Students and teachers alike are finding themselves back into the 'groove'. Here are some common beginning of the year questions that parents and students have about first grade:
Can kids bring a snack to school? Yes, your child can bring a snack, however, unlike kindergarten, there is not time set aside for them to eat their snack. If they need a snack, they can stay in for morning or afternoon recess to eat it quickly then head out to play.
What is AR and when will my child start testing? AR (Accelerated Reader) is a program that we use to help students become independent readers. I wait until all the first graders have been STARS Tested to find out their reading zone before I hold a parent meeting. Testing usually starts mid September.
What does my child need to do to be a part of Bookmobile? The Hastings Public Library brings out their bookmobile every other Thursday. You child needs to have a public library card in order to participate. I keep their cards in the classroom so that they will not get lost. ;)
Communication: Please feel free to contact me anytime you have a question or concern. Hopefully you will find this website and blog to be helpful, but feel free to email or send a note with your child to school...really do whatever works best for you.
Birthday treats: Birthday treats can be sent with your child (although you do not have to). Please send them with your child at the beginning of the day. We usually end up eating birthday treats after the first recess as our afternoons are packed full of learning.
Birthday Invites: You can send birthday invitations to school for your child to hand out. My rule is that if the whole class is invited, there is no issue with handing them out at school. If your child is a boy and invites all the boys, they can still hand them out at school, same for if your child is a girl and invites all the girls. If only certain students are invited, I ask that you do not hand out invites at school.
Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am looking forward to a great year with this amazing group of students!
Can kids bring a snack to school? Yes, your child can bring a snack, however, unlike kindergarten, there is not time set aside for them to eat their snack. If they need a snack, they can stay in for morning or afternoon recess to eat it quickly then head out to play.
What is AR and when will my child start testing? AR (Accelerated Reader) is a program that we use to help students become independent readers. I wait until all the first graders have been STARS Tested to find out their reading zone before I hold a parent meeting. Testing usually starts mid September.
What does my child need to do to be a part of Bookmobile? The Hastings Public Library brings out their bookmobile every other Thursday. You child needs to have a public library card in order to participate. I keep their cards in the classroom so that they will not get lost. ;)
Communication: Please feel free to contact me anytime you have a question or concern. Hopefully you will find this website and blog to be helpful, but feel free to email or send a note with your child to school...really do whatever works best for you.
Birthday treats: Birthday treats can be sent with your child (although you do not have to). Please send them with your child at the beginning of the day. We usually end up eating birthday treats after the first recess as our afternoons are packed full of learning.
Birthday Invites: You can send birthday invitations to school for your child to hand out. My rule is that if the whole class is invited, there is no issue with handing them out at school. If your child is a boy and invites all the boys, they can still hand them out at school, same for if your child is a girl and invites all the girls. If only certain students are invited, I ask that you do not hand out invites at school.
Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns. I am looking forward to a great year with this amazing group of students!