Mrs. Wojcik's Montessori Kindergarten

Fund Sea Camp by Eating at Chili's Breakfast

2011-10-27T11:35:00.000-07:00

There will be a Chili's Breakfast Fundraiser for the 2012 8th Grade trip to Sea Camp San Diego on Sat. November 12th. The fundraiser starts at 7:00am and goes until 10:00am. Students can pick up tickets to sell from me and have a portion of those sales go towards their individual trip expenses. If you want to attend and do not have a student going on this trip, you are more than welcomed to “donate” the proceeds from your ticket purchase to a student of your choice. When you purchase your ticket from me just let me know which student you would choose, or if you want to put it in the “General” Sea Camp fund. The cost of the tickets will be:

$10.00 for Adults (12years and older)

$5.00 for Kids (11years and under)

The fundraiser will be held at the Chili's location in Brighton (Prairie Center Parkway)

2011-10-09T11:29:00.000-07:00

HARVEST HOP is coming up on October 22, 2011 from 4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

Wristbands will be on sale for Harvest Hop on 10/13, 10/18, 10/19, 10/20, 10/21 before and after school. Please contact Christine Davis at cdavis0723@yahoo.com for more information.

Wristband Prices during the Pre-Sale (10/13,10/18,10/19,10/20, 10/21) before and after school

Meal Wristbands: $5.00 each or 5 for $20.00

Game Wristbands: $8.00 each-Presale Price only

Wristbands Day of Harvest Hop: (October 22, 2011)

Meal Wristbands: $5.00 each

Game Wristbands: $10.00 each

Date Change for Poker Run!

2011-10-07T16:24:00.000-07:00

***WEATHER RELATED DATE CHANGE**(See flyer in Friday Folder for details)

The fundraiser Poker Run for Eagle Ridge Academy High School has been postponed one week to Saturday October 15th.

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=134391683324886

Email-Up for Conferences!!

2011-10-05T16:27:00.000-07:00

I'll be conducting conferences next week (Tuesday-Wednesday) from 4-8pm. Email me your top three available times and I'll send you an invitation through my Outlook Calendar!

Thanks for all you do!

-Mel Wojcik

CANDY, YOU SAY - BRING IT!!

2011-10-03T18:42:00.000-07:00

LAST YEAR WE WERE 3rd PLACE WITH 72 lbs. of YUMMY CANDY!! BUT WE CAN WIN THIS YEAR WITH YOUR GENEROUS HELP!!!

Earn an “Ice-Cream Sundae” party with all of the toppings for your child’s classroom.

All you have to do is donate bags of candy to your child’s classroom during October 3^rd to October 20^th. The class with the most bags of candy will win the Ice-Cream party.

This candy will be used for the Harvest Hop on Saturday, October 22^nd from 4:00 p.m.-7:30 p.m.

Just In - Amazing First Week for Wojcik Kids!!

2011-08-28T10:18:00.000-07:00

Dear Terrific Parents,

The first week is always full of challenges however your wonderful kids really stepped up to them!!

We toured the school, including the cafeteria, specials rooms, upstairs (just because they wanted to see it!), office, and most importantly the bathrooms. In the interest of safety, Kinders are always asked to go to the closest bathroom. This will depend entirely on where they are in the school, of course. This will probably take some time to adjust to but we're quickly learning to navigate our very large school. We also walked the perimeter of the playground boundary (side playground adjacent to parking lot) since they play there after lunch.

Other necessary and routine procedures were covered throughout the week to keep our kids happy and safe at BECS. On that note, please encourage your child to enter into the fenced playground at drop-off and pick-up times.  Children that run to greet parents during these transitions compromise everyones safety. At drop off, escort your child into the fenced area. At pick-up, we assemble in area inside the fence. Please come inside the fence to pick up your child from that designated area. I know it may sound rather rigid but it's all in the interest of your child's safety. Plus, Kindergarten teachers get 10 gray hairs everytime a kiddo runs!!  So, please do your part in keeping my hair it's current color!;o)

We looked at two important Aesop fables: The Ant and the Grasshopper and The Tortoise and the Hare. I feel both illustrate the importance of a consistant work ethic. The former also relates to our Habit of putting first things first (also known as Work, then Play).

I've introduced quite a bit of fine motor work in the Practical Life Area: large and small water transfer, lace cards, bead stringing (for now random order and eventually specific patterns), and sorting by color, geo-board (with written extension for some).

