A: Jesus Shows His Glory, and 4B: Peter Tells Who Jesus Is.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Kk” and “Bb” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- “Mr. G” will be teaching us this week about how everyone needs a home, and many of our homes are different. We will be reading Houses and Homes by: Ann Morris and All Kinds of Children by: Norma Simon.

Math—This week in Math Class we will be exploring patterns and geoboards!

Reading Activities—We are beginning our unit on Community and Jobs this week! We will be looking at the importance of all different kinds of jobs within our community. Firefighters will be our first focus. If there is a parent who would like to come in to speak with the class about his/her job sometime, you are more than welcome to do so! Just let me know, we would love to have you!

Important Upcoming Dates:

• 
  

  Friday, December 19th—PK-8 Caroling at Sleepy Eye Care Center, Divine Providence, and Ross Park

  
  


• 
  

  Sunday, December 21st—Christmas program rehearsal at church, 9:15pm.

  
  


• 
  

  Wednesday, December 24th—Christmas Eve Service, 6:30pm.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

December 1st, 2008

• 
  

  Book orders—December book orders are being sent home with your child today. To ensure that they are delivered back to school before Christmas break, they are due back at school by this coming Friday, December 5^th, instead of the usual two weeks from now.

  
  


• 
  

  Our classroom hair salon area will soon be turned into a Christmas wrapping area! I am looking for donations towards this area in the form of scotch tape and wrapping paper. This will be a great way for your child to practice his/her wrapping skills without using all of your really nice wrapping paper from home! Scotch tape can be donated in the form of just a roll or a roll in the plastic dispenser.

  
  

• 
  

  Christmas gifts?—If anyone is interested in getting a gift for Miss Zastrow for Christmas… I ask first that you please do not. The privilege of having your children in my classroom every day is most certainly the most I could ever ask for! But if you absolutely must, with next week's newsletter, I will be attaching a list of games that I would like to have for classroom use. Thank you!

  
  

• 
  

  Christmas program—Information has been sent home with your child about his/her lines for the Christmas program. If you would like a CD of the music to borrow to practice with at home, let me know and I can get you one. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  Reminder—grades K-8 sing in church this coming Wednesday at the 7pm service.

  
  


• 
  

  Parents of Kindergarten children—Small books were sent home last week with your child in a ziploc bag. Please have your child read these books to you whenever they come home and return them when you have finished. They will always be sent home at the beginning of the week and should be returned by the end of that same week. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  BOOK IT!--We are going to increase our goal to 15 minutes/day (M-F). I realize that December can be a busy month, however, please do not forget the importance of reading and routine in your child's life. For the month of December, we will count just the # of school days at 15min/day. 255 minutes should be recorded in your child's WEB journal by the end of December in order for him/her to receive a Pizza Hut certificate. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


• 
  

  Story Time—I would love to have more parent (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, friend, etc.) volunteers for our morning story time. Let me know if you would like to come and read to the students from about 8:15-8:45 in the morning. You may come every day for a whole week, or any day or days that you can make it.

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  The Stable Where Jesus Was Born—By: Rhonda Gowler Greene

  
  


• 
  

  The Gingerbread Man—By: Jim Aytesworth

  
  


• 
  

  The Very Lonely Firefly—By: Eric Carle

  
  

Christ Light-- We will be learning lessons 3A: Jesus Feeds More Than Five Thousand People, and 3B: Jesus Walks on the Water.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letter “Rr” and “Kk” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- “Ms. Y” will be teaching us about the importance of rest. This is especially important to remember during the month of December. We will be reading Yellow Yarn Yo Yo by: Kathleen Fischer and Good Night! By: Claire Masurel and Marie Henry.

Math—This week in Math Class we will be writing, ordering, and counting money amounts up to 10 cents using pennies.

Reading Activities—This week we are learning all about the importance of exercise! We will be learning how exercising is healthy for us and all of the different ways people exercise.

Upcoming Important Dates:

• 
  

  Friday, December 5th—Book orders are due today!

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

November 24^th, 2008

• 
  

  Christmas program—Information is being sent home with your child today about his/her lines for the Christmas program. If you would like a CD of the music to borrow to practice with at home, let me know and I can get you one. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  Reminder—grades K-8 sing in church this coming Wednesday at the 7pm service.

