Week 3 08/28/23
08/28/23 - Week 3 Classroom News!
Important Information:
Please remember to send in a water bottle filled with water only daily. Please do not add flavor packets, etc. Students are able to refill their water as needed. If your child’s water bottle “sweats” please put a sock around it so that it doesn’t drip throughout the classroom or on tables.
Student binders went home with your child on Tuesday, August 22nd. We call these BEAR Binders. They will come home daily and should return to school daily. PLEASE get in the routine of cleaning out your child’s binder/folder each night. The papers accumulate quickly and I would really appreciate it. It also helps keep your child organized. There are some resources copied onto the pink paper, in the protective sheet covers. Those will stay in the binders all year. I will add more as necessary.
I added some photos on our class Facebook page. I hope you were able to check them out! Our class Facebook page. It is called Mrs.Foster's Room @MrsFostersRoom. "Like" the page and follow us as we begin this academic year together!
Please turn in the forms from the beginning of the year packet that went home. This includes a walking permission slip. I try to make sure I have all of these before our school wide WALK A THON!! The 2023-2024 Dulles PTA Walk will be on Friday, September 29 during the school day. The Dulles PTA will once again be providing ALLl students with a walk t-shirt. **Please complete the order form by August 25 to ensure your child receives the proper size!** Have a great first day! WALK A THON T SHIRT SIZE DOCUMENT. FILL OUT BY 08/25 PLEASE
If your child is missing any supplies please have them bring that asap. Students should all have their own headphones. Please don’t get wireless earbuds.
Some new links and reminders:
Pay your child's academic fees online through the OHLSD Parent Portal by clicking here. Then click on EZ Pay. If you need help logging on, please contact the office.
Complete your child's Emergency Medical Authorization (EMA) form online through the OHLSD Parent Portal by clicking here. Then click on EMA Form. If you need your registration, please contact the office.
Chromebook insurance ----By no later than 09/15/23, you can go to the OHLSD Parent Portal by clicking here. Then click on EZ Pay. Then click Activity Fees. In there you will see Chromebook Insurance listed for $20. It is your choice if you want to purchase it or not, but I HIGHLY recommend this for all first graders! Lost or stolen devices are not covered, but it will cover damages up to $225. Check out the description on the EZ pay for more information.
Join the PTA by clicking here! The PTA does a lot of wonderful things for the Dulles students and community. We hope you can join.
Check out the Spirit Wear link by clicking here!
If you are interested in being a room parent (helping with class parties), going on field trips, helping with special events, library, or lunchroom please click on the link below and fill out the Volunteer Background Information Form. You will be contacted soon with more information. Background Check Form!
Dismissal: If your child has a CHANGE in transportation with how they are going home. Please email me to let me know. I will ALWAYS email you back to verify I have received your message. If I do NOT email you back before dismissal you MUST call the office to let them know. They will then relay that information. Since I'm busy teaching the kiddos, I may not see emails at all times.
Carpool Dismissal: If your child is going to be a carpooler for dismissal, please have the child's LAST name visible on your dashboard so the staff can efficiently read the name and expedite carpool procedures. There are many car riders this year and until everyone gets into a system, it may take longer than usual. Please be patient with the school and one another.
Absences: When a student is absent, it is the responsibility of the parent to call 574-3443 (and choose option 1) before 9:45 a.m. to leave a message. The earlier the better! This hotline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It is VERY important that the student’s name, homeroom number, and reason for absence are left on the hotline. Call the absence line in addition to any notes sent to the teacher. Email Mrs. Foster to request classwork if you want it for the day. Classwork may have to be given to your child the next day if there was not time for Mrs. Foster to get it together. Always call to make sure the work is in the office before making a special trip up to school! I don’t want to waste your time.
Homework Information: First graders will have homework. I will start the week of 08/28/23. As a heads up, I give weekly packets. They will be due on Friday, 09/01/23.
Additional Websites: I am currently working on getting students set up with usernames and passwords to various sites. Once this is completed I will share that information with you.
Important Dates:
Tuesday, August 29th at 5:30 is Open House. Please send one adult per family if possible (2 adults are welcome but we get tight on space). No kids ideally since we are limited on space and more bodies equal more warmth. If your child needs to come they are welcome to do so. In the past children have sat quietly with their own device or book in the hallway. Here is the slideshow presentation for Open House. I will go over this in a whole group/presentation setting.
Monday, September 4th, 2023: No school, Holiday
Monday, September 18th, 2023: No school for students, professional day.
Friday, September 29th, 2023: Dulles Walk a Thon. Students should wear their PTA provided shirt (you will get this the week of the event), gym shoes, and sunscreen. More to come on fundraising!
This week in the classroom:
Reading:
In reading, our theme this week and next is Learning and Working Together: School. The books this week include: David’s Drawings, Jamaica’s Blue Marker, and A Fine, Fine School
Our shared reading book: Monster’s ABC, The Elephant, The Hippo
High Frequency Focus Words: Last week were: of, is. This week our focus words are: her, him
Writing: Personal Narratives (Small Moments)
Daily Journal Writing
Handwriting practice
We will begin our first unit of writing. We have roughly one main unit per quarter. Our first unit is personal narratives. Students will write true stories about themselves. We will focus on this during the 1st quarter.
Math: Chapter One - Addition Concepts. In chapter 1 we will practice adding within 10.
Number Talks
Math vocabulary to understand: addition sentence, is equal to =, plus +, sum, add, zero, addends, order
Lesson 1.3: Model Putting Together
Lesson 1.4: Problem Solving Model Addition
Lesson 1.5: Add Zero
Lesson 1.6: Add in Any Order
Additional Reminders:
Every Friday at Dulles is Spirit Day - Wear red/black or Oak Hills/Dulles spirit wear!
Dress your child appropriately for the weather. It stays warm in the classroom so shorts and short sleeves still seem to be best for the majority of students. Students should wear gym shoes on gym days!
Lunch: Please remember to send any utensils your child needs with their lunch. Packing a napkin is very helpful too! Although there are adults circulating to help, it may take them a while to get to each child. If children can open their lunch items independently that is certainly the best option. Having items that aren’t as messy or that don’t spill as often are also very helpful, if preventable. Some juice cups and lunchables (like the pizza lunchables) can be tricky for some students.
We have 21 students in our class, keep this in mind for birthday treats, etc.
Our class Facebook page. It is called Mrs.Foster's Room @MrsFostersRoom. "Like" the page and follow us as we begin this academic year together!
Our class website Class Website Click Here (which is always linked at the bottom of my emails)
Check out the John Foster Dulles Elementary Facebook page @JFDullesElementary
Check out the JF Dulles PTA Facebook page