Woo-hoo, we got through our first full week!  Great job parents!  Our class had a great first full week packed with all sorts of fun learning.  We are becoming more familiar with classroom expectations, materials, routines, Specials teachers, and much more.  I am really enjoying getting to know your children, learning what things they enjoy, and a little bit of what makes them tick.  

We have been reviewing learnings from kindergarten, learning classroom expectations, jobs, and daily routines.  We are beginning to speed up with the amount of work we complete in class each day.  We will always do our best to complete classwork and homework in class, however, unfinished classwork/homework will begin coming home as homework if needed.  Please remember to check your child's folder each night. Aside from unfinished classwork/homework, other required homework includes practicing Memory Verses, Pattern Words (spelling words), and Memory Words (high-frequency words) when they begin, Backpack Pages (Reading Fluency homework) when they come home, and Math Facts.  Additionally, it is always helpful to be reading at home with your child.  If you, an older sibling, or another adult can read with your child that is ideal, that way, if they get stuck on a word the older reader can assist.  Please ask your child to sound words out if they are struggling with them, however, if they cannot read the word after trying, please tell them the word, have them repeat it, and continue reading.

When you have a moment, please visit the Resource Links page to find various quick links to things such as Weekly Class Schedule, Show & Tell Schedule, and so on!  

This first week, students have done well as they learn expectations and are getting the hang of how our classroom works.  If necessary, Behavior Notification emails will begin coming home this week.  I will always do my best to have individual conversations with the student(s) who have made poor choices so that we can discuss choices, consequences and future choices and actions.  We will also do our best to problem-solve and discuss how we can try to make better choices the next time.   If I need to contact you, HCS states that emails will be sent.  I will do my best to call as well if needed.

Regarding the school's dress code, please be mindful of the dress code at our school. 

1. All students must wear closed-toed shoes with straps around their heels/ankles, and tennis shoes are required on PE days.  Your child may not be allowed to participate if they are not wearing tennis shoes for PE.  

2. There are no sleeveless shirts allowed (capped sleeves are ok).  If your child does wear a sleeveless, they must have a sweater or jacket covering their arms and will have to wear it all day (even if it is hot).

3. Shirts must cover bellies when students' arms are raised above their heads.  

4. If students are wearing leggings, shirts must be long enough to cover their bum.  

5. Shorts and skirts (including shorts under skirts) must be no shorter than mid-thigh in length.

Please keep the following protocols in mind.  I know it can be difficult to find clothes when we are in a hurry and in a culture where more skin shown is often desired, but we are working together as a team to train children up in the way they should go which includes modesty.  So, please partner up with me and remember to check your child before walking out the door.  I will not always catch dress code violations, although I try my best to adhere to all policies, however, other staff members may notice.  If your child is reported as having a dress code violation, you will be getting an email or phone call from an HCS administrator. 

Finally, a quick note from administration about drop-off in the mornings and pick-up in the afternoons...In order to keep the pick-up and drop-off running smoothly in the mornings and afternoons, please always pull all the way forward in the drive, and do not get out of your car.  In the mornings, please have your children ready to get out of the car so everyone has an opportunity to pull through the drive before the 8 AM bell rings. Students may not get out of the car until you have pulled on to the cement during drop off, and for safety reasons, parents must walk children from the event parking lot on to campus.  In the afternoons, if your child(ren) has/have already been loaded into your vehicle, you may safely pull around the vehicle in front of you if they are still waiting for thier child(ren).

I know this is a lot of information for the beginning of the year.  If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Finally, some upcoming dates to keep in mind:

• 8/26 - Pre-Order Pizza for Friday

• 8/26 - PS - 8th Grade Chapel in Gym (9:00-9:45ish)

• 8/27 - Miss Sierra's Birthday (Miss Sierra is our Literacy Block Teacher's Aide...she's amazing!)

• 8/28 - Pizza for Hot Lunch (pre-ordered Wednesday)

• 8/28 - First Art Day (then every other week unless noted otherwise)

• 9/2 - Pre-Order Pizza for Friday

• 9/2 - Fire Drill

• 9/4 - Pizza for Hot Lunch (pre-ordered Wednesday)

• 9/7 - No School - Labor Day

• 9/8 - MAP Testing Beginning (through 9/18)

• 9/9 - PS - 5th Grade Chapel in Gym (9:00 am)

• 9/11 - Family Fun Night

Blessings in Christ Jesus,

Mrs. Swett