Mrs. Heidi Gallus
763-258-5514
1st Grade Newsletter
Week of August 31-September 4, 2009
Welcome to our first grade classroom! I am so happy to be your child’s teacher this year! This is a very special year in your child’s school career. First grade is a time to experience important transitions and acquire new skills. During the year, your child will learn how to read, write stories, add, subtract and so much more. I hope to instill a love of learning that will last throughout your child’s years of schooling. This newsletter contains some information about the general procedures that will be followed throughout the coming school year. Please refer to my weekly newsletters for any necessary changes and additions.
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call or send an email. I am looking forward to spending my days with your child. Thank you for sending him/her to me.
Blessings,
Mrs. Gallus
Monday / Tuesday / Wednesday / Thursday / FridayFirst Day of School!
1:00 p.m. Phy. Ed.
2:15 p.m. Mass / 8:30 a.m. Spanish
12:20 p.m. Music / 10:00 a.m. Library
1:00 p.m. Phy. Ed. / 2:00 p.m. Art / 8:30 a.m. Spanish
12:20 p.m. Music
Drop Off:
During the first week of school you may assist your child into the classroom each day. This will allow your child to learn the routine of coming into school, checking his or her backpack and getting ready for the school day. We have a morning routine that the children will quickly learn to follow, and your assistance early in the school year is important and welcome!
Our classroom opens at 8:15 each day. Students who are in the building between 8:00-8:15 go immediately to the library until the classroom doors are opened. Children are considered tardy if they are not in the classroom at 8:30 and need to obtain a tardy slip from Mrs. Truax at the Welcome Desk. If your child is late, it disrupts his/her day as well as our classroom routine. Your assistance in this area is greatly appreciated.
Transportation:
If your child has a change in transportation plans or permission to visit a friend after school, please send a note to school. This will help me to see that your child safely reaches his/her appropriate destination after school.
Labels:
Please be sure to label the possessions your child brings back and forth to school. Sweaters, jackets, lunchboxes, and backpacks can easily be put down somewhere and left behind. A label can help your child get back any items from the lost and found.
Lunch:
First Grade will have lunch at 11:45 a.m. on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays and at 11:35 a.m. on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. A lunch menu is sent home at the beginning of each month for you to review. Please be sure to go over the lunch menu with your child to make sure that he/she likes what is being served. It is difficult to see a child go hungry or waste food because they do not like the meal for that day. If you would like to join your child for lunch at any point in the year, please do so. We ask that you contact the office so we can get an accurate count.
Birthdays:
If your child wishes to bring something to celebrate his/her birthday, he/she is welcome to bring a treat for the class. Please send an item that can be brought to the classroom in the morning or dropped off over the lunch break that can be easily dispensed. All treats must be purchased from a store and cannot be made at home.
Snack:
Each child is assigned one or two weeks to bring snacks to share with the class for the entire week. Please see the included letter and schedule for this.
“All About Me” Week:
The children will take turns having a special week! Your child will be able to bring in a special book to read and show and tell on their week. I will be sending home an “All About Me” letter and schedule at a later date.
Classroom Rules/Discipline:
I believe that children thrive in an environment that is well structured and has clearly defined rules. I have found that first graders like to follow the rules and try to do their very best. First Grade rules are basic and easy to follow:
*Treat others as you would like to be treated.
*Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself.
*Raise hand before speaking.
*Share.
*Listen to others.
*Follow all lunch and playground rules.
*Act appropriately at Mass and assemblies.
*Walk at all times.
Take Home Folder:
Your child will bring home any homework, school notes, notes from me, and special papers in his/her take home folder. Please be sure to look through this folder each night and return it to school with your child on the following school day. Each Friday, your child will receive a weekly newsletter.
Mass:
For the most part, we will celebrate Mass on Mondays at 2:15 p.m. Girls are expected to wear jumpers every Mass day throughout the school year.
Picture Day:
Providence Academy picture day is Wednesday, September 9th. The children do wear their uniforms for picture day.
Specialists:
We are lucky to have such wonderful specialists to assist us in first grade. The children will have specials in the following areas:
*Art with Mrs. Doffing
*Physical Education with Mr. Subialka
*Library with Mrs. Commers
*Music with Mrs. Wilson
*Spanish with Senor Donahue
Homework:
I believe that well informed and involved parents help a child be a successful student. Daily homework is a great way to keep you involved in your child’s academic growth, and they love to show you what they have learned. You may look for two math sheets and a phonics sheet to come home on a daily basis. Spelling words for the following week are sent home on Fridays. A weekly writing assignment will also be sent home on Friday and is due by the following Friday. We also have Saxon Phonics mini-readers that will come home twice a week. I highly encourage you to read with your child for at least 10-15 minutes each day. I will be sending home a “Book in a Bag” to help facilitate this in your home. When all is said and done, your child should be spending about 20-30 minutes each day to complete these tasks. If it is taking your child much longer, please let me know. I truly believe that homework time should not be stressful for parent or child, and I have ways to assist you if this is happening for your family.
Book Orders:
Each month I will be sending home book orders. I encourage you to take a look at these and possibly order a few books to build your child’s personal library. If you choose to order any of these books for your child, each order needs to be filled out and sent to school in an envelope labeled “book order”. We are unable to accept cash. All checks need to be made payable to the book club. Book orders usually take two weeks to be delivered.
Volunteers:
Your participation in our classroom is a vital part of our success. I would love help during the school year with such things as the preparation of classroom materials, class projects, field trips, class celebrations, and other odds and ends. I will notify the classroom parent as opportunities arise, and he or she will then contact those who are interested in helping. I look forward to working with you. Your help will make this a very special year.