We made it through our first week together...

...and I think the students are okay with me as their teacher (lol).  I am sure that many of them miss Ms. Dawson, but they all welcomed me and have been working hard adjusting to some of the changes I have made upon my return.  We chose new seating groups, adjusted our Carpet Time and Centers routines, and have even made some modifications to the Snack Rule (to name a few).  More changes will be on the way as I slowly return my classroom to the way I like to run it.

I would like to take a second to go over the new snack rule.  Ms. Dawson used to make snack mandatory.  That was her personal decision, and not the view of the collective whole.  My colleagues and I were finding too many snacks simply being thrown out because students weren't hungry (but told they needed a snack).  The new rule for my class is as follows:

         1) Students are responsible for their own snack, if they don't bring one, they do not get one (unless their
              parents make arrangements with me in advance).
         2) Students should only bring 1 small, healthy snack with them to eat (no candy, sweets, etc.)
         3) Students are not to bring drinks (a small water bottle is acceptable).

Please remember that a snack is simply intended to hold them over until the next full meal.  Your children should eat a full breakfast before coming to school, then a full lunch after school.  Most children that eat full meals find they do not even need a snack.  Check in with your son or daughter and see if they need to continue bringing a snack or not. Thank you and I hope this clears up and confusion you may have had on the matter.

I have greatly enjoyed getting back into the classroom, and feel blessed to work with your children.  It has only been a week, but I have already found them to be delightful, intelligent, and hard working.  I have high expectations for this class and see no reason that all of them can't become great readers and writers by the end of Kindergarten.

-Mr. Linnet

P.S. If you are taking the time to read this, please leave a comment.  I am interested to know which families find this blog useful. Thanks!!