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 Welcome Back!
I hope everyone had a wonderful Labor Day weekend. Please note the Lower School Carpool Guidelines below. Don't forget the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Grade Meetings this week.
Lower School Carpool Guidelines
The purpose of the following carpool rules is first and foremost to ensure our students are safe. We are implementing these procedures after consulting with our Security team, Crisis Management Committee and Mike Collins, Headmaster.
Please note these Lower School procedures will be effective immediately:
AM Drop off is in front of the Fitness Center and beside Mr. Mancke's cabin, only.
Students may not be dropped off in the morning at the Shelley Road Gate by the Galaxy Playground. You may enter at the Shelley Road Gate for drop off in the carpool lines.
During AM and PM carpool, the only parking lot available is directly in front of the Fitness Center. For everyone's sake, please use the crosswalk when picking up or dropping off your child.
Due to safety concerns, we cannot allow students to walk or ride their bikes to school unless accompanied by a parent.
A reminder that the 3:00 Fitness Center carpool pick up is for students who have Middle School and/or Upper School students in their carpool, only.
All cars in the 3:00 carpool line must place a sign in the driver's side window listing the names of children you are picking up.
It is the parent's responsibility to change the typical carpool plans for your child. Please send a note with your child to school and/or call Mrs. Augenstein at 776-0295 to notify her of changes. Children will not be permitted
to leave if we have not been notified of a change.
Any person picking up your child may be required to show I.D.
Thank you for your assistance in keeping our students safe!
Have a great week!
Ms. Brooks
Pre-K
September 2, 2008
Dear Parents,
The Pre-K classes have had another great week in the world of camping. To date we have made raccoons, owls, frogs and placemats. Tomorrow we will enjoy "cooking" S'mores. We will also be creating ants, hot dogs, and watermelons in Art.
Sounds like a great recipe for a picnic!
Today the children have been introduced to our new letter of the week, Aa, with our friend Apple Annie. Please remember to send 5 pictures of things that start with Aa on Wednesday to put in our alphabet books. We ask that you focus on
the short "a" sound found in apple. Please send these pictures in a Ziploc bag that seals, or in an envelope, with your child's name on it. As part of our Wednesday activities we will help your child glue these pictures onto an alphabet
sheet during class.
School happenings are great conversation starters at the dinner table. Ask your child about the letter of the week and the sound it makes. Have them write it for you in the sand or with chalk on the sidewalk. With a cup of water and a
paint brush, you can create "magic paint" and write on construction paper, concrete or the driveway. Your child should be able to tell you the sound it makes and a word or two that begins with that letter. Reinforcement can be fun, and
is an important step in your child's education.
Speaking of fun, your child has learned some wonderful songs about the camping unit. Ask them to sing a tune for you, you might find yourself singing it at work!!
We can't wait to spend more time with you and your families (siblings are welcome to attend) at the family picnic this Friday, September 5th. You will find the specifics on the invitation (in your Tuesday envelope today). All parents
should meet outside your child's classroom at 11:00am to pick up your family nametags. These nametags will be color coded to make it easier to find your assigned place. You may then set up your picnic in your designated area. We will
bring your children to you. We will have the picnic rain or shine! If you are unable to attend, please let us know in advance so that we are able to make arrangements for your child to sit with another family. We do not want anyone to
feel left out!
We have a few reminders:
1. Please remember to send in a complete extra set of clothes (as close to a Hammond uniform as possible) if you have not done so. Although this extra pair of clothes does not have to be from K& M or Land's End, please make sure that it
is as close as possible so that they do not stand out if they have to change. Also PLEASE MAKE SURE THE BAG INCLUDES SOCKS AND UNDERWEAR.
2. Please send in your Scholastic order with the Tuesday folder tomorrow so that orders can be placed. Don't forget that the class gets free books based on student orders.
3. Show-and-Tell started last Friday. Please make sure your child's "treasure" has something to do with our camping theme or the letter Aa.
Thank you for sharing your children with us. We are having a fantastic time in our classroom campsites! We are especially excited about our family picnic on Friday! Hope to see you then!
Until Friday!
The Pre-Kindergarten Teachers
Kindergarten
September 2, 2008
Dear Parents,
We enjoyed our time with you at the grade level parent meeting last Tuesday. Knowing how difficult it is to attend evening meetings without children, we greatly appreciate so many of you being present. Please feel free to call on any of us
throughout the year if you have any questions or concerns.
This week we begin a unit of study on Nutrition. We will be discussing the different food groups, and will emphasize the importance of a balanced diet. We will also be encouraging the children to try new foods. Please send a note if your
child tries something new and we will give him or her a "new food badge".
While working with language activities, the kindergarten will focus on the letter "Ll" this week. Please reinforce this letter name and phonetic sound at home as well.
Thank you for making the beginning of a new school year great for the teachers as well as for your children! We look forward to our partnership throughout this school year.
A few reminders:
· Rest mats will be going home on Friday to be washed. Please return them on Monday.
· If you have not sent in your summer reading list, please do so by the end of the week.
