News for the week of December 4, 11, and 18, 2017

Hello Families,

We are doing some holiday spirit days this month, this Friday, 12-8 is funny "Santa" hat day and next Friday, 12-15,  is "Ugly Sweater Day"!

On 12-20, Santa will come and visit our school where he will deliver gifts to your child and we have a little celebration in our conference room.

On Friday 12-22 we have our minimum day for the month and winter break begins for the following two weeks.

Students return to school in January on the 8th in 2018!

Lots of learning and fun in a short period of time!  As always please check your child's backpack and communication log for important information!

Lastly the cafeteria menu is Cycle 2, check the School Menu Cycles label for details.

Blessings and peace of Jesus Christ to you all, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Donna

News for the Week of November 27, 2017

Hello Families,

I hope you all had a blessed week off last week with your children!

This week's schedule includes a minimum day on Wednesday 11-29-17... and...
Friday, 12-1-17, is our Holiday Lighting Event in the evening 5:30-7pm, flyers were sent home before the break. 

For those of you who are planners, our Christmas break is coming around the corner...Friday 12-22-17, is a minimum day and the children are on break the following two weeks, returning to school January 8, 2018.

Attendance is very important so please continue to have your child eat healthy foods and get enough sleep at night to stay healthy for school.

Please continue to check your child's backpack and communication log daily, IEP invitations and other important documents are sent home via the communication log and need to be reviewed and returned in a timely manner. 

Replenish your child's backpack with clean back up clothes as accidents happen and the playground is muddy in the mornings, diapers (if applicable) and baby wipes. 

*Note on baby wipes, even if your child does not wear diapers it is important to send some to school for them as they are used throughout the day for hand wiping before snacks and after messy play in the classroom.

Thank you as always and have a blessed week!

Donna :)

News for the Week of November 13, 2017

Hello Families,

I hope you all had a lovely long weekend!

This week will be a full one, and the following week is our Thanksgiving Break, (11-20 thru 24).  There are no minimum days.

This week's menu is cycle 5.

As always I am available if you have any questions please text, email or call me.

Thanks so much and have a blessed week!

Donna :)

News for the Week of November 6, 2017

Hello Families,

Thank you to the families that always donate much needed items, things like baby wipes, bleach wipes etc, help keep our environment cleaner and kids safer from germs!

This Friday, 11-10, there is no school in observance of Veteran's Day.

This week's menu is cycle 4.

And here are a few pictures of our beautiful students at work and play!

Have a wonderful and blessed week!

Donna :)

News for the Week of October 30, 2017

Hello Families,

*This week Thursday, November 2nd, is Picture Day!  Order forms were sent home with your child on Friday last week.  Please make sure your child is well rested and wearing their best.  If you like you can send something comfortable for your child to change into after pictures have been taken.

*This week Tuesday, is Halloween and children can dress in costumes if they wish.  We will Trick-Or-Treat in the administration building in the morning and have a small party in the classroom at the end of the day.  

*This week's menu is cycle 3. Check the School Menu Cycles label for details.

*Our class is in need of baby wipes, if anyone is able to donate a package or two, it would be greatly appreciated. 

*We have finished the first grading period of school already and progress reports will be sent out in the next couple of weeks.

*Please continue to check your child's communication log and backpack daily and our blog weekly. We are coming onto the holiday season and there will be many announcements and days off in our schedule.

Have a blessed week!

Donna :)

News for the Week of October 23, 2017

Hello Families,

Just a brief note to remind you all that this Wednesday, 10-25, is a minimum day and the students are dismissed at 12 noon.

A big thank you to all of you who contributed and participated in our annual October Haunted House fundraiser.  Friday, 10-20, was really fun and great to see all of you who were in attendance.

This week's menu is cycle 2, please check the school menu cycles label for details.

I have been working with administration on replacement of our trampoline and praise God, a new one was installed on Friday last week!

A week from Tuesday is Halloween.  It is a regular school day 8am-2pm.  If you wish, your child may dress up, please provide alternative clothing that is weather appropriate should they wish to change out of their costumes.  If you wish to send treats to our class to share remember that we have severe nut and peanut allergies.  We will have a small party at the end of the day. 

Thank you all and have a blessed week!

Donna :)

News for the Week of October 16, 2017

Hello Families,

News this week includes reminders and updates....

Firstly thank you families for the Literature Basket donations for our raffle basket for our Haunted House event this Friday Night.

The hours for the event this Friday are 5-7pm...this has changed since the first flyer went out a couple of weeks ago.