  
  


• 
  

  Parents of Kindergarten children—Small books are being sent home with your child in a ziploc bag. Please have your child read these books to you whenever they come home and return them when you have finished. They will always be sent home at the beginning of the week and should be returned by the end of that same week. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  BOOK IT!--All Kindergarten students are invited to participate in the BOOK IT! program this year. 10 minutes/day (M-F) is our goal for the month of November. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. Please record the minutes spent reading in your child's WEB journal. By the end of November, you should have 200 minutes of reading time recorded for the month in order to meet the goal. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


• 
  

  Story Time—I would love to have more parent (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) volunteers for our morning story time. Let me know if you would like to come and read to the students from about 8:15-8:45 in the morning. You may come every day for a whole week, or any day or days that you can make it.

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  The Jacket I Wear in the Snow—By: Shirley Neitzel

  
  


• 
  

  If You Give a Pig a Pancake—By: Laura Numeroff

  
  


• 
  

  The Snowy Day—By: Ezra Jack Keats

  
  

Christ Light-- We will be learning lessons 2A: The Death of John the Baptist, and 2B: Jesus Teaches Simon.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letters “Ff” and “Rr” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- “Ms. E” will be teaching us about the importance of exercise. We will read the book Clap Your Hands by: Lorinda Cauley.

Math-- This week in Math Class we will continue practicing telling time to the hour.

Reading Activities-- During Reading class this week we will be working on some thanksgiving projects. We also will each be writing a letter to baby Jesus this week that will eventually be published in the Sleepy Eye newspaper.

Upcoming Important Dates:

• 
  

  Wednesday, November 26th—Grades K-8 sing for church-7pm

  
  


• 
  

  Thursday, November 27th—No School—Happy Thanksgiving!!

  
  


• 
  

  Friday, November 28th—No School

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

November 17^th, 2008

• 
  

  Winter Clothes!--The snow has come! Your child must always have a winter coat, snow pants, boots, hat, and mittens at school for recess every day that there is any snow on the ground.

  
  


• 
  

  We will be beginning work on our Christmas program for this year very soon. Surveys are being sent home with this newsletter regarding your child's attendance in the program. Please return these to school as soon as you know if your child will be participating. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  Parents of Kindergarteners—We are starting Set 2 of our Christ Light series for Bible Story time... I will be sending home the books for Set 2 with your child. Please return Set 1 if you would like them to be available for another child in the future. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  Our classroom Birthday Area has been replaced by a Hair Salon Area. If you have anything to donate to this area, please send it with your child to school sometime soon. Possible things we could use might be: empty and clean shampoo bottles, pretend scissors (ones that don't actually cut!), and small clean bath towels.

  
  


• 
  

  BOOK IT!--All Kindergarten students are invited to participate in the BOOK IT! program this year. 10 minutes/day (M-F) is our goal for the month of November. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. Please record the minutes spent reading in your child's WEB journal. By the end of November, you should have 200 minutes of reading time recorded for the month in order to meet the goal. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


• 
  

  Story Time—I would love to have more parent (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) volunteers for our morning story time. Let me know if you would like to come and read to the students from about 8:15-8:45 in the morning. You may come every day for a whole week, or any day or days that you can make it.

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  The Big Wide Mouthed Frog—By: Ana Martin Larranaga

  
  


• 
  

  Mouse Count—By: Ellen Stoll Walsh

  
  


• 
  

  Hop on Pop—By: Dr. Seuss

  
  

Christ Light-- This week we are beginning Set 2 of our Christ Light Series. We will be learning lessons 1A: Jesus Heals a Captains Servant, and 1B: Jesus Answers the Prayer of a Canaanite Woman.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letters “Ss” and “Ff” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- “Mr. C” will be teaching us about our needs this week, especially our need of healthy food! We will read the books Mouse Mess by: Linnea Riley and What Do We Need? by: Trisha Callella.

Math-- This week in Math Class we will be working with our shapes, graphing, and acting out stories using pennies. We will also be working on telling time to the hour.

Reading Activities-- We will first be finishing up our work with the food pyramid this week. We will also be doing some Thanksgiving activities with Thanksgiving food, Brennan the Bear, and his idea to eat half of everything so that he won't get as full!

