On Friday October 30^th we will have a whole school Halloween costume parade starting at 2pm. We will walk around the entire outside of the school, weather permitting. We will start at the Kindergarten classrooms then continue to pick up each class. At the end of our parade we will stop and take class photos against the front of the building. DO NOT WEAR COSTUMES TO SCHOOL. Please bring your costume in a bag, with your name on it, to change into in the afternoon. NO FACE MAKE-UP! NO WEAPONS! Classroom parties will vary on time and type, so please check with your child’s teacher for details!

As you know we have 2 snack breaks a day in our classroom.  Please let me know if you are interested in donating a container or bag of pretzels.  The pretzels will not be used to  provide snack for everyone, instead they would be passed out to the children who have forgotten their snack.

Have a great weekend!

I have started sending independent reading bags home.  Please make sure your child is reading and keeping track on his/her log.  These bags should be brought to school each day.  Also remember to read with or to your child for 20 minutes every night.

I sent out a sign up genius last week regarding our Halloween celebration.  I’d like to do some learning based centers and we will need supplies.  Please sign up if you are able.

Please be on the look out for a sign up genius coming soon.  I will be looking for classroom help during writer’s workshop.  I will also be sending a sign up out for our Halloween celebration.

First Grade Families, we are heading into our 3rd week of spelling.  Last week was the first week that I started the spelling homework.  This will be the same every week with an updated list of words.  Our goal with spelling is to learn the pattern and transfer knowledge.  Last week the pattern was “id” and “ig” words.  The students had six words that we learned.  We also created a list of words they could write because they know the chunk.  For example, if I can spell “big”, then I can spell “fig” and so on.  They were tested on the pattern words to see if they could transfer the knowledge as well as the six words they had practiced.  Please look for the new list of words in Monday’s flash card homework.  As you work with your child, help to teach patterns rather that just memorizing the word.  I am also pointing out letter reversals and use of capital letters when I check the tests.  Students are not marked down, but need to see that they have something that should be fixed.  Spelling and writing are developmental and require a lot of checking as we go.  Please help your child to check and be careful as they practice.

We have PE on Fridays from 8:50-9:35.  For some reason I forgot to include this in our class specials.  All students will need to wear gym shoes on this day or they will not be able to participate.

Dear Parents,

Here is some information that you may find helpful:

1. BBT Folders:

Your child has a blue BBT folder (Bring Back Tomorrow).  It comes home every night and needs to be brought to school everyday.  Please check all pockets when your child comes home from school.  Homework, notes, tests and graded papers will be inside this folder.  If an assignment is not done, have your child complete it at home and return it to school as soon as possible.

2. Snack:

We have a healthy snack break 2 times per day: one in the morning and one in the afternoon.  Items such as fruit, crackers, cheese, pretzels, dry cereal, etc. are acceptable.  Items such as potato chips, cookies, candy, etc. are not acceptable.  Sweet treats are only allowed during special parties or celebrations.  Water bottles are also encouraged but please do not send in juice for snack.

3. Behavior:

We have a behavior policy in the classroom.  Each day your child starts the day with green.  Students will get one warning to make good choices.  If poor choices continue, they will be asked to change their color.  Yellow: warning (may be able to move back up to green).  Orange: poor choices continue.  Student looses 5 minutes of recess.  Red: poor choices continue.  Student makes a phone call home to a parent.  Principal is included if necessary.  Student looses 10 minutes of recess.

4. Homework:

Homework is sent home 3-4 days a week.  You may not see a paper each day, but I do expect your child to read for 20 minutes every night.  Your child will also be bringing home a literacy bag with plenty of Good Fit books to be read.  These books are selected according to the level you child is reading.  Your child can read to you and you can read to your child.  This is critical for reading success.  If a Good Fit book is lost a fee of $5.00 will be charged.  Please send the books back to school each day.

5. Birthdays:

If you wish to celebrate your child’s birthday at school your child is welcome to bring in a treat to share with the class.  Individual treats such as cookies, cupcakes or brownies are recommended.  Please send in napkins as well.  Children who have a summer birthday may choose to celebrate a “half birthday” if desired.  Please send enough for 24 students.

6. How to Stay Informed:

Email:  pelaccj@dearbornschools.org

Classroom blog: You will need to sign up for this.

1. Type the following address:  https://iblog.dearbornschools.org/members/pelaccj/
2. Go to the right side of the screen where it says “subscribe by email.”
3. Type in your email address and hit “create subscription.”

7. Special Schedule:

Music:  Mondays 9:40-10:25, Fridays 10:30-11:15

Enrichment: Tuesdays 8:50-9:35

Media: Wednesdays 12:10-12:55

Art: Thursdays 1:05-1:50

Library Check Out: Tuesdays 1:05

Hello First Grade Families!

We have made it through our first full day as first graders!  Please look inside your child’s BBT folder for notes regarding classroom policies and procedures.  We will be taking things slowly as we learn our classroom routine so that we can have a successful year of learning.  I have had the opportunity to meet several families already and I look forward to meeting and talking with you more on Septembermber 17th at our Open House.

Welcome to iBlog Teacher Websites Sites. This is your brand new classroom website.  There are some things you should do to get started.  Hopefully you have been following the Getting Started Tutorials and Step Sheets.

It is important that you edit your profile so that you can choose your school and grade level as this will help parents and students find your website.  Look for the link in the upper right when you are logged in (see photo).

Here are some resources to help you with iBlog:

• Getting Started Tutorials
• Using Plugins (Calendar, iPhone App, eNewsletter, and more)
• Support Tutorials (General iBlog tips and tricks)
• Discover WordPress (The software that runs iBlog)