First and foremost let me assure you that our classroom is a clean environment for your child. I have chosen not to put disinfectant wipes on my classroom supply list for several reasons. 

1. Since 2025, the state of Wisconsin has banned the use of children using disinfectant wipes in the classroom.

   1. The following states have also banned the use of wipes, along with chemical bans in other cleaning products in the classroom: California, Washington, Oregon, Illinois, Colorado, and New Jersey. 

   2. Hawaii and Massachusetts are currently in the legislation process to require appropriate labeling, along with banning cleaning wipes in educational settings.
      
      

That being said, there are ways we strive to keep the environment clean and safe for your child. 

1. Cleaning is done daily in the classroom with the shared responsibility of all students in class. This is to minimize but does not eliminate germs. Shared student and teacher responsibilities include: 

   1. Picking up any garbage in the classroom. 

   2. Students using a carpet sweeper to clean crumbs and dirt from the carpeted flooring. 

   3. Students cleaning down work stations, such as tables, chairs, and hard surfaces at the end of each day.
      
      

2. Sanitizing reduces the number of germs on the surface to a safe level. Disinfecting kills almost all germs. In order to sanitize or disinfect, it requires stronger chemicals that not safe for children to handle. 

   1. Sanitizing and disinfecting are done by the cleaning staff to include the following surfaces: 

      1. bathrooms, faucets, toilet flush handles, door handles, locker handles, water fountains, light switches, etc.
         
         

3. Students will use Branch Basics All Purpose Cleaning Spray & Concentrate in our classroom. After completing research on appropriate alternatives to use in the classroom I have found this product to be the most suiting for the job for the following reasons: 

   1. It is created with plant and mineral based ingredients making it safe for human (especially child) usage. 

   2. It is fragrance free and no preservatives. 

      1. This cleaning product doesn't affect children's skin, or asthma symptoms, even those with the most sensitive lungs and skin. 

   3. The concentrate is also used to create hand soap for the classroom. 

      1. The soap provided at school tends to dry out little hands, especially in the winter. This concentrate is used to create not only the cleaning spray, but also hand soap that is gentle on children's skin to avoid cracking of the skin. 

Exceptions to this protocol:

1.  During the cold/flu months, the surfaces will be sanitized and/or disinfected on a more consistent basis, especially if there sick kids in our classroom either by the teacher, or by the cleaning staff.  

2. If your child has a specific medical need, I will personally wipe down their work station after school with the extra disinfectant wipes I have stored away for specific occasions. 

If you have more questions or want to learn more on these topics, please seek: 

• The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS). 

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency policies on using Chemicals and Cleaning Supplies at School 

• Branch Basics Questions 

• The air is NOT purified at school, however in the fall of 2024, several MAES classrooms were gifted an AirDoctor and filtration units from the non-profit: Harvest Your Zen. This was made possible through their annual Pig Roast Fundraiser. 

• The AirDoctor air filter runs 24/7 in our classroom and pulls out bacteria, viruses, pollen, smoke, mold, and pet dander. The amount of dirt and dust it pulled out of our classroom the first year was surprising and impressive. 

• Will this stop your child from getting sick? No, but it does help to clean air for all of the students in our classroom.
  
  

• If you have more questions or want to learn more on these topics, please seek: 

  •  AirDoctors

  • Harvest Your Zen 

Yes! 

Play is HUGE for your child's development! Their playtime will look differently that just free play at home. We have Labs 1-3x per week (based on what our schedule will allow) where children will have a time of "structured play" to help formulate concepts learned during their Module time. Children will also have "game day" during math once a week where teachers help teach children games regarding math such as various card games, child appropriate games, puzzles, etc. 

In addition, children will have access to play time during recess twice each day.

Absolutely! 

If it is 0 degrees or above, children will be going outside. Please make sure your child has the appropriate clothes for the weather that day. If it is 40 degrees or below, we ask that snow gear is sent with your child in order for them to go outside. 

Within this last year, I have completed a lot of research behind outdoor learning, forest schools, and school structures in Scandinavian countries that all prove the benefits of playing and learning in nature. Because I have seen so much growth in my own children when we play and learn outside, I am hoping to bring your child outdoor everyday if possible, rain, snow, or shine. Please make sure they are prepared! 

If you are curious and would like to dig into the findings about outdoor learning please check out the following books from your library: 

• The Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv

• There's No Such Thing as Bad Weather by Linda Akeson McGurk

• Balanced and Barefoot by Angela Hanscom

• 1000 Hours Outside by Ginny Yurich

Weather in Wisconsin in unpredictable. Please make sure that you have the following appropriate weather gear for your child in the following months: 

• Fall: 

  • Light Jacket 

  • Good walking shoes (close toed shoes) 

  • sun hat 

  • sunglasses 

• Winter:

  • Snow pants

  • Snow boots

  • mittens/gloves 

  • winter hat 

  • extra socks 

• Spring:

  • Possibly snow gear in addition to: 

    • rain boots

    • rain jacket 

• Summer:

  • sun hat

  • sunglasses 

  • close toed shoes 

I believe that technology is a HUGE asset to students, but should not be the main vehicle for instruction. Students will have access to chromebooks, and will be taught how to navigate student appropriate websites that students will use sparingly in class. 

