It has been a busy 4 days in Room 159.  The children began a variety of patterning activities which will continue, as we explore creating, identifying and extending patterns.  The children have made patterns with coloured blocks and then coloured strips to represent their patterns.  This work is displayed on our classroom door.  The children also had the opportunity to practise their patterning with Miss Paska on Tuesday.  We created activities with felt leaves, pompoms and colourful gems to further practise patterning skills.  It is wonderful to watch the children be hands on and involved with their learning.
     The children visited the book fair this week in the library.  There was no book exchange because of the book fair.  Book exchange will begin on Monday as usual.  Cold season has begun in Room 159.  Children should be staying home with excessive runny noses and coughing to prevent the spreading of illness to others.  Staying home one day can help a child rest and fight off illnesses.  No one wants to be at school when they are not feeling well.  Thanks so much.  We had a chilly fire drill on Wednesday.  The children did a great job of exiting the classroom, lining up,doing attendance and waiting quietly.
     The children's mailbags were full of new items this weekend.  All children receive a Snuggle Up book to read or to be read to.  These books will be exchanged each Tuesday and Friday.  When there is no school on Friday, books will be exchanged on Thursday.  Please take care of these books as many were purchased by me personally or belong to the school.  Please return the Snuggle Up book in your child's mailbag on Monday or Tuesday, so we can send home a new book.  The Junior Kindergarten Students received a form for French Immersion beginning in Senior Kindergarten.  Please read the information provided for important dates and contact the office if you have any questions.  
     We have started the Jolly Phonics program this week.  Through this program the students learn letter formation skills, letter sounds and actions to help consolidate their learning.  The first letter sound taught is "s".  The sounds are taught in order of usage in words, as opposed to the order of the alphabet.  The children have also received a Sound Review Book in their mailbag.  This is a voluntary review that you may do with your child.  As we discuss a letter sound, an activity will be sent home that you can do with your child.  Please return the Sound Review book, on or before Thursday to receive the next sheet.  You will receive the next sheet even if the previous sheet is not completed as I realize that some weeks are busier than others.
     As the cool weather approaches Miss Santiago and I are helping the children practise putting on their coats and doing their zippers.  We continue to have the children be as independent as possible, and they are doing a wonderful job.  A reminder to have your child pull out the sleeves of his/her coat and place it on the floor, toes to the tag of the coat.  They will place his/her arms in the sleeves and "flip" it over his/her head.  For zippers, Miss Santiago has taught the children to take sure that the rocket(slider)is in the launch pad (the box at the bottom) and then place the astronaut (insertion pin  of the zipper) into the rocket (box) and pull.  It is wonderful to watch the excitement on the children's faces when they independently zip their own zipper.  Please give them the time to accomplish this task when you can.  You will love the sense of accomplishment and independence.


     Thanks again for your contributions to our Terry Fox campaign.  We are continuing to accept donations on-line and at school.  We have not yet reached our school goal and are behind last year's donations.
     The LKS Fall Fair is Wednesday, October 18 in the school yard from 3:00-5:00 pm.  There will be a petting zoo, a bouncy castle, pumpkins, crafts, food trucks and more.  Please let us know if pick up plans will be different on Wednesday.  See you there!
     LKS is collecting food donations for the Toronto Food Bank.  You can find more details regarding "We Scare Hunger" on the LKS Bulletin.  Food donations can be brought to our classroom.  Thanks in advance for your generosity.  It is greatly appreciated.

This Week:
Monday-Library (B), Computers (A)
Tuesday-Snuggle up books exchanged
Wednesday-Music
                    LKS Fall Fair
                    Happy 30th day of school, Zero the Hero visits
Thursday-Library (A), Computers (B)
Friday-Happy Friday!
            Snuggle Up books exchanged
            Have you brought your donation for We Scare Hunger?