Upcoming Important Dates:

• 
  

  Monday, November 17th—PTO Meeting, Church Basement, 7pm

  
  


• 
  

  Wednesday, November 26th—Grades K-8 sing for church-7pm

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

November 10^th, 2008

• 
  

  Winter Clothes!--The snow has come! Your child must always have a winter coat, snow pants, boots, hat, and mittens at school for recess every day that there is any snow on the ground.

  
  


• 
  

  Book Orders!-- This is a great opportunity to start stocking up on Christmas gifts! Book orders are due back to school on Friday. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  Some healthy eating information is being sent home with your child today. We are learning about how to eat healthy during our reading activities time this week. This is a good reminder we might need when it comes to busy winter mornings and packing your child's lunch box. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  BOOK IT!--All Kindergarten students are invited to participate in the BOOK IT! program this year. 10 minutes/day (M-F) is our goal for the month of November. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. Please record the minutes spent reading in your child's WEB journal. By the end of November, you should have 200 minutes of reading time recorded for the month in order to meet the goal. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


• 
  

  Story Time—I would love to have more parent (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) volunteers for our morning story time. Let me know if you would like to come and read to the students from about 8:15-8:45 in the morning. You may come every day for a whole week, or any day or days that you can make it.

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  Knuffle Bunny Too—By: Mo Willems

  
  


• 
  

  Imogene's Antlers—By: David Small

  
  


• 
  

  The Very First Thanksgiving Day—By: Rhonda Greene

  
  

Christ Light-- This week we are learning lessons 13A: Jesus Teaches Us About Loving Others, and 13B: Jesus Teaches Us Not To Worry.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letters “Ii” and “Ss” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- “Mr. O” will be teaching us all about opposites! We will read the book Good Morning, Good Night by: Michael Grejniec.

Math-- Some of the things we will be working at this week in Math class include: ordering the numbers 1-10 and identifying the missing number, counting pennies, and identifying ordinal position to the fourth.

Reading Activities-- We will be learning about the different food groups, the food pyramid, and all about healthy eating this week! Eating healthily is a great way we can take care of our bodies that God has blessed us with! We will be reading The Very Hungry Caterpillar by: Eric Carle and Bread and Jam for Frances by: Russell Hoban.

Upcoming Important Dates:

 



• 
  

  Friday, November 14th-- Book orders are due back to school.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

November 4^th, 2008

• 
  

  Book Orders!-- Book orders are being sent home today. This is a great opportunity to start stocking up on Christmas gifts! They are due back to school on Friday, November 14^th. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  Report cards—are being sent home today. Parent/Teacher Conferences have been scheduled and your appointment should have come home with your child last week. I look forward to meeting with you! :)

  
  


• 
  

  For those students who are here for our afternoon “Reading Activities” time, a note is being sent home with your child today, please have it filled out and returned by Friday. We will be discussing the rules your child has at home and why those rules are a good idea to have. We will also be looking at the jobs, or chores, that your child has at home that contribute to the family “getting along.”

  
  


• 
  

  BOOK IT!--All Kindergarten students are invited to participate in the BOOK IT! program this year. 10 minutes/day (M-F) is our goal for the month of November. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. Please record the minutes spent reading in your child's WEB journal. By the end of November, you should have 200 minutes of reading time recorded for the month in order to meet the goal. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


• 
  

  Story Time—Many thanks to Cheri Hammerschmidt for leading our story time last week! The students truly enjoyed having a new voice to hear telling stories! I would love to have more parent (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) volunteers for our morning story time. Let me know if you would like to come and read to the students from about 8:15-8:45 in the morning. You may come every day for a whole week, or any day or days that you can make it.

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  Scaredy Mouse—By: Alan Macdonald

  
  


• 
  

  A Plump and Perky Turkey—By: Teresa Bateman

  
  


• 
  

  Does a Kangaroo Have a Mother Too?—By: Eric Carle

  
  

Christ Light-- This week we are learning lessons 12A: Jairus' Daughter, and 12B: The Young Man from Nain.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letters “Nn” and “Ii” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- “Ms. F” will be teaching us about how we are all different. We will read the books All Kinds of Children by: Nora Simon, and The One and Only Special Me by: Rozanne Williams, and Follow My Funny Feet (Ms. F's book) by: Lynell Johnson.

Math-- Some of the things we will be working at this week in Math class include: Identifying triangles and squares, ordering the numbers 1-10 and counting backwards from 10!

