Shepherd's Flock

Hello! 

We are having a GREAT start to the year! Mrs. Smith and I are extremely impressed with how well the kids are listening to and following directions! More specifically, we are teaching the students to "give us their eyes". This means when the "speaker" is speaking, the students are expected to give full eye contact to the speaker. The students are expected to turn their bodies to the speaker, as well. We've discussed how important this in order to show respect and to show they are listening. (This is always the case no matter where we are in the school. The only exception is when they are being read to. In this case, they may look at the book or the speaker.) 

Another expectation on the rug is for students to sit "criss-cross" with their hands on their knees. This helps keep them from fidgeting and getting distracted by shoelaces, toes, flip-flops, noses (EWWW!), etc. It is such a huge help for them to have an expectation in place for not only their eyes and bodies, but their hands, too! Teaching kindergartners exactly HOW to pay attention is essential in kindergarten. 

Five year olds want to please and they want to do what is right, which in school means paying attention when we may not necessarily be used to having to focus on what is going on around us. I say all of this for 2 reasons: I want you, the parents, to know what is expected in our classroom and I want you to know just how well your children are picking up on this! They are showing tremendous focus and I can't wait to see what we accomplish this year- the sky is the limit! 

Now for a few housekeeping notes: 

1. Please have all t-shirt orders and money turned in BY or ON Friday. If you need financial assistance, please just let me know. 

2. I will be out of town on Friday. Please try to let Mrs. Smith know if there is a transportation change BY 1:30 if at all possible on this day. You can call the school at 864-886-4480 or email her at sherrysmith@oconee.k12.sc.us.

3. If you have provided your phone number for texting updates and/or your email address for email updates and have not heard from me, please let me know. I have attempted to contact you and I need to know if I entered your information incorrectly. 

 I hope you all are enjoying kindergarten along with your kiddos- I know Mrs. Smith and I are! I will try to get some pictures up SOON!