All about Mrs. Kelley

I feel so happy to say I have loved my last 37 years of teaching! Each grade level I've taught in the past (1st-5th) has been filled with wonderful experiences and happy memories, but I have to admit I am over the moon loving Transitional Kindergarten! This will by my ninth year working with TKers. Their enthusiasm for life, as well as their eagerness to soak up all the new things around them, make them a joy to be with each day! I am one very lucky teacher!

A little about myself:
After teaching a few years out of state, I moved to California in 1989, and besides two years teaching in Indonesia, I've been so happy to call Grass Valley home. Education is a family thing, because my husband, Tom, is a school counselor. I have three grown children (Brian, Kyle and Kaity) who have fond memories of the years they spent at Alta Sierra School! We love the mountains and being at the ocean as well. Time away from school usually takes us one place or the other. In the winter I love snowboarding, and during the summer time camping and finding trails to walk are some of my favorite things!

Posts

TK Week of January 29th-February 2nd

We had another great week in TK!

Thinking about and preparing for our hundredth day of TK was our focus of the week. On the special day we read about 100, built with 100, exercised to 100, beaded (or really Fruit Looped) to 100, and finished our day by showing off our special crowns filled 100 things in our TK parade to the big fourth and fifth grade students.

Please try to come to the classroom to see a picture of our cuties in their100th Day Crowns and read some of their thoughts about 100 - adorable!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend together!

DATES TO REMEMBER

February 16th-19th - Presidents four day weekend

March 25th-29th - Spring Break

April 1st - IF we haven't used an emergency no-school day (because of snow or power outage) then we won't have school this day.

TK Week of January 22nd-26th

TK's Friday Edlio is coming to you tonight, because I wanted to remind you all that I will be out tomorrow, because of some oral surgery, but I'll be back Monday. Mrs. Sherman and Mrs. Percy are a great team, and I'm so glad they'll be there for our TKers.

Friday Assembly - Tomorrow TK gets to join the rest of the school for a fun and educational assembly about recycling and taking care of our earth. Be sure to ask your cutie to teach you all that s/he learned.

Thursday Folders - Oops! I can't believe I forgot to send home Thursday Folders today, so "Friday" Folders will be coming home tomorrow.

DeeDee Deer's D - D was our letter of the week. See how many /d/ words your whole family can come up with, and have your TKer show you some of his/her best D's.

100's Day - Woohoo! We started working on our special 100 Days of school crown, so it's ready for our 100 days of school coming up this Wednesday. So far we've painted, initialed, stickered, printed, glitter glued, and dipped our way toward 100 - we're almost there! (No need to worry about any special collection on 100's Day. That will be saved for kindergarten. We'll be busy with lots of other fun activities that day. :)

I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday and weekend together, and I look forward to Monday!

DATES TO REMEMBER

December 16th-19th - Presidents Day 4 Day Weekend

March 25th-29th - Spring Break (No School)

April 1st - IF we haven't used an emergency day (snow or power outage) by March 22nd then there will be no school.

TK Week of January 16th-19th

I hope everyone had a wonderful three day weekend! TK had fun being back together on Tuesday.

Winter - This week we spent time talking, reading, and learning about Winter. Each TKer also created some beautiful winter forest art that is being displayed in the office. Be sure to stop in and see them!

Letter J (Jelly Jellyfish) - This rainy weekend would be the perfect time to go on a /j/ hunt around the house and maybe making some pudding, salt, Playdoh, or even apple sauce J's.

Social Emotional - Last week we talked about how being worried is an uncomfortable feeling, and that talking to Mommy, Daddy, or a teacher can really help that uncomfortable feeling go away.

This week we talked about the feeling of being frustrated and the first step to helping your body calm down. The sheet that went home yesterday gives you some great information and some good ideas for discussion with your cutie.

Mrs. Kelley is Gone Two Days Next Week - On Monday I'll be involved with a training at the district office all day and on Friday I have some oral surgery. I'll be with everyone those in-between days (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and I'll be back the following Monday for sure.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend, and that everyone stays warm and dry!

DATES TO REMEMBER

February 16th-19th - Presidents Four Day Weekend (No School)

March 25th-29th - Spring Break (No School)

April 1st - IF an emergency day isn't used by then (snow/ice or power outage)

then there will be no school this day.

TK Week of January 8th-12th

It was wonderful being back together this week in TK after our long winter break. Everyone seemed to do really well settling back into our routines, and it was extra fun being back with friends.

ZooPhonics - We spent this week thinking about Sammy Snake's S this week. It's a tricky one to write, so extra practice in salt, pudding, or finger paint would be extra fun. Going on a /s/ sound hunt would also be a great thing to do together with your TKer.

