2012-2013 9/25/2012
Dear Families,
We had a great first day! I hope you hear good things. Thank you for trusting me with your children. I’m looking forward to the next 179 days our class has together. Here are some things to keep in mind at this point:
Snack
Since we don’t eat lunch in the upper grades until 1:00, snack can be pretty important for some of them. I know it is for me. There are two ways we can do snack: Students bring their own snack each day and eat that, or students bring in snack to share. I’m happy either way. Talk to your child about which one you want to do. We’ll make a list and try to keep track. Those who are sending in snack will want to know how many are eating and how often to send it. The best things to send are healthy, and easy to distribute evenly.
Music and P.E.
We have Physical Education with Mrs. Smith on Thursdays and Fridays, and Music Education on Tuesdays and Thursdays with Mrs. Couch. I’m not sure yet when we will have library.
Jackdaw
What is a jackdaw? A jackdaw is a collection of things about a topic. In this case, the topic will be each student. So our jackdaws will be collections that tell about each of us.
I have given each student a gallon size Ziploc bag and I’m asking them to make a jackdaw about themselves. Part of the fun is finding and building the collection to share with others. We’ll share our jackdaws in class, and we’ll write about them.
Here are the guidelines:
It must all fit inside the bag.
Bring in items that represent:
· some of your "gifts"-- things you are good at (maybe a book or a paint brush or a game piece)
· some of your interests - things you are fascinated with and like to spend your time reading about or doing (maybe a catcher's mitt or word puzzle)
· relationships you have with other people (maybe a photo of friends or a souvenir from a family trip)
· ways you already help others (maybe a leash if you walk the dog or spoon if you set the table)
· other things you can think of that will tell us about you
The jackdaws should be brought to school and each child gets to share their collection with the rest of the class. They should practice telling about them at home so they’re ready when it’s their turn.
I’d like the bags done and back by Tuesday, September 4, but they can come back sooner and we’ll start sharing when they do. This is a fun way to get to know each other. I can’t wait.
Curriculum Night
We’ll be having our parent meeting this year on September 27 from 6:30 to 7:30. That’s when I’ll talk about me, what I do, and why. It will be a great time for general questions you have. But don’t feel you have to wait: if there is something you need to know before then, or you want to talk about your child, please let me know and we’ll make it happen. My contact info is always on these newsletters.
Classroom Visits and Volunteering
I welcome visits and volunteers, any time, no need to call first if you want to drop by. If you want to help on a regular basis, that would be great. There will be a volunteer sign-up sheet at parent night, or just send me an email if you have a specific day or time and we’ll make it work. If you think you’d like to be in the classroom—or in any way be with the students here or on a field trip—please make sure you have all the volunteer forms and paperwork filled out. Those are available in the office, and I’ll have some at parent night, too. If you filled out forms last year, we still need you to do it again (although I think we need fewer the second time).
Birthdays
We will always celebrate birthdays (unless asked not to do so) and sending in treats for the class is always an option. We usually pick up summer birthdays at the end of the year.
Calendar
September 3—No school
September 13—PTA Meeting, 3:45-4:45
September 17—Picture Day
September 27—Curriculum Night, 6:30-7:30pm
Here’s to a great year!
Sincerely,
Jeff