Introduced in the Language Area: geometric insets (circle, square, ellipse, oval, triangle), concentration/memory games, letter tracing, name/letter and number writing (paper and in the sandtray), proper use of the library corner, initial comprehension exercises based on Aesop fables, BrainPopjr videos on public signs/meaning/safety, BrainPopjr videos regarding peer relationships (being a good friend, what to do when you're angry) and and Starfall.com on the computer.

Pre-Math/Sensorial/Math: Knobbed/Knobbless Cylinders, Lavendar Tower, Broad stair, white cubes (presently just exploratory), number/quantity associations (0-9), and linear counting.

All of Science is currently exploratory but that will change this week with the introduction of Living/Non-Living work.

Other highlights of the week included a visit from our wonderful Principal Roberta Harrell who dropped in to read a story Monday afternoon!  The kids loved it!

Thanks so much for all the parental support this week! I can't do it without you!!

More good news later!!

Sincerely,

Mel Wojcik

Drop Off and Pick Up News!!

2011-08-24T19:40:00.000-07:00

Hello Wonderful Families!

On Thursday August 24th our class will dismiss on the Kindergarten playground (it's the only one that has a fence around).

As of Friday August 25th we will be utilizing the fenced-in Kindergarten playground for BOTH pick up and dismissal. In the interest of safety, we have decided to line up inside of the fence at the 7:55 bell. We will dismiss at 3:30 on the Kinder playground so don't forget to notify your pick up contacts, especially those big brothers and sisters also at Bromley!

My apologies for any confusion or inconvenience today. We're working out a few bugs in the routine and feel that a move to the Kinder play ground is necessary to optimize safety.

Thanks for your patience!

Sincerely,

Mel Wojcik

Last Days of School!!! News and Events

2011-05-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Wonderful Parents,

How splendid was that graduation?! I thought it was pretty fantastic! I'm so fortunate to do what I do; I got a first hand look at your amazing children growing academically, socially, emotionally, and in myriad ineffable ways.

The last week of school is at hand so here's what you need to know:

Monday- Regular school day (8:20-3:35)

Tuesday- 8:20 Start Time. Picnic Day (Send 2.00 for pizza which I will order). No lunch served in cafeteria. Please supply your child with H20 and/or a drink, a snack and favorite outside toy/game. Free Dress Day. Dismissal at 3:35.

Wednesday- 8:20 Start Time. Field Day Starts at 9:00 a.m. Please supply your child with H20/drink, snack, and appropriate clothing for getting dirty and wet outside. Dismissal at 11:00.

Also, please apply sunscreen at home to ensure protection during these extended periods outdoors on Tuesday and Wednesday. Parents are encouraged to come and enjoy all events with us. Field Day is particularly excellent for photography!

Many warm thanks for a great year!!

MUSICAL PLAY, K-GRAD DONATIONS, AND ZOO UPDATES

2011-05-05T05:59:00.000-07:00

ATTENTION PARENTS:

· Montessori Musical Play is tomorrow night (FRIDAY MAY 6^th).

· Please have your child at the school by 6:10 SHARP!!

· Fancy Dress is encouraged but nice, casual is acceptable.

· The entire play will last about 30 mins.

To find out what donations for our K-graduation, contact: fix.ariel@gmail.com or josie@brettamurray.com

ZOO news: Unfortunately, the buses we’ve been issued will not allow for any parents to ride. All parents will have to arrange for their own transportation unfortunately.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Time Change for Montessori Musical!!

2011-05-02T16:22:00.000-07:00

Please note parents: The Montessori Musical starts at 6:30 (NOT 6:00) so have kids arrive by 6:10 sharp to organize. Fancy dress is encourged! If that makes your kid wince, nice casual is acceptable.

Work, Art, and Finally Chess!!

2011-04-27T05:11:00.000-07:00

Dates To Remember!!

2011-04-26T19:20:00.000-07:00

Thursday April 28th - Free Dress Day unless your child has 3 absences or tardies. You may disregard office referrals for the purposes of FDD unless you hear otherwise from me.

Friday April 29th - No School!

Friday May 6th - Annual Montessori Play (all performers should arrive by 5:45). Parents, Family and Friends are invited to join the Montessori K-5 program for a musical evening of biomes and fun. If you are unable to attend please let me know.

Friday May 6th - The kindergarten “Free Dress Day”. Your one US dollar will be going towards graduation decorations, cake, drinks, and paper products.

Thursday May 19th - Denver ZOO Trip (leave 8:45- return by 2:00) We need chaperones for this terrific, annual Kinder event! Let me know as early as you can whether you'd like to attend. First come, first served for seats on the bus!! Details and permission form to come.

Friday May 20th - Kindergarten Graduation!!! (2pm-3:30). Join us for the pomp, circumstance, and fun! Refreshments to follow ceremony.