There will be baked goods available for sale, not a full meal, which is also different than what was advertised in the initial flyer.

Friday there is also NO School for students as staff has professional development meetings and trainings.

With the hot weather, please send bottles of water for your child in their backpacks.  

Thank you and hope to see you Friday night!

Donna :)

News for the Week of October 9, 2017

Hello Families,

Some reminders :)

Tomorrow Tuesday 10-10 we have our first field trip to Jumping Jacks in San Dimas.  Please double check and make sure permission slips and money are sent to school by Tuesday Morning the latest.

Flyers have gone home for donations for a raffle basket from our classroom for the raffle at our Halloween Haunt fundraising event.  Thank you to the families who have already donated.  If you haven't already donated, the theme is Children's Literature.  All genres, all ages and reading levels, themed stuffed animals, stuff like that :) Contact me if you have any further questions.  The date items are due is October 17, and the event is Friday  October 20.

Please keep checking your child's communication log for other information and flyers that come home. 

For those who have children who take medication during the school day, remember to check in with the school nurse to make sure your child has an adequate supply of medicine and refill as necessary.

This week's school menu is cycle 6, see the School Menu Cycle label for details.

Please send a spare full set of clothes including underwear and socks, in your child's backpack.  The playground equipment is often wet in the morning from the sprinklers as well as those occasional potty accidents.  Check your child's backpack daily for soiled clothing.

Keep up the good work on the homework assignments and thank you for turning in the packets, (reading log and artwork) on Fridays.

Blessings,

Donna

News for the Week of October 2, 2017

Hello Families,

There is much going on in the world...A parent has inquired about safety measures here at our school and what the protocol is for certain situations and emergencies...  I asked our administration for a firm answer.  The best thing for families is to refer to your parent handbook...And...

What you need to remember is that I, your child's teacher will contact you in the case of a real emergency...I will let you know where to pick up your child as if there is a fire and we must evacuate we will assemble off campus at Fruit Street and Foothill Blvd. in the McDonalds and Kohl's parking lot.  Again I will contact you and let you know of the situation...

This is why it is extremely important for you to always keep your emergency contact information up to date.  Those annoying packets of paperwork that you need to fill out each year are so important that I cannot stress it enough...

I love being a teacher and I love your children.  I want all of you to feel secure in the fact that I will guide staff and students to safety in any and all situations.  

Let this week be a refocusing of our love for our children and families, breathe, enjoy this lovely weather together, hug each other a lot...

More news later this week about other stuff... the most important thing right now is Love...spend our valuable time loving each other.

Thank you,

Donna :)

News for the Week of September 25, 2017

Good Morning Families,

As it is the last week of swimming, all swim items will be returning home with your child on Friday.  Tuesday this week is our last swim day and the pool will no longer be heated until the spring when we will resume the swim schedule.

This week Wednesday 9-27 is a minimum day, students are dismissed at 12 noon.

Thank you to the families who are turning in homework!  I love to see the variety of interests in types of books the children are exposed to, and I love the artwork as well!  Keep up the good work!

This week's menu is cycle 4, please check the menu cycle tab for details.

Here are some pictures of our students from last week:

There is so much learning, and fun being had, and I am so very blessed to be your child's teacher!

Have a blessed week!

Donna

Weekly News for the Week of September 18, 2017

Hello Families!

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!  I want to thank all of you who have donated much needed items the past week to our classroom, tissues, baby wipes and bleach wipes go fast and are so very appreciated!  Thank you for such a great response!  We should be ok on these items for a couple of months!!!

Since our students receive many services, Speech, OT, PT and APE, and there are only 6 hours in a school day to fit everything in, we will only be swimming on Tuesdays, weather permitting.  (So nice to have cool weather back!)  The children are loving to do their PE with Ms. Kathleen our APE coach!  We are doing a lot of group as well as individual services!

Homework details are such:  Please read with your child every day.  Use favorite materials, ask your child questions such as who, what is, where is, and record their responses on the reading log.
Play ball with your child for as many minutes as they can participate before they reach the threshold that they have had enough, throw and catch a variety of balls, bat around a balloon, roll a beach ball, bounce on a yoga ball, record your activities and how many minutes on the back of the reading log.
Lastly do some coloring, drawing or painting.  Attach to the reading log and turn homework in on Fridays please.  Homework should be fun for both you and your child. Get creative, if your child likes books on CD, share that.  If your child likes to decorate the sidewalk with chalk, take a picture and text it to me:)  I love these!  Do your best and have fun!!!

