Welcome to Kindergarten!

As your child’s kindergarten teacher, I would like to introduce myself and tell you a few things about the upcoming year. My name is Katie Toppel, and this will be my sixth year of teaching. Most of my teaching experience has been in First Grade at Tualatin Elementary School, but last year I taught at an international school in Germany. I am very happy to be returning to the Tigard Tualatin School District and to have the opportunity to teach Kindergarten at Durham Elementary! As the summer comes to a close, I am busily getting the classroom ready for a room full of eager learners.

Since Kindergarten is the first of many years of formal schooling, I believe it is absolutely essential to establish an interest in learning and a positive attitude about school at this early age. I want my class to love coming to school and be proud of all that they will learn in class. This will mean a lot of focus on building friendships, active learning, teamwork and learning school routines. Your son or daughter will have success each day to build their confidence and challenges each day to ensure that they are always learning. I can promise you that you will be amazed at how far your child will come this year both socially and academically. We are going to have a lot of fun this year!

I believe that home/school communication is essential in Kindergarten. I would love to know any information you feel I should know about your child; likes and dislikes, learning style, hobbies, interests etc. By getting to know my students and what they are like both inside and outside of school, I can be sure to create a learning environment, lessons, and activities that are suited to their needs. I am looking forward to a great year!

Communication is Key!

Please feel free to contact me for any reason. Open communication between the teacher and parents is very important. I look forward to hearing from you!

email: ktoppel@ttsd.k12.or.us

phone: (503) 431-4554

You can also leave comments on this blog which will be posted here and also will be sent to my email. I would love to hear your feedback about our classroom activities! Just scroll to the bottom of any post and click "comments."

Important Information about Our Kindergarten Program

Durham Elementary Contact Information

Office: (503) 431-4500

Attendance Line: (503) 431-4520

Bus
It is essential that you sent a note whenever your child is going to a place other than his/her regular destination (home or daycare). Yellow bus slips are included in your packet for your convenience. Please let me know if you need additional copies.


Birthdays
Please let me know in advance if you will be sending treats for your child's birthday. Treats must be store bought. No cake or cupcakes please.

Friday Folders
Students will bring a folder home on the last day of each week. On one side will be the student's work for the week for you to look at and keep at home. The other side of the folder is for parent/teacher communication. This will include weekly homework, class calendars, and school information. Please go through your child's folder each Friday and return it to school on Mondays.

Volunteering
Parents/volunteers are always welcome in the classroom! You can schedule in advance for a regular volunteer time (once a week, twice a month, etc.) or drop in as often as you are able. Working in the classroom includes both working with students and preparing for upcoming activities. Sign up now!

Field Trips
Fall-Pumpkin Patch
Spring-Fishing
We are also looking to put together a Family Library Night--stay tuned!

Star of the Week
Each student will be the "star" for a week. This will be their opportunity to share a little about themselves and their family. It will also be an opportunity for you and your child to work together. The week your child is the star, he/she will:

Monday-Bring something special that tells about him/her (favorite toy, trophy, picture, etc.)

Tuesday-Bring a family picture to tell about

Wednesday-Bring sound backpack, snack and drink. Things to see and eat that begin with the letter of the week-your letter will be assigned ahead of time

Thursday-Bring a string the length your child was at birth and a string the length he/she is now

Friday-Bring a family project (something completed by your family such as a family drawing, collage, pictures of a family activity, a model, or a family book)

A reminder will be sent home the week before your date.

Homework
 A homework sheet will be sent home each week and is required to be returned the following week. It will include letter of the week, word of the week, math, and most importantly, daily reading. Setting up routines that will help your child succeed in school is important. As daily at home reading is a requirement, we will provide several different reading sources. Students will bring home a book box to keep their weekly paper take home books in. As students become proficient in sounding out words, they will bring home a book envelope that contains a leveled book for at home reading practice. Scholastic book orders will be sent home several times. This is an excellent source for inexpensive books to build your home library.