Wednesday May 25th - Last day of school and Field Day (9-11am). Early release at 11:00 a.m. Have a Fantastic, Memorable Summer. Thank you so much for your support; we've had a great, growing year!!

Calling All My Awesome Volunteers!!!

2011-04-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Volunteer Breakfast -- It is our turn to treat you! Please plan to attend a special volunteer breakfast this Friday, April 15, at 7:15 a.m. in the downstairs' tech lab. This is our way of saying "thank you" for all of your volunteer time and talent this year to help our school. Just bring yourselves!!!

Friday March 25 GAME DAY and FREE DRESS DAY!!

2011-03-24T18:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Fabulous Parents,

Friday March 25th is Game Day and a Free Dress Day (for everyone!). Before the fun begins we'll be having our first ever Spelling Test. I hope the info I sent home on Monday helped with preparing your young scholar for the event. I'll make it as fun as possible and everyone will get an extra 10 minutes of free time for participating. I'm guessing I'll see lots of 100% results.

Also, we're about 12 reams away from a free dress day (April 4th) and a Pizza Party!! That's quite a bargain...Big thanks to all the families that have already donated paper to help with our rising paper costs and needs. You ROCK!!!

Have a Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Spring Break!!

Warmest Regards,
Mel Wojcik

P.S. School resumes on Monday April 4th

Spaghetti Dinner and Kindergarten Craft Sale!!

2011-03-02T09:30:00.000-08:00

WHY:     Please come help support Tina Gertsmann (a previous teacher) with her fight against colon cancer.

WHAT:   We are having a spaghetti dinner and sale of the kinder clay crafts (magnets and pendants)! After the dinner is over, the PTO is having a free family fun night with bingo and activities in the gym!

WHEN:   Friday March 4th at 5:00 to 6:30pm, PTO fun to follow. It will be $8 at the door per person. All proceeds from the dinner and craft sale go to Tina Gertsmann.

Please come show your support  for Tina Gertsmann.
Thank you!!

Valentine's Party

2011-02-09T15:43:00.000-08:00

There will be a Valentine’s Party with Valentine Exchange on Monday, February 14th. Students will be making/decorating their own valentine bags that day, so if you'd like your child to participate, please send in their valentines that day-- enough for everyone-- with only their names signed on each. (if the cards are individually addressed, it takes forever to get them in the right bags!) Thanks!

We will be start celebrating around 1:30pm. Parents please feel free to join us. Bringing a treat or snack (such as fruit/cheese/veggies/dip) for the occassion is also encouraged.

2011-02-05T07:05:00.000-08:00

Tomorrow is Picture Day for K!!

2011-01-31T08:38:00.000-08:00

Picture Day is coming to Bromley East this week. Students in K-4 have pictures on Tuesday, February 1st.
All students need to wear uniforms for both individual and class photos. All Kinders will also be photographed with cap and gown on Tuesday!

Friday January 28 is Free Dress and Game Day!!

2011-01-27T12:43:00.000-08:00

Everyone in Mrs.Wojcik's class has earned Free Dress tomorrow - yippee! Don't forget, it's also Game Day so let your child bring a game that he/she can teach to others. Quite a few of the children have learned all the rules to Mancala so we'll hold our first ever tournament!! Have a safe and fabulous weekend.

Welcome Back and Conference Information

2011-01-10T05:27:00.000-08:00

I trust everyone had a pleasant holiday break since all the little duckies returned no worse for the wear. We had a stupendous first week back!! The children were clearly ready to be engaged intellectually.  So, I decided it was time to learn alittle algebra - solving for x.  I plugged an unknown into a simple addition problem and away we went!! We're also learning about the presidents on Mt.Rushmore and Martin Luther King Jr. this month.

Conferences are February 14-17th. from 4pm - 7:30.  I've scheduled 15mins. for each slot so there's 4-4:15, 4:15-4:30...etc. I'll take first come, first serve by email or any other means of communication!

Can you believe we're in the 3rd  Quarter?

Warmest Regards,

Mel Wojcik

Snowflake Shop and Party!!

2010-12-16T14:13:00.000-08:00

Those who bring money to spend in the Snowflake Shop will get to make purchases at 12:30 tomorrow!!

They've already previewed and you should be able to find gift list envelopes in backpacks.

Also, thanks to my HRH and her secret elvin helpers we're all set to party around 1:00. Feel free to send games as well!

