Ms. Fitzgerald Messages

Ideas and Tips from Ms. Fitzgerald

Ms. Fitzgerald — Mon, 24 Jan 2005 22:39:57 GMT

Some suggestions for Parent/Child Activites:

Read to your child EVERY DAY! After reading to your child, ask them to retell the story in his or her own words.

Practice cutting at home! Learning to hold and use a scissors is a very important school skill!!!!

Make some homemade Play-Dough together:

4 cups of flour

1 cup of salt

4 TBSP. of oil

Add water until the right consistency. Knead with flour. Add food coloring to water for colored play-dough. Add extracts like vanilla, or peppermint, or any other flavor you like for a scent-sa-tional sensory touch.

Say Nursery Rhymes with your child.

Sing together!

Read the environment...store signs, restaurant signs, road signs, toy labels, food labels, etc. Be positive and reinforce to your child that they already know how to read many words!

Play I Spy together!

The 6 pillars of Character are Respect, Responsibility, Trustworthiness, Caring, Citizenship, and Fairness. Discuss these traits at home and role play what it looks like to be a person of character.

Class Photos

Ms. Fitzgerald — Thu, 20 Jan 2005 20:44:18 GMT

Class Photos

Joree in Christmas Show

Ms. Fitzgerald — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:36:25 GMT

Nick and Santa

Ms. Fitzgerald — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:34:56 GMT

Sonya Music Show

Ms. Fitzgerald — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:33:47 GMT

Sonya Making OJ

Ms. Fitzgerald — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:32:39 GMT

Morgan Making OJ

Ms. Fitzgerald — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:31:37 GMT

April Making Orange Juice

Ms. Fitzgerald — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:29:34 GMT

Picking pumpkins

Ms. Fitzgerald — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 01:18:27 GMT

Lindsey at Super Olympics

Ms. Fitzgerald — Sat, 20 Nov 2004 00:52:17 GMT

I'm having a good time, believe it or not! Peek a Boo can be startling!

Morganball

Ms. Fitzgerald — Thu, 18 Nov 2004 23:25:01 GMT

MD class pumpkins

Ms. Fitzgerald — Fri, 26 Apr 2002 22:23:24 GMT

MDclasspumpkins

Ms. Fitzgerald — Wed, 03 Apr 2002 14:44:35 GMT

Santa visits

Ms. Fitzgerald — Wed, 03 Apr 2002 14:42:25 GMT

Class Picture

Ms. Fitzgerald — Wed, 03 Apr 2002 14:42:06 GMT

Recess

Ms. Fitzgerald — Tue, 16 Oct 2001 20:54:11 GMT

Reg. K

Ms. Fitzgerald — Tue, 16 Oct 2001 20:52:13 GMT

Fitz's Flashes

Ms. Fitzgerald — Mon, 14 May 2001 22:32:10 GMT

Here's what you need to know for the rest of July and August 2008:

Tuesday July 29: I will be getting my class list and will be contacting you about setting up an observational survey with your child.

Friday, August 8: Meet The Teacher night. Time: 4:30-5:30 p.m.

Monday, August 11: First day of school for Students

Wednesday, August 27: Early Release Day for Students Only. The staff will be participating in Professional Development Activities. Dismissal time is 11:35.

Other News to Know:

Internet Links & Other Resources

Ms. Fitzgerald — Mon, 14 May 2001 22:32:10 GMT

Here are some links for you to check out. Some are parent specific, some are interactive for you and your child. If you have discovered some you would like me to post, please let me know. You can email me at Deb.Fitzgerald@dvusd.org.

For Beginning Readers: http://www.starfall.com

For Dinosaur Buffs: http://www.kidsdinos.com

For Aspiring Artists: http://www.coloring.com

For Future Astronomists and Astronauts: http://www.kidsastronomy.com

For Junior Athletes: http://www.sikids.com

For Animal Lovers: http://www.wwfus.org/fun http://animal.discovery.com/

For Game Lovers of All Kinds: http://sp.askkids.com/docs/askforkids/help/tours/videogames.htm

For Lego Lovers: http://play.lego.com/en-US/games/default.aspx

Discovery Channel for Kids/Games: http://kids.discovery.com/games/games.html

Author Jan Brett's site http://www.JanBrett.com

Author Eric Carle's site http://www.ericcarle.com

Public TV programing http://www.pbskids.org

Information about Character Counts! http://www.charactercounts.org

Information about Kindergarten Readiness http://www.education.com/reference/kindergartenreadiness/?cid=12752

More information about Kindergarten Readiness with Links to more sites http://members.aol.com/tzietelk/Kindergarten.html

Get Ready to Read! http://www.getreadytoread.org

Reading is Fundamental http://www.rif.org

National Institute for Literacy http://www.nifl.org Click on the Literacy Section.

