Foundation (Prep/Kinder) 2015 - Chat

***TripleJ*** · February 10th, 2015, 07:03 PM

Jamie got his reader today I'm a little lost as to wat to do there was like instructions like get them to try and read first and then help them im used to just reading to them and he got words he needs to learn but he has some trouble concentrating but I guess they learn and it's only the second week so I should probably give it some time
They have photo day next week I didn't realise it was going to be so soon and it's only the preps getting photos done

**Khaleesi** · February 10th, 2015, 07:28 PM

I tend to read first, then i get them to repeat each word as i say it.
Then i get them to read it & i point to pictures etc if they get stuck.
As they get better, i let them read first & just help where needed.
Just do what it works for you

**~Gee_Whizzy~** · February 10th, 2015, 09:52 PM

DD is settling in well. This week will be interesting as it is the first week of full hours (8.45am-3.30pm), 5 days. No meltdowns yet, but definitely a lot of attitude and obnoxiousness! We have a parent morning tea tommorrow where we they'll talk about some of the "new" behaviours we may be experiencing with our kids and watching a video calls *Kids Matter*... should be interesting!

**Olive** · February 11th, 2015, 07:53 AM

With the reading, look through the book with him first and talk about the pictures, the pictures describe the book.

Going well here, we've had some meltdowns, but she loves going, hates having Wednesdays off lol.
We have her English assessment on Monday morning.

Dd loves reading eggs too, we have apps on the iPad, we also get login details from the school to the full version. They also use mathletics as well.

**~Gee_Whizzy~** · February 12th, 2015, 02:53 PM

We're the same as Olive. Dd prep Teacher said to look at the pics first and let her tell the story using them first, then go back and read the words together 😊

**wysiwyg** · February 12th, 2015, 08:28 PM

We have already lost one hat. I say we because I think it was me. It got lost on Tuesday the only day I do pick up - we played in the playground, went to library and then to art class but I don't have a clue where we last had it. Have also got first school party invite which caused some confusion as arrived in post and didn't have child's surname, and DD said could have been from school or from childcare as knew two of that name - so had to work out who it was from.

She is still eating very little at school - plenty at home but I would prefer a more even spread over the day. She has seen some kids do lunch orders - so I said once I can be confident she will eat them (not paying to have it not eaten) she can have one every now and again - but still hasn't seemed to improve her eating.

My mum is here helping out now as DH is away and she thinks DD has really grown up since they last saw her (was only Christmas) - is harder I think to see when you are with them all the time - I expect DH will notice when he is back.

I got my working with children check through, now just have to attend the 'education' sessions before can go in and help. Do schools normally let you take siblings if going in or not? I think would be better not to take DS but on the one day I don't work he is with me, and would prefer not to have to take time off work if possible.

After all my moaning about lack of info from the school - since actually starting they have been pretty good I think.

***TripleJ*** · February 12th, 2015, 09:14 PM

Jamie has lost a pair of shorts and now has a hole in the other pair
Their hats stay at school in their chair bags so it's helpful to not lose them lol
Second book heaps better already and recognising his sight words already I think his concentration has improved just in the first 2 weeks and he's settled down I really thought it would take longer but I think it might just be from being tired lol

**Snacks** · February 13th, 2015, 01:50 PM

So cool to hear how all these kindy kids are going! Vic, how awesome that they're bilingual! One of our friends goes to a bilingual too, they speak Japanese most afternoons.
Both my kids have been difficult in the afternoons/evenings - I really think the structure and routine are exhausting for them & once they get into the groove it'll get better.
Oh, Phoebe is really not liking school

I can't say I'm really surprised. She's always been a homebody. But this morning there were tears when I dropped her off and she was trying so hard to be brave while we walked down to assembly... Broke my heart

I remember just hating school and even though of my two children Phoebe is most like me, I really wanted things to be different for her. I wanted her to like it. I'm so hopeful that over the next few weeks she'll get into it, make a couple of mates that we can have play dates with and feel more confident and happy.