Volunteer Needed - We need a volunteer on Tuesday, February 13th from 8:30-11:20am (although it probably won't take that long) to help take our cuties to and from our TK vision and hearing screening scheduled that day. If you can help us that day please send me an email or let me know when I see you. Thank you!

Monday Holiday - Remember that there won't be any school on Monday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. We'll see everyone on Tuesday.

DATES TO REMEMBER:

January 15th - MLK Jr. Day (no school)

February 16th-19th - President's four day weekend (no school)

March 25th-29th - Spring Break (no school)

TK Week of December 18th-22nd

I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas and a restful Winter Break!

Be sure to look inside the brown grocery bags that came home with your TKer today. It's filled with presents from teachers and friends and one for you! There's also fabulous artwork created by your cutie that's sure to make your home extra merry and bright!

I look forward to seeing your TKer on Monday, January 8th. :)

TK Week of December 11th-15th

What a great week we had in TK!

Holiday Cheer TK Program - This night was definitely the highlight of our week and "from the bottom of our hearts", TK thanks you for being a special part of it.

All DVD, Blu-ray, or digital copy orders of this special performance will be turned in Tuesday morning, so there's still time to turn in your own order Monday, if you're interested (and haven't already).

Volunteers Needed This Coming Friday - We are hoping to have group time next Friday, so we can have extra fun on our last day before our two week Winter Break. SO I AM LOOKING FOR TWO VOLUNTEERS WHO CAN HELP US FROM 8:00-10:00 (FOR GROUP TIME AND HELPING TAKE DOWN HOLIDAY ART FROM THE WALLS TO PUT IN BAGS TO TAKE HOME.) IF YOU CAN BE WITH US, PLEASE EMAIL ME - [email protected].

Paper Grocery Bags Needed! - If you have extra paper grocery bags you'd like to donate to our class. Please bring them into to the classroom early next week - thank you!

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend together!

Please look below to see our fun schedule next week.

Dates to Remember

December 18th - Silly Sock Day

December 19th - Crazy Sweater or Jacket Day

December 20th - Hat Day

December 21st - Character Day and SCHOOL DONATION DAY PARADE

December 22nd - Yay! TK PAJAMAS AND PANCAKES DAY! Minimum Day (TK to 11:25am - Everybody Else to 12:00 noon)

December 25th-January 5th - Winter Break (No School)

December 8th - Back to School!

TK Week of December 4th-8th

TK Holiday Cheer - TK's first program dress rehearsal today was a success! Our audience gave lots of compliments and our TKers were so proud! They're very excited for you to see them perform this coming Tuesday at 6:00pm in Room K.

Reminder: You're invited to bring a dessert, snack or appetizer to share with everyone after our almost 15 minute program. It will be fun to socialized and get to know each other a little more.

Ollie Octopus' Letter O - Have your cutie make some O's for you (chalk, Playdoh, or salt on a plate are some fun choices). Maybe together you can brainstorm some words that start with Ollie Octopus' short /o/ sound. (Animals are fun: Octopus, ox, otter, ostrich - can you think of anymore?)

TK Classroom Wishlist - There are a few things our classroom needs and are always appreciated:

* Crackers for missed snacks

* Dollar Tree stickers

* Anything fun that can go in our free choice art table drawers (sequins/ lace/ foam letters, numbers, or shapes/ anything fun)

*A package of the white, flimsy, least expensive paper plates possible. (They're best for painting on.)

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Dates to Remember

December 12th - Yay! TK’s Holiday Cheer Program at 6:00pm

December 18th - Silly Sock Day

Deceber 19th - Crazy Sweater or Jacket Day

December 20th - Hat Day

December 21st - Character Day and SCHOOL DONATION DAY PARADE

December 22nd - Minimum Day (TK to 11:25am - Everybody Else to 12:00 noon) Yay! TK PAJAMAS AND PANCAKES DAY!

December 25th-January 5th - Winter Break (No School)

TK Week of November November 27th - December 1st

There is lots of excitement in the air! TK is singing, reciting, cutting, gluing, and glittering in anticipation of our Holiday Cheer program on Tuesday, December 12th at 6:00pm in Room K. Your cutie can come to the program that night wearing their holiday best. (You get to decide what that means - but please no hats or high headbands, so we can see everyone on our little stage. :)

We're asking that everyone bring a dessert, snack or appetizer to share with our other TK families after our 15 minute program. It will be fun getting to know each other a little better. We can't wait!

I wanted you to know that I will be at a TK district planning day this Monday (Dec. 4th), but Mrs. Sherman and Mrs. Percy will be here.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

DATES TO REMEMBER

December 12th - Yay! TK’s Holiday Cheer Program at 6:00pm

December 14th - PTC's special Winter Wishes Night from 5:00-8:00pm

December 18th - Silly Sock Day

December 19th - Crazy Sweater or Jacket Day

December 20th - Hat Day

December 21st - Character Day and SCHOOL DONATION DAY PARADE

December 22nd - Minimum Day (TK to 11:25am - Everybody Else to 12:00 noon) Woohoo! It's TK PAJAMAS AND PANCAKES DAY!

