Newsletter May 20 - 24

This will be my final newsletter of the year.  I can't believe that we have almost completed 180 days of first grade together.  It has been my privilege to teach YOUR wonderful child.  I consider these students as my "kids" now, and most of the time I refer to them as "my kids" not my students.  They will forever be a part of me.  I love teaching first grade, with such innocent, inquisitive children.  Thank you for all of your support this year!

I sent home your child's portfolio today.  I hope you noticed their growth this year, especially notice the writing at the beginning of their portfolio and the writing at the end.  I had my students write about their summer activities the very first week of school.  I did not give them any assistance, but told them to write for 20 minutes.  I did the same this this week.  It's amazing how some children's writing went from a string of letters, to words, and spaces, and organization.  Your children are now readers and writers.  Please continue reading with your child over the summer!

I will send home 4th quarter grades, DIBELS results, and your child's 2nd grade placement on Friday.  I included two papers with DIBELS results so, hopefully you will be able to interpret the results.  If you have any questions about those results please don't hesitate to contact me.  I check my e-mail everyday.

On Monday, the students that read 100 books launched their balloons with notes on them and their picture will be in the Iron County Today paper on May 29th.  I am hoping that I get everyone that read 100 books together tomorrow so that everyone can be included.  Congratulations again to Jacob, Dalton, Kaden, McKenlee, Reese, Justin, Ruby, Kody, Alec, and Cason for reading 100 books this year.  I will post a picture of the balloon launching at the end of this newsletter.

Friday is the last day of school.  Remember that school dismisses at 2:30 that day!!  Have a beautiful summer and Happy Reading!

Newsletter May 13 - 17

This is our last week of spelling words and homework.  All work will be due this Friday, May 17th including the May reading record. I assigned math homework three times this week, including Thursday, so make sure that you child completes that homework and turns it on on Friday.

Friday the 17th is also the last day to turn in lists towards our 100-book challenge.  These wonderful readers have all read 100 books--Amilia, Justin, Alec, McKenlee, Dalton, Reese, Jacob, Kaden, Cason and Ruby.  I will call the newspaper this week and let you know in my next newsletter when these (and possibly a few others) students will be pictured in the newspaper. 

We are going swimming tomorrow.  With Three Peaks joining us I so appreciate those parents that have volunteered to come with us swimming. Thursday is the Walk-a-thon from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.  All students will walk even if they do not submit pledges.   On Friday, we are walking up to the Canyon Park to walk on the trail and play on the playground for Field Day.  We will have water bottles for each student supplied by our wonderful PTA.  After Field day in the morning, it is tradition here at East Elementary to have a school-wide BBQ lunch.  If you child normally brings a home lunch, but you would like them to have a school lunch that day, please make sure that your child's lunch account has money in it.

The take-home library is closed.  If your child has lost their take-home library book please send the $5.00 replacement cost.  I will send home notices to those children who owe $5.00.  This Friday, is our library day and all library books are due that day.  If you child's books are turned in that day they will be able to pick out a free book to take home.  Please look for lost library books or pay the fee  to replace the lost item.

Yesterday we had pancakes and DIBELS (long name for our reading test).  I will send home the results of that test along with your child's grades and teacher assignment for next year hopefully by next Wednesday.  If the class assignments are not ready then it may be that I send that information home on Thursday or Friday.  Remember that the last day of school is Friday, May 24 and we dismiss at 2:30 that day!

Go and read with your child in his beautiful warm weather and remember that all work is due this Friday!!

Newsletter May 6 - 10

I did not send home the May reading record until today.  That reading record will be due on Friday, May 17th and will be worth 50 points this month.  Friday, May 17th is a big day because I will not accept any late work after that date.  I will have spelling tests and math homework the next two weeks.  We will not have any more required reading or math homework after that date.  Thanks for continuing to read with your children.  We have several more children that have read 100 books.  They are Kaden, Justin and Dalton!  You have until May 17th to help your child complete that task.

I did not send home a grade report either, last Wednesday the district shut down the power school site for maintenance of some sort.  I was planning on entering grades and printing them out that day.  I will do that this Wednesday, and send the grade print out on Thursday, May 9th.  Please look over your child's grades and send any missing work back for credit.

May Scholastic book orders are due today.  If you would like to order please use the online code and submit your order tonight.  I will place the order tomorrow so that any books ordered can make it back by the end of the school year.

Remember that our DIBELS test is next Monday, May 13th.  Please have your child here that day, well rested.  I will make them pancakes prior to the test.  Thank you to those that have donated syrup or apple juice!

We are going swimming next Wednesday, May 15th.  I sent the permission slip home last week.  I have had four parents volunteer to come with us.  I still need 1 or 2 brave souls to come with us (I would take more than that if I get more volunteers).  Please let me know if you can help out that day.  On the swimming day, please have your child come with their swimming suit on underneath their clothes.    They will also need to bring a towel, and a dry pair of underpants in a plastic "Wal-mart" type bag.  I have had some kids ask if they can bring goggles and yes, that would be all right.  If your child has a swimming pass they can bring that for admission instead of the $2.00 donation.

I am reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to the class and during the last week of school I will show the movie of that book.  It will be the "old" version that is rated G.  If any of you do not want you child to view this movie please contact me.

Thanks for sharing your wonderful children with me this year.
Happy Reading!