One last reminder that we have Peanut and Nut allergies in our classroom.  Please Please Please do NOT send peanut butter in your child's lunch or snack.

This Weeks Menu is Cycle 3, see the School Menu Tab for details.

Later this week I should have more details on upcoming school wide events and a field trip for our class in October.

Thank you again for all you do for your child at home to support their learning!!  Have a blessed week!!

Donna :)

News for the week of September 11, 2017

Hello Families!


The first few weeks have been wonderful, getting to know our new students and staff, and we are now beginning to settle into a routine.

Services such as APE, OT, Speech and PT have been making the rounds regularly with much success in their sessions with the students! Good job families for helping your child retain skills over the summer break!

We will be swimming for only a few more weeks as it does seem that the weather is cooling off.  Swimming suits and towels will be sent home at the end of each week for laundering, however keep sending them back to school each Monday so we can continue to swim as long as weather permits.

Thank you families who are regularly checking the blog!  Last year was the launch and not too many families referenced it for information.  My goal is to put everything up here so less paper notices go home or get lost. As always if there is ever a question regarding your student, please message me directly.

A reminder again, please check your child's backpack and communication log daily:)

Some snapshots of this week's learning!

Lastly this week's menu cycle is cycle #2.  Please see the "School Menu Cycle" label for details.

Thank you all for the privilege to teach your child.  Have a blessed and happy weekend!

Donna :)

NO SCHOOL MONDAY 9-4-17

Quick Reminders:

No school Monday 9-4 in observance of Labor Day.

It's been extremely hot weather, please pack a water bottle or two each day for your child.

As it is the beginning of the school year, there is a lot of paperwork to do, PLEASE fill out and RETURN the emergency contact, liability waiver, lunch program, etc. paperwork as soon as possible.  

Remember if your child takes medication at school, you need to have a doctor's signature on the medication form before we can administer medication here at school.

And lastly, please please please check your child's backpack each day, there could be wet clothes, IEP notices, as well as the daily good news of all the cool and exciting things your child is doing here at school written in the communication log :)

Have a fun and blessed weekend!

Donna :)

News for the Week of: August 28, 2017

Hello Families!

We had a wonderful first week back to school last week!  I am so pleased with how the children have returned from summer break refreshed and excited to be back to school!

This week on Wednesday, we will have our first monthly minimum day schedule, happening once a month on the last Wednesday of the month unless otherwise noted.  The day begins at 8am and we are done and students are dismissed at 12 noon.

Also this week, please send your child's swim stuff, a flyer was sent home for new students, parents please sign permission for your child and send appropriate items listed on the flyer.  It's going to be a very hot week, so the pool is a lovely break from the heat. Our swim days are Tuesday and Thursday from 9-10am.

This week's menu is cycle 6 and details can be found under the "School Menu Cycles" label.

Here are some snapshots of last week's learning:

As always if you need to communicate with me, I will answer calls and texts and please check the communication log daily!

Thanks so much and have a blessed week!

Donna

Welcome Back Families! August 21, 2017

Welcome Back to School!

For those of you who are new to my class this year, you will be primarily using this classroom blog to retrieve pertinent information regarding the ongoings of our class, as well as what is going on here on our campus school-wide.  

Specific to this week:
Focus is on transitioning back to school and getting into the routine.  Your child will have a communication log, that both you and my staff will use to communicate the accomplishments of your child's day. 

***Please keep us posted on any and all changes to your child's routine, eating, sleeping, new family members, changes of residence etc. as everything does affect behavior here at school.***

This is a full week, Monday through Friday, so hang on to your hats, breathe, and have lots of patience with your children...it will take some time to get used to coming back to school.  We are here to make that transition as smooth and as enjoyable as possible:)

Please check here and get used to checking often for announcements.

Blessings to you and your family,

Donna

News for the Last Week of Summer School, July 10, 2017

Hello Families,

We are winding up summer school this week continuing our swimming schedule for Monday, Wednesday and Friday, as well as going on a field trip to Chick-fil-A on Thursday.  Permission slips went home on Friday last week.  Please indicate what you would like your child to order on the permission slip and include enough money to cover the cost of the meal.

This week's school menu cycle in the cafe is menu cycle 4.

*****If you have not already turned in your intake packet for the fall registration for school, please turn it in to school, send it with your child, as soon as possible this week. Having children and families emergency and other information current allows for swift and smooth action during a crisis such as natural disaster or medical emergency.

School resumes regular 8am-2pm schedule:  Monday August 21st.  

