First Day of School
We had a great day on our first day of school. No tears is always a good sign. We read some poems and books together. Students worked on an addition/coloring paper. They received a new poem book, one of their reading bags and their homework folder for office and classroom notes and of course homework. They ate an apple and cheese snack and then had some recess time. All in all the day went smoothly.
LUNCH
The lunch menu this year has many more choices; 3 choices a day. The students received a copy of the menu in their homework folder. Please go over these choices with your child so they know which choice to choose.
SUPPLIES
This list is similar to the list attached to your child’s report card at the end of Kindergarten. A folder has been purchased for your child by me. It is heavy duty with specially marked pockets. This will be used as the Take Home Folder.
- Backpack (no wheels)
- plastic supply box
- ear phones
- scissors
- box of crayons (24 pack)
- 5 dry erase markers in a baggie labeled with your child’s name
- 10 clear glue sticks in a baggie labeled with your child’s name
- eraser (pink or mars white)
- pencils (Ticonderoga are preferred)
- Colored pencils OPTIONAL
- Pencil sharpener OPTIONAL
- No markers please
- box of Kleenex
Welcome Letter
I hope your Summer was fun-filled and restful; for yourself and for your children.
For
those who may not know me, I have taught in the Dearborn schools for 29 years.
This is about my eleventh year at Howard. I have been a Special Ed classroom
teacher, a Special Ed teacher consultant, a Reading Recovery teacher, and a
General Ed classroom teacher for the past 19 years.
I’m
looking forward to working with you and teaching your child. We will be
continuing with the Daily 5 Reading program, and the Eureka Math program we
started last year. With your help and cooperation, I’m sure this will be a very
successful year for your child.
“Classroom Procedures”
Pick up and Drop off: Please pick up and drop off
your child at the appropriate outside door. Please refrain from walking your child
to the classroom. In First Grade your child is ready to be independent. If your
child takes the bus, make sure they know their bus number. Let me know if they
are to attend Kid’s Club, and for safety reasons, if someone other than you
will be picking them up.
School Times: First bell – 8:35 (tardy
after 8:40) late start 9:35
Lunch 12:00 –
12:30
Dismissal –
3:35 Half days 11:45
School Supplies: The district provides the
basic supplies including paper, pencils, crayons, notebooks, scissors, and
glue. You may bring additional supplies as needed. It would be good for each
child to have a pencil box to keep
their supplies. They do not need binders or mechanical pencils. Students may
bring an extra folder for completed work that I have graded.
Home Supplies:
Your child needs to have a quiet place,
and supplies at home to do their homework. Help them to be organized, and to
remember to put their name on all papers.
Birthdays are a special time for our
little ones. Students will be acknowledged on their birthday, but the
celebrating with treats will be done only once a year in the second semester of
school to accommodate all the birthdays.
Snacks: Each child may bring an
individual snack every day. Snack time will be around 10:15am and lunch is
at11:45am. Snack choices are fruits, veggies, yogurt or cheese. Snacks are
eaten while the students are working, or it can be taken outside at recess.
Students may also have a water bottle at their desk as long as it does not
cause distractions.
Homework: There is a small amount of
homework on Monday through Thursday. Please stress the importance of completing
it neatly, carefully, and turning it in on time. Provide your child with a
quiet area to do their homework. Make sure they understand the work, but they
should do it themselves. Students should be reading every night; school books
or books from home. We have purchased a plastic “Take Home” folder. This folder
will be for school notes, teacher notes, and of course homework.
Book Orders are sent home about once a
month. If you wish to order you can do it online or return the form with cash
or a check (payable to Scholastic Books) in an envelope with their name on it.
Communication:
Email
– macdons@dearbornschools.org
Phone – (827-6350) Phone calls come
through the office. The secretary will usually have you leave a message.
Blog – http://iblog.dearbornschools.org/macdons/
Classroom Helpers are always welcomed. If you have
some time available to volunteer, please let me know what days or times you are
available.
Thanks
Ms. MacDonald