Reading Activities-- This week we are learning about how we contribute to our family's life at home. Different children have different jobs and responsibilities at home and we will be taking a look at those differences in our lives at home.

Upcoming Important Dates:

• 
  

  Sunday, November 9th-- Grades K-2 sing in church at the 10:30 service.

  
  


• 
  

  Friday, November 14th-- Book orders are due back to school.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

October 27^th, 2008

• 
  

  PICTURES!--There are many many pictures up on our website now for you to enjoy. Be sure to direct grandparents, aunts and uncles, any relatives to the website so they can also see some of the things your child has been doing in school! The website address is: www.stjohnsse.com

  
  
  

  then click on “School,” “Pre-K&Kindergarten” and finally “Class Photos.”

  
  


• 
  

  BOOK IT!--All Kindergarten students are invited to participate in the BOOK IT! program this year. 10 minutes/day (M-F) is our goal for the month of October. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. Please record the minutes spent reading in your child's WEB journal. By the end of October, you should have 220 minutes of reading time recorded for the month in order to meet the goal. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


• 
  

   

  
  
  

  On Friday, October 31^st we have a ½ day of school. That morning grades PK-2^nd will be walking to the Ross Park Apartments to do some poems and songs for the adult day care program there. Your child may come to school with a costume on this day! :)

  
  


• 
  

  Story Time--I would love to have parent (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) volunteers for our morning story time. We read the same three books each day of the week, with a couple songs in between books. Let me know if you would like to come and read to the students from about 8:15-8:45 in the morning. You may come every day for a whole week, or any day or days that you can make it. If you have books that you would like to read, I would like to “preview” them first, or I can suggest some that we have at school for you to read.

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  If You Take a Mouse to School—By: Laura Numeroff

  
  


• 
  

  The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything—By: Linda Williams

  
  


• 
  

  Froggy Gets Dressed—By: Jonathan London

  
  

Christ Light-- This week we are learning lessons 11A: Jesus Calms the Storm, and 11B: Jesus and the Paralyzed Man.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letters “Mm” and “Nn” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- “Mr. D” will be teaching us about helping each other this week. We will read the book Can I Help? by: Marilyn Janovitz, and The Three Bears. Helping each other is a great way for us to show our love for God.

Math-- Some of the things we will be working at this week in Math class include: Identifying triangles and squares, covering designs using pattern blocks, and ordering and identifying missing numbers.

Reading Activities-- This week we are talking about helping others during our reading class. We will be reading many books about helping others. We will also spend time making some crafts to bring to the people we will be visiting on our trip to the adult day care at Ross Park on Friday.

Upcoming Important Dates:

• 
  

  Friday, October 31^st—9am grades PK-2^nd to Ross Park Apartments; 12:30 dismissal from school.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

October 13^th, 2008

• 
  

  Since this week is so short, I have included next week with this newsletter. I will not send a newsletter home with your child next Monday. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  PICTURES!--There are many many pictures up on our website now for you to enjoy. Be sure to direct grandparents, aunts and uncles, any relatives to the website so they can also see some of the things your child has been doing in school! The website address is: www.stjohnsse.com

  
  
  

  then click on “School,” “Pre-K&Kindergarten” and finally “Class Photos.”

  
  


• 
  

  BOOK IT!--All Kindergarten students are invited to participate in the BOOK IT! program this year. 10 minutes/day (M-F) is our goal for the month of October. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. Please record the minutes spent reading in your child's WEB journal. By the end of October, you should have 220 minutes of reading time recorded for the month in order to meet the goal. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

  
  


• 
  

   

  
  
  

  On Friday, October 31^st we have a ½ day of school. That morning grades PK-2^nd will be walking to the Ross Park Apartments to do some poems and songs for the adult day care program there. If this applies to your student, a permission slip is being sent home today, please return it by October 29^th. Your child may come to school with a costume on this day! :)

  
  


• 
  

   

  
  
  

  A BIG Thank you to the parents who came along to the fire station on Thursday!

  
  


• 
  

   

  
  
  

  Book orders!-- Due back to school by Wednesday, October 15^th. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  Starting with the week of October 20^th, I would love to have parent (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) volunteers for our morning story time. We read the same three books each day of the week, with a couple songs in between books. Let me know if you would like to come and read to the students from about 8:15-8:45 in the morning. You may come every day for a whole week, or any day or days that you can make it. If you have books that you would like to read, I would like to “preview” them first, or I can suggest some that we have at school for you to read.

