Last Newsletter May 21 - May 23

I honestly can't believe that I am writing our last newsletter of the year--it will be brief, but I wanted to again say what  wonderful class this has been this year.  We have learned many things, laughed a lot, and have made a lot of wonderful memories.  I will never forget this group of students. 

Reading is the big emphasis in first grade and many of my students made huge progress in reading.  Please try and read with your child over the summer to prevent a "summer slide".  Go to the library--read outside together--encourage your child to write stories or letters or to write and create their own books.

Our 100-book challenge picture will be in the May 30 edition of the Iron County Today newspaper.  Check this Wednesday's paper just in case (May 23), but the editor said that edition was quite full and he wasn't sure if he could get it in that one, but for sure the May 30th edition.  Congrats to Stephan, Phoenix, Wes, Piper and Brinley.  These students worked hard and at least read 100 books!!!

Tomorrow we will be heading to the St. George Children's museum.  If your child signed up to bring a lunch from home, please don't forget that.  They will need a drink also.  Today we had a blast at the Aquatic Center.  I will end with posting a few pictures from our time at the pool.

Have a wonderful summer and Happy Reading!! 

Newsletter May 14 - May 18

This is our last full week of school--we have many deadlines this week so I will get right into it!

Here are this (last week's happenings):

• I decided NOT to send home the last list of spelling words.  They are a bit difficult (words like brainstorm and classmate) and I feel like we could spend our time with more productive pursuits.  You're welcome :)
• The 100-book challenge concludes this Wednesday, May 16.  I will not accept lists after that date.  So far we have Phoenix, Brinley, Piper and Wes that have completed the challenge with a few kids very close.  All students that reach the 100 book goal will have pizza with me for lunch on Thursday, May 17 in our classroom.  I will also take their picture and submit it to the paper--I will let you know the publication date when I know.
• All work--including May reading calendars and any late or missing work that was sent home as homework is due this WEDNESDAY, MAY !  Just like the 100-book challenge I will not accept late work after that date. 
• The 4th quarter student awards will be tomorrow, Tuesday, May 15 in the cafeteria at 3:00.  I will send an e-mail out right after I publish this blog to those parents whose child will receive an award that day.  These awards are for excellent and perfect attendance and our Catch the Vision winners as well as Most improved.  
• We will have many take-home books and library books that have not been returned.  Please, please do what you can to find those books or pay the replacement fee.  We can't maintain a library without those books being returned each year.  Both the regular library and take-home library will suffer.  If you child does not have their books turned in or the replacement fee paid and/or owes lunch money they will not be given their second grade promotion card and teacher placement at the end of the year.  
• This Friday is our field day.  Remember that we will be walking on the Canyon trail and playing at the park as well as having a BBQ lunch afterwards.  The drinking fountains are often not working at the park so send your child with a water bottle. That afternoon we will be watching Charlotte's Web in our classroom.  We are almost done with the novel. Next week, we have our swimming and St. George Children's Museum field trips.  I will send home an actual note reminding you of the details of these three trips this Thursday and what your child needs to bring.  But, just a reminder that the cost of these field trips is $2.25 ($1.00 for museum and $1.25 for swimming).  Thanks to those that have volunteered to come with us.  If any of you would like to come and haven't let me know--I'd love to have you.  Just send me an e-mail.  
• We are still working and learning up until the end as I've mentioned before.  We will have reading groups through tomorrow. We are finishing our last reader in class called Kay and Martez (follows two friends on their adventures at home and in Mexico). We will also be learning about writing clear, concise instructions and finishing our final math chapter on two-dimensional geometry on Thursday.  I will give the final test (chapter 12) on Thursday.  We just need to learn about equal and unequal parts and halves and fourths and we'll be set.  

Have a great Monday!!
Happy Reading!
Remember all work and 100-book challenge lists are due this Wednesday!!

Newsletter May 7 - May 11

Happy Mother's Day week to you!  We are winding down but will still be working and learning up until almost the very end.

Here are this week's happenings:

• If you haven't turned in your lunch request for our field trip to the St. George museum on Tuesday, May 22 please do so ASAP so that I can get a count to the lunchroom.  If your child receives free or reduced lunch that price will still apply to the sack lunch. I think I have enough volunteers for these field trips, but if you'd still like to accompany us please let me know.  I think the "more the merrier" applies to these two trips. The cost for these two field trips is a $2.25 donation ($1.25 for pool and $1.00 for museum).
• Tomorrow we will be having our Math test on three-dimensional shapes--I told you that we needed to get through the last two units quickly.  We will start our next unit on Wednesday which will be two-dimensional geometry.
• Our spelling test will be this Wednesday--new words will come home on Thursday and we will have our final spelling test next Wednesday May 16.
• This Thursday will be the PTA's final reading awards in our classroom at 3:00.   I will inform you if your child will be receiving an award.  A note will be put into their folders or I will send an e-mail.
• Our final 4th quarter first grade awards will be on Tuesday, May 15 at 3:00 in the cafeteria.  I will inform you via e-mail if your child will be receiving an award at that ceremony.
• It's getting close to our 100-book challenge end date.  I will not accept lists after May 16--the following day we will have our pizza picnic in our classroom. 
• Our DIBELS test was last week--I will send those results home in an end-of-the-year packet.  I was pleased with most of my students progress.  Please continue to read with your child over the summer, especially if their scores were not in the "green" range. 
• Our final two Sight word soldier pass of days will be this Friday, May 11 and the following Monday May 13.  Thanks to Phoenix's mom for taking this on for our class! 
• Library books are due this this--we go on Wednesday!!! Kids that have turned in all of their books and/or paid the replacement fee will receive a free book. Take-home books are now due.  A few of you have not returned those books--I sent an e-mail to those that haven't turned those in yet.  Please do that ASAP or pay the $5.00 replacement fee. If every year we had several books from each class not returned or replaced imagine how our library would look.  Please help keep our library fully stocked!

We walked to the park today for our "behavior reward".  It was a beautiful day and the kids deserved it!! We will have two more weeks where I will send home behavior charts home on Friday, please continue to be diligent in asking about these and checking them over.

Thanks for helping to make this year a great one!  I can't believe we are so close to the end.  Have a great night--and Happy Reading!!