Week 2: Sharing

Dear TK Family,


Congratulations on surviving the first week of school! We are very proud of our TK classes and how well they are adjusting to the routines we have established to optimize learning, socializing, spiritual development and fun!


If you haven’t already, please make sure to turn in the yellow paperwork (found
in the Back to School Night Packet) for your child to the classroom teachers. The information in the packets includes emergency contacts and descriptions of your students to help us customize their instruction. Also, included in the packets are forms for parent volunteer opportunities in our classrooms. Please let us know if and when you are available for any school-related activities and events.


This week we will learn the following:

*Theme: Sharing
        *Story: The Rainbow Fish and I Am Sharing
*Continue review of school/classroom routines
*Our school and class rules
*Behavior expectations
*Emergency procedures
*Our teachers and friends
*Letters A through F (letter recognition)
*Counting 0 through 10
*Calendar
*Songs


Starting this week we will be sending home a weekly Behavior Report in Friday’s take home folders. As a reminder, Green = excellent behavior, Yellow = Warnings, Red = Parent contact, and Purple = Severe/Parent Conference. With our TK students we do not expect any severe behavioral issues. As always we will keep communication open in the event of any concerns. Please make sure to sign the Weekly Behavioral Report and send it back to school with your students the following Monday.

IMPORTANT:
School pictures will be on Wednesday, September 6, 2017. Typically, photos of the younger students are taken earlier in the school morning. Please make sure your children have their forms turned in for school pictures. They will need to have the envelopes in their hands prior to their picture being taken. School uniforms should be worn for the pictures and no colored hair accessories other than red, navy or white for girls. Formal Uniform is optional. The photographers will make touch-ups to student hair as needed.
An electronic copy of his newsletter will be posted on the TK website.

Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education!


God’s Blessings,


Mrs. Leslie  Paragas Ms. Carolyn Faber
lparagas@stischoolcypress.org   cfaber@stischoolcypress.org

Looking Ahead:

Wednesday, September 13 – HOPE Food Drive

Thursday, September 28 - McDonald’s McTeacher Night

Week 1 - Welcome!

Dear TK Family,

Welcome to St. Irenaeus Parish School! Your child’s journey, here, at St. I began today. Our goal for your children is to grow towards God and to learn something new each day. We hope that you had an opportunity to stop by the hall this morning to meet other families in our class and throughout the school. If you did not have the chance, we encourage you to get to know other families because it just makes being a part of St. I even more fun!

To help foster community within the school and especially within our class, the TK class is seeking Room Parent /Assistants, photographers, and parent volunteers (inside the classroom and/or to do tasks from home). If you are interested, please let your teacher know. As a way for us to communicate with you, we will be sending home newsletters on Tuesdays.

 Please check the TK Blog for a digital copy of the newsletter. This week we will learn the following: *School and class routines
*Our school and class rules
*Emergency procedures
*Our Teachers and Friends
*Songs

For some children, coming to school is easy. For other children, it is a transition and may be difficult. Please know that all is normal and if we feel there is a concern, we will contact you immediately. We want to reassure you that your children are in good hands and that we will take care of them as if they were our own. Thank you for trusting us with your child’s education!


God’s Blessings,

 Mrs. Leslie Paragas
lparagas@stischoolcypress.org

 Ms. Carolyn Faber
cfaber@stischoolcypress.org

Looking Ahead: 
Monday, September 4 – Labor Day (No School)
Wednesday, September 6 – Picture Day
Wednesday, September 13 – HOPE Food Drive

Week 38 Newsletter

Dear TK Parents,

I smiled as I typed "Week 38 Newsletter" because it reminded me of my pregnancy.  I delivered my daughter at exactly 38 weeks.  During my 38 week pregnancy - so many changes happened to my body but more importantly, so much growth and development occurred while my daughter was living inside me.  I'm using my personal experience as an analogy of the growth and development of your children during our 38 week journey in TK.  I have seen so much growth! Last week I began my end of the year assessment.  Yes, not all of your children know EVERYTHING but I feel confident to say that it's ok not to know everything.  Even as adults, we still learn something new each day or are inspired to do something new.  I am so proud to say that of all my students, most know some to all TK sight words, can add and subtract, know all their shapes, and can identify the letters and sounds of the alphabet.  I am most proud that they have become more confident and mature during this journey.

This Friday is our TK/K Picnic.  It will be at school in our small playground and small field.  You are all welcome to join us for some fun.  Please contact our room parents if you are interested in helping.  All helpers need to be fingerprinted and safe environment trained.  If you do not meet the volunteer criteria, you are still welcome to come; however, you will be unable to assist the children with the activities.  Should you have any questions regarding volunteering, please come speak with me.

Have a great week!

Mrs. Paragas

Week 37 Newsletter

Hi Parents,

Last week went by so quickly that I completely forgot to write a newsletter.

This will be a quick newsletter with information to the point.

Tomorrow, Friday, June 1 - Birthday Snacks and Inside the Outdoors Classroom Visit.