Have a SPECTACULAR AND BLESSED HOLIDAY BREAK!!! (See ya next year:o)

Warmest Wishes,

Mel Wojcik

2010-12-13T18:10:00.000-08:00

Kindergarten Polar Region Read Aloud

Date: Wednesday, December 15^th

Time: 8:30-9:00

Please join our developing authors and illustrators for a read aloud. The topic will be the animals of the Polar Regions, which we have been studying. Each student has contributed a page of our classroom book, and would like to share it with you! Hope to see you there!

-Also, jewelry made by Kindergarteners will be on display and for sale for $5!

KINDERGARTEN ARTS and CRAFTS DISPLAY at BARNES & NOBLE

2010-12-01T06:06:00.000-08:00

WHO: You and your wonderful kid!
WHAT: KINDER ARTS & CRAFTS DISPLAY AND SALE

WHERE: BARNES & NOBLE Westminster 9370 Sheridan Blvd.
WHEN: MONDAY DEC. 6th (5pm-9pm) (Events begin at 6pm)

Come between 5pm and 9pm to see how creative and artistic your kindergartener can be. We'll be selling your child's donated art work/jewelry to benefit future Kindergarten events and activities.

Don't miss it!!

Also, it's a great time to purchase books as gifts for your child and other family members. Our partnership with Barnes and Noble allows 15% or more of your purchase to benefit our outstanding school. So, come out to support BROMLEY EAST CHARTER SCHOOL!

COME FEAST WITH US!!! (and HELP!!!)

2010-11-20T05:37:00.000-08:00

The annual Kindergarten Feast is an event to behold- over 100 kinders with parents and siblings (grands, aunts, uncles too!) coming together to commemorate the first Thanksgiving. Unlike the first "Thanksgiving", it won't last 3 days but a mere few hours starting at 1:00pm. Tuesday November 23rd.

Hopefully, you've received the sign-up sheet to share your most delicious family dish. Thus far we'll be feasting on BREAD ALONE (although I sure it's amazing bread)!! Please see your child's Friday Folder and return by Monday!!!

Hope to see ALL of you in the Kindergarten on TUESDAY NOVEMBER 23rd at 1:00pm!

Warmest Regards,

Mel Wojcik

MAIL IN FOR CONFERENCES!!!

2010-10-18T20:53:00.000-07:00

Wonderful Parents,

Please email me with your top 3 times for conferences. I'm scheduling for Monday Oct.25th (4:20-7:40), Tuesday Oct.26th (4:00-7:40) and Wednesday Oct. 27th (4:00-7:40pm). First Come, First Served...;-)

Thanks,

Mel Wojcik

Field Trip Forms Go Out Tuesday 10/12!!!!

2010-10-11T14:04:00.000-07:00

Look for Field Trip permission forms Tuesday!!! They're due back by Thursday (10/14)!!! The cost is 11.00. Make checks payable to BECS, (cash is Ok too).

First Days (Continued)

2010-10-08T05:40:00.000-07:00

Click on photo to view entire album! Let me know if it didn't work for you. I'm still learning too!! Warmest Regards, Mel Wojcik

MARK IT ON YOUR CALENDARS!!

2010-10-04T16:40:00.000-07:00

BECS KINDERGARTENERS WILL MAKE THE ANNUAL PILGRIMAGE TO THE PUMPKIN PATCH ON WEDESDAY ROCTOBER 20th!! Time: 8:30-2:00. Permission forms and such will be coming next week!

FANTASTIC FUN FRIDAY IS OCTOBER 1st!!!!! Don't Miss it!!

2010-09-30T05:45:00.000-07:00

Friday October 1st is our Fantastic Fun Friday; there will be a visit and some groovy moves from our very own Bromley Hawk mascot for all K rooms with 100% attendance! And that's just a warm up for our Fun Day. Donut Holes are being provided by one of our wonderful K parents and Board member Sherry Edelen. The afternoon festivities will include the Kinder Movie Theatre, where two movies will be playing and of course popcorn will be popping!! Each child present will get tickets to watch a fun G movie and tickets for popcorn. Oh, and it's a FREE DRESS DAY!! To top it off each child should bring a fun or sports cap. All K rooms with 100% attendance will be allowed to wear their craziest or sportiest head fashion. Don't miss it!!!

Progress Reports Coming Soon!

2010-09-26T20:23:00.000-07:00

Progress Reports will go out on Friday October 1st! There are currently some grades posted on Infinite Campus but I'll be adding more this week! Conferences will be the last week of October!

The First Days of Kinder Class 2010-11

2010-09-18T09:26:00.000-07:00

Click on photo to view album on my Picasa site!
I suggest viewing albums as slide shows due to the size of photos.
Feel free to look around my Gallery - Enjoy!

