Great Start!

Our year has gotten off to a wonderful start! You have great kids! I know they are getting tired, and it may be becoming difficult to get them motivated in the morning. This is very normal during the first several weeks of kindergarten. As the year progresses, their bodies will get used to this new schedule. :) In the meantime, you can help by being sure they get to bed at a reasonable time, as well as eat a good, nutritious breakfast to keep them focused in the mornings.

We have been working a lot on procedures and routines, learning the "ins and outs" of kindergarten and Beartooth Elementary. We have also been working on identifying colors and shapes, as well as writing our names.

If you practice at home, be sure to help your child write their name with a capital at the beginning, and lower case for the rest. We use D'Nealian writing in kindergarten (lots of monkey tails), which helps the kids as they start cursive in 3rd grade.

Parent Helpers

Several of you indicated that you would be willing to help in our classroom. If you are willing to have a weekly scheduled time, please let me know. This could be for about an hour a week, whenever is convenient for you. There are often projects I could use help with, or individual students that you could work with.

If you are only available to help on occasion, that is great, too! I will let you know when we have needs in our classroom, and you can let me know when you are available. It is also helpful if you would be willing to take home items in the evening, to sort or cut out laminating, etc. If you would be willing to do this, let me know!

Thanks for your willingness to help! It is greatly appreciated!

Mrs. Piltz' Classroom Rules

Rule #1 Follow directions quickly.
Rule #2 No talking when someone else is talking.
Rule #3 Keep your hands, feet and other objects to yourself.
Rule #4 Talk nicely and share with your friends.
Rule #5 Keep your dear teacher happy. :)

First Day of School Fun!

We had an awesome first day of kindergarten! The kids did a wonderful job - even though we were all tired by the afternoon! :) See you again tomorrow! ** Parents - if you DO NOT want your child's photograph included on the blog at any time, please contact me at piltzt@billingsschools.org and let me know. THANK YOU! **

Meet Your Teacher Night

I loved meeting many of you this evening! Thank you for bringing in your supplies. Remember, if you have no yet brought them in, you are welcome to bring them on Wednesday when your child starts school.

If you have any questions, feel free to email or call: 281-6202 or piltzt@billingsschools.org.

See you Wednesday!
Mrs. Piltz

Welcome Back!

The beginning of a brand new year is almost here! School begins on Wednesday, August 25th at 8:25 am. Dismissal time is at 2:30 pm. There is a Meet Your Teacher Night on Monday, August 23rd from 5:00-6:00 pm. Kindergartners and their parents are welcome to bring in school supplies and see our classroom during this time.

A copy of the school supply list can be found here.

I look forward to meeting you soon! Mrs. Traci Piltz

Earn free books from Borders

The summer reading program at Borders double dog dares your kids to read 10 books and earn a free book. Click here to download the form and find more information. Happy reading!

Thank you!

Thank you to all of the parents who contributed for my wonderful gift! The flowers are gorgeous, and I love the dinner and movie (and so will my family)! You have wonderful kids, and it has been a joy to get to know all of you this year. Have a wonderful summer!
Love, Mrs. Piltz

Last Day of School Fun!

Thank you for an amazing year in kindergarten! Have a great summer! Love, Mrs. Piltz

Citizenship Awards

Hailey and Austin were chosen as our Citizenship Award winners this year. Keep up the great work!

Awards

It is always so hard to choose students to give awards to, because there are so many great kids at Beartooth! These pictures are of the students chosen for Student of the Month awards, and the students chosen for our Citizenship Awards. Congratulations to all of you, and keep up the good work!

Bye, Bye, Butterflies!

Today we let our butterflies go. The kindergartners loved watching them fly away!

THANK YOU!

Thanks to Jennifer Hurtt for making this AWESOME Very Hungry Caterpillar cake to serve after our play today. The kids LOVED it! Thanks also to Gina Walsh for bringing juice, cookies and brownies, and for helping set up for the play. Also a big thank you to Ms. Gina Donaldson, our field practicum student from this fall, who came back to spend the day with us and help me out. You are all amazing!

Very Hungry Caterpillar play

The kindergartners did a fantastic job today! Thanks to all of the parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, and all of the other special people who were able to come!

If anyone has a better quality video they would share for our blog - please pass it along! Thank you. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Everything We Need to Know About First Grade ... But Were Afraid to Ask

Today we had the opportunity to visit Mr. Anderson's first grade room and visit with his students to find out more about what we should expect in the first grade. The first graders wrote a book with some "tips" about what we need to know for next year. Some of those are attached in this video.

The kindergartners also wrote stories about what they wonder about first grade. Some of their questions are:

I wonder if we will ....

- do math and science?

- play?

- have recess?

- play kickball?

- write more and read books?

- do math or read?

- play with Playdough?

- build Legos?

- spell?

- do homework or draw pictures or cut animals out of paper?

- go on a field trip?

- do a play or draw pictures or play with our friends?

- have fun?

- play frisbee, learn if there are snakes in Montana, learn about the states or go on a field trip?

- learn about fish?

- sing songs?

... in first grade?