Well, even our kindergarten students now have a few weeks under their belts, although this will be their first full week.  There is much to learn about being a student.  Please help us reinforce these life skills we've been emphasizing these last few weeks.  

• Independent Toileting including handwashing 
• Active listening - eyes on speaker, facing speaker, quiet bodies, zero inch voice (no talking)
• Following the directions of the adults/grownups

We have had a very high number of students this year who simply say, "NO!" when asked to complete a task, sometimes as simple as lining up with the class.  We are asking for your support and reinforcement of all of these skills at home.  Reading stories together, playing board games, sitting down to meals together and talking about your day all provide great opportunities to practice and reinforce many of these life skills.  Expecting your child to dress independently, including tying, zipping and buttoning, toilet independently and comply with adult directions at home consistently without complaint will have a positive impact on their success at school and will allow for much more time for teaching and learning.

"Together We're Better" will continue to be our theme this year! as we believe strongly that a strong home and school partnership is vital to a student's success.  Thanks in advance for your support.  It's been a great start in so many ways and we are blessed to work with your children.

If you are struggling and feel you need additional support, see the attached flyer for a unique opportunity for a parent support group which starts THIS week that we just found out about.

Finally, our first PTO meeting of the year is tomorrow night at Park Layne Elementary.  Please join us in the cafeteria at 6:30 pm.  Enter the gym door.