Weekly News

First Grade Newsletter
October 5, 2025

Dear Families,

Happy October! 🍂🎃 The classroom is buzzing with autumn excitement, from learning about the season to gearing up for Halloween fun. Thank you so much for your support this week — whether volunteering in the classroom, helping with homework, or assisting with day-to-day routines. Your involvement makes such a difference!

Note: You will not be receiving a weekly progress report for last week, as I was only with the students on Thursday.

Here’s what’s happening in the classroom this week:

Science

• Students are exploring weather and learning what determines our daily conditions.

• Introduction to Science Notebooks.
  
  

Math

• Reviewing our Unit 1 assessment.

• Introduction to Unit 2:

  • Number sense practice: Counting to 10, 20, 50, and 120

  • Introduction to Math Notebooks

  • Problem of the Day activities
    
    

ELA

• Amplify reading assessments and story-related activities

• Mini books focusing on short vowel sounds

• Morning Letter of the Day activities

• Weekend Journals

• Handwriting Practice

• Introduction to ELA Notebooks
  
  

New Volunteering - This week!

• Centers: Friday, 8:45–9:30 AM
  Please note you may or may not be working with your child’s group.
  
  

Fall Conferences
As we look ahead to fall conferences, we’d love for families to sign up for Monday through Wednesday, as Ms. Z will be on campus those days. Having both of us present helps make the conversation more meaningful.

That said, please choose the day that works best for your schedule. If Monday–Wednesday doesn’t work but you would like a conference with both Ms. Z and me, we can find another time before or after conference week.

Conference sign-ups should be available later this week or early next week. Thank you for taking the time to meet with us — we look forward to celebrating your child’s progress!

🎃 Halloween Classroom Decorating — Help Wanted!
We’d love your creative touch to help decorate our classroom for Halloween! Feel free to bring festive decorations — we have space above the cubbies, along the wires, and around the room.

When:

• Wednesday: 2:15–3:30 PM

• Friday: 2:15–3:15 PM
  
  

Thank you for helping make our classroom feel extra festive this season! 👻 

We will plan to see everyone bright and early! 

Kindly,
Ms. Fee

September 28, 2025

Dear Families,

Thank you for all your help with Book Club and the beautiful flowers for Mary. I also want to extend a special thank you to those who so thoughtfully surprised Ms. Z with a birthday gift—it was greatly appreciated.

This week, Ms. Z and Mrs. Conway will be with the class to start off our week. Please note that the weekly progress “report” will only reflect last Monday–Wednesday, as I was away Thursday and Friday.

As we begin this new week, I want to take a moment to thank you for your continued support and partnership. I know this has not been an easy time for our community, and I deeply appreciate the care and respect you’ve shown as we navigate it together. The students continue to be a bright spot, and I look forward to guiding them through another week of learning and growth.

We are excited to welcome Massi as our first Star Student! He will be helping us kick off our Star Student tradition.

ELA
Students are putting the finishing touches on their pen pal letters. Each child has been paired with a pen pal and their first drafts turned out wonderfully last week. This week, we’ll begin two new “mini-books,” continue our Letter of the Day morning work, and dive further into our class novel. We’ll also learn more about Johnny Appleseed. Students will review their Scholastic News article in class before bringing it home as homework. In addition, we’ll introduce a new activity: partner relay with CVC words.

Math
We are continuing with our current math unit. Next week, students will take an informal assessment on Unit 1 before moving into Chapter 2. Students will also practice skills on IXL for both ELA and Math, providing extra practice and challenges.

Science
In Science, we’ll continue with our Weather Unit, focusing on the factors that determine our weather. Students will also begin using their science notebooks this week.

Reminders

• Blessing of the Pets
  
  

  • Thursday, October 2
    
    

  • 7:30 AM
    
    

  • Steps of Tarantino Hall
    
    

• First 25–26 Saint House Spirit Day - Thursday, October 2

  •  Students will receive their Saint House t-shirts on Monday. On Spirit Day, students should wear:
    
    

  • Saint House T-Shirt (required)
    
    

  • SHS Spirit Wear (pajama pants, gray sweatpants, navy or red athletic shorts, white crew socks)
    
    

  • If your student does not have these items, they may wear their school uniform: navy or khaki pants/shorts, Hamilton plaid jumper, skirt or skort, or khaki skirt or skort.
    
    

Items are also available through the SHS California Team Wear store.