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  When I'm Feeling Angry—By: Trace Moroney

  
  


• 
  

  The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear—By: Don and Audrey Wood

  
  


• 
  

  Leonardo the Terrible Monster—By: Mo Willems

  
  

   

  
  

Christ Light-- This week we are learning lessons 9A: The Great Catch of Fish, and 9B: Jesus Chooses Matthew. Next week we will learn lessons 10A: The Farmer and the Seed, and 10B: Weeds Among the Wheat.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letters “Pp” and “Aa” and “Nn” and this week and next week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- “Mr. B” will be teaching us about sharing this week. We will read the book We Can Share at School by: Rozanne Williams, and The Rainbow Fish by: Marcus Pfister. Sharing with others is a great way for us to show our love for God, who gave us anything and everything we have! Next week, “Ms. K” will teach us about being kind, another way we can share God's love with those around us.

Math-- This week in Math class, we will be learning how to act out story problems. Next week we will be using graphs again, this time creating a pictograph. We will also be identifying ordinal position to the fourth, something we sometimes do with our calendar, only this time we will be using our teddy bear counters!

Reading Activities-- We have a little bit of our five senses work to finish yet before we will be moving on to looking at where we live. When we learned all about fire prevention and safety last week, we also learned that it is important to know our address and phone number. This week we will be working on memorizing where we live. We will focus on various maps and how to use them. We will be reading Rosie's Walk by: Pat Hutchins. Next week we will also be touching on the importance of sharing and taking turns. We are going to spend a lot of time at school practicing these skills next week! \

Upcoming Important Dates:

• 
  

  Wednesday, October 15th—Book orders due back to school today.

  
  

• 
  

  Wednesday, October 29th—Permission slip to Ross Park due back to school today.

  
  


• 
  

  Friday, October 31^st—9am grades PK-2^nd to Ross Park Apartments; 12:30 dismissal from school.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

October 6^th, 2008

• BOOK IT!--All Kindergarten students are invited to participate in the BOOK IT! Program this year (there will be one for Preschool later on this school year). We will start out at 10 minutes/day (M-F) for the month of October. The program runs from October through March. A letter is being sent home with this newsletter with more information on what your child will receive for meeting the goal for the month of October. If your child meets the goal for each of six months, he/she will receive a certificate for an “All-Star Reader” award at the end of March. Please record the minutes spent reading in your child's WEB journal. If they are not recorded, your child will not receive credit for them. By the end of October, you should have 220 minutes of reading time recorded for the month of October in order to meet the goal. The minutes will count for BOOK IT! as well as for WEB reading.

• Show and Tell! Fridays are our show and tell days here at school, you may send one item (or several small items if it is a set of something) to school with your child to share with the class.

•  

  On Friday, October 31^st we have a ½ day of school. That morning grades PK-2^nd will be walking to the Ross Park Apartments to do some poems and songs for the adult day care program there. If this applies to your student, a permission slip is being sent home today, please return it by October 29^th. Your child may come to school with a costume on this day! :)

•  

  This week is National Fire Prevention Week. We may be taking a walking field trip to the fire department to see the fire trucks and learn about fire safety and prevention. I need to check with the department on a few details yet, keep your eyes open for a permission slip to come home that will need to be returned immediately. Also... any parents who are able to come with us, please let me know ASAP, because whether or not I have another adult along to help with “crowd control” will affect the scheduled time we will be going. :o)

•  

  Book orders!--book orders are being sent home with this newsletter today. Book orders are a great way to build up your child's home library while earning points for our classroom to receive free books! They are due back to school by Wednesday, October 15^th. Thank you!

• Starting with the week of October 20^th, I would love to have parent (or grandparent, aunt, uncle, etc.) volunteers for our morning story time. We read the same three books each day of the week, with a couple songs in between books. Let me know if you would like to come and read to the students from about 8:15-8:45 in the morning. You may come every day for a whole week, or any day or days that you can make it. If you have books that you would like to read, I would like to “preview” them first, or I can suggest some that we have at school for you to read.