December 25th-January 5th - Winter Break (No School)

TK Week of November 13th-17th

TK has had another wonderful week!

Sports Day - Wow! There was lots of school spirit in TK today. We had TKers wearing fun things from so many different sports - ballet, gymnastics, car racing, foot ball, basketball, soccer, baseball, and golf. It was great!

We Don't Always Feel the Same - This week we spent time recognizing that everyone doesn't always feel the same way about things. Someone might love going on rides at the fair, and some might be a little nervous. Helping your TKer understand this helps her/him to be compassionate and understanding of others.

Letter of the Week - Umber Umbrella Bird's U was our focus this week. (We even got to watch a real umbrella bird at a zoo.) Have your TKer show you some crayon U's, and together see if you can come up with some words that start with the /u/ sound.

TK Thanksgiving Feast - Thank you to everyone who volunteered to help us with parts of our TK Feast! Many of you will be bringing in your items on Monday (Pies and Cornbread on Tuesday). We really appreciate all you do! Don't forget to have your cutie bring their favorite fruit on Monday, so we can cut it up in our Friendship Fruit Salad on Tuesday.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

PS - My next Edlio update with be Friday, December 1st.

Dates to Remember

November 22nd-24th - Thanksgiving Break (No School)

November 30th - Progress Reports Coming in Thursday Folders

December 12th - Yay! TK’s Holiday Cheer Program at 6:00pm

December 22nd - Minimum Day (TK to 11:25am)

December 22nd - Yay! TK PAJAMAS AND PANCAKES DAY!

December 25th-January 5th - Winter Break (No School)

TK Week of November 6th-9th

I hope all our TK families had a wonderful Veteran's Day weekend together!

Letter I - TK practiced listening for words that start with the /i/ Inny Inchworm sound and making lots of capital I letters.

Math - Our TKers had lots of fun playing games that helped strengthen their spacial awareness and also helped them notice attributes (or characteristics) that are similar.

No Library this Last Week - Since we weren't in school on Friday we didn't get to go to the library last week. But, Woohoo!, we'll get to see Mrs. Alonso and check out a new book this coming Friday.

**GETTING READY FOR A TK THANKSGIVING - Please be looking for an email from signupgenius.com, with things you can sign-up for to help our TKers have a wonderful TK FEAST.

**CLASSROOM STOCKING FOR A FOSTER CHILD - Our classroom is teaming with Child Advocates of Nevada County to help a foster child have a special Christmas. We get to sponsor a four year old little girl.

I was told she wears 5/6T clothing and size 11 shoes. She's into "science" right now and loves art and craft projects. She will be living in a snowy area this winter.

If you would like to help with a stocking stuffer or present, that would be wonderful! They are asking that presents not be wrapped, but we can put them in a large gift bag or red stocking that I'll have ready. I'll need to turn her presents and stocking in on the weekend of December 2nd.

Please tell your TKer I can't wait to see them tomorrow morning!

Dates to Remember:

November 21st - Our TK Feast

November 22nd-24th - Thanksgiving Break (No School)

December 12th - Yay! TK’s Holiday Cheer Program in Room K at 6:00pm

December 22nd - Minimum Day (TK - 11:25am - Everybody Else - 12:00 noon)

December 25th-January 5th - Winter Break (No School)

TK Week of October 30th-November 3rd

It's hard to believe we've already had 52 days of TK!

HALLOWEEN -This week was extra exciting with Halloween fun. The parade was a new experience for our TKers, with so many different people and costumes to see. Pumpkin carving, Halloween bingo, ghost snacks, pumpkin math games, and Halloween Playdoh mats were all very fun, but the hands-down FAVORITE activity was going TK Trick-or-Treating! I think the fourth and fifth grades classrooms, Mr. Bivens, and other awesome staff who the TKers came knocking at their door loved it as much as our little Trick-or-Treaters did!

INSERVICE FOR MRS. KELLEY - On Monday, November 6th, I'll be down at our district office for an all day Education Through Music training. Mrs. Sherman will be our substitute and Mrs. Percy will be with us again as our aide. They'll have a great day, and I'll be back on Tuesday.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

DATES TO REMEMBER

November 10th - Veterans’ Day Observed (No School)

November 22nd-24th - Thanksgiving Break (No School)

December 12th - Yay! TK’s Holiday Cheer Program at 6:00pm

December 22nd - Minimum Day (TK - 11:25am - Everybody Else - 12:00 noon)

December 25th-January 5th - Winter Break (No School)

TK Week of October 9th-13th

TK had another wonderful week!