It has been a wonderful year and I thank you all for supporting your child in all the ways you do!  Have a blessed summer break!

Donna :)

***Please remember to check the blog close to the start of fall for any additional announcements. ***

Weekly News for June 19, 2017

Hello Families,

Welcome back to school, I hope all of you had a wonderful week off and are ready for our summer schedule!

Summer school dates are June 19 thru July 14.

Hours: 8am to 12 noon.

Holiday: July 4th no school.  We do have school on Monday July 3rd.

If your child wears diapers, they need to bring swim diapers along with swim suit, towel, life vest and sunscreen to participate in swimming.  Our days to swim have changed to M, W, F at 9am-10am.

As always please contact me anytime with questions or information.

Blessings,

Donna

Last Weekly Letter for the Regular School Year, June 1, 2017

Hello Families,

We have been especially busy in our classroom working on our ULS and TouchMath curriculum, and I have had many IEP and other meetings as well...Children have used the swimming pool as weather permits, we've made lemonade, art, made new friends, gone on field trips, enjoyed and all school BBQ and a whole month has raced by... Our last week is next week...

Wednesday June 7th is our Awards and Graduation/Promotion Day...a flyer was sent home with our time slot for families to attend and see their children receive awards and promotions.  Afterward families are free to sign their child out and leave to celebrate if they wish.

Thursday June 8th is our last day of school and a minimum day, children are dismissed at 12 noon. 

Friday June 9 thru Sunday June 18, the children are on break and then summer school starts on Monday June 19 ending on Friday July 14.  Details of summer schedule including the 4th of July holiday will be posted at the beginning of summer school.

Thanks to all of you for your support of our classroom activities and to your children,  I am blessed to be your child's teacher!

See you next week for awards and promotions on Wednesday!

Blessings,

Donna :)

News for the week of May 1, 2017

Hello Families!

It's the last full month of school and we have begun to swim again.  Most of you have sent in your child's permission slip and sent their swim items, and those children have enjoyed the pool very much this week.  Our schedule has changed and our new days and time are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-10am.  Remember to label all items with your child's name and some sort of bag to store the items is very helpful:)

Sharing photos of the children at work:

The first two pictures are students using the computer to work on the Unique Learning System (ULS) curriculum, trio of friends in the midst of parallel play, and lastly independent reading of a social story.

More photos of creativity:  Painting and making lemonade...

There is a lot going on and the time is flying...
This coming week we will have a field trip to the Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens, 5-12.  Permission slips went home earlier this past week and most families have returned their signed slip.  If you have not as of yet there is still time and if you still need one, please let me know and I will send one home with your child on Monday.

Graduation is in June, a short break for a week and then summer school starts 6-19.  I have sent home a bright pink flyer with the information and parent response is appreciated.  Please let us know that you intend for your child to attend summer school.

More information about graduation day will be announced the closer it gets.

As always, your children are a joy and privilege to teach, thank you for all you do as parents in collaboration with me and our school!

Have a blessed weekend!

Donna :)

News for the Week of 4-24-2017

Hello Families!

Quick reminders:

Wednesday 26 is a minimum day.

Swimming is starting!  Permission slips and swim list sent home this week.  Please sign and return so your student can swim next week!

As always please check the blog, your child's communication log, and backpack for important information!

Thanks and have a blessed week!

Donna :)

News for the Week of April 17, 2017

Hello Families!

We had quite a busy and exciting week filled with learning and using our Unique Learning System curriculum, each month the theme of the lessons change and this month is all about learning about the value, earning and spending money!  Your child has differentiated and modified curriculum to suit his/her ability level!

Field Trip to McDonald's on Wednesday was super fun!  Children are doing so well waiting their turn in line quietly, eating at the tables and following directions during play time and then departure directions!

It is almost time to get back into the SWIM of things as the weather is warming up.  Administration is putting the schedule together and will let us know in about a week what our days and times to use the pool will be.  Next week I will send out the permission slip and information you will need to have your child be able to use the pool!

This week's menu in the cafeteria is cycle 5.

Next week Wednesday April 26th is a minimum day and the children will be dismissed at 12 noon.

As always please check your child's backpack daily for information in their communication logs and completed work.

Please communicate to the school office as well as me by text, if your child will be absent and the reason for the absence.

I thank all families for their donations to our Easter/Spring egg hunt last Friday, the children had a wonderful time and enjoyed the treats very much!!!

Have a blessed weekend!

Donna :)

News for the Week of 4-10-2017

Greetings Families!

