Christmas

We are nearing the end of our month of Christmas activities and projects. There are a lot of fun decorations for our room that are all set to go up for our concerts next week. You might have been hearing some of the songs we will be singing as we have been practicing pretty hard on them. They are getting excited for the big day!

Thank you for working on building your child's independence for zipping their coats. We have almost our whole class in the "zipper club" now. I know it is a lot easier sometimes to pull their inside out snow pant legs the right way, fix their stuck sleeves, or to hold their jacket for them while they stick their arms in but these self help skills are ones they will use for many years to come. We have been trying to build those problem solving skills in our room and hopefully you are seeing some of that carry over at home.  

Cookies and Christmas Trees

This week we talked all about different kinds of cookies, read a few gingerbread stories, and even had the chance to decorate and enjoy a cookie in celebration of filling our big shield in the lunch room. We also have our class Christmas tree up in our classroom now and have begun starting to work on our holiday gifts and decorations. We are also hard at work learning our songs for the Christmas program. There was also a focus on the letter Cc and the number 4.

We are starting to display the trees that you are creating as a family project. Please send them back as you complete them so I can add them to our board. We are also filling up our zipper club board very quickly. I am so proud of these kids for their hard work on gaining independence with getting ready for recess and the end of the day.

Reminders:
--Please send back the bottom portion of the Christmas program invite to indicate whether your child will be going home following the concert or remaining at school for the day. This will not be an academic instructional day as most students do go home following the program.
--The December Families Being Involved event is on Dec. 8th at 2:00 in the Stetsonville Elementary gym for those families that signed up for cookie decorating.
--No school Friday, Dec. 22nd through Monday, Jan. 1st. School resumes Tuesday, Jan. 2nd.

Thanksgiving

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with family and friends. Whether you were out hunting in the woods or in stores looking for bargains, I hope you were successful. 

This week starts us off on our month long look at Christmas. We will be making a lot of holiday decorations, learning our songs for the upcoming concert, and reviewing the shapes, letters, and numbers we have done up to this point. 

There is a special presentation being held at the Taylor County Education Center on January 15th at 5:00 pm. Aspirus of Medford will be doing a Love and Logic Parenting presentation. Dinner will be served to those attending. Please see the attached flier.

Reminders:
--If you have not sent in a 4x6" photo of your child, please do so as we will be using this for a special craft. 
--Our next Families Being Involved event will be Dec. 8th at 2:00. Sign up slips are due today and tomorrow so we can be sure we have enough cookies for decorating!
--Christmas programs for Pre-K will be Dec. 20th and 21st starting at 9:30. Invites with more info have been sent home already, please be sure to send back the lower portion so we know if you intend to take your child home with you after the program. This is not an instructional day as most students go home following the program and visiting the room to get the special things we have been working on.

Scarecrows

This week our theme was "Scarecrows". We reviewed our shapes by making a large scarecrow and read stories about what scarecrows do to help gardeners and farmers. We had a visit from Mr. Joe this week too. He read us the story, "Little Fox's Surprise" and we were given a copy of the book to keep. We also reviewed the letter Hh and the number 2.

Next two weeks our theme will be "Thanksgiving".

There is a one question survey the district would like you to take regarding the school calendar for next year. There is an option for spring break or without. The link for info and the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/N8NB8ZX 

There are still tickets available for the special Polar Express event being held at the Broadway Theatre. 

Reminders:
--Please label all of your child's winter gear (boots, hats, gloves, jackets, and especially snow pants)
--Our Family event for Nov. is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17th for those who signed up. M/W begins at 8 and T/Th begins at 9:30. 
--Early release on Tuesday, Nov. 21st-dismissal at 1:52
--No school Wednesday, Nov. 22nd-Friday, Nov. 24th for Thanksgiving break
--December's Family event will be Friday, Dec. 8th in the afternoon at Stetsonville Elementary-info coming next week!
--Pre-K Christmas programs will be Dec. 20th and 21st. starting at 9:30. 
--No school Friday Dec. 22nd - Monday, Jan. 1st for Christmas Break

Night Time

This week our theme was "Night Time" and we had a lot of fun with our Pajama Day where we had a special snack and movie time to see Monster's Inc. We learned about how some animals come out at night to find food or to stay out of the hot sun in the deserts. We also talked about all the fun things people can do at night like roast marshmallows, look at the stars, or watch fireworks. We made a raccoon and an owl and created another class book all about what we like to do at night. We also focused on the letter Kk and the number 1. 

Next week our theme is "Scarecrows". 

