Kindergarten
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osbornemholyfamilytopeka.netKindergarten Teacher, K-5 Lead Teacher, Student Improvement Coordinator
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Hello! My name is Mary Osborne and I am in my 9th year of teaching at Holy Family. I have worked with 2nd graders for 6 years and am now in my third year teaching kindergarten. Before moving to Kansas, I worked at another Catholic school in Bellevue, Nebraska- St. Matthew the Evangelist. During my 4 years at St. Matthew's, I worked with 2nd graders from all of the country and the world. We served a largely military population and since I grew up in the Air Force I loved working with families who chose the same vocation as my family did.
Moving to Kansas was an exciting journey for me and I have really enjoyed living in Topeka. This is the longest I have found myself living in one place and I am grateful to have such a devoted, enthusiastic, and supportive community to be part of. Growing up Catholic, my family found enormous support from our parishes and the close relationships we developed within them. Because of this, my faith led me to a desire to teach in Catholic schools. After high school in Dayton, Ohio, I began my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education at St. Joseph's in Indiana. My experiences at St. Joseph's prepared me to infuse my faith with teaching and I cannot imagine teaching without the ability to refer to God's love for His people. Upon graduating in 2010, I moved to Nebraska and began my vocation as a teacher.
Holy Family is a special place for teachers, students, and families. I am blessed to be part of this community and I am honored to help everyone I can within it to grow in love, knowledge, and faith.
To Love Him Still
Two little eyes to look at God
Two little ears to hear His Words
Two little hands to do His will
Two little feet to walk His ways
And one little heart to love Him still -
Portrait of a Mustang-Kindergarten
Kindergarten is an amazing experience at Holy Family Catholic School! Your child is not only learning the social, emotional, and academic skills necessary to develop, they are growing in knowledge of God’s love for them. Surrounded by teachers, staff, and volunteers who are devoted to their learning, your child will begin their academic journey with confidence and joy.Kindergarten Religion:
In Religion your child is learning about creation and God’s love for His people. Through Bible readings your child hears the word of God and builds the foundation of their faith journey. In daily prayer and petition your child is learning to talk to God about problems and joys in their lives while memorizing rites of the Catholic faith such as the Sign of the Cross, the Angel of God prayer, and the Prayer Before Meals. They are also learning to think about others as they pray for the sick, lonely, and injured. Going to mass 2 times a week, kinders are supported by their upper grade student prayer partners to attend to and participate in mass. We already love our prayer partners and look forward to seeing them not only on mass days, but whenever we can at school. Kindergarteners are also overjoyed to participate in Atrium, or Catechesis of the Good Shepherd led by Ms. Rhonda Calander and Sister Rebecca Granado. In the Atrium, small groups of students learn about their faith through quiet, calm tasks that require them to focus their attention on God, Jesus, and the mass. We are blessed to have Atrium for all our K-2 students!
Kindergarten Reading and Language Arts:Learning to identify and use sounds and letters correctly is a signficant part of kindergarten. When your student arrives at Holy Family, s/he will use his knowledge of the ABCs to identify the sounds letters make and how to create them correctly. Kindergarteners are currently working on correctly forming letters and sounding out individual letters. Through hands-on activities, games, and small group time, students practice reading, writing, and using letters. Kindergarten is also a time to develop a love of books. We spend a great deal of time exploring our classroom library. We are enjoying reading books about school, Autumn, and animals right now. Your student also gets to explore our school library twice a month with the guidance of our volunteer librarian, Rosie Rangel. Library day is one of our favorites in kindergarten already!
Kindergarten Science and Social Studys:At Holy Family we use a language arts program that includes science and social studies standards. We are learning about the senses and seasons right now. Through art and play, students are able to explore the world around them and experience God’s creation for themselves.
Kindergarten Mathematics:Kindergarteners love to count! Currently, kinders are working on counting backwards and forwards to 30. Using songs, videos, games, and hands-on activities, teachers practice counting and using numbers with students daily. Students use manipulatives to help visualize numbers and patterns so that they can use this knowledge to add and subtract later in kindergarten. Practice with blocks, tiles and counting bears also helps them build their coordination and fine motor skills!
Kindergarten Social and Emotional Learning:When your child begins kindergarten the most important lesson is how to interact with others - especially in new or difficult situations. Kinders frequently practice sharing and taking turns. They also learn patience and attention through whole-group lessons, prayer, and mass. Kindergarten is also a time to learn organizational skills and caring for and respecting property. An important part of the day is spent cleaning up, putting things away correctly, and helping others find or fix things they need.
Kindergarten at Holy Family is truly preparing your child to blossom into the masterpiece God has destined them to be. We are all blessed beyond measure to walk with our students and their families during this year!
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