FREEBIE: Newsletter Template

Happy Saturday! I realized that I hadn't posted any freebies in a while (forgive me!), so I decided to kick off the weekend by posting a template for the classroom newsletter that I created for my classroom parents.

I'm a huge believer in reciprocal communication between myself and my students' parents, and a weekly classroom newsletter is one way I keep my parents in the loop with the many happenings of my classroom.

I try to keep the newsletter to one page and even translate my newsletters into Spanish for those Spanish-speaking families in my classroom because I want everyone to know what's going on.

Click here for the newsletter. Enjoy!

Education Fail

This December I will be done with the last two classes I need in order to clear my special education credential (I'm clearing my multiple subject credential through BTSA), and had every intention of applying for the master's program (in special education) for this coming spring. 

Yesterday I was given some fairly disappointing news - our university is not accepting master's applications for my particular degree for the spring semester. This is disappointing for several different reasons: (1) If I am not in school at least part-time, I will have to start paying back my student loans, and (2) I am only 3 classes away from getting my master's degree and just want to get done! 

I emailed my program coordinator at the university - half freaking out! - wanting to know what my options are. I'm supposed to go in to see her next week. 

I have no idea what I'm going to do if I can't take any classes at the university. I guess I can always take   a couple of bogus classes, but that means taking out additional student loans for classes I don't really need or want. 

There is an autism class I need to take by 2014 in order to get the autism authorization added to my special education credential, but the class is only offered during the morning hours and with working full-time this would be impossible. 

I hate that state budget cuts in education are affecting students the hardest and not the politicians that put them in place.

All Things Hello Kitty

Happy Sunday! I had every intention of blogging yesterday from my mother's house (where I spent the night "babysitting" my 86 year-old grandmother while my mom was out of town) but her Internet was down and I couldn't connect with my Mac. So, forgive my absence!

I've spent my weekend working on homework for graduate school, buying needed office supplies for my classroom, and indulging my love of all things Hello Kitty. Upon entering Office Depot - where I was headed to only pick up a couple of computer mice and mouse pads - a new Hello Kitty display caught my eye. Apparently, Office Depot is now carrying Hello Kitty electronic accessories - headphones, USB connectors, multi-port outlets, and iPad cases. I saw the HK iPad case and HAD to have it, as it combines two of my favorite loves - pink and Hello Kitty!

I also found some HK goodies at Target last weekend, as well - a daily planner and a journal. 

I also picked up a new backpack to ring in my new school year. If you hadn't already guessed...it is also Hello Kitty.

I'd like to say that my love (er, obsession) of Hello Kitty simply consists of some stationary and a backpack. However, it doesn't - I have an entire shelf in my walk-in stuffed with stationary, pencils, pens, erasers, stamps, and other HK items that I've collected over the last few years. I recently ordered another HK lanyard/ID holder and found a HK earring set at Payless. 

I think I blame my mom for this love of all things Hello Kitty. She first took me to Sanrio when I was eight-years-old and has encouraged and fostered this love over the years. My grandmother did also - she would take my sister and I to Sanrio every August before school started and she'd buy me a new pencil box and pencils for the school year. 

Thanks, Mom and Grandma.

Class of 2013

We have officially started the school year! I've been so consumed with work and school, and have had very little time to blog in the last week. But I did want to write a quick little blurb about my new class.

I have the privilege of being the only kindergarten mild-moderate teacher in the district I work for, meaning that all students who are placed in the mild-moderate special day class (SDC) - regardless of where they live in the district - get bused to my work site and I get to be their teacher. Unlike other SDC teachers in my district, I teach strictly one grade level...which is very fortunate and unique.

This year I have only six students in my classroom - SIX! Last year, I started the school year with thirteen students. While it is a smaller class, I still have several "challenges." Despite these, though, my class is relatively mellow...unlike last year's class. 

To give a brief recap of my first days of teaching last fall, I had one student who would throw violent tantrums - punching, scratching, head butting, and biting myself, my aides, and other students. This student was also a "runner" and would try to run out the door of the classroom on a moment's notice. He also told me - on numerous occasions - that he "was going to have [his] mom kill and punch [me]." 

Another student of mine would lay on the floor and self-stimulate. Our efforts to get him involved in the small group centers were rendered useless when he'd scream, tantrum and throw himself back on the ground. 

I had another student who would not stay in his seat for more than 30 seconds and who - in a matter of minutes - had haphazardly reorganized all my math manipulatives. On top of this, I had several students who would cry at the drop of the hat. Oh! And I had one student who was non-verbal and could only speak in grunts. 

Our school psychologist came into my classroom yesterday and actually called this year's class "boring." Although I miss my kiddos from last year's class, I guess I would rather have "boring" than what I had started with last year. 

I'm hoping to get a couple of more students in the next few weeks (I've already been told that one of the inclusion students in the general education class does not look like they're going to cut it.) We'll see if I can work my magic on this group of kids, as I did last year. Wish me luck!