Welcome to First Grade!

2025 - 2026

Hi, first graders! Be on the lookout for a postcard from me in the mail very soon! I'm excited to meet you!

Action Items:

Grown ups, please complete this After School Transportation Form ASAP (due 8/25) and the Getting to Know You Survey sometime the first week of school. Thank you.

August 2025

Hello, First Grade Families!

I am thrilled to be your child's first grade teacher! This is my thirteenth year teaching first grade at Capitol Hill and I can't wait to get started on our year of learning adventures in Room 105.

First grade is an exciting year! Many thanks to our awesome kindergarten teachers for sparking a love of learning last year. This year we'll dive even deeper into reading, writing, math, science, art, and more. We'll build a supportive classroom community where all students feel valued. We'll go on field trips, play games, and read so many books together. We'll go to PE, Music, Art, and Library. We will have a wonderful year of learning!

This year is unique because your child will have two teachers. I have agreed to be a Mentor Teacher to Olivia Myers, who is completing her Masters of Arts in Teaching at the Lewis & Clark College Graduation School of Education. She is a current para educator in our building (part of the staff that supports Special Education students), so she is very familiar with the Capitol Hill community, and she is already a fantastic educator, so I am excited to support her this year as she continues her learning and becomes a certified teacher. Stay tuned for more details of her specific schedule.

For more about my background, please visit the "About Mrs. J" page of this website. I am looking forward to connecting with your family. Communication is key as we start the new school year together. Please don't hesitate to reach out with questions and concerns. Let's make it a great year in first grade!

In partnership,

Jessica Jendrzejek (she/her)

(Pronounced "gender-shek" but please call me Mrs. J )

Connect via ParentSquare or email jjendrzejek@pps.net

503-916-6303 Ext. 70255

Communication With Mrs. J for 2025 - 2026

Website: This website will serve as a home base for all things First Grade. I will post newsletters, photos, and updates here, as well as helpful resources.

ParentSquare/Email: Per PPS requirement, I will use ParentSquare to send messages to families, and this is also the easiest way to reach me. (I believe you can decide to receive messages as emails or text messages, so be sure to update your preferences in your account.) Although I do check ParentSquare/emails frequently throughout the day, please know that I respond to longer messages/emails from 3:30 - 3:45. Also, I intentionally do not have ParentSquare or PPS email on my personal phone, so I will not see or respond to messages received outside of my school hours (7:45 - 3:45). Also, I have Staff Meetings on Tuesdays from 2:45 - 4:00, so I will only be able to answer urgent emails/messages that day. Thanks for your understanding and supporting me in my goal to have work/life balance as a working mom!

Change to After School Plan: If there is a change in your child's after school plans, please let me know in writing via ParentSquare or email and CC the front office staff (in case I am out unexpectedly and they need to communicate the change to a guest teacher). Last minute changes to the plan need to be communicated directly to the office, who will make sure I get the message.

In Person or Virtual Meeting: I am always happy to set up a time to talk on the phone, do a video chat, or meet in person. I appreciate 24 hours advance notice to make it work with my family's schedule. Please reach out if you'd like to set up a meeting with me.

Again, communication is key! Thanks in advance for your partnership.

First Grade Back to School FAQs (subject to change as I receive more information on August 20)

What does my child need on the first day of school?

A full water bottle labeled with their name, non-spill preferred
A small snack
A lunch (or plans to get school lunch)
A backpack

Should I send school supplies on day one? (List located at the end of this page)

Supplies are welcome on day one, but not required. Please send supplies sometime the first week of school. There will be bins out in the hallway for sorting. Please label headphones with student's name.

What time does the school day start and end?

The school day is 8:00 - 2:30. The doors open at 7:53, so please plan to arrive between then and 8:00.

Can I walk them to class?

Yes, families are invited to walk their students to class! The first day, please come into the classroom, help your child find their name tag, cubby, seat, and get settled, then say a happy goodbye. The rest of the year, please say happy goodbyes at the classroom door. Thanks for your support!

Where do I pick up my child at the end of the school day?

We will meet you at our classroom door that opens to the outside - near the flagpole to the left of the school's front doors. It will be clearly labeled with my last name.
Bus riders will be escorted by a teacher to the bus for the first week.
Champions students will be picked up by a Champions staff member for the first week.

How many students are in the class?

When can I volunteer? How can I help?

Give us a few weeks to settle into our classroom routines and build our community, and then I'll reach out about volunteering in the classroom. Fill out a PPS Volunteer application and pass the PPS Volunteer Background Check here.
Please make sure your child is well-rested, has eaten a good breakfast (at home or school), and is ready for each day. Leave toys and distractions at home.
If you are interested in being a "Room Parent" who would like to help with some classroom events and other odds and ends, please let me know on the Getting to Know You survey.

What is on my immediate parent to do list? (Always listed at the top of this website under Action Items)

please complete this After School Transportation Form ASAP (due 8/25)
Please respond to the Getting to Know You Survey within the first week of school.
Please make sure all the information is correct in ParentVue (district-wide student information system)
Please be sure your ParentSquare account is up to date.

Upcoming Events

Stay tuned!

First Grade Supply List

Thank you very much for helping your first grader come prepared for school! Supplies are not necessary on the first day of school, but please bring them sometime the first week. Please sort supplies into the tubs in the hallway. Thanks very much!

1st Grade Supply List

Classroom Community Supplies