Welcome New First Grade Families!

I am so excited to meet you and get to know your family. I love teaching and am excited for the next year. It will be filled with learning, fun, and laughter. We will embark on a year long theme of community, which includes you, our school, and our city of Montpelier. I can’t wait! I thought you may want to know a little about me!

Although I spend a lot of time at school in Montpelier, I reside in Waitsfield. You can look forward to hearing about my outdoor hobbies, which include hiking, gardening, kayaking, and skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. I love being outside, and look forward to learning outside with your child throughout the year.

I have lived in Vermont for about 10 years, having grown up in Rhode Island. I spend a lot of time visiting my family there, especially since they all live on an island off the coast! I also love visiting my sister who lives in Colorado.

I am embarking on my seventh year of teaching. I learn so much everyday and cherish each day spent with children. I look forward to instilling a love for learning, and helping your child become a life-long learner. I believe open communication is important in a child’s education and invite you to share information with me. We will have an open house so we can meet each other and you can see the classroom on Tuesday, August 30th at 3:00. In the meantime, feel free to contact me via email jillc@mpsvt.org and check out our classroom blog www.misscloster.blogspot.com.


See you soon!

There's nothing like a whole school dance party on Park Ave to finish off an AMAZING year. I'm so proud of all our students! 

Taking Care

To finish the year, almost 2nd graders got their classroom community tightened up for the incoming first graders.  Cleaning, organizing, and testing out supplies filled our final days.  First graders are always looking for ways to help their community.

Bittersweet Goodbye Hugs!

The last few days brought mixed feelings of excitement, worries, and sadness.  We spent a lot of time talking about our feelings and emotions, and how to handle change.

NBNC

Thank you to all our parent chaperones who helped guide our small groups of bird watchers around North Branch Nature Center yesterday.  What a gorgeous day we had for hands on learning outside!

Students are continuing to practice and strengthen their knowledge of words through daily practice. Your child can continue working on both handwriting and spelling throughout the summer.  Try out a fun word search game - making and playing with your child!

Mmmm

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Celebrating 500 more hoots last Friday. YAY for first graders!

Math Games

The learning is still going strong in first grade even though the single digit countdown is on.  Our afternoons are full of engaging math games that are continuing to increase student fluency with addition and subtraction facts.  INQUIRE with your child how to play shut the box, salute, or domino equality! 

Tick Season

With the warmer spring weather comes the reemergence of ticks in Vermont. Ticks can carry illnesses such as Lyme disease, so it’s important to be aware of ticks as you spend time outdoors this spring. The best way to prevent exposure to tick bites and Lyme disease is prevention!
Wear light colored clothing, long pants and socks, and long sleeves when spending time in an area with ticks. Tuck pants into socks and shirt into pants to help keep ticks out.
Protect yourself with DEET insect repellent
Inspect your skin for ticks after spending time outdoors. Shower and wash your clothing.
Remove any ticks promptly. Early removal of ticks helps reduce risk of illness. Here’s what to do if you get a tick bite.

Here’s a link to the Vermont Department of Health with more information about Tick Safety.

Last Library Class - Time To Return!

We had our last library class yesterday with Mrs. Frye. Please check around your house to make sure all library books are returned as soon as possible.  If you need assistance and titles of book your child still has out, please let me know and I'll get this information for you.  Thanks so much for helping your child be responsible!