Loving life-
The Kindergarten Crew
First Grade
It was wonderful to meet and see everyone at our Grade Level Meeting. Thank you for coming. We hope that you had a restful Labor Day weekend. We have already learned many things about fairy tales and are starting our stations this week.
The first graders do seem excited about getting homework so we thought today would be a great day to start.
*Look for your child's First Grade Reading Folder today along with his/her book (with note attached). Please fill out the reading your child does nightly and return it daily so that we can monitor your child's progress and stamp his/ her
folder.
The book can stay at home until he/she is ready for a new one. Thanks for your support.
*Look for your child's math homework on September 9th. It will come home in his/her blue homework folder. Your child should do a little math each day for five days. The math packet should be turned in on Monday, September 15th.
*Many first graders are getting hot and thirsty while they play at recess. We cannot let them go inside without supervision to get water. Please send a water bottle and a snack with your child for recess daily.
The First Grade Teachers
Second Grade
Hang on to your hats! Here we go! We have enjoyed getting to know your children over the last few days but it is time to let second grade kick into high gear. This week we begin our author studies, rotations, station work, plan sheets,
and novel studies. It is going to be a blast. If you have not had a chance to visit our hallways, please stop by and find your child's suitcase. We are all packed and ready to go. Also, the children have recreated flags from around the
world to kick off our reading around the world. We proudly announce that all 80 of our second graders survived their first spelling test. There were no tears and plenty of good grades. We are proud of you! Way to go!
The Sensational Second Grade Teachers
Third Grade
Our new 3rd graders ROCK!! We are so impressed with our new friends and the way they listen and follow directions so quickly. This has enabled us to move more rapidly than expected in Math, Reading, and SC History. We have discussed all
of our SC Symbols and feel this group has a great comprehension of the subject matter. A total unit on symbols will be developed in the next few weeks for spelling and testing. It is all so very exciting!
Our first math test will be this Friday on graphs. A review sheet that is very similar to the test will be given as homework the night before every test, so know that your child must complete this review. The lack of homework the night
before a test results in the loss of recess the next day. You can tell it is very important. Our speed ups are progressing VERY nicely and Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. Best are proud of the effort that we see from each child. Remember,
speed-ups are every Tuesday and Thursday.
Your child's first reading test will be Friday, September 12th on the novel Because of Winn Dixie. It will cover pages 1-97 and sheets #1-4. A letter explaining our reading program is in today's Tuesday Envelope with more
details.
Glad to be in Third Grade,
Your Third Grade Teachers
Fourth Grade
We hope that everyone had a lovely long weekend and a wonderful end to the official summer season. The fourth graders are off to a fabulous start and we couldn't be happier.
If, during the school day, there are times when you need to set up appointments, please try to have these appointments scheduled during your child's related arts classes. The times are as follows:
* Monday and Thursday: 9:40-11:30
* Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 10:10-11:30
Please remember the grade level meeting for fourth grade will be this Thursday, September 4th at 6:00. Come and learn all the "ins and outs" of fourth grade. If you would like to take a look in your child's classroom you may do so prior to
the meeting. The teachers will meet you in the Kiva for the group meeting. The meeting will start promptly at 6:00.
We are looking forward to a wonderful year!
The Fabulous Fourth Grade Teachers
Extended Day
We are off to a GREAT start in Extended Day!
Just a few quick notes:
Tennis lessons with Greg Whitmire will begin September 12th. All other Enrichment Classes will begin Tuesday, September 2nd.
Please send a water bottle with your child each day; it is HOT!
If you have not sent in a completed DSS form, please do so today.
Exciting news!!! Within the next week Extended Day will have our own room! We will be utilizing Room 14 at the end of Lee Hall for Extended Day afternoon activities.
As we are stocking our new room we will be looking for games and videos. If you have any items to donate we will gladly accept them!
Ms. Duffie
Mrs. Babson
Mrs. Gore
Notes From the Nurse
All new families please remember to send a copy of your child's South Carolina Certificate of Immunization as soon as possible. We have mandatory Health Department audits to complete in the next few weeks.
Please look on the school web site for the current 2008-2009 Medical Forms we will use this year. They are located on the Lower School page on the Hammond web site.
Unfortunately the Back to School Packet contained the incorrect form. We will only offer what is on the STANDING ORDER sheet to your child while on campus. All other medicines and treatments (including ibuprophen) must be ordered
by your child's doctor. Please use the In School Medication form for those needs. You may email me at KLobitz@Hammondschool.org or call me at 331-1816 with questions.
Karen Lobitz, RN, CPN
Fall Fest News
Friday, October 17th
5-8pm
ONLY 45 DAYS LEFT!
*The Book Sale drop box is outside of the Lower School office. Clean out and donate those gently used children's books.
*Sign up for homeroom game shifts at your child's Grade Level Meeting. If you aren't able to sign up then, please see the sign up sheet outside of each classroom.
*Interested in making crafts and other items for the Goods to Go shop? Have ideas or suggestions for items? Call Kitty Hoffman (790-8999) or Alysia Ketchum (787-8674)
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