Our Class Community

We'll be adding a few friends who are just enrolling at UES, but in case you were wondering who your child's classmates are, here you go! Inquire with your child who each friend is. These pictures were taken on the step up day - the last day of school when everybody got to visit their new classroom. I am so excited to meet all of you and look forward to a great year. I've been in and out of the classroom this summer, gearing up for the start of school in August.  Remember, school starts on Wednesday, August 31st!

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!

Looking to help?

The end of the year is a busy time here in first grade!  If you are around school and have some extra time to help out, let me know.  All these art projects and published writing need to be sorted into student bags to take home.  Should take just a short amount of time :) 

Last minute celebration planned for tomorrow

WoW! 500 more hoots were counted just this morning. The class decided on multiple celebrations, which will be combined into one.  We will allow stuffies (some of our friends forgot last time around), and have a special recess in the afternoon with them, as we enjoy end of the day popsicles. If anybody has a problem with this, please let me know and I'll make alternate plans.

First Grade News

We have a busy few weeks left of school!  Here are the upcoming dates to note for first grade!

Friday, May 27th @8:30 - May Birthday Breakfast - looking for volunteers to contribute healthy items.

Wednesday, June 1st - Bus trip to North Branch Nature Center

We will be taking a school bus to North Branch for a special end of ECO day.  We plan to leave around 11:00, bring our lunches for a picnic, and return to school in time for dismissal.  Please let me know if you would like to join us!  If you would like a bagged school lunch, please let me know and I will order one for your child.

Thursday, June 2nd- Community Visit to the Kellogg-Hubbard Library

We will walk to the library at 1:00 for a short tour and preview of summer offerings at the library!  Parents are welcome to hear about what the library is offering for kids this summer.

Tuesday, June 7th - Field Trip to VINS

More information will be coming soon.  We will need lots of chaperones for this fun trip to the nature institute to see the birds we have been learning about! All day event.

Friday, June 10th @8:30 - Birthday Breakfast

We will celebrate the kids with June and summer birthdays - looking for contributions for this last breakfast.

Monday, June 13th- Report Cards and 2nd grade placements go home.

Monday, June 13th- End of the Year Celebration @ Jones’ house (5-6:30).

More info to come.

Tuesday, June 14th - Last Day of School

The last day is a half day for the children. Students will spend about an hour with their new class and teacher for “step-up” day.

Please let me know what questions you have or can help out!

State House

Our second to last community outing was had today as we visited the state house to learn about how our senators, governor, and so many other people help our community by making laws for citizens of Montpelier, and our state of Vermont.  I was thoroughly impressed with the knowledge and inquisitive minds of our first graders today. They showed so much interest in history and the ongoings of our state house.  INQUIRE with your child what they learned today inside the state house. Thank you Alex for the wonderful tour!

ECO

What a beautiful day we had last week for a trip to Sabin's Pasture.  Students met with fellow bird experts (friends from Mrs. Koch's class) to engage with each other about what they know, built nests, played games, journaled, and exploring.  It was so fun to see students teaching and sharing knowledge with each other, working cooperatively together with new and old friends, and engaging with nature first hand.