Story Time

• The Bravest Fish—By: Matt Buckingham

• When Autumn Falls—By: Kelli Nidey

• Me First—By: Helen Lester

Christ Light-- This week we are learning lessons 8A: Jesus and the People of Nazareth, 8B: Jesus Heals a Sick Woman.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letters “Tt” and “Pp” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- Preschool will be working with our letter person, “Ms. A”. We will be focusing on our feelings this week. One of the books we will read is Sometimes I Feel Like a Mouse by: Jeanne Modesitt.

Math-- This week in Math class, we will be working with shape, color, and size. We will also be sequencing the numbers 1-10.

Reading Activities-- Our focus this week is again on the five senses. We will be using each of our five senses to do some experimenting to determine what things are. We will be reading the books Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You See? by: Eric Carle, and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by: Bill Martin Jr.

Upcoming Important Dates:

•  

  Sunday, October 12th—Grades K-2^nd will be singing in church at the 8am service. Meet in the 1st and 2nd grade room at 7:45am.
  

• Wednesday, October 15th—Book orders due back to school today.

• Wednesday, October 29th—Permission slip to Ross Park due back to school today.

• Friday, October 31^st—9am grades PK-2^nd to Ross Park Apartments; 12:30 dismissal from school.

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

September 29^th, 2008

• 
  

  Show and Tell! Fridays are our show and tell days here at school, you may send one item (or several small items if it is a set of something) to school with your child to share with the class.

  
  


• 
  

  On Friday, October 31^st we have a ½ day of school. That morning grades PK-2^nd will be walking to the Ross Park Apartments to do some poems and songs for the adult day care program there. If this applies to your student, a permission slip will be sent home at a later date. You may have seen a previous calendar date of this coming Friday with grades PK-2^nd walking to the Sleepy Eye Care Center. It has been decided, due to the long distance and short legs ;o), that we will be walking to Ross Park Apartments from now on, instead of the Sleepy Eye Care Center. This coming Friday, we will NOT be going to the Care Center. Thank you!

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  The Eye Book—By: Theo. LeSieg

  
  


• 
  

  The Biggest Leaf Pile—By: Steve Metzger

  
  


• 
  

  Giggle, Giggle, Quack—By: Doreen Cronin

  
  

Christ Light-- This week we are learning lessons 7A: Nicodemus, 7B: Jesus and the Woman at the Well.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letters “Hh” and “Tt” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- Preschool will be working with our letter person, “Mr. M” this week. We will be learning all about our five senses. One of the books we will read is My Five Senses by: Aliki.

Math-- This week in Math class, we will be using our graphs and teddy bear counters again. We will also be focusing on learning about circles and rectangles.

Reading Activities-- Our focus this week is on the five senses. We will be using each of our five senses to do some experimenting to determine what things are. We will be reading the books My Five Senses by: Aliki, Polar Bear, Polar Bear, What Do You See? By: Eric Carle, and Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by: Bill Martin Jr.

Upcoming Important Dates:

• 
  

   

  
  
  

  Sunday, October 12th—Grades K-2^nd will be singing in church at the 8am service.

  
  


• 
  

  Friday, October 31^st—9am grades PK-2^nd to Ross Park Apartments; 12:30 dismissal from school.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

September 22^nd, 2008

• 
  

  Happy 1^st Day of Autumn!

  
  


• 
  

  W.E.B. Journals are ready. Don't forget to read with your child as often and regularly as possible!

  
  


• 
  

  BOOKS may start coming home with your child. These are school books, so please be sure to always keep them in your child's backpack when at home so they do not get lost. I will keep track of which books are coming home with you, so that if one is lost, you know which to look for. Your child may keep a book for one or several days at a time before exchanging it for a new one. Only two books at a time will be allowed to be brought home.

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  The Flea's Sneeze—By: Lynn Downey

  
  


• 
  

  We Love Fall!—By: Diane Muldrow

  
  


• 
  

  The Trouble With Elephants—By: Chris Riddell

  
  

Christ Light-- This week we are learning lessons 6A: Jesus Changes Water into Wine, 6B: Jesus Makes a Sick Boy Well.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letters “Gg” and “Hh” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- Preschool will be working with our letter person, “Mr. H” this week. We will be reading the book Bernard's Bath by: Joan Elizabeth Goodman. Mr. H will be teaching us how to stay healthy by keeping clean!