I hope this message finds all of you happy and healthy, the weather is lovely, sun is sunny and we are rounding the last corner of the regular school year!  Wow that went fast!
This is another regular school week finishing out with an Easter Egg Hunt on Friday...Thank you to those families who have donated plastic eggs and candy as per the flyer that went home on Monday.  We could still use a few more donations in that area for those of you who are able to donate.

This week's menu is cycle 4

We only have 8 regular weeks of school, then a week break and then 4 weeks of summer school. (Details will be sent home and posted on this blog the closer it gets to the end of the year.)  During this time we will resume our swimming schedule, and for those children who are new to my classroom I will be sending home a permission slip for you to sign and return as soon as possible, allowing your child to use our pool.  A full list of swim attire etc. will accompany the permission slip.

Next week we will go on another field trip, and by popular request, the students wish to go to McDonalds.  I am asking families to make a list of items you wish your child to order and enough money to order the items on the permission slip that will be sent home this week.

May 12th we will be going to the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens in Claremont.  The admission is free and I will be sending the permission slip out at the beginning of May.

As always, I am so blessed to be your child's teacher and I thank you for all your loving hard work at home and collaboration with school and me to make your child successful here in my classroom.

Have a blessed weekend ahead!

Donna :)

News for the Week of April 3, 2017

Hello Families and Happy Spring Break! 
Students are out of school until they return on Monday April 10th, regular schedule resumes at that time.  Until then have fun, play, go to the park, the beach, visit family, play a game, kick a ball, learn a new craft, make a new recipe, read, go to the library, get some ice cream, bake some cookies, watch a favorite movie with a snack, play in the water, paint a picture, make a macaroni necklace, love each other and we will see you soon!
Have a blessed week off!
Ms. Donna :)

News for the the Week of March 27, 2017

Hello Families,

Your children are being exposed to some new and exciting curriculum designed especially for students with special needs.  Unique Learning Systems, (ULS), is a online curriculum with a changing theme each month.  Along with language arts, the curriculum covers the areas of math, social studies and science as well.  You will be seeing examples of your child's work coming home soon! 

In addition, we are now using TouchMath curriculum.  With this system, children will learn to count with meaning and knowledge of quantities represented by the number symbol.  Students can use TouchMath to add, subtract, multiply and divide multiple digit numbers including regrouping!

I am very excited to use both of these curricula as it is already modified and aligned with California State Standards.  With ULS, we have created your student's profile and the assignments are customized to his/her abilities even further!

Field trip coming up this Wednesday, 3-29,  to San Dimas Park...Please sign and return the permission slip (sent home 3-24) as soon as possible.  This is a no cost trip.

This week's menu in the cafe is cycle 2, see details under the School Menu Cycles label.

There is a minimum day this week on Friday 3-31 only.  The following week is spring break.  The school will be closed April 3rd thru 7th, with students returning to school on Monday April 10th.

Reminder:  Check your student's backpack daily for notices and read your child's communication log.

Also, remember that students returning from absences longer than 3 consecutive days need a doctor's note excusing the absence.  Please call the school office to notify us of your child's absence each day as well.

Thank you all and have a blessed week!

Donna :)

    

News for the Weeks of March 13 and 20, 2017

Hello Families!

Lots to report from last week and this coming week!

Our field trip to McDonald's was really fun and the children had free space to explore with their classmates in a new environment as well as practice their community skills!

Lots of new math skills too...Touchmath curriculum, combinative and associative properties with addition/subtraction as well!

Collaborative work with shapes/blocks:

...And our new curriculum, Unique Learning Systems, (USL) with our Language arts unit...

So much learning happening in our class!

We have two weeks of school left before spring break!  The last day of school is Friday March 31st and it is a short minimum day.  The children are dismissed at 12 noon and then the first week of April is spring break.

Here is a copy of the last holidays and breaks for the rest of the school year until summer school.

Have a blessed and happy week...as always if you have any questions or concerns please call or text my cell number!

Donna :)

Weekly News for the Week of March 6, 2017

Good Morning and Happy Monday Everyone!

Just a quick note, last week I sent home permission slips for a McDonalds field trip for next week.  Please sign and include money and return to school this week by Wednesday.

Also there is no school on Friday 10th, for the children as it is a professional development day for teachers and staff.

This week's menu in the cafeteria is cycle 5, see the School Menu Cycles tab for details.

Thank you for checking the blog, and as always, for questions or concerns you are welcome to contact me directly.

Blessings,

Donna :)