In just a little while, your child will complete one of life's big milestones -the first day of school! This is a new and exciting time. It will be a time of change and new beginnings, new surroundings, new friends, new challenges, and new skills. By working together we can make this year a happy and rewarding experience for everyone. I hope this letter might answer some questions you have.

Who is Mrs. Alsup?

I am looking forward to teaching your child. I have been a teacher for over nineteen years. I have taught various primary grades and I worked as a Reading Specialist and Reading Recovery teacher. This is my fourth year teaching Kindergarten at Palmyra Elementary and I absolutely love this grade. The kids make such tremendous growth (physically, emotionally, and academically) during Kindergarten. We have a lot of fun throughout the year and we do a lot of laughing and playing as we learn. I am also a mom to triplet sons who turn 13 this year! We live right here in Palmyra village so you’ll probably see me around town once you know me.

B.E.E. Books

The best way to stay informed about our classroom is by checking your child’s BEE Book nightly. What is a BEE Book? BEE stands for Bring Everything Every day. It is a 3 ring notebook that your child will receive at the Kindergarten Orientation on Thursday, August 28th. The BEE book holds the lunch calendar, our homework calendar, a zipper pouch for notes and lunch money, a folder for papers, and other items including our schedule. It is important that your child gets in the habit of taking the BEE book out after school and putting it back into the backpack after you’ve looked through it. If you have a note excusing your child from school or a change in your child’s transportation please put it in the BEE Book. I check it every morning for notes and money.

Want to Volunteer?

If you have time to volunteer in the classroom, there will be plenty of opportunities for you!  There are many ways you can help. If you have the time, perhaps you’d consider coming in on a weekly or monthly schedule. You can run a center and help with Writer’s Workshop. Perhaps you’d just like to come in for a special occasion such as the class field trip to the zoo in the spring or a walking trip around Palmyra. If you are only available in the evening, the PTO (Parent/Teacher Organization) is another great way to be a part of your child's education.

A Note about Classroom Supplies

I try to run as green a classroom as I can. There are supplies on the Kindergarten list that we do NOT use in our classroom so you don’t need to purchase them. I apologize if you already have but trust you can use them at home.

We do NOT need:

  • 3 pkgs. of 5 oz. disposable paper cups
  • 1 small pkg. of napkins
  • 1 box of gallon or quart size Ziploc bags
  • 1 Elmer’s glue (bottle - white or blue gel)

We do NEED:

  1. 1 box of Crayola crayons (of 48 or more)
  2. 10 or more large Elmer’s glue sticks
  3. 2 boxes of Crayola brand markers (any colors)- not thin
  4. 1 large backpack that’s large enough for big library books, art projects, and a 3 ring notebook
  5. 1 adult small plain t-shirt for an art smock
  6. A child’s size towel or baby receiving blanket for rest time (Please make it a small blanket, our cubbies are tiny-no pillows or babies please)

We share our supplies so you don’t need to label the markers or glue sticks with your child’s name. We use reusable individually labeled plastic cups for drinks (which are washed nightly). We also use cloth napkins and plates for snack.

When you are purchasing your child’s backpack, look for durability. Plastic backpacks’ zippers and seams do not hold up well to everyday use, especially when transporting a 3 ring notebook. It is better to invest a little more in a roomy nylon backpack that can be used for more than one year.

What else do we need?

We do a family style snack in the afternoon. One snack is offered for the day and the children can choose to have it or not. I encourage healthy finger food snacks including fruit (applies, oranges, grapes, watermelon, strawberries, raisins, etc.), vegetables (carrots, broccoli, cucumbers, etc.) and some grains like wholesome cereal, whole grain pretzels, and whole wheat crackers. We also cook healthy snacks together at least once a month. I am looking for families to help contribute snacks for our class. I will have a sign-up sheet at the orientation. If you would please choose 2 weeks to supply the snacks, I’d really appreciate it! Cake and cookies are saved for birthday and holiday celebration snacks only. Thanks!

Kindergarten Orientation

I am very much looking forward to meeting you all at our orientation. It’s a great day for easing any anxiety you and your child may have about school. The kids get to explore the classroom while you fill out your child’s bus tag (please be sure you have made all your babysitting arrangements and you know where your child is going each day). You will also help your child make his art smock. Just a heads up, we use permanent fabric paint to decorate the shirts, so your assistance is required! J You and your child will also take a bus ride and enjoy everyone’s favorite lunch-pizza. See you then!