Math-- This week in Math class, we will be creating patterns with our pattern blocks. We will also be sorting our pattern blocks by color.

Reading Activities-- Our focus this week is on our emotions. We will be talking about many of the different emotions we all experience, learning how we can deal with our emotions, how we can be aware of other people's emotions, and how to describe how we are feeling to others. One of the books we will be reading is Brave Bear by: Kathy Mallat.

Upcoming Important Dates:

• 
  

  Monday, September 29th- School pictures will be taken beginning at 9am.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

September 15^th, 2008

• 
  

  Preschool Parents-- You will find another “Family Activity” page attached to this newsletter. These are optional things you may do with your child at home. Every week that we study a new letter, an activity page will be sent home with this newsletter.

  
  


• 
  

  W.E.B. Journals are ready. Don't forget to read with your child as often and regularly as possible!

  
  


• 
  

  BOOKS may start coming home with your child. These are school books, so please be sure to always keep them in your child's backpack when at home so they do not get lost. I will keep track of which books are coming home with you, so that if one is lost, you know which to look for. Your child may keep a book for one or several days at a time before exchanging it for a new one. Only two books at a time will be allowed to be brought home.

  
  


• 
  

  Many thanks for returning the Highlights magazine order forms!

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!—By: Mo Willems

  
  


• 
  

  These Hands—By: Hope Lynne Price

  
  


• 
  

  Jessica—By: Kevin Henkes

  
  

Christ Light-- This week we are learning lessons 5A: Jesus is Baptized, 5B: Jesus Says No to Sin and the Devil.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is learning the letters “Oo” and “Gg” this week in Phonics and Handwriting.

Preschool Circle Time-- Preschool will be working with our letter person, “Ms. P” this week. We will be reading the books From Head to Toe by: Eric Carle and The One and Only Special Me by: Rozanne Williams. Ms. P will be teaching us about our bodies!

Math-- This week in Math class, we will be using linking cubes! We will also be creating an AB color pattern, working with graphs, and counting with one-to-one correspondence.

Reading Activities-- Our first theme for our Reading Activities time is “All About Me!” Our focus this week is on our bodies. God created us each with a body that moves and functions just as He intended it to. We will be learning about different parts of our bodies and what each part does for our body as a whole!

Upcoming Important Dates:

• 
  

  Monday, September 29th- School pictures will be taken beginning at 9am.

  
  

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

September 8^th, 2008

• 
  

  Preschool Parents-- You will find two “Family Activity” pages attached to this newsletter. These are optional things you may do with your child at home. Every week that we study a new letter, an activity page will be sent home with this newsletter.

  
  


• 
  

  BJ, our classroom teddy bear will begin his traveling this week! Attached I have a letter that will come along with BJ so that you know when he will be coming to your house!

  
  


• 
  

  Just a reminder to the parents of Preschoolers... please pay ahead, have your weekly payments made before the week your child is scheduled to attend. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  W.E.B. Journals are ready and you may begin! I have prepared your child's notebook. For more information on what the W.E.B. Program is, please look in the classroom handbook. Any other questions? Feel free to ask.

  
  


• 
  

  Book orders are due this week. Please have them returned with any checks made out to me by Friday, September 12^th.

  
  


• 
  

  Some have already returned the “Highlights” magazines order forms. Thank you! Whether you would like to subscribe or not, please sign and return all three forms. By simply signing, checking “yes” or “no” on the forms and returning them, you are helping our class to receive free classroom materials from “Highlights!” We did this a few times last year and we received a free bucket balance, a free pocket chart, and some free jump ropes! There are many new items this year as well that we could put to good use, so please help out by signing and returning the forms by Friday, September 12^th. If you are subscribing, you will also need to fill out the contact information as well. If you checked “no”, do not fill out your contact information on the forms. Thank you!

  
  

Story Time

• 
  

  Corduroy—By: Don Freeman

  
  


• 
  

  Owen—By: Kevin Henkes

  
  


• 
  

  Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?—By: Bill Martin Jr

  
  

Christ Light-- This week we are learning lessons 4A: Twelve Year Old Jesus, 4B: John, God's Worker.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is starting the school year by learning the letters “Ll” and “Oo.”

Preschool Circle Time-- Preschool will be working with our letter person, “Ms. W” this week. We will be reading the books Bear Gets Dressed by: Harriet Ziefert and Arnold Lobel and How's the Weather? by: Lynell Johnson. Ms. W loves words! She will share with us some of her favorite words that have to do with weather!