**~Hestia~** · February 13th, 2015, 05:05 PM

Another week done! Sorry to hear some kids aren't enjoying it at the moment, that would be tough on them and you

Moo is still keen which is such a surprise. We had a picnic dinner at the school this week, was such a fun evening! When we left Moo says that he didn't see his girlfriend there, DH and I were like 'uh...' This is the child who didn't make a friend in 2 years of kinder! Apparently they spend lots of time together and he has made a couple of other friends too

I nominated myself for the school council today. Have no idea how these things work but am hoping to be as involved as I can.

***TripleJ*** · February 13th, 2015, 06:42 PM

Jamie cut a hole in his only remaining shorts luckily u patched them had to use the hair straightener coz I don't have an iron lol but apparently he was busted trying to cut another boys hair >.< so scissors have been removed for a few days till he can use them properly she said he's doing fine with school work just needed a couple of reminders to not push and to use the scissors properly but he started the day badly he was tired from last night coz we go to my mums for dinner and its a later bedtime might need to try and leave her place earlier which sucks coz I like being at mums

**~ Zarava Flutterby ~** · February 16th, 2015, 08:33 PM

Must come back in the morning off the computer & catch up.

Just briefly though Miss Z is loving school, bags to go over the weekend and is doing so much better than I thought she would (concentration& being in the same class as her sister etc)

**wysiwyg** · February 17th, 2015, 05:24 PM

Is it normal for parents association meetings to be in the daytime? When I was a kid they were always in the evening - seems a bit unfair having them in the daytime.

**Khaleesi** · February 17th, 2015, 05:51 PM

Yes it's alot more common now.
Both our Kinder & School committee run during the day now.

Going well so far, she is loving Japanese & looks forward to it every week.
They are learning numbers & she is really enjoying class time.
She has a reader & a alaphet booklet that we do every morning & night
She is starting to remember what letter makes what sound now

**wysiwyg** · February 17th, 2015, 06:04 PM

Yes it's alot more common now.
Both our Kinder & School committee run during the day now.

What is the rational behind having meetings in the daytime? Do they just expect people to be able to get the time off work?

**HotI** · February 17th, 2015, 06:25 PM

I would find difficulty attending night meetings. Probably other parents do too.
Our kinder meetings last year were night ones, this year have been moved to days because that's when committee members could meet.

Contact one of them and let them know you are interested in being involved

**Khaleesi** · February 17th, 2015, 07:17 PM

With our school most of the things we need help with are during school hours.
So having the meetings during school hours just makes more sense.
We always put a note in the newsletter when we need help so even if you can't make a meeting you can still help

Same for Kinder we had night meetings & we had a lot less people turn up because nights can be hard.

Honestly when it comes down to it, we find it so hard to get parent helpers we tend to do what works best for the current members.

I agree with Hotl let them know your interested in helping & get them to e-mail you a copy of the minutes etc

**Sagres** · February 17th, 2015, 07:29 PM

No time works for everyone with school committees! During the day doesn't work for those that keep office hours and evening gets hard with dinner and bed routines, especially for those with younger kids. Can't win!

**wysiwyg** · February 17th, 2015, 08:10 PM

I have emailed to ask whether is always daytime meetings.

I understand doing what is best for the current members thing if is a meeting for people on the committee - but this one on Friday is meant to be a welcome to new foundation parents, one with updates from principal and all sorts of other info - is hardly very welcoming.

I do think kinder is slightly different (everyone has at least one young child) but with school as children progress through school, the likelihood of having very small siblings decreases - so surely nights get easier? It isn't like people who work don't have to juggle dinner and bedtimes too, but you don't have another option - I can't give up half a days wages just like that. All the other committees I have been involved in (Playgroup, ABA) have meetings in the evenings.

Not wanting to have meetings in the daytime, doesn't mean that I wouldn't take time off to help out at specific things that have to happen during school hours.

I was talking to my mum and she said that back then it would have been classed as sexist to have daytime meetings as it would have been deemed too exclusionary for dads.