Kindly,

Ms. Fee

September 21, 2025

First Grade Newsletter – September 21, 2025

Dear First Grade Families,

We hope you had a wonderful weekend! Friday was packed with festivities and fun—we truly maxed out the day! Thank you to the families who volunteered for Flowers for Mary and Book Club, as well as to our August/September families who contributed items to our celebration. It was such a joyful time for our students, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

Parent Questionnaire

• Thank you to those who have completed the parent survey! Your responses give us valuable insight into your child and help us better support them in the classroom.

Homework & Folders

• Homework continues this week. A reminder: selected optional pages are listed in the math packet. If your child needs extra time, please use the weekend to finish up homework.

• Math practice: Please read math problems aloud with your children, as some of the words can be challenging for beginning readers. If solving addition or subtraction within ten feels difficult, extra practice is encouraged. As mentioned at conferences, flashcards are a great way to build fluency with fast facts.
  
  

• If incomplete homework is turned in, it may be returned for completion or added to the “Ketchup Folder” depending on the assignment.
  
  

• Please continue returning the black homework folders each week—so far, so good!

Prayer Journals

• A big thank you to families for supporting the Prayer Journal routine. The students have been so thoughtful in their reflections, and your encouragement at home makes a big difference.

Literacy & Writing

• Our Amplify program is going well! Students are excited to pair sounds with handwriting practice and the activities included in the curriculum.
  
  

• In writing, we’ll begin working on Pen Pal letters, learning the components of a friendly letter before sending our first notes to Maine.
  
  

• Students continue working in their word journals and writing journals.
  
  

• In morning work, we’re moving on to letters Gg–Ii.
  
  

• We’ll finish short /a/ mini-books and begin short /i/ mini-books.
  
  

Math

• We are moving into subtraction within ten, using number stories, equations, and visual models.
  
  

• Students have done an excellent job with our first lessons, especially using “counting on” strategies (e.g., solving 6 + 2 by keeping 6 in mind and adding 2 more). These strategies help build fluency and confidence.
  
  

• We’ll continue practicing finding the missing number in number stories, such as: “I have 10 stamps, my friend has 6 stamps. Who has more stamps, and how many more does that person have?”
  
  

Social Studies

• We are finishing our first unit in the community, learning to be good friends and practicing how to speak, listen, share, and show kindness toward others. These lessons help set the foundation for a supportive classroom environment.

Science

• In science, students will continue our Weather Watching unit. They will complete outdoor explorations as they observe weather patterns, climate, wind, and learn about appropriate clothing for different weather conditions.

Makerspace & Art Studio

• This week, students will have their first split Makerspace session—half of the class attends one session, and the other half follows.

• Our first Art Studio sessions of the year will also begin: half the class will attend Tuesday, and the other half Thursday. 

• Tuesday volunteer spots are filled, but we still have two openings for Thursday if you’d like to join us.

Teacher Coverage

I’ll be out toward the end of this week and the beginning of next week. We are fortunate to have excellent support:

• Ms. Kittie (who worked in Kinder last year) will cover first, followed by Mrs. Conway (who also has experience in Kinder).
  
  

• As always, Ms. Z and Mrs. Bedford will be in the classroom on their scheduled days to support first grade.
  
  

Sight Word Volunteering

• In two weeks, we will begin Sight Word Volunteering sessions, and we hope many of you can join us. Having a consistent group of volunteers makes the routine smoother and easier for both students and helpers. More details and sign-ups will be shared soon.

A Note of Thanks

• Thank you, as always, for your support, partnership, and the ways you help your child thrive each day. We are so grateful for everything you’ve contributed so far this school year, from volunteering to helping at home, and it truly makes a difference.

• If you have any photos from the parties, celebrations, or volunteering, please send them our way so we can share them on the Learning Site.

Here’s to another exciting week ahead, filled with learning, growth, and fun!

Warmly,

Ms. Fee

September 14, 2025

Dear First Grade Families,

Thank you to Chrystal Azzarello and Logan Bacon for kicking off our weekly Bagels and Book Club event! It was wonderful to see the kids so engaged, and we greatly appreciated having you in the classroom.

Parent Questionnaire
A Parent Questionnaire was sent out earlier this week in the form of a Google Form. Thank you to those who have already taken the time to complete it. Your responses help us better “get to know” your child and support them in the classroom.

