I absolutely love teaching this age. There’s something so special about seeing the world through a kindergartner’s eyes. This year, my goal is to give your child many new experiences while helping them grow socially, physically, emotionally, intellectually, and spiritually. It’s a privilege to guide them and to model what it means to LOVE and LIVE for JESUS.
On THURSDAY, AUGUST 27, we will be having a PARENT INFORMATION NIGHT.
5:30-5:50 Preschool and 2nd grade
5:50-6:10 All in gym
6:10-6:30 Y5, Kindergarten and 1st grade
I will have a bunch more information to share with you on this night, but below are some tidbits of info as we begin kindergarten together.
If Your Child Will Be Absent or Late
Life happens—sometimes it’s a cough, sometimes it’s traffic, and sometimes it’s a family trip!
If your child is sick: Please call the office at 820-3535 or email both me (kstrikwerda@hollandchristian.org) and Mrs. Steen (rsteen@hollandchristian.org).
If you’re running late: The bell rings at 8:10 AM. After that, please check in at the office before coming to the classroom.
If you’re planning a vacation: Let me know at least a week ahead if possible. I’ll send along any work I can before you leave, and the rest will be ready when you return.
Mornings in Our Classroom
Arrival Times M/T/Th/F-
- 7:50-8:10 -Students arrive, set their backpack in front of their locker, and head directly to the playground.
- 8:10-8:15 - Kindergartners will unpack their backpacks and get ready to start our day.
- 8:15- Class begins
Arrival Times Wednesdays -
- 8:15-8:25 Students arrive, set their backpack in front of their locker, and head directly to the playground. (playground will be open for those who need it at 7:50)
- 8:25-8:30 - Kindergartners will unpack their backpacks and get ready to start our day.
- 8:30- Class begins
Lunch Choice:
One of the first things we do each day is find out who’s having hot lunch and who brought lunch from home. It’s super helpful if your child knows the plan before they walk in the door! There is a link on the right side of the blog to find lunch menus and student accounts.
Milk is included in our hot lunches. If your child brings a lunch from home, they can buy milk (the cost comes from their lunch account). It is helpful if you have discussed with your child if you would like them to order milk or not.
Going Home Routines
Dismissal is always smoother when everyone knows the plan!
Please read South Side’s drop-off and pick-up policy HERE.
If you have not filled our our Transportation Form about how your child will go home each day, you can access it HERE.
If your child will be going home a different way than usual, please email me. For last-minute changes, call the office—by the end of the day. Details can be a little fuzzy in those kindergarten minds, so letting me know is super helpful.
Balance Bikes
South Side Students will have the opportunity to ride Balance Bikes at recess! Each grade level will have their own day to take a turn riding. Kindergartners are invited to bring a BIKE HELMET on TUESDAYS-including our first day of school.
(Helmets are required to ride. Students will not be allowed to share helmets.)
Autoseal Water Bottle and Morning Snack
Please send a water bottle with an autoseal lid and a morning snack with your child each day.
What We’ll Be Learning
Here’s a peek into our curriculum for the year:
Bible: We’ll journey through Old and New Testament stories, take special breaks for Christmas and Easter, and memorize our ABC Bible verses (I’ll share which ones we’re working on so you can review at home too).
Phonics & Phonemic Awareness: We’ll start with “ABC Bootcamp,” then use Phonics First and Heggerty to help students hear, play with, and build words.
Reading Workshop: Students will read “Just Right” books every day and join in guided and shared reading activities.
Writing Workshop: Through daily lessons and independent writing time, students will learn to express their ideas on paper and develop their own writer’s voice.
Math: Using Math Expressions, we’ll focus on building understanding through hands-on activities and “Math Talk,” where students explain their thinking.
Science: With Phenomenal Science, we’ll explore forces and motion, and living things—always with curiosity and hands-on inquiry.
Social Studies: We’ll connect our lessons to seasons, families, community, maps, diversity, and respect.
Art: We’ll create in the classroom and also have weekly Art with Mrs. Brink.
Encore Schedule
Monday: Art with Mrs. Brink
Tuesday: Discovery with Mrs. Heisler
Wednesday: P.E. with Mr. Kool
Thursday: Music with Mrs. York
Friday: Rotation
Learning Outdoors
Kindergarteners love fresh air, so we’ll be using outdoor spaces at South Side often. We’ll also visit the Outdoor Discovery Center and Sassafras Ridge for special learning adventures.
Remember to send a beach towel for our outdoor learning times.
Helping at Home
The best homework? Keep reading together!
Read to your child and have them read to you.
Encourage them to write and draw.
Review Bible verses and practice counting.
Later in the year, we’ll send home BAG books to build reading skills.
Volunteering in Our Classroom
I’m so grateful for parents who help make our classroom community strong!
Watch for upcoming SignUpGenius links or email requests to help with:
Wednesday lunchtime
Class parties
Field trips
Donating supplies or snacks
All volunteers need a background check filled out at least 2 weeks prior to serving.
Forms are available HERE and at our parent information night.
Thank you for partnering with me to make this a wonderful kindergarten year!
Calendar
August 25- First Day of School
August 27- Parent Information Night 5:30-6:30pm
September 4- No school-Labor Day weekend
September 7- No school-Labor Day weekend
September 23- Walk-a-Thon
September 30- School Pictures
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