September 12, 2025

Hello Kindergarten Families,

We’ve just wrapped up our second week of kindergarten, and what a wonderful start it has been! The students are quickly learning our classroom routines and becoming more confident in moving through their day. Thank you for your support at home; talking about the day, reading together, and helping your child build independence with routines really strengthens their confidence at school.

Kindergarten Updates

• Please check zippered folders daily. Please return these folders to your child's backpack daily. 
• Please label your child's belongings (lunch bags, water bottles, shoes, and clothing). 
• Library books are due on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Students will need to return a book to take out a new book.
• Please ensure you email me at jlhayes@cbe.ab.ca and our office if pickup arrangements change. This includes Rec House and Wee Wonder. This will support a smooth transition for all students at the end of the day. 

Library

Students were very excited to meet Mrs. Norman, our librarian, and check out their first library book! 

*I can take care of library books.

*I can choose a book that interests me.

*I can share my favourite book with a friend.

*I can talk about a picture or page I liked.

Physical Education Gym (Wellness)

We are so fortunate to share our gym class with Grade One students who act like leaders to our Kindergarten students. Mrs. Kosior and Mrs. Craik are our Grade One teachers in the Gym. We have been learning many new games and how to move safely and follow instructions in the gym. This learning often takes place in the classroom before heading to the gym. This is done through social stories and the use of visuals. Please see some examples below. Ask your child to share 3 facts about 1 new game they have learned. 

Classroom Volume

This week, we have learned so much about the volume of our voices. We read the story, "Decibella and Her 6-Inch Voice." We discovered that sometimes our voices can be too quiet, too loud, or just right. Students practiced using the right voice volume for the environment they are in. Please see below. 

Math

This week, we learned about patterning. We practiced making more challenging patterns using our bodies, shapes, colours, and sizes. 

*I can recognize change or constancy between elements in a repeating pattern.
*I can predict the new elements in a repeating pattern.
*I can create a repeating pattern with up to three repeating elements.

Literacy (September)

This year, we will be following the "UFLI" program. Daily, students will work on learning the letters of the alphabet, the sounds they make, and how to print them. We will also sing songs about the letters and their sounds to help remember them. Each day, students will draw a picture to match the letter we learned about (e.g., A is for apple). 

*I can identify letters by characteristics. (Letters Aa and Mm)

*I can make connections between letters and sounds in words.

Next week, your child will be bringing home a nameplate card. It shows their name printed with a capital letter at the beginning and lowercase letters for the rest, just as we are learning to do at school. In Kindergarten, one of our first big writing goals is learning how to print our own name using proper case letters. This helps students recognize their name in print, builds early literacy confidence, and prepares them for all the other exciting writing they’ll do this year.

Here are a few simple ways you can support at home:

• Trace and copy: Encourage your child to trace their name on the card with their finger, then try printing it underneath.

• Use fun materials: Try chalk, markers, or even writing in sand, shaving cream, or playdough “letters.”

• Model proper case: Always show their name with one capital letter followed by lowercase (e.g., Sophie, not SOPHIE).

• Celebrate effort: Focus on trying, not perfection. Little improvements are big wins at this stage!

Thank you for partnering with us to build these important early skills. With practice both at school and at home, your child will soon feel proud and confident printing their own name!

Important Dates

Sept 18 Meet the Teacher 3:30 – 6:00  

Sept 22 & 23 Class and individual photos  

Sept 26 Observance of Orange Shirt Day at Andrew Sibbald  

Sept 29 Professional Learning Day for staff (no school for students) 

Sept 30 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (no school for staff or students) 

Oct 6 Fun Lunch #1  

Oct 10 Terry Fox Run

Have a wonderful weekend!