Reminders & Notes

• Monday, September 15: Picture Day (Full-Dress Uniform)
  
  

• After School Electives start dates:
  • Cheer – 9/19 in 3rd Grade Classroom
  • LEGO – 9/19 in Kindergarten Classroom
  • Poekie Nook Sewing – 9/19 in 5th Grade Classroom
  
  

• Monday Journal Writing – “Over the weekend, I…”
  Each Monday, students will be writing about their weekend. Regardless of the activities, they’ll reflect on something they’d like to share from dismissal on Friday through Monday morning. It’s helpful if you can brainstorm a few ideas with your child so they come ready to write. For many students, this comes easily, but for some it can be challenging to recall details.

Homework & Folders

• Friday Folders: Black homework folders were not sent home last Friday since we didn’t have much to send. We’ve been focused on routines, workbook practice, and vowel mini-books, which meant there weren’t many loose papers.

• Homework will continue this week and will be sent home Monday.

• If you’d like extra practice, please check the ELA page for sight words. Beginning with the first 100 and 200 word lists is an excellent way to build confidence with high-frequency words.
  
  

Scholastic Book Club

• Thank you to all the families who placed Scholastic Book Club orders! Your support helps us earn points for classroom resources and gives students access to more books they love. We’ve processed the orders, and the books will be sent home as soon as they arrive at school.

What’s Happening in the Classroom?

• On Friday, our K-4 Dean, Ms. Delzeith, spoke with our class about the importance of respect, first-time listening, and student norms.
  
  

• We continue to focus on routines—lining up, transitioning smoothly, organizing supplies, and following expectations. These habits set the foundation for a successful year, and students are rising to the challenge!
  
  

• In ELA and Math, we’ll continue practicing norms while making steady progress in lessons and daily work.

• New Writing Project – Pen Pals

  • We’re excited to begin our year-long Pen Pal project! My cousin, a first-grade teacher in Maine, and I have partnered our classes. Students will be paired as pen pals and will exchange letters about twice a month. This will be a fun and meaningful way to build writing skills and connections.

• Literacy & Math Updates

• Students are settling into their journals and word journals.

• In morning work, we’ve moved on from the letter Ee–Gg.

• We’ll finish our short /a/ mini-books and begin short /i/ mini-books.

• Math Updates

  • Students have done a great job with our first lessons, especially using “counting on” strategies—for example, solving 6 + 2 by keeping 6 in mind and adding on 2 more. These strategies are helping build fluency and confidence.

  • We’re moving into subtraction within ten, using number stories, equations, and visual models.

Morning Meeting & Class Jobs

• Students are loving their Morning Meeting roles, such as helping with calendar, prayer, and pledge. This week, we’ll continue to introduce other jobs too! 

Thank you, as always, for your partnership and support. The students are off to a wonderful start this year, and it’s a joy to see them growing each day. I’m grateful for the ways you encourage and reinforce their learning at home as it truly makes a difference.

Kind regards,
Ms. Fee

Dear First Grade Families,

Thank you for supporting your children each and every day. We are so grateful for the way you partner with us to make this transition into first grade a happy and successful one. A special thank-you as well to everyone who joined us for Back to School Night last week—we loved getting the chance to connect with you. The presentation is available on the "FIRST GRADE" main page of Learning Site for hose who’d like to revisit it.

Parent Questionnaire

A Parent Questionnaire will be sent via email this week as a Google Form. We truly value your insight and appreciate you taking the time to complete it. Your responses help us better “get to know” your child and support them in the classroom.

Reminders & Dates to Note

• Monday, September 8:
  
  

  • First All-School Mass – students need to wear Full Dress Uniform.
    
    

  • 12:30 PM Dismissal; Extended Care available.
    
    

• After School Electives Begin:
  
  

  • Golf – 9/8
    
    

  • Drama – 9/9 (Music Room)
    
    

  • Cheer – 9/19 (3rd Grade Classroom)
    
    

  • LEGO – 9/19 (Kindergarten Classroom)
    
    

  • Poekie Nook Sewing – 9/19 (5th Grade Classroom)

• Monday, September 15: Picture Day.

Homework

Homework will begin this week. As we mentioned at Back to School Night, assignments will be given on Monday and due on Friday (unless otherwise noted). We will not have spelling every week, but it will be included throughout the year. You will not see spelling words coming home this week.

