Dear Families,
Summer vacation is coming to an end. It is time to start thinking about the new school year. First grade brings all types of new adventures in learning and we are happy to start the journey with your child this year.
We believe that children learn best within a framework of clear and simple expectations. Our goal is to provide educational experiences in which your child will be encouraged to develop social, intellectual, physical, psychological and aesthetic abilities in a safe, nurturing and positive environment, which fosters high self-esteem and respect for others. You are the first and most important teacher in your child’s life. We are looking forward to working together with you to help your child reach their highest potential.
We will have a mini-open house for families to see the classroom and meet their teacher and classmates on Tuesday, August 29th at 3:00. Later in the fall we will be having an open house for parents and families to explore classroom learning, and to familiarize you with the first grade curriculum and day-to-day learning. Below, you will find information necessary to start the year. Please contact your classroom teacher if you need further information.
Arrival
Our first day of first grade is August 30th! First grade students convene on the lower playground in the mornings. There is supervision on the lower playground from 8:00-8:15, where students are expected to gather. School begins at 8:15, and teachers will meet classes on the playground at this time. It is important for your child to be on time for school. Our morning meeting begins right away, and it is supportive of your child’s learning for everyone to be present during this time. Late arrivals (after 8:15) disrupt the daily routine and cause interruptions to the learning of our class community.
Remind your child to go directly to the lower playground if they are riding the bus to school or if you drop them off on Loomis St. If you plan to escort your child to school, please say goodbye to them on the playground, or at the UES door. First graders are continuing to work on building independence and this is a great first step! Please help us to encourage independence with morning routines.
Dismissal
Bus riders and car pick-up students will be dismissed at 2:45. If you choose to pick up car side, pull up by the barriers on Loomis Street and wait for your turn. Walkers will be dismissed at 2:50. Ms. Closter, Ms. Emily, and Mrs. Dostie ‘s classes will wait by the picnic tables on Loomis Street.. Mrs. Koch and Mrs. Griggs’ classes will meet by the front entrance on Park Avenue. Please check in with your child’s teacher to assure end of the day plans go smoothly. A written note must accompany your child at the start of the day if the daily routine is changing.
Home/School Folder
This year, look for a RED daily communication folder in your child’s backpack. This folder should come to school and will go home every day. Please help your child remember this job. The folder will be checked every morning, so please send important notes about your child’s day in this folder. Teachers seldom have time to check email/phone during the school day so if you have a message during the day, please call the office directly and they will relay the information. Also, please check the class blog routinely for updates about schedules, and upcoming events.
Volunteer Options
There will be many opportunities to participate in your child’s education. Look for a volunteer sign-up sheet, a confidentiality form, and guidelines in your child’s home-school folder during the month of September. To help build community within the classroom, volunteering will begin after the first 6 weeks.
ECO
Our outdoor education program, held at Harrison Field, Sabin’s Pasture, Hubbard Park and around the community will begin in September. Please look for more information about this program in your child’s home-school folder next month. We rely on parent volunteers to help make this program a success, and would invite you to join us on these outings. We will be travelling on Thursdays and are excited to have family volunteers.
Snack
We will have a scheduled snack each morning. Children are welcome to bring in their own snack from home or place an order ahead of time for snack from the “snack heroes.” Information about this program will be sent home soon. For the first weeks of school, please send a healthy snack from home. All five classrooms are peanut-free. Please do not bring peanuts or products containing peanuts into the classroom. If you have questions or concerns about snack or lunch, please contact your child’s teacher.
Schedule
Look for your child’s daily schedule attached to their home/school folder. Please remind your child they need sneakers for P.E. and need to remember their books on library days.
Home School Connections
We believe engaging monthly homework projects are important to support children’s learning in the classroom. The first Home School Connection will be shared with you later in the month. For the time being, keep reading nightly with your child and encourage a love of learning!
Supplies
Your child will not need to bring in supplies for school work. We will provide these resources for you. Throughout the year, your child’s classroom teacher may create a wish list of materials for various projects. In the meantime, classrooms always appreciate any of the following items:
Dixon Ticonderoga pencils
Glue Sticks
Black Dry Erase Markers
Soft Tissues
Large Block Pink Erasers
Pink Top Erasers
Sharpie Fine Point Black Markers
Clorox Wipes
Plastic Spoons
Personal Belongings
Please help your child leave all toys at home (stuffies, dolls, cars, figurines, card collections, etc). Even toys stowed away in a backpack can be a distraction from learning for students.
Change of clothes
If you think your child will need a change of clothes during the school year, we will provide an area for this in the classroom. Please store extra clothing in a labeled large ziplock bag and send them to school. The bag will be returned to you with clothes to launder as needed. Please re-fill with clean, seasonally appropriate clothing as soon as you can.
HELP!
During our first integrated science unit, we are exploring insects. If your family can find any dried insects on your last days outside, please feel free to bring them in to share. We will be observing insects up close!
Communication
Please call or email with any questions or concerns you have for your child. If you’d like to meet in person, please contact your child’s teacher to set up a time to meet in the classroom. We are excited to see all of the students and families and are eagerly anticipating a year of great learning and fun!
We had a FABULOUS first day of first grade. We were so busy all day getting to know each other and learning about the "first grade way" of doing things. We focused on learning how to be kind, responsible and safe around the school, all while having fun. 
