Newsletters

Parent Information 2025-2026

September 2, 2025

Dear Room 229 Families,

Welcome to First Grade!  I hope you all had a wonderful summer and got a chance to do everything you wanted to do.  I had a busy and terrific summer filled with wonderful experiences.  I have also spent a lot of time preparing for the new First Graders of Room 229.  It was a delight to see so many cheerful faces this morning. 

Communication 

Email/Parent Square is a terrific way to foster a positive home-school connection!  Please feel free to send me a message at any time and I will reply at my earliest convenience.  Please do not send a message that needs my attention immediately as I might not check my messages until the following day.  My email address is lucash@newton.k12.ma.us.  I will typically send my own notices, updates, volunteer requests, reminders, etc. through Parent Square. 

Schedule 

We have a specialist five times a week.  We have Physical Education twice a week.  It is important that all children wear or bring sneakers to school on Physical Education days.  On our Library day, your child will have the opportunity to exchange books each week so it is important that your child bring his or her library book(s) back to school the following scheduled Library day.  Helpful tip: post the class schedule somewhere in your home to use as a guide…the refrigerator is a great spot!

Lunch/Snack 

We eat lunch in school each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.  We will enjoy a midmorning snack five days a week.  Even on days that we eat lunch, it is important to send a healthy, filling snack.  It’s a long haul until lunch on an empty stomach.  Be sure to pack plenty!  I also suggest packing a non-perishable snack or bag of crackers in your child's backpack in case a snack was forgotten on a day throughout the year.  If your child forgets their snack, we are not allowed to share a snack with another child so they will have to wait until lunch to eat.  We also ask that you refrain from sending any snacks with peanuts or tree nuts.

Birthdays 

We will be celebrating birthdays in our classroom.  First, during morning announcements, the office will announce your child’s birthday either on their birthday or the Friday before if it falls on a weekend.  Also, during our Morning Meeting, your child will have the option of having us sing happy birthday to them.  Last, your child will have an opportunity to pick a “prize” from our prize basket to take home.  Please be aware of our food policy and refrain from sending in edible treats.  

Extra Clothes

I am suggesting that each student brings in an extra set of clothing to keep in their locker.  This clothing will be used if your child spills something on their clothing, gets their clothing wet, has an accident, or tears their clothing.  I recommend that you send in a pair of long pants, long sleeve shirt, t-shirt, underpants, socks.  Please be sure to put the clothing in a bag with your child’s name on it.

Supplies 

The only materials/supplies that I ask all families to supply for school are the ones I mentioned in the email I sent last week: backpack, snack, water bottle, and a lunch if your child is not getting school lunch (along with the extra clothes that I mentioned above).  If you do feel like making a donation to our classroom, we can always use soft tissues and ziploc baggies (all sizes).  Again, these are just some items if you feel compelled to donate…absolutely no need nor obligation!  I also ask that you do not have your child bring in any other materials or toys as they often create a distraction for themselves and others.

Home/School Folder 

I will provide your child with a “Home/School” folder for daily trips home with notices, corrected work, and other important items.  Although it might not always have something in it, please look for it each day.  I encourage you to discuss the work that comes home with your child.  Please assist your child by reminding them to return the folder to school the following day.  You might want to pick a special spot for your child to put their folder or get into a routine of your child emptying their folder and putting it back into their backpack.  This is a great way to foster independence and responsibility.

Student Information 

If you haven’t already filled out the student information survey/Google Form, please do so at your earliest convenience.  It’s a great way for me to begin to know your child and your family.

I’m excited to work together to embrace the Core Values of Cabot School.  These Core Values are that we take care of ourselves, we take care of others, and we take care of our school.  With a strong partnership we will meet these goals and many, many, more.

Warmly,

Heidi Lucas

lucash@newton.k12.ma.us