Survival Tips for Parents

· Schedule  We use the southwest playground door closest to our classroom. Starting time is 8:25 A.M. Classes are dismissed at 3:30 P.M.

· Lunch Always help your child decide what to order for hot lunch before coming to school. The price is $1.85. There are reduced priced and free lunches for those who qualify. Hot lunch money needs to be in an envelope with your child’s name clearly labeled on the front.

White or chocolate milk is provided with hot lunch. If you would like your child to purchase milk for a bag lunch, the price is 35 cents. Exact change is appreciated.

· Backpacks Put your child’s school red/blue folder into his/her backpack. Then check your child's backpack everyday. You never know when there will be something important from school inside!

·On-line Homework Your child will be asked to visit 2 educational web sites per week. Suggestions are found on this blog.

·Reading Homework Research shows that when children are read to at home they become better readers.Reading to your child for at least 10 minutes a day can make a huge difference in your child’s academic success.Kindergartners will have the chance to borrow books from our classroom library.Please read the book with your child and return it the next school day.Students need to return their last book before getting to choose a new one.

·     Electronic Devices   Although students are allowed to bring electronic readers, leap pads and other electronic learning devices to school, the school is not responsible for damaged or lost items. These items will be kept in your child’s backpack when not being used.

· Gym Shoes Your child needs to have shoes for Physical Education! If he/she wears athletic shoes to school everyday, you will have nothing to worry about. Otherwise please send an extra pair of athletic shoes to school for your Kindergartner to keep at school for Physical Education. Children are not allowed to participate in Gym unless they are wearing Gym shoes!

· Sandals Students are allowed to wear sandals to school, if they have a back strap. Sneakers are still required for Gym class.

· Library Our class will be visiting the school library every week. Studens will begin borrowing books soon. Books need to be returned to our classroom within seven days.

· Recess Each day we have one to two periods of recess outside! The only time we stay inside is if it is raining or extremely cold. Always dress your child appropriately for the weather. They will need snow pants this winter.

· Attendance Always call school (604-4100) when your child is going to be absent.

· Label Everything Please label everything that you send to school with your Kindergartner. You wouldn’t believe the number of jackets, hats, lunchboxes, and backpacks that end up in the Lost and Found.

· Breakfast Breakfast for students is served at 8:00 A.M. in the cafeteria. The regular price is $1.30. Students who qualify for a free or reduced lunch are also entitled to a free or reduced breakfast!

· Healthy Snacks Daily Students have Snack Time everyday. Please check the snack calendar to see when it is your turn to provide a snack that month. If you forget to send a snack on your day, please send a box of snacks for us to share the next time someone else forgets. No candy please!

If you would like to include a beverage, please send juice boxes.

·   Communication   Please feel free to email us at gengv@wawm.k12.wi.us or kozls@wawm.k12.wi.us to leave a voice mail message for us if you ever have any concerns or questions about our class. The school phone number is 604-4100.

Kevin and I were able to get a little time together visiting Bryce Canyon and Zion National Park. Both were beautiful. Bryce canyon was not like anything we've ever seen. 

My daughter was recently married and we're all excited for her new adventures.

Last Day

We spent our final day in the Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. Beautiful. Our time at this park wasn't nearly long enough to see even a fraction of the beauty. We did take a couple short hikes to a waterfall and around a lake. We even saw some carribou. Diane is really happy to be going home tomorrow. She has been homesick for most of the trip. She reached her goal of swimming everynight ending with a 9:00 swim at our hotel across from the airport. I am both sad and happy to be going home. I am tired of living out of a suitcase but I am sad to be leaving the mountains.

Day 10 & 11 On the Water

We spent two days in our swim suits. We went rafting on a river. The rapids were a level 2 which was perfect for Diane, Mark and I but a little to calm for Tyler. Next time, we will try a bigger river. After our trip, we stopped at a state park to swim and saw a huge bike race just like on the olympics. The next day we sat by the pool here at the condo and Diane did what she does best, socialize. It was a fun two days. We leave the condo tomorrow for the Rockies and then only two more nights. Our trip has gone fast.

Day 9

What can you do at a ski resort when there is no snow? How about a scenic ride in a chair lift, or a challenging obstacle course or a ride down the mountain on a summer toboggan or how about a thrilling zip line. We had a fun day

Day 8 by Diane

Today, we didn't do much. It was our firs full day in our condiminium. Tyler and Dad played tennis while Mom and I went to Walmart and got groceries. Afterwards Tyler and I went swimming in the pool. We came home and Dad made some pretty good burgers on the grill. I had lots of fun today!

Day 6 & 7

We spent only one day in Moab, UT. It was a quaint little town with cute shops perfect for window shopping. Diane found something for her best friend, Katy. We ate at a resturant called "Peace Cafe". We spent the day at Arches National Park. It was my favorite park so far. Incredible views. Tyler and Diane had fun rock climbing too. Now we are settle in at our condo in Eden, UT (north of Salt Lake). We traded views of the canyons by Mountain views. Our condo is really nice and has a water slide in the pool. Yeah!

Day 5

We spent the day at Lake Powell in Glen Canyon National Park. We hiked a little but mostly we swam in the lake and relaxed. It is a more crowed area than we have been too so far and we laughed while playing "how many old men in speedos (10) can you find. We are leaving Kayanta today. It is a very small town in the Navajo Nation. More canyon than buildings and people. Everyone was very nice and helpful. It think it is a very impoverished area and so I am glad we were here to spend some money. It is also an international destination. I don't think there were any other americans at the hotel. It was intesting to hear the mix of languages while hanging out by the pool or in the resturant.

Day 4

Natural Bridges National Park. The canyons were even more spectacular today than yesterday. We drove on a very narrow road with no guard rails up and down one. Mark and Tyler thought it was cool. Diane and I thought is was a bit scary. I was just happy not to be driving. The bridges were breathtaking and I mean literally. The altitude was making it difficult to breath especailly after the mile climb. Tyler of course, had no problem and often made fun of the fact that I needed to stop several times.