August 11-15, 2008

     Our first week at Garrison Mill has been a very busy and exciting one!  The honeybees have been working on learning class rules and routines as well as the school-wide expectations for all Garrison Mill students.  The children have met many staff members and made new friends during the week. 

     We began our school year with nursery rhymes.  Singing familiar songs and sharing favorite poetry has been a wonderful way to introduce your child to reading.  The honeybees enjoyed participating in music and art activities with "Humpty Dumpty", "Hickory Dickory Dock", "Little Miss Muffet", and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star".  Today we sang the classic song "The Wheels on the Bus" and even created and ate a yellow school bus!

    Our focus in Math has been on positional words--up, down, over, under, in front, between, behind, forward, and backward.  We also worked on rote counting and reviewed colors and shapes.  Our math lessons provided many opportunities for movement and interaction.

Just a few reminders. . .

• Please review your child's take home folder each day.  Notes from home should be placed inside this folder as folders are checked upon arrival each morning.
• Rest towels will be sent home on Fridays to be laundered and returned on Mondays.  Please send a bath towel only--blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals should remain at home.
• Please send a nutritious snack each morning.  Thank you in advance for keeping in mind our peanut-free, egg-free environment.  It is helpful to keep snacks separate from lunch boxes to help avoid confusion for your child.
• GM's fundraiser, Sally Foster, began today--please review the information packet sent home.
• Next Friday is Spirit Day--wear your GM t-shirt!
• Next Friday's special will be P.E. (remember appropriate footwear).

 Please plan to attend Open House on Tuesday, August 19th at 6:30 p.m.  We will be discussing classroom procedures, curriculum, and volunteer opportunities.  Thank you for a wonderful week with your children.  Enjoy some family time this weekend!

  Janie Hutcherson