2017 Kindergarten

V a l s Teacher Introduction Mrs. Fitzgerald Rfitzgerald@stvalentineschool.com I graduated from Eastern Michigan University in 2008 with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. After graduation I worked with struggling K-8 readers at a school in Inkster. I am passionate about teaching and supporting the growth of children! I love the energy of being in the classroom. Each day is a new and exciting adventure.

Values rooted in Catholic teachings V a l s Our faith in kindergarten Our school theme this year is “Let all that we do, be done with love” Students realize they are special in their home, school and in God’s family Students learn that God created them and he loves them Students are apart of our strong community in Christ Students participate at weekly Mass Students learn how to pray School Masses Prayers Religion standards Nativity, Passion Play, Confirmation School Theme

V a l s Academic Excellence Math Skills Fine Motor Skills Recognizing 2 and 3 dimensional shapes Identifies and reads colors Creates, describes and extends simple patterns Can write numbers 0-30 Can count by 1’s, 2’s, 5’s, and 10’s to 100 Can add and subtract within 10 Recites days of the week Recites months of the year Sorts by size, shape, color, and use Can make a set up to 10 Standards taught in your grade Grasp pencil Color within the lines Scissor control Cut on the lines Button or zip jacket 4

V a l s Academic Excellence Print Journal Uppercase & lowercase letters using vertical, horizontal, slant, and circle strokes Write first name Can trace Write numbers 0-9 Form letters using headline, midline, and baseline Standards taught in your grade Begin at the top of page Using the following page to make an entry Use lines Create a representative drawing 5

V a l s Academic Excellence Reading Skills Religion Recognize uppercase & lowercase letters Identify letter sounds Isolates the beginning and final sound in a word Story sequence Can read sight words Identifies and produces words that rhyme Blends onset and rime to make a word Identifies parts of a book Reads left to right Read simple sentences Standards taught in your grade Makes sign of the cross Genuflects Recites Meal Blessing & Our Father Participates at weekly Mass 6

V a l s Academic Excellence Social Studies – Myself and Others Science Recites address & phone number Recites birthday and month Recites Pledge of Allegiance Living and working together Role of an American citizen Values and principles of American democracy Standards taught in your grade Forces and interactions: Push and Pulls Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems: Animals, Plants and their Environment Weather and Climate Engineering Design 7

Academic Excellence (con’t) V a l s I encourage students to try their very best. Students should read at least 15-20 minutes a day at home. Students will bring home books at their level. Please read them together daily. Student Expectations Homework

Love and Respect for All V a l s Students will be learning and applying the 7 Habits of Happy Children: be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win win, seek first to understand, then to be understood, synergize and sharpen the saw. Students will learn about and become “Bucket Fillers”. Students fill other’s buckets when they friendly, kind, helpful or respectful. Students will utilize a calm down space when they or I feel like they need a short break. Classroom Management

V a l s Strong Community in Christ (con’t) Absences – Please call the school’s office if your child will be out of school for the day. We love parent volunteers! I will be emailing sign up lists from signupgenius. Remember you must have a background check and a Protecting God’s Children certificate in the office if you are volunteering in our school or chaperoning on a field trip. Web page link 10

V a l s Strong Community in Christ (con’t) Recess- We will go outside everyday, unless it is raining. Please send your child to school with appropriate outdoor wear: jackets, coats, snow pants, gloves, hats, scarves, ect. Their name should be on each item. I will send home more information when the snow arrives. Girls – Please have your child wear shorts under their jumpers. When the weather gets colder they can wear pants under their jumpers and take them off during class. They will put them back on when they go outside for recess. Important dates 11

School to Home Communication V a l s Email: I have your personal email and I have created a class distribution list to share with the class. I try to check my email before and after school. If it is something that needs my attention in the morning please use the daily folder and write a note. Daily folders: I check them every morning. This is a great place to leave a note for me. For example: If your child needs to be in the office at 9:00 am for a dentist appointment. DOJO: I will post pictures, videos, and reminders on our Class Story page (not the Faculty page on St.Valentineschool.com). Please do not message me on DOJO. Use my email address to communicate, rfitzgerald@stvalentineschool.com. Communicatinf Dojo or Remind How to link 12

V a l s Strong Community in Christ (con’t) I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my presentation. If you have any questions please feel free to email me or send a note in your child’s folder. I am looking forward to a wonderful year with you and your child. Thank parents for support Sept 9 - Mass & Ice Cream Social Set 16 – open school parent day 13