Fall - We spent the week learning about Fall and going on hunts to find signs of Fall in the trees and on the ground.

Firefighters - TK and Preschool had a special visit from the Firefighters on Wednesday. We got to see what a firefighter looks like with all his/her fire fighting gear on, and learn how it protects him/her when they are trying to help people in a fire. We got to see all the awesome parts of a fire truck and even sit inside. Every TKer also got to knock over cones with the fire hose. When it was time to say good-bye everyone got a fire hat and a cool sticker. Thank you, Firefighters!

Letter of the Week - H was our letter of the week. Your TKer would have fun showing you some H's with something special like sidewalk chalk, shaving cream, or salt. (L,F, and E as well.) Brainstorming words together that start with Honey Horse's /h/ would also be a fun game.

I hope everyone has a fabulous Fall Break!

Dates to Remember

October 16th-20th - Fall Break (No School)

October 31st - Halloween Parade at 8:15am (Upper Playground)

November 1st - Teacher Professional Development (No School)

November 10th - Veterans’ Day Observed (No School)

November 22nd-24th - Thanksgiving Break (No School)

December 12th - Yay! TK’s Holiday Cheer Program at 6:00pm

December 22nd - Minimum Day (TK - 11:25am - Everybody Else - 12:00 noon)

December 25th-January 5th - Winter Break (No School)

TK Week of October 2nd-6th

We've had another great week in TK!

Apples - TK had fun tasting, painting, reading, and learning about apples this week.

ZooPhonics - Your cutie has been practicing writing E (and still practicing L and F) and thinking of the /e/ sound.

Folder Things - Our first book order went out this week. I want everyone to know it is a completely optional thing and only meant to help you build your home library, if that's something your family is wanting to do.

- Oops! Please save the Home Link that went home yesterday for NEXT week. (We took an extra week talking about and practicing last week's Home Link, "Saying What We Need and Want."

Crystal - Each TKer has a crystal in their backpack as a gift from me. I was in a corner of Arizona called Glitter Mountain this last summer, and I found a crystal for all of my new TKers. Leave it to me to forget about it until this week! Here is some information, if you're interested: http://adventureisneverfaraway.com/glitter-mountain-arizonas-hidden-gem/

Jog-a-Thon - I'm sending you all a short video to your individual emails of our TKers having fun last Friday at our Sonic Jog-a-Thon. Thank you so much for supporting our school!

DATES TO REMEMBER
October 16th-20th - October Break (No School)

TK Week of September 25th-29th

ORANGE IS A CARROT BOOK - TK has been having fun this week working on their Orange is a Carrot books. Their special books will be coming home next week (I'll give them to you during our conference time). Please let them read their books to you multiple times. Along with helping your cutie feel lots of pride in sharing his/her book with you, you'll also help her/him practice noticing words are groups of letters as each word is touched, as well as the directionality of sentences.

TK CHERRY PIE AND ORANGE, GREEN, AND PURPLE - We had fun discovering what makes our secondary colors. Ask your TKer to tell you all about it. In celebration of the end of our book, "And red is cherry pie", we made our own TK cherry pies with cinnamon graham crackers, cherry pie filling, and whipped cream - DELICIOUS!

F - FRANCY FISH - We spent the week thinking of the /f/ sound and making capital F (hello smile, big line down, ribbit, little line across the top, little line across the middle)

CONFERENCE TIME NEXT WEEK - Thank you so much for signing up for a conference time next week. I'm looking forward to meeting with each of you.

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend together!

DATES TO REMEMBER
October 2nd-6th - Parent/Teacher Conference Week
October 16th-20th - October Break (No School)

TK Week of September 18th-22nd

TK has had another great week. Wow - was I every impressed with our TKers' enthusiasm during the Jog-a-Thon! They gave it their all, and everyone seemed to have so much fun! I thought they'd be worn out, but they powered through the rest of the day with energy to spare!

Besides Popsicles, the other highlight of Friday was library time! If your cutie forgot her/his book, no worries. Next Friday will be here before we know it.

This week TK spent extra time thinking about the letter L. Ask your TKer to make you some fabulous L's ("Hello smile, big line down, little line across). Maybe together you could play a game of thinking of words that start with the /l/ sound.

I wanted to let you know that I won't be in class on Monday. This will be the first of a handful of inservice days I'll have this year. The great news is that Mrs. Sherman will be our substitute, and Mrs. Percy (who is wonderful) will be our aide for the day.

Just a quick reminder that if you haven't signed up for a conference time through the SignUpGenius email I sent last Monday there are still plenty of times to choose from.

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

DATES TO REMEMBER
October 2nd-6th - Parent/Teacher Conference Week
October 16th-20th - October Break (No School)