Friday, June 2 - Field Day

Tuesday, June 6 - TK/K Awards in the Ed Building @8:00am

Wednesday, June 7 - HOPE Food Collection

Friday, June 9 - TK/K Picnic 

Wednesday, June 14 - Last Day of School

This week and next week will be assessment week.  I am checking to see if they meet certain benchmarks before Kindergarten such as writing their letters, letter and sound identification, sight word recognition, number recognition, shapes, measurement, addition and subtraction, religion concepts such as who is Mary?  What is a disciple? and the prayers.    

I can't believe how fast the year has gone by.  Let's enjoy the last few days together!

Have a wonderful week!

Mrs. Paragas

Week 35 Newsletter

Dear Parents,

Aren't you impressed with the play?!  I was!!!  My  jaw dropped in amazement because all the times we practiced, it never looked as great as they performed.  Your kids do not disappoint!!  We pulled through and made it happen. A M A Z I N G!!!

This week we are focusing on Community Helpers.  Who are the people in our community? What do they do?  How are we a community helper?  Who are volunteers?

In math, we are doing measurement and review of previous lessons.  We are measuring using objects... for example, how many squares long is the book; rather than inches, feet, etc.

Our Religion focus is still Mary our Mother.  Please practice the Hail Mary with your child.  They will be tested beginning next week.

We are planning the end of the year picnic for June 9.  More details to come as we organize the event.  This is a joint event with Kindergarten.

We still have to practice and review before the end of the year, please encourage your child, especially those with older siblings, that the school year is not yet over.  Please remind them to focus and to continue to follow the rules.  I have noticed this week that we are a bit more excited and chatty.  Also, just a friendly reminder.. absolutely no toys!  I have told the children not to bring toys to school and asked them to put them in their bags.  Even though they are in their bags, they become a temptation.  I do ask that you check your child's bag and even pockets to make sure these objects don't make it to school.  It is acceptable to bring an item that will help your child with school.  However, if this is the case, we have already discussed this in a conference. 

HOPE FOOD DRIVE COLLECTION is tomorrow.  We forgot to send the small bags... but I still encourage you to bring food to school tomorrow :)

Thanks for everything!

Mrs. Paragas

Week 34

Dear TK Parents,

This week, we honor our Moms and Mommy figures!  We have been comparing how our moms and mom figures are just like our Mother Mary.  Continue to discuss Mary, Jesus' mom is also our mother.  

This Friday is our TK Play: The Three Piggy Opera.  We plan to begin at 10:30 and should last until about 11:00.  It's a VERY short play.  So that I know you have read this newsletter, please email me at leslie.paragas@stischoolcypress.org with an RSVP COUNT of how many family members will attend our play.  This count will help me with providing enough seating for all of you.

COSTUMES... They may come to school wearing their outfit.  The attire is as follows:

Narrator - church attire

Mother Pig - dress (any... but she must be able to play in the dress... nothing too fancy)

Father Pig - a button down shirt with a tie paired with pants or short (if its hot).

3 Pigs - Pink shirt or dress (preferably solid)

Straw House - Yellow shirt with any solid bottoms

Stick House - Brown Shirt with any solid bottoms

Brick House - Red Shirt with a any solid bottoms

Peddlers - play clothes

Wolf - white shirt and black pants

PLEASE SEND ALL STUDENTS WILL RUBBER SOLED SHOES.... their normal school schools is fine.

NO ACCESSORIES... if you wish for them to wear "extra" but run it by me.

NO MAKE UP.  This performance is an example of how our student "pretend play" in the classroom.  This is not a theatrical performance.  Although it's cute!

Any questions regarding the performance, please don't hesitate to ask.

Next week, we will jump back on to high gear and work on our math and writing skills.  This week, we are focusing on our play and singing... as well as our Mother's Day gift ;)

I hope you all have a great week!

Mrs. Paragas

Week 33 Newsletter

Dear TK Parents,

This week we are focusing on Insects and Spiders.  The children are very fascinated by these interesting creatures!  We are going to measure insects in Math, Identify body parts and types in Science, discover where insects are from in Social Studies, and read stories like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, Oscar the Almost Butterfly, The Grouchy Ladybug and The Very Busy Spider. 

Tonight is the State of the School Address given by Mrs. Hayden.  You are encouraged to attend to learn more about our school this year and to have a better insight for next school year.  

Next Friday, May 12 is the TK's show The 3 Piggy Opera.  Please continue to practice with your child with his or her songs.  This is an early childhood performance and by no means needs to perfect.  The children have been working hard and are excited to perform this show in front of you.  We hope you can attend.  

What should your child wear for the play:

Narrator - church attire

Mother Pig - dress

Father Pig - a button down shirt with a tie paired with pants or short (if its hot).

3 Pigs - Pink shirt or dress (preferably solid)

Straw House - Yellow shirt with any solid bottoms

Stick House - Brown Shirt with any solid bottoms

Brick House - Red Shirt with a any solid bottoms

Peddlers - play clothes

Wolf - white shirt and black pants

Should you have any questions about costumes, please ask me.

I hope you are enjoying the Spring heat!

Mrs. Paragas