Students will be 1-to-1 with Chromebooks that will remain in class, unless in the event of virtual school. Students will each be given a Chromebook to use both in and (possibly) out of the classroom. Each Chromebook and charger provided by the school district has a number which is written down on a log to verify that all technology is returned to the School District of Marathon at the end of the year. If a student's technology needs to be replaced throughout the school for some reason, the technology number will be updated on the technology log. 

Each student is responsible for their own Chromebook which will be housed within the classroom and charged every night. Your child is responsible for their own Chromebooks. Students will be monitored by their teacher through a GoGuardian account on the Chromebooks provided through the school in order to make sure students are on appropriate sites while in school. We also trust that parents are monitoring their child's internet usage while at home on all devices. 

Students will also have access to a class set of 10 classroom Acer Tablets that are typically shared among the students. 

Students will use these technology supports to complete work within the classroom as well as at home if necessary. 

We mainly use the following websites in 1st grade to get your child accustomed to technology for school: 

• Zearn  & Splash Math

  • Supplemental math programs

• Seesaw 

  • Main form of communication for parents & students 

  • Independent assignments 

  • Photographs 

  • Post student success work 

• Lalilo 

  • Phonics game 

• PebbleGo

  • 1st Grade Research 

• Epic

  • Online Library

• Google Classroom

  • Practice with accessing assignments (this will mainly be used as a practice format for your child for the upcoming grade levels) 

All students at MAES will have library class once a week. During this time, students will be taught how to use the library and it's technology. Students are introduced to coding, research, and typing during this class. Students will also have book check out once a week in addition to their library time. This book check out time is strictly designated for students to find books in our school library to take home and read. Students are given access to all children's books. 

Students also have access to our online library program to hold/reserve and check out books: 

Destiny Discover Library Lending program to make sure we can get books to our students.  Destiny Discover is found on the Library page for MHS, MVA, and MAES in the Academics tab. 

In order to Hold (request a book) for your child, you will need to log into their individual Destiny Discover account. The information needed to determine your individual child’s login is provided below. Within this account, you can also see the books your child has checked out and when each item is due. We will do our best to get books to each student as soon as possible, but please understand there may be delays! Thanks in advance for your patience.

Want to watch a video on how to request books? Check here! 

Login Information:

User name: First 3 letters of first name followed by 4-digit Skyward number (ie. Mine would be: Cas1234)

Password: Student followed by the year your child will graduate (Student32)

If you have any questions, please contact your district Library Media Specialist:

Sarah Reisgraf 

MAES/MVA (M, W, F): 715-443-2538 ext. 1115

MHS (T, TH): 715-443-2226 ext 4220

Crew is a time where our class focuses on our Habits of Character,  our class successes, struggles, and provides students an opportunity to share what is important to them and what is on their mind. 

We will be having a CREW lesson every morning as we start out our day. In CREW this year, we will be focusing on the following habits of scholarship: Perseverance, Collaboration, Initiative, Craftsmanship, Compassion, and Integrity. 

These habits are the foundation and the tools we use in class to help us become strong scholars. These habits will be also be reinforced building wide as we are all one school and one “CREW.” We believe that every student’s effort matters, no one gets to just ride along. We all work together as a CREW to make our school a great place to be. 

We invite you to be a part of your child’s CREW by providing opportunities for your child to show these characters traits outside of school and by using the character traits in your everyday language at home. 

Typically there is minimal homework in first grade. We have built time in during the in-school day for students to complete most homework in class. If for some reason, your child is unable to complete their work, your child will be completing it during other portions of their school day, such as recess / specials (gym, music, art, etc). Other times it  may be sent home with a note explaining why homework was not completed at school. 

Our main goal is that parents / guardians discuss with your child what is sent home for the day. Encourage your child to “become the teacher” as a way to solidify and explain new skills they are learning in class.

Because we believe that every child can become a reader. We request that EVERY DAY, including weekends, students are asked to read to someone, or to be read to each night. Children can read to parents, siblings, family pets, or extended family members. A great time to get those reading minutes in is right before bed for a bedtime story.

** Students who read for 20 min a day will be exposed to approximately 1,800,000 words per school year. Students who read 5 min a day will be exposed to 282,000 words per year, and students who read 1 min a day will be exposed to 8,000 words per year. To become successful readers, children must practice, practice, practice.   

All children need a backpack to transport their belongings to and from school.  Please make sure to check your child’s backpack each day for homework, announcements, and notes from school. 

Your child will NOT be bringing a physical communication sheet, however your child will be responsible for bringing their folder back to school daily for paper pickup, lunch money drop off, etc. You can send items to school and they will be wiped off with a sanitizing wipe if accessible. 

Any/all communication regarding your child specifically in terms of behavior, will be communicated through the Seesaw Family App. I will also be sending home handwritten notes that night if there are any concerns regarding your child. The best advice I can give is "no news, is good news." 

You will be receiving a weekly newsletter that will be sent home in your child's folder at the beginning of the week. This weekly newsletter outlines our learning for the week, specials and notes about the week ahead, as well as any updates or special events for the week. 