Math-- This week in Math class, we will be using our teddy bear counters and pattern blocks again. This time we will be looking at the shape of each of our pattern blocks and placing some of them on a graph!

Reading Activities-- Our first theme for our Reading Activities time is “All About Me!” God created us each special and unique from all others, and along with that, our families are all very different too! Our focus this week is on our families and the similarities and differences between them.

Upcoming Important Dates:

Friday, September 12^th—Book orders and “Highlights” order forms are due back to school.

Miss Zastrow's Weekly Newsletter

September 2^nd, 2008

• 
  

  Welcome back to school for those who are returning! Welcome to St. John's to the many new faces! I am very excited that this school year has begun and I truly look forward to getting to know each and every one of my students better as the year goes by!

  
  


• 
  

  This is my weekly newsletter that will be sent home on the first school day of each week. In it, you will first find a bulleted list of the news and announcements involving our classroom. Next you will find a list of the “story time” books we are reading this week and a listing of many of our activities each week and what we will specifically be focusing on learning and practicing that week. Lastly, you will find a short list of upcoming dates to remember that involve your child.

  
  


• 
  

  For those who don't know, www.stjohnsse.com is our school and church's website. Following links on that website, you will eventually find the Preschool and Kindergarten website. As the year goes by, I will be posting every newsletter on the website, as well as many many pictures of our activities here at school. You are welcome to check it out and direct others to it as well!

  
  


• 
  

  Just a reminder to the parents of Preschoolers... please pay ahead, have your weekly payments made before the week your child is scheduled to attend. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  W.E.B. Journals are ready and you may begin! I have prepared your child's notebook. For more information on what the W.E.B. Program is, please look in the classroom handbook. Any other questions? Feel free to ask.

  
  


• 
  

  Book Orders---book order forms are being sent home this week. Please have them returned with any checks made out to me by Friday, September 12^th. Book orders are a great way to build your child's home library. The benefits of reading to and with your child at home on a regular basis are incredible. I strongly encourage you to frequently spend time reading with your child!

  
  


• 
  

  Attached to this newsletter, you will find three half sheet order forms for “Highlights” magazines. These are all wonderful magazines that you might like to subscribe to. If you would like to see an example of any of these magazines, feel free to ask me, we have several of them in our classroom. However, whether you would like to subscribe or not, please sign and return all three forms! By simply signing, checking “yes” or “no” on the forms and returning them, you are helping our class to receive free classroom materials from “Highlights!” We did this a few times last year and we received a free bucket balance, a free pocket chart, and some free jump ropes! There are many new items this year as well that we could put to good use, so please help out by signing and returning the forms by Friday, September 12^th. If you are subscribing, you will also need to fill out the contact information as well. If you checked “no”, do not fill out your contact information on the forms. Thank you!

  
  


• 
  

  Finally, don't worry, there aren't normally this many bullets at the beginning of the newsletter!

  
  

• 
  

  Ruby in Her Own Time—By: Jonathan Emmett

  
  


• 
  

  Hug—By: Jez Alborough

  
  


• 
  

  You Are Special—By: Max Lucado

  
  

Christ Light-- This week we are learning lessons 2A: Jesus the Savior is Born, 2B:The Shepherds Learn that Jesus is Born, 3A: The Wise Men, and 3B:God Keeps Jesus Safe from Herod. Typically, we will hear just two stories each week, this week is the only exception.

Kindergarten Phonics and Handwriting-- Kindergarten is starting the school year by learning the letter “Ll.”

Preschool Circle Time-- Preschool will be working with our letter person, “Mr. N” this week. We will be reading the books From Anne to Zach by: Mary Jane Martin and What's My Name? by: Kathleen Fischer. Aside from studying our names, we will be learning about rhyming and practicing our sorting skills!

Math-- As we begin math class, we will be exploring some our math manipulatives that we will be working with throughout the year. This week we will be working with pattern blocks and teddy bear counters.

Reading Activities-- Our first theme for our Reading Activities time is “All About Me!” God created us each special and unique from all others, and we are going to celebrate those differences this week!

Upcoming Important Dates:

Friday, September 12^th—Book orders and “Highlights” order forms are due back to school.