Welcome to First Grade!

I hope your children have enjoyed their first few days of school. I know it is A LOT to adapt to with the early mornings, longer school days, new rules/routines, and higher expectations. I have already seen an improvement in behavior and most of them seem very eager to learn. It is an exciting time. 

This Thursday, I hope you can join me for Back to School Night in the classroom from 6:00 to 6:30, where I can tell you a bit about my program and answer any questions you may have. I try to keep my presentation short and sweet...I just want you to understand your role in this partnership and give you the "vibe" of first grade. Again, please come with any questions you may have. The main PFA meeting is from 5:35-6:00 in the MPR if you have school-wide questions you'd like answered. (This is a "no kids allowed" night, so hopefully you can get a sitter lined up.) 

Mondays and Tuesdays we have PE with Coach Brett. Please have your child wear appropriate clothing and athletic shoes (no crocs, ballet flats, boots, etc.) and make sure they have a full water bottle. 

Speaking of water bottles...I'm happy to allow kids to have water bottles on their desks that they drink from whenever the need arises. Before sending it to school however, please do a "tip over" test. If the bottle tips over very easily OR if it spills everywhere if not closed perfectly, try to find one that doesn't (sport tops are ideal). If the water bottle has the potential to create distraction or chaos, your child is welcome to keep it on the counter...but I know they prefer it on their desk.  

Thank you to the many families who have already sent in headphones. If your child doesn't have any at school yet, please send some in ASAP. I have a couple of sets they can use, but we had a major lice outbreak 3 times last year, and I don't think any of us wants that again. (It was NOT caused by the headphones...but I'd rather err on the side of caution.) 

A couple of kids have come up to me at recess saying they had no snack and they were, "so hungry." Fortunately, I had a couple of bars in my desk that I shared, but please send your child to school with a designated nutritious snack each day. 

Please tell your child what the plan is for lunch each day (hot lunch from school/packed lunch from home) AND where they are to go after school. 

Wednesdays are especially confusing with kindergarten, forth, and fifth grade all being released at the same time as first through third, so please tell them if they are staying for lunch, going to the kindergarten pick up line for a sibling, going to LVUSD+, or heading straight to the regular car line. I'm trying to avoid lost, scared kiddos. 

Last, thank you so much to all of you who have looked through the "back and forth" folders each night and returned them empty each morning. I know I sent a lot of information home the first day, but returning the folder (and eventually the nightly baggie books) each morning is REALLY important. 

Academic Focuses:

Language arts:

color words

practice independent work routines 

begin reteaching and proper letter placement, size, shape (m,s,f,b,t) AND having them incorporate each letter sound into words

Math:

lesson 0: familiarizing students with program structure and manipulatives

Science/Social Studies:

building a classroom community (rules, responsibilities, expectations, routines)

treating others with kindness and respect

Upcoming Dates:

•       Thursday, August 27th: Back to School Night 

o   5:35-6:00pm Main session in MPR

o   6:00-6:30pm Ms. Finigan’s Presentation in F-117

•        Monday, September 7th: Labor Day (no school)

•       Tuesday, September 8th: Picture Day

•      Monday/Tuesday, September 21st/22th: Fall Recess (no school)