If there are concerns/questions you have regarding your child that require a more timely response, I can be reached at the following email: cleiby@marathon.k12.wi.us and at the following phone number: 715-443-2538 Ext. 1138. You can also message me through the Seesaw App on your phone. 

Send a note in your child's take-home folder, or message me on Seesaw regarding changes in after school pick up. I need to have some sort of communication from the parent/guardian that there is a change in dismissal before they are allowed to make the change. 

For example, if I do not receive a note about a child who is typically a bus rider and is supposed to get ride with a friend to their house, I will not send the student on this new bus unless I have this change communicated via Seesaw/email/phone call/ written note. 

 If dismissal changes during the school day, please call the office and speak to Mrs. Seubert as soon as possible regarding the change.  Please do not leave a message on my cell phone, school phone, e-mail, or text. School days are very busy and I often do not check messages until after the school day is over.  

Students choosing to take a lunch from school are required by the Federal Government to have at least 3 food groups represented on their tray.  If your child is a picky eater, please pay close attention to the school lunch calendar and plan accordingly by packing your child a cold lunch. I will send home a lunch calendar each month.  An updated lunch calendar can also be accessed on our Class Information Page. 

Please check your child’s account on the school website weekly for updates on lunch and milk money. If you send a check or money to school with your child, please have your child bring the deposit to the school office as soon as they come to school in the morning.  

**This may change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please see the school webpage for the latest updates. **

Students may bring in a healthy snack to enjoy in the morning. Some ideas include: dry healthy cereal, trail mix, fruit, veggies, crackers, string cheese,  pretzels, graham crackers, and granola bars. Snacks shared with the WHOLE class may be distributed during this time (i.e. birthday treats, etc.) Students will not be allowed to share a snack with classmates unless they have brought enough for everyone. Because birthdays are special, it is fine to have things such as cupcakes or other sweet treats to celebrate this special occasion. If a student brings an unhealthy snack (chips, candy, cookies, and/or sugar filled treats) and it isn’t a birthday treat, they will be asked to put it back in their backpack. 

If your child does not bring a snack to school, they will NOT be provided any extra in school. Parents are to provide their child with a snack. If you need support to provide snack for your child, please reach out. 

Regarding birthday treats: 

If your child has a specific allergy and you would like them to participate in the birthday celebrations, please let me know and parents can provide a special approved snack to the teacher that I will keep stores specifically for those special occasions that will be only for your child. 

If your child does NOT like the birthday treat option, they may choose the birthday snack, or their own personal snack, but will not be given both. 

You may send a reusable water bottle (no glass) with your child to school to keep in our classroom.  ONLY WATER is allowed in class. 

We will NOT have a traditional "milk break." Rather, we will be drinking water throughout our day and having multiple opportunities to remain hydrated throughout the day. 

We will be celebrating the following holiday's in the classroom: 

• Halloween

• Winter Celebration (Christmas) 

• Valentine's day

More information regarding specific dates and ways parents can support students will be sent as the days get closer. 

1. UW-Stevens Point Planetarium - November

2. Star Lab will be coming to school during the fall. 

3. Central Wisconsin Environmental Station - March / April 

4. Raptor Education Group Inc. (REGI) - May

   1. REGI experts will come to MAES/MVA in early spring. 

5. End of the Year Celebration - June 

Specific information regarding field work / trips will be sent home throughout the year both on Seesaw as well as on weekly newsletters. 

In addition to field work opportunities, we will also seek experts to come into our rooms throughout the year to support our Module topic. In the past, we have asked parents/community members for volunteers. Your child’s teacher will contact you via Seesaw for any support. 

Information regarding experts and volunteer opportunities in our room will become available as we progress throughout our school year. 

All 1st graders will be have 2 weeks of swim lessons at the Marathon Area Swim Association Center in May.  These lessons are provided free to the students.  A letter will be coming home as the time gets closer explaining what they will need to bring.  We will be walking to and from the swim center every day. We will be in need of helpers to assist with getting the kids in and out of the swim center each day. We are in desperate need of male volunteers to assist with locker rooms. 

Our class participates in Scholastic Book Clubs. Every month, your child will come home with a Scholastic Book Order Flyer. You are never required to order books from this flyer, this is simply for you to look over if you would like to purchase books for your child. By ordering books from Scholastic, you are helping support your child in our classroom. Below are the benefits:

• With every book ordered, we get points to put towards updating our classroom library.

• These points are also being put towards updating technology in our classroom.

• With every order purchased, we get rewards like free book sets and money to be put towards updating manipulatives and supplies for our classroom. 

• Books sold through Scholastic are typically cheaper compared to purchasing them at the store or online, and make great holiday and birthday gifts. If there are any books that are purchased as gifts, or need to be kept secret, please let me know, and they can be picked up in the office at your earliest convenience. 

• Our students came up with a list of books that they would like to see in our classroom and we created a wish list through our online site where books can be purchased and donated to our rooms. 

  • Included in this wish list are also books that support our curriculum topics such as: 

    • Tools and Work

    • Sun, Moon, and Stars

    • Birds