Reminders:
--Quarter 1 ends next week-report cards will come home soon. Please remember the goal is for our students to have "B's" (meeting benchmark) at the end of the school year. We still have a long way to go in our year to continue working on skills. 
--Please be sure to send snow pants, warm gloves/mittens, coats (thicker than sweatshirts), and boots with your child for recess. Also, please be sure each item is labeled with your child's name. 
--MAES is hosting a fall festival Thursday, Nov. 9th. There will be food, games, and prizes. RSVP slips should be sent as soon as possible to be sure we have enough food for everyone. 
--Our next Families Being Involved event (Bowling at The Sports Page) will be Nov. 17th in the morning. Information went home this week and the RSVP slips and money for extra bowlers is due next Mon/Tues. 
--Early Release on Tuesday, Nov. 21st-dismissal at 1:52
--No School Nov. 22-24th for Thanksgiving Break

Pumpkins and Halloween

This week our theme was "Pumpkins and Halloween". We learned about how pumpkins grow, that there are more than just round orange ones, and that some can get REALLY big. We also focused on the letter Jj. 

We had a great time with our Halloween parties. The kids went on a parade throughout the school showing their costumes to our friends, we "trick-or-treated" in our room, played fall bingo, and had a really yummy witch's brew snack. 

Next week our theme will be "Night Time". 

Reminders:
--November 1st and 2nd will be Pajama Day. Please be sure your child's pajamas are warm enough for recess as we will still be going out.
--Our next Families Being Involved event will be Friday, Nov. 17th in the morning. More info and the sign up slips will be coming home next week.
--Early Release on Tuesday, Nov. 21st-dismissal at 1:52
--No school for all grades November 22nd-24th.

Fire Safety

This week our theme was "Fire Safety". We learned about the gear firefighters use, why having a plan for getting out of a building on fire and having a meeting place is important, and what it means to stop, drop, and roll. We made some fun painting projects like our spotted dalmatian and the finger painting scene of the Medford Fire Department putting out a fire. We also learned about the letter Ff. 

Today was our first Families Being Involved (FBI) event! Thank you to all of the families who joined us for pumpkin carving. :-) Our next event will be Friday, Nov. 17th in the morning-bowling at The Sports Page. More information will be coming soon!

Next week's theme will be "Pumpkins and Halloween".

Reminders:
--We will be starting our Zipper Club, the students who are able to show they can latch and zip their coat independently will have their photo posted on our bulletin board to celebrate meeting this Pre-K goal. 
--Picture retakes will be Tuesday, Oct. 24th and Wednesday, Oct. 25th in the morning. If you want retakes done, please send back the original photo packet. 
--We will be having a pajama day on Wednesday, Nov. 1st and Thursday, Nov. 2nd to go with our "Night Time" theme. We will still be going outside for recess, so please be sure your child's PJ's are warm enough or feel free to send a change of clothes for those portions of the day. 

Hibernation and Migration

This week was a short one but we learned about the words "Hibernation and Migration". We found out that some animals sleep through the winter, some wake up from time to time, and some leave for a warmer place for a few months. The kids had fun making turtles, ladybugs under logs, and we started decorating for Halloween with some big jack-o-lanterns using our hand prints.

Next week our theme will be "Fire Safety". 

Reminders:
--Our Families Being Involved event-pumpkin carving will be the 20th at 9:00 for those who signed up. If you still want to join us, please let me know as soon as possible so I can be sure there are enough pumpkins.
--Picture retakes will be on October 24th and 25th. If you want retakes done, please send back the original photo packet by that day. 
--Our Halloween parties will be the afternoon of October 25th and 26th. 
--Pajama Day will be November 1st and 2nd. We will still be going out for recess so please be sure they are warm enough or feel free to send a change of clothes.
--To sign up for text notifications from the district for school cancellations, text the message @notify to the number 920-843-9580 you can also sign up for email notifications by emailing notify@mail.remind.com

Leaves and fall

This week our theme was "Leaves and Fall". We found out there are many shapes, sizes and colors of leaves. We painted leaves, trees, and acorns. We also focused on the letter Ll. 

We had a fun visit by Mr. Joe who read us the story Splat the Cat and the Pumpkin Picking Plan. The kids we excited when they found out this was the story that they were going to be able to take home with them this month!  

Next week is a short week for Pre-K. No school Wednesday or Thursday for Pre-K students! Our theme will be "Hibernation and Migration". 

Reminders:
--Parent/Teacher conferences are Thursday, Oct. 12th from 1:00-8:00 pm. I also have times scheduled for the morning of Friday, Oct. 20th. If the time on your reminder slip that went home this week doesn't work, please let me know so we can reschedule.
--Our first Families Being Involved event will be Friday, Oct. 20th at 9:00 in the MAES commons. Please be sure to send back your sign up slip so we can be sure we have enough pumpkins for everyone!
--Picture retakes will be Oct. 24th and 25th. If you want your child to retake their photo please send back the original photo packet. 

Five Senses

This week our theme was "Our Five Senses". We were able to take a nature walk on the Kuse trail where we heard crickets, birds, machinery, and leaves falling. We saw leaves blowing in the wind, deer trails, a corn cob that an animal left behind, and tree sap. We felt the breeze, soft moss, crunchy leaves and bumpy rocks under our feet. Thankfully we did not smell any skunks! ☺ In class we made a fun smelling book and a touch/feel book. We also focused on the letter Yy. 

