Welcome to First Grade!

Dear Families, 

 We look forward to working with you to help your child learn! First grade is an exciting time.  During first grade, your child will learn to read, write stories, add, subtract, and so much more.  Throughout the year, we hope to work together to nurture your child’s love of learning to reach his or her potential.

 Here are some ways you can help your child 

• Read with your child everyday. Twenty minutes a day is a great goal.  Talk with and explain things to your child.  As your child’s vocabulary increases, he or she will be able to read and write more complex texts in the classroom.

• Celebrate your child's successes, no matter how small they may seem. With your support, your child will be enthusiastic about learning and proud of his or her work!

• We would love to have you or another adult family member help in class or prepare materials at home. You may also borrow our classroom pets for weekends or school breaks. Please sign in at the office before visiting the classroom (room 116).

 Lunch and Snacks

You are welcome to visit at lunchtime and eat lunch with your child.  Our lunch is from 11:00 to 11:20, followed by a 20-minute recess.  If you send lunch money with your child, please place money in an envelope with your child’s name and our names on it.  Your child can deliver it to us or to the office at the beginning of the day.  Your child will have opportunities to eat a snack from their lunch in the morning and in the afternoon.  We will encourage your children to bring home their lunches each day, so that you can see what was eaten or not eaten and adjust accordingly.

Specials Schedule

We have a “special” class each day.  Please help your child remember to bring back his or her library book on Friday.

Monday-Music, Tuesday-PE, Wednesday-PE, Thursday-Counseling, Friday-Library

Discipline and Safety
We want every child to be respectful, responsible, safe, and kind in the classroom. It is important that each child learn to develop self-discipline and good work habits, to resolve conflicts peacefully, and to think independently.  When problems occur, we first use the opportunity to talk about how we can better take care of each other.  We will discuss recurrent issues privately with students, practice behaviors that students are working on, and will send a note, emails or call home if needed.

 Changes in Transportation

If your child rides a bus, he or she will always be put on the normal bus unless we have a note from you giving permission for him or her to leave school in a different way. Please let us know when there is a change in the normal routine.

 Homework

First graders are just getting used to a longer day in school.  Family time and unstructured time at home are very important, too.  Homework will be simple this year.  It is never intended to be longer than 30 minutes (20 minutes of reading and another 10 minute assignment).  The goal is to provide an opportunity for your child to show you what he or she is learning. Homework will go home on Monday and be due on Friday. Look for homework to begin sometime near the end of September.  Please help your child develop a homework routine.  A designated time and place, with a box of necessary materials at hand, will help foster effective homework habits. 

 Take Home Folders

We will use these folders to carry papers (newsletters, permission slips, schoolwork, and homework) to and from school. Please check your child’s folder each day.  This is a good opportunity to talk with your child about what is happening at school.  

 Birthdays

Birthdays are important!  We help celebrate each child on his/her special day with good wishes and affirmations. If your child has a summer birthday, we will celebrate at the end of the school year. You are welcome to send in a healthy snack for the class to share for your child’s birthday, although it is not necessary. Healthy snack suggestions: pretzels, crackers, cheese, pepperoni, muffins, cut up fruit or fruit kabobs, veggies, milk or juice. Please let us know if your child has special dietary requirements.

Ways to keep in touch
We look forward to working with you to help your child have a happy and successful year. We will communicate with you through notes, emails, newsletters, telephone calls, report cards, and parent-teacher conferences. Please contact us if you have any questions or concerns at any time. You can call us at school (523-1860), send in a note or email us Nadine_Marx@jsd.k12.ak.us or Margaret_Beedle@jsd.k12.ak.us.  

 Sincerely,

Mrs. Marx  and Mrs. Beedle