An Article by Dr. David Elkind Tufts University http://www.hoover.org/publications/ednext/3385081.html

Personal Note:I highly recommend any of Dr. David Elkind's books on Education. The Hurried Child and Miseducation are two of my personal favorites. He has written new book, which I have not read yet, but intend to, The Power of Play, How Spontaneous, Imaginative Activities Lead to Happier, Healthier Children

Family Village http://www.familyvillage.wisc.edu This link is for families who may have a child with learning challenges or who may know someone with learning challenges. It is a great resource.

Classroom Notes

Ms. Fitzgerald — Mon, 14 May 2001 22:32:10 GMT

IMPORTANT REMINDER: Health regulations require that all food brought into the classroom must be commercially prepared. ALSO IMPORTANT TO KNOW: If your child is in a classroom with another child who has a NUT ALLERGY we cannot have products made with nuts or prepared in an environment where nuts are used brought into our classroom. Therefore, if you want to bring in birthday treats try an alternative like popscicles, otter pops, rice krispie treats, or fruit snacks. Please READ THE LABEL carefully and make sure the treat is nut free AND prepared in a nut free environment. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE for your cooperation. You will be notified if your child has a classmate with nut allergies.

I consider it a privilege to be your child's kindergarten teacher. We have an awesome responsibility together, to introduce your child to public education and get them excited about school and learning every day!

I will be looking for parent volunteers, not only during school hours, but to complete projects at home as well. So if your schedule won't allow you to volunteer during the day, perhaps you want to volunteer to help out from home. We have opportunities for volunteering on regular basis at school, or during special events, like class parties, or field trips. Perhaps you love to read, and you'd like to be a guest reader! Our wonderful PTSA is also in need of volunteers. Please sign up to be a member and support our PTSA. They really do alot for our students! In addition, Las Brisas is a Junior Achievement school and I will be looking for a parent to be our JA volunteer. This committment will require teaching about (5) 30 min. lessons throughout the school year. All the materials are furnished to you and many employers are happy to provide release time to their employees for participating in this valuable program linking school to the business world.

You can email me at deb.fitzgerald@dvusd.org if you want to volunteer, and/or sign up to on Meet The Teacher night.

Check it out!

Ms. Fitzgerald — Mon, 14 May 2001 22:32:10 GMT

The Kindergarten class of 2008-09 will be the graduating class of 2021! It's hard to believe isn't it? We will be busy during the 2008-09 school year! We will be learning lots and lots of new things. Kindergarten is SO EXCITING! We learn to read, and to write, but there is so much more! There is spelling, handwriting, math, science, social studies, art, PE and music. There is learning to work together, and learning how to listen to our teacher. School is our new job! And we also look forward to making new friends. Kindergarten is the BEST! Just click on Links at the left to check out some websites or books recommended by Ms. Fitzgerald. New sites will be added as they are discovered.

A little bit about Ms. Fitzgerald:

Ms. Fitzgerald has a bachelor's degree from NAU in Flagstaff with a dual major in Elementary Education (K-8) and Special Education (K-12). She also has her Master's degree from NAU in Elementary Education with a Reading Specialist Endorsement and the Special Education Endorsements for teaching Students with Learning Disabilities and Severe and Profoundly Handicapped Children. The 2008-09 school year will be her 15th year as a teacher, and her 10th year in DVUSD at Las Brisas. Ms. Fitzgerald LOVES teaching and can't imagine doing anything else! And she thinks Las Brisas just the GREATEST school! Prior to teaching she worked in the medical field, working for a family practitioner for 13 years. She has three grown children. Her oldest son, Chris, is married to Susan and they live in the East Valley. They have one son, Ashton, who is 5 years old and starting Kindergarten this year. She also has a twin son and daughter. Her son, Corey, is married to Amy and they live in Tucson. They have 2 sons, Zackary, who is 6 years old and going into 1st grade this year, and Alexander who is 3 1/2 years old. Her daughter, Kim, still enjoys the single life and works and lives in San Diego.

Ms. Fitzgerald has 2 miniature dachshunds. The first is Max and he is going to be 9 years old on Nov. 11. He used to be a Therapy Dog, but he is retired now. The second is Maja(pronounced My-a) and she just turned a year old on June 1. Ms Fitzgerald is a big fan of dachshunds!