We have been having fun in the computer lab and being very creative with our blocks this week!

Next week our theme will be "Leaves and fall". 

Reminders:
--No school for Pre-K on Wednesday, Oct. 11th
--No school for all grades on Thursday, Oct. 12th and Friday, Oct. 13th
--Our first Families Being Involved (FBI) event will be Friday, Oct. 20th. More information is coming soon!

Apples

This week had a lot of events! We had our picture day Tuesday and Wednesday. As soon as pictures come back to us I will be sending them home. Lots of great smiles!! 


We also made our applesauce on Wednesday and Thursday. The Wed. group had the chance to see theirs turn pink after being cooked and strained because of the types of apples used. Most of us liked the taste test and we had complements of making the hallway smell delicious. With our apple theme we also focused on the letter Aa. 


We had the chance to review school expectations with Mr. Miller (our principal) and Mrs. Woller (our behavioral support member). Now that we have reviewed rules and expectations for the hallways, bathrooms, bus lines, lunch room, and classrooms we will be working to earn shields. The students will earn shields from staff members throughout the school when they are seen doing something extra helpful, respectful, safe, responsible. When they get a shield, they are placed on the LARGE shield in the lunchroom. When that one is filled we have a school-wide celebration of some sort. 

Next week our theme will be "Our Five Senses". Weather permitting, we will be taking a nature walk on the Kuse Trail Monday and Tuesday. Rain/mud boots or old shoes are welcome as the trail might be a little muddy. 




School Spirit week is also being celebrated next week. Mon/Tues will be Raider gear (or red and white shirts). Wed/Thurs will be Packer Day. 





Reminders:
--No Pre-K Oct. 11th due to Child Development Day
--No school all grades Oct. 12th and 13th due to Parent/Teacher Conferences

Shapes

We are off to a great start this year! This week we focused on shapes and colors. As you noticed we jump right in with cutting, gluing, and writing our names. These skills will continue to strengthen as the year goes by. We encourage you to have your child practice these fine motor skills at home too. 

If you have not done so, please send a change of clothes labeled with your child's name. We will keep these at school until Christmas break to ensure there are clothes suitable for winter as well as growth spurts that occur. 

Next week our theme is "Apples". We will also start our letter of the week, "Aa". We will be making a special applesauce snack, so please be sure to send a baking apple (Honeycrisp, Granny Smith, Braeburn, or McIntosh) with your child by next Wed/Thurs. 

Reminders:
--Picture day will be the 19th and 20th. We will be taking our pictures right away in the morning starting at 8:15. Feel free to send something for your child to change into if you do not want their good clothes on all day. 
--We had a mix up on our dates for School Spirit Week. The 25th and 26th will be Raider (red and white) clothes day and the 27th and 28th will be Packer shirt or jersey day.
--Early Release is Wednesday, Sept. 20th. Dismissal will be at 1:52. If your child will be going home differently than usual, please send a note or call the school office. 
--There will be no school for Pre-K on Oct. 11th due to Child Development Day and no school for all grades on Oct. 12th due to Parent/Teacher Conferences. If you have not signed up for a time yet, please let me know what works for you so we can get you into a time slot. 
--No School Oct. 13th

Welcome!

Dear Pre-K Families, 

I would like to welcome you to the Medford Elementary School and to my pre-kindergarten class!  I am really looking forward to meeting all of you at our upcoming open house!  The open house will be on Tuesday, August 29^th at 4:00-4:45 for the Mon./Wed. group and 4:45-5:30 for the Tues./Thurs. group. Upon arriving please join me in our classroom where I will have a short checklist of items for you to take care of before leaving.  You will be asked to fill out your child’s emergency contact information, make a deposit into your family's lunch/snack/milk account, confirm bus information, view the classroom and ask any questions you might have.  (Please come prepared to take care these items).  If you can’t make it you are welcome to come in on Thursday, September 5th at 10:00 AM or 1:00 PM to complete the necessary paperwork before school begins.

The open house will be a great opportunity for me to meet you and your child.  Upon arriving please pick up your child’s folder and checklist.  Feel free to explore the room, however, please let your children know that they WON’T be able to play with any of the toys as our time together is limited.  We will get to play with all of the fun toys on the very first day of school!  You are also welcome to walk around the school to help familiarize yourself and your child with its layout.

Your child will not need to bring his/her backpack during the night of open house but can bring his/her rest items.  (Remember that if the rest  items do not easily fit into the cubby space you will be asked to take them home and replace them with something smaller.  A beach towel and small travel sized pillow are recommended.)

At Open House you will have the opportunity to sign up for fall Parent/Teacher Conferences.  Please know beforehand, that there will be two days you may sign up.  Thursday, October 12th and Friday, October 20th.

I look forward to meeting all of you!