Newsletter 1

Room 302—Newsletter 1

September 10, 2005

Dear Families,

Welcome to first grade! We had a great first day. My wife, Judy, and I also sent two children to school this week. On Wednesday Jordan started second grade and Jeremy started first grade. If you’re like us, you were proud and happy, but also maybe a bit sad and a bit nervous. It seems like they’re growing up so fast, and Judy and I find ourselves not quite sure what to expect. Please know that I will take good care of your children, and that I plan for each of them to have a happy and successful year. If you or they ever have questions or concerns, I’d be happy to do whatever I can to put your minds at ease.

Here are a few items of interest:

Our school day is from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The classroom opens at 8:45 so that by 9:00 the students can all be settled in and ready to start on time.

Snacks

We’ll have time for snack each day. I am asking each family to send in one snack, enough to share with the entire class, and we’ll pass out one of them each day. Please send something healthy and easy for first graders to handle on their own.

Volunteers

I welcome volunteers in the classroom. If you’re interested, let me know, either when you stop by, or by email, or call, or send a note. I have a sign-up sheet with times that I need people, and I’ll also have the necessary (ESD required) forms for you to fill out.

Birthdays

We’ll plan to celebrate the birthdays of all the students (unless otherwise requested). Let me know if you’d like to present us with treats or a classroom book for the celebration.

Curriculum night / Back-to-School Night

On Thursday, September 22, 2005 we’ll have our annual night for Kindergarten, First, and Second grade parents and kids to meet at school, hear from teachers, and look around. Please join us, starting in the gymnasium, at 6:30 p.m.

Physical Education / Musical Education

These important classes will happen for us this year on Mondays and Wednesday s. Please help the students make sure to dress appropriately for moving around on those days.

Email List

In an effort to help with communication, I’d like to put together a mailing list so that I’ve got another way to get you information like this. If you’d like to be on it, please send me an email requesting that I put you on the list. Include your name and your child’s name so I can identify you.

Classroom Visits

Any time you’d like to visit, you’re welcome to do so. Just make sure to stop in at the office to sign in and get a Visitor sticker.

Take-home Folders

We have new folders this year. They’re red, and they’ll come home every Thursday (and back every Friday).

Supplies

Here is the list of supplies for this year, in case you still need it. Most of the supplies will be shared/community supplies. The items they will label with their names and keep are: scissors, binder, and notebook.

1 box 24 ct colored pencils

1 box 24 ct crayons

1 box 24 ct markers

3 ea large glue sticks

2 dzn #2 pencils*

(not mechanical/sharpen please)

1 ea Fiskar scissors

1 box 1 gal. Ziploc bags

1 pkg PostIt notes

1 ea (1”) 3-ring binder

1 ea composition book

1 ea box Kleenex

I appreciate the chance to work with you this year, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask.

Sincerely,

Jeff

Newsletter 2

Room 302—Newsletter 2

September 10, 2005

Dear Families,

Things are going very well. We’re taking our time, getting to know each other and learning routines.

In reading….

Every student has a book box, in which they have books they can or want to read. We also read poems together, and have daily read alouds, including chapter book. Our current chapter book is the first one in the Junie B. Jones series by Barbara Park, called Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus.

In writing….

Every student has a folder for their writing materials, including their journals. We write in journals daily, except Mondays, due to music and PE at that time. (Just a reminder, our other music and physical education day is Wednesday).

In math….

We’ve worked on calendars, exploring with some of the blocks, and we’ve gotten our first math workbooks. The first unit is called Mathematical Thinking at Grade 1. This introductory unit helps them get used to some of the materials and processes they’ll be using in math this year.

Some things worth repeating….

Snacks

We’ll have time for snack each day. I am asking each family to send in one snack, enough to share with the entire class, and we’ll pass out one of them each day. Please send something healthy and easy for first graders to handle on their own. We’ve gotten snack from one family so far. If you just send in your own snack each day, don’t worry about it.

Volunteers

I welcome volunteers in the classroom, but we haven’t started yet. If you’re interested, let me know, either when you stop by, or by email, or call, or send a note. You can also sign up at Curriculum night. I have a sign-up sheet with times that I need people, and I’ll also have the necessary (ESD required) forms for you to fill out when you come to Curriculum Night.

Birthdays

We’ll plan to celebrate the birthdays of all the students (unless otherwise requested). Let me know in advance if you’d like to present us with treats or a classroom book for the celebration.

Curriculum night / Back-to-School Night

On Thursday, September 22, 2005 we’ll have our annual night for Kindergarten, First, and Second grade parents and kids to meet at school, hear from teachers, and look around. We will be starting in the gymnasium, at 6:30 p.m. I plan to talk about my background, my beliefs and philosophy on teaching, learning, and homework, and about our daily routine and expectations. Please bring questions about first grade, or what I do, or anything else. I’d like this meeting to be worth your while.

Email List

In an effort to help with communication, I’d like to put together a mailing list so that I’ve got another way to get you information like this. If you’d like to be on it, please send me an email requesting that I put you on the list. Include your name and your child’s name so I can identify you.

Classroom Visits

Any time you’d like to visit, you’re welcome to do so. Just make sure to stop in at the office to sign in and get a Visitor sticker.

Take-home Folders

We have new folders this year. They’re red, and they’ll come home every Thursday (and back every Friday). Please help your child get used to this routine.

I appreciate all the questions I’ve been getting, so keep the questions coming. If you have email, that’s often best for the quick easy replies. My email address is at the top of this letter. Otherwise, send a note, call, or stop by.

Sincerely,

Jeff

web log

web log
Room 302

Wednesday, September 07, 2005

Today in math we wrote our names on our number cards and cut them out.  And some of us did pattern blocks.  I went outside and played on the monkey bars, said Ashley.    In P. E. we ran by the cones, and in music we played a bumblebee game.

Thursday, September 08, 2005
We ate lunch and it was a great time.  We finished the last page of our math packets.  I liked when I played on the rings, said Shelby.

Friday, September 09, 2005
Today after recess we went to the bathroom.  It was fun doing chalk outside.  We celebrated Jordan L.’s birthday.  We sang happy birthday to him and we ate the cookies and juice his mom brought.  Jesse brought watermelon and Savannah’s mom came to visit.

3 Days Left

It's Monday, and in 3 days we'll start. I know I still have a lot to do to get ready, and maybe you do, too. If you still need to get your supplies, here is the list: 1 box 24 ct colored pencils 1 box 24 ct crayons 1 box 24 ct markers 3 ea large glue sticks 2 dzn #2 pencils* (not mechanical/sharpen please) 1 ea Fiskar scissors 1 box 1 gal. Ziploc bags 1 pkg PostIt notes 1 ea (1”) 3-ring binder 1 ea composition book 1 ea box Kleenex Bring them with you to Open House between 10 and 1 on Tuesday, or bring them on the first day.

Getting Ready

It's going to be a great year! With only a few days left until school starts, there is still much to do. I hope as many students and their families can come in and say hi during my open house next Tuesday from 10-1.