Ms. Fitzgerald loves the Diamondbacks(but she wishes they had kept their old colors of purple and teal)! In addition she likes the Phoenix Suns, and the Phoenix Mercury! She also likes swimming, hiking, camping, reading, and a variety of crafts.

About

Ms. Fitzgerald — Mon, 14 May 2001 22:32:07 GMT

Who are you? What's this site about? How can people send you feedback?

Ms. Fitzgerald's Kindergarten Class of 2021

Ms. Fitzgerald — Sun, 13 May 2001 22:32:00 GMT

Welcome to Kindergarten!

LATEST NEWS: July 2008

Are you ready for Kindergarten? School will be starting soon! I will be getting my class list on July 29, 2008. I'm so excited to meet you all! I will be calling parents beginning on July 29 to schedule an Observational Survey with your child, my new student, prior to the start of school. Basically an Observational Survey is an assessment of the skills your child already has. By doing this assessment, I will be able to plan for your child from day one and not use valuable instructional time reteaching what your child already knows.

We will be having a Meet The Teacher Evening on Friday, August 8 from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Hope to see you all there!

**NEW** I have added the district's 2008-09 school calendar to my links. To see the school year at a glance and find out when the breaks and early release days are, etc., just click on the District Calendar link on the left!

The remainder of this webpage has information you need to know about some of our district and/or school policies.

I am really looking forward to meeting you and your children, and expect a terrific 2008-09 school year!

If you want to email me with comments or questions please do. Our school email has changed a bit, my new email address is Deb.Fitzgerald@dvusd.org. Please feel free to email me at any time. I will be putting together a packet for the beginning of the year which I will give to you on Meet The Teacher night, but if you have questions before then, feel free to email me. I try to check my email three times a day, but certainly in the morning when I arrive and after school before I leave for the day.

Ms. Deb Fitzgerald

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The following information will be left up all year as these are important policies regarding medicines,attendance, late drop off and early pick ups, dress codes, etc.

**From the Office**: Per district policy ALL students must be signed in/out at the office if they are arriving late or leaving early. Students are not allowed in their classrooms before 8:00 a.m. These policies are for the safety of all children and your cooperation is appreciated. If your child will be absent please call the attendance line to report the absence, 623-445-5590. A call to the teacher is also appreciated. You can leave a voicemail at 623-445-5531.

**From the School Nurse**: Parents are responsible for bringing in all medicines to the nurse. At that time, you will be asked to complete and sign medication forms.

Medicine must be in the original bottle as prescribed by a physician.

Please call Nurse Jackie at (623) 445-5510 if you have any questions or concerns regarding your child's health.

**DVUSD Dress Code**: School dress should be casual without being distracting to the learning environment of the classroom. All students will wear clothing that conforms to the standards of cleanliness and safety. Please refer to the Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook for a complete listing.

Clothing must cover the entire buttocks.

Shirts and tops may not expose bare midriffs, bare shoulders, nor be deeply or narrowly cut in the front, back, or under the arms.

Halter tops, spaghetti straps, and strapless tops are not acceptable.

Clothing that exposes undergarments will not be tolerated for males or females.

Bare feet are never acceptable. Flip flops are not safe for school and therefore you are asked not to send your child to school in them. Closed shoes are to be worn for any type of physical activity. The following statement is mine, not the district's. I prefer that Kindergartener's wear sneakers of some kind to school every day. Many days they will be outside, climbing the playground equipment, playing "chase" with each other, or ball of some kind. We will be doing Gross Motor activities, such as running, relays, skipping, hoppping, jumping, etc. and flip flops or shoes similar to them are just not practical or safe for these kinds of activities. Please keep this in mind when selecting your child's foot apparel for school. Thank you!

**From the Cafeteria**: Students may bring their lunch or eat a hot lunch in the cafeteria. In addition to the regular menu, a salad bar is offered for students in grades 3-6. The cafeteria also serves breakfast beginning at 7:45 a.m. The prices are as follows:

Breakfast: $1.00 Children

$1.00 Adults

Lunch: $2.15 Children

$2.50 Adults

Please call the Cafeteria at (623)445-5514 if you have any questions.

Just click on the menu items on the left sidebar to navigate this site. There are some GREAT websites and other resources under the Links section. PLEASE check them out! Fitz's Flashes lists upcoming events or important dates. Classroom Notes is a section for me to use as a communication tool (to inform parents, sort of like a letter home), and About is about me, Ms. Fitzgerald. Finally, Class Photos is a page for me to post photos of class activities. On the Ideas and Tips from Ms. Fitzgerald page, I will put activity ideas and tips to enhance your child's Kindergarten experience. Some will remain all year, some will be added, and some will be taken down.

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