We are off to an exciting new year! Even while we are hopeful that we can open a second classroom, our first classroom is buzzing! This week we started getting to know each other and getting to know what's around us. We read several books that are fast becoming our favorites: <em>Owl Babies, The Kissing Hand, Raven, and Where the Wild Things Are</em> . Owl Babies and The Kissing Hand are our traditional first week of school stories because they concern separation issues. We have had very few separation problems so far, though in my experience, we sometimes see more difficulties in the 2nd or 3rd weeks of school, particularly after a weekend. If your child is crying when you leave, please rest assured that they stop a minute or two after you're gone. If there is a severe problem, we will call you. Sometimes a child feels sad during the day and misses their parent. We may have them send an email to you. Don't worry if the email message is tragic - know that as soon as they hit the &quot;send&quot; button, they feel much better. By the way, a &quot;kissing hand&quot; is when you plant a kiss in the middle of their palm, close their fingers over it, and have them keep it for the day. It doesn't wash off when we wash hands. It stays until they see you again. You may want to send your child with a kissing hand each day, and let them give one to you. It will make you feel better, too, when you're sad and missing your child.

Some other things we did this week: I started math assessments by playing counting games with wooden cubes and unifix cubes. Ms Robin was working with the children doing art projects - painting with unusual tools, watercolor flowers, and decorating pillows. Ms. D. was sorting sea shells with some children. The children discovered the Reading/Writing Corner, the blocks and trains, and of course, the loft. We played outside (Kimbark Ave. playground) in what remains of the sand box, the equipment, and in the gardens by the fence. We also began exploring the butterfly garden which is full of flowers, butterflies, bees, lots of things to notice. London brought in some &quot;tree seeds&quot;: acorns and a whole chestnut and we read &quot;Earl the Squirrel&quot; to celebrate. The children also had Library on Wednesday with Ms. Travis and gym on Thursday with Ms. Perez. We will be having music with Ms. Pickens on Mondays (yes - Willie Picken's daughter and jazz musician extradinaire!).

<strong>WHO WE ARE</strong>

For those of you interested in knowing who we are, we have 20 children in our room:  11 4 year olds, 9 3 year olds; 12 girls and 8 boys (4  3-year-old girls, 5 3-year-old boys, 8 4-year-old girls, 3 4-year-old boys). On Monday we'll be getting 2 more students and that will be it for our room. I hope those of you who were here last year will welcome our new families.

<strong>SUPPLIES</strong>

I am still working on getting caught up so I am late with the supply list. Please bring these in when you get a chance.

Last name A-J:  facial tissue, paper towels,