If you’d like your child to practice at home, please check the ELA page for sight words. Beginning with the first 100 and 200 word lists is a great way to build comfort and confidence with these high-frequency words.

What’s Happening in the Classroom?

Our focus continues to be on routines—lining up, transitioning between activities, knowing where supplies belong, and following classroom expectations. These habits are the foundation for a smooth, happy year, and the students are really rising to the challenge.

In ELA and Math, we’ve started informal assessments and observations as we launch into the year. Students are settling into their journals and word journals, and in morning work, we’ve moved on from the letter Bb to Cc and Dd.

The students did an excellent job engaging with our first math lessons. We’ve begun exploring “counting on” strategies—for example, 6+2 = 8 by keeping 6 in your head, counting on, and adding 2 more. These little shortcuts help students become more confident and automatic with addition facts.

During Morning Meeting, students have loved helping with the calendar, prayer, and pledge. Class jobs will start this week with our group leaders, prayer leader, and calendar helper—roles they are very eager to take on!

In Religion, please check the Religion page on the Learning Site for weekly updates and assignments. This week, students will hear about their first assignment in class as well. Practicing prayers at home continues to be a wonderful way for families to share in faith together.

A Gentle Reminder

To help your child thrive each day, please ensure they are:

• Getting about 10–10½ hours of sleep each night,
  
  

• Eating a healthy breakfast, and
  
  

• Arriving on time each morning.
  
  

These simple habits make a big difference for a happy and successful first grader!

We are so grateful for your support and partnership. The year is off to a strong start, and we can’t wait to see all the wonderful growth ahead this September!

Kindly,

Ms. Fee & Ms. Z

Dear First Grade Families, 

We had a wonderful first week of school! The children are engaged, eager to learn, and adjusting beautifully to the new rhythm of first grade with early mornings, structured time for learning, and plenty of play. Thank you for trusting us with your children. It has been a joy to see their personalities shine, and we look forward to watching them continue to settle into our classroom routines.

Classroom Support

As an ongoing support, our classroom is fortunate to have additional adults assisting throughout the week:

• Monday–Wednesday: Ms. Z will be joining us for part of the day.
  
  

• Thursday & Friday: Mrs. Bedford, an 8th-grade parent, will be supporting both first and second grade.

Their presence helps us give students more one-on-one attention, smooth transitions, and extra support as we build strong routines together.

Parent Questionnaire

Please be on the lookout for the Parent Questionnaire coming home this week. This form helps Ms. Z and me “get to know” your child a little better. Your insight is invaluable and gives us a deeper understanding of how to best support your student both academically and socially. Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete it!

Reminders & Dates to Note

• Back to School Night (Grades 1–4): Thursday, September 4 at 6:30 PM.
  We’ll begin together in the church, followed by a short classroom overview with Ms. Z and Ms. Fee.
  
  

• September 4–5: STAR Testing (please ensure your child has a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast each morning).
  
  

• Friday, September 5: First Pizza Friday!
  
  

• Monday, September 8: First All-School Mass – students should wear Full Dress Uniform.
  
  

• Monday, September 15: Picture Day.
  
  

What’s Happening in the Classroom?

Currently, our focus is on routines. We are practicing lining up, moving between activities, knowing where supplies and assignments belong, and learning classroom expectations. These habits set the tone for a smooth and happy school year.

In ELA and Math, we’re beginning the year with informal assessments and observations. We’re excited to launch our new K–5 ELA curriculum this year and will share more as we dive deeper. Students are starting their journals and word journals this week, and in morning work, we’ve moved to the letter Bb.

Our Morning Meeting includes student helpers for the calendar, prayer, and the pledge. The students have really looked forward to helping with this part of the day. Class jobs will officially begin in the coming weeks!

Religion

Please visit the Religion page on our First Grade website for weekly updates about what your child is learning. Students will receive their first assignment next week, which we’ll discuss together in class. Practicing prayers at home is a wonderful way to support their faith journey and share meaningful moments as a family.

A Gentle Reminder

To help your child thrive, please ensure they are:

• Getting about 10–10½ hours of sleep each night,
  
  

• Eating a healthy breakfast, and
  
  

• Arriving on time each morning.
  
  

These simple habits make a big difference for a happy and productive first grader!

We are so grateful for your support and partnership. We’re off to a strong start, and we can’t wait to see all that September brings!

Kindly,

Ms. Fee & Ms. Z