Kinder Week 18

Happy New Year, Kinder Families!

Welcome back to school! As we enter the 2026 year, I’d like to take the time to remind you of our classroom rules and policies. I am happy to be back in the classroom, doing what I love — teaching young minds and inspiring them to be the best version of themselves. Since being away, routines and procedures may have been slightly different and I’d like to remind you of our daily procedures that help create a smooth school day. Please carefully read below for reminders & announcements for upcoming events!

Morning Drop Off
The school bell rings at 7:50am daily. Students must be in line when the bell rings, or they are marked tardy and must receive a tardy slip from the office — 3 tardies = an effort slip. 

The school gates open at 7:30am, and parents are able to drop off their children in line if needed to leave, we have supervision in the morning from the yard duty! Please note that children are welcomed to sit on the blue or brown benches — but they are not to be running around the yard during drop offs. Please monitor your children in the morning! 

Daily Behavior Charts
My method of teaching promotes positive reinforcement. I do not negatively reprimand the students if they make mistakes, however they will receive a grade daily depending on their behavior regarding school rules. Please keep in mind that if your child does not receive a sticker — it is NOT a “bad” thing. I try not to threaten the students with stickers as it can hurt them self-esteem. If they do not receive a sticker on a day, I motivate them to do a better job for the next day. My goal is to keep students accountable for their actions and learn from them. 

Daily Homework 
Homework is due daily in their green homework folders. Every morning, they are stamped and checked off and put back in their folders for the next day. Missing homework is minus one point — and it there is no makeup points for missing/late work (unless they are absent). 

Every THURSDAY they will receive their reading decodable that matches our weekly reading lesson. Their decodable reading page will not be in their homework folder until Thursdays. 

Library books are due every MONDAY during our library visits. Missing library books that are not returned are minus one point for homework. These books are physically checked out and scanned to their student accounts from the library, any missing or damaged books are kept tracked and will be billed to you if needed. 

Teaching Touch Safety (TTS) 
Kindergarten through 2nd grade students will be learning our annual Teaching Touch Safety (TTS) as a group on Friday, January 9th. 

The theme for the School Year 2025 – 2026 Safe Environment Training is focused on the important topic of Internet Safety. These permission forms were sent during the beginning of the school and have already been received. 

Kinder & 8th Grade Field Trip to the LA Zoo
Kinder & 8th Grade will be having a buddy field trip to the Los Angeles Zoo on Friday, January 16th! The cost for each student is $32 and can payment can be handled with Mr. Aguilar in the main office. 

If you’d like to volunteer to be a chaperone, please fill out this google document. I can only choose 5 additional chaperones. If you already chaperoned our aquarium field trip, you may not be chosen again. If you are NOT chosen, you can still join us — you will have to purchase your own admission ticket and meet us at the zoo! Please ensure you are VIRTUS trained. 

https://forms.gle/ioDz1rkEg4foB1Pq5

2nd STAR Testing Window
Our 2nd STAR Testing for Early Literacy will be on January 20-22. Please be sure that your child has a nutritious breakfast and ample amount of sleep! I will be testing students in small groups, so they will be tested on one of those days. 

Catholic School’s Week 1/25-30th
Catholic School’s week begins on Sunday, Jan 25th! We celebrate our catholic school community and our love for catholic education! 

Open House will be on Sunday, 1/25! More information to follow. 

For additional questions or information, please feel free to email me! 
You can also check out our class blog here: https://stanthonygardena.org/kindergarten For any missed information!

Happy New Year,

Mrs. Garrido