Dismissal News

2010-09-18T07:23:00.000-07:00

Breaking News...Kindergarten Dismissal...Breaking News...

Effective Monday, September 20th, parents may pick-up their Kindergarteners at 3:20.

Grades 1st -8th will dismiss at the regular time, 3:35.

Kindergarten faculty will remain outside until 3:40 for those students who cannot be picked up at 3:20 (as in the case of being picked up by a BECS sibling).

Have a safe and wonderful weekend,

Mel Wojcik

2010-09-15T21:49:00.001-07:00

Wojcik Class Happenings

This year’s Wojcik Class kindergarteners are off to a fantastic start! I’ve had a strong response of parental support and I thank you wonderful parents who’ve donated your valuable time to make copies, compile Friday Folders, and spend quality time in the classroom reading. If you can spare a recess period (10:20-10:40) or a lunch (10:40-11:10) to watch over our wonderful kids please let me, Marisha Gast or the Office know. It will be triply appreciated! You’re the biggest part of your child’s life and it’s our partnership that enables your child to receive the maximum benefits from public education.

In our language curriculum, also known as

Open Court

, we’re covering letter writing, beginning/ending sounds, upper/lower case distinction, rhyming words, color words, and myriad games that reinforce these skills. Journal writing of name, date, and our favorite high-frequency word “The” is also in progress. In accordance with our commitment to the Core Knowledge scope and sequence, our literature includes poems, Aesop Fables, Fairy Tales, and sayings such as “Practice makes perfect”. We’re also well into the Letters and Sounds Workbook, which typically stays in the classroom.

Pre-writing and fine motor works include, the Geometric Insets (circle, oval, ellipse, pentagon, square, triangle, curvilinear triangle, and rectangle), color mixing (making ROYGBIV with Red, Blue, and Yellow), making a “rainbow” in the room with a prism, water transfer work, bead stringing, patterns with beads and tangrams. Ask you child to tell you the colors of the rainbow (in order) and don’t let them slide with “purple” for indigo and violet. They should also know the difference (one is more of a bluish purple and the other more of a reddish purple) which means that our Crayola pencils are incorrectly labeled!!!

Math activities include matching, sorting, grading, numeral writing and numeral/quantity association lessons, counting by 2’s, 5’s and 10’s. These kids are graphing like 1^st graders!! Categories include favorite rainbow colors, fruit snacks by flavor (very popular), objects by color, home/school lunch, and shirt colors! They simply love graphing!

Also, as part of Core Knowledge, first Science lessons are covering an introduction to our globe (water/land), the seven continents, and directional concepts. Works such as Living/non-living sorting, Plant/Animal and Vertebrate/Invertebrate sorting are also available. There is also a work in which they remove and label the major organs of our plastic model, Bob! We’ll have many discussions and lessons on the human body; currently there are two works covering the human skeletal system. Ask your child to name and tap the bones they know – they’ll probably surprise you!

Stay tuned for Pumpkin Patch news and The Origins of Halloween Story!

Thanks for your support,

Mel Wojcik

Week Ending August 27

2010-08-28T17:19:00.000-07:00

Well, we all earned our Free Dress day!! These kids are working hard to rise to some pretty high expectations, so I felt everyone deserved to wear what they wanted on Friday. We had an extremely busy week full of new lessons and materials. The children were introduced to the Geometric Solids, specifically the sphere, cube, square-based pyramid, and cone. Next week we'll cover rectangular prism, ovoid, and ellipsoid. I'll also give a lesson on understanding maps, and introduce the World Map. As a supplement, we'll begin work on Global Address packets.

In Literacy, we'll continue to cover sayings, poems, nursery rhymes, Aesop fables, and fairy tales. We started with the Three Little Pigs and Three Billy Goats Gruff. The children noticed the difference between an orginal translation that was read to them and the 1933 Disney version. Ask them about it!

Setting Expectations (it's hard work!)

2010-08-28T16:36:00.000-07:00

We've been writing classroom rules complete with rationales for "why" it's a good idea to follow this rule. We're still working hard on using "inside voices", walking quietly down the halls, keeping hands to ourselves, cleaning up in the cafeteria before we leave, raising silent hands to speak in group, taking turns, following playgground rules and boundaries, and general community building. This past week they were introduced to the "Golden Rule". On Monday, we'll have a group discussion again about the Golden Rule and respect for others. We'll also go over the newly instituted "Green/Yellow/Red" behavior sheets and how to get free/game time at the end of the week. Also, our Positive Behavior Support model, which we've named the BECS Way will be discussed during large group time.

Originally Posted August 23, 2010