Please remember that we have an “open door” policy. You are always welcome in our classroom, whether you are scheduled in as a helper or if you have a few minutes away from work. However, to enable the class and me to get to know each other and establish Grade 1 routines I would appreciate it if you could please refrain from visiting until mid October. By then, the routines will be in place and the children will be less easily distracted. Of course, before and after class you are more than welcome to come in and check things out!
Always feel free to call or visit me in the mornings (between 7:30 and 8:20) or after class (with appointment) if you have any questions about what is happening in our class. Children can sometimes misunderstand information or expectations and a quick call may clear these up.
Pencil Box
All Grade 1 students will need a pencil box to keep all of their pencils, felts, erasers, etc. together inside their desks.
School Supplies
I strongly encourage parents to buy school supplies through the school. The school district buys supplies in bulk and is able to obtain a better price for supplies. Also, these supplies are available throughout the year (I replace lost/broken items as needed).
Snacks and Lunch
Please send a spoon to accompany those snacks/lunches requiring one. Students do NOT have access to a microwave nor a refrigerator at the school. Please note that our school is peanut sensitive.
Recess and Lunch
At Haldane elementary, students are expected to go outside for recess and lunch, regardless of weather conditions (except for the coldest days in winter). Please ensure that your child has appropriate outdoor footwear and outerwear for the day’s forecasted weather.
End of the Day Procedures
The end of the day is an important time for Grade 1 students. This is an important sharing and preparing time for everyone in our classroom. Parents are asked to wait in the hallway, and students will exit the classroom door at 2:30.
Indoor Shoes
Daily Physical Activity is an important part of the Grade 1 program. Each student must have a pair of non-marking running shoes, which they are able to fasten independently (these will be your student’s indoor shoes). These shoes will stay at school throughout the year.
Skirts and Dresses
When your daughter is getting dressed in the morning please consider the types of activities that we do daily in Grade 1. As you know, students are required to sit “Kriss Cross Applesauce” on the carpet during learning times. Also, we will be going outside to play in the playground during recess and lunch. Please consider putting a pair of shorts or tights under dresses and skirts to help your daughter feel more comfortable in these situations. Thank you.
Birthdays
In class we have a low-key birthday “treatment”. We sing “Happy Birthday” and help make the birthday child feel special. If parents wish to send a treat for the class, they are certainly welcome to do this, but do not feel obligated in any way. For the many summer birthdays, we will have a schedules “Unbirthday” sometime this year.
***I ask that birthday invitations NOT be distributed at school during school hours. Those children who are left out feel badly and don’t understand number limits, etc. If you give the invitations to me in the morning, I can discreetly hand them out sometime during the day.
Special Helper
In our class we have a daily helper to do small classroom tasks and to be leader in line, etc. All children will get equal turns at this.
Show and Tell
There is a posted “Show and Tell” schedule. Students are encouraged to bring one “mystery” item to share. Classmates will attempt to guess what the hidden item is by asking questions. Show and Tell items are encouraged to be “made” things, “science” things, “found” things or things related to the theme being studied at the time (TOYS ARE NOT ALLOWED).
Toys
Toys are not welcome at school because they can be lost, broken and/or stolen (this includes Pokemon cards).
Special Events
During the year, many special days and events will occur. Information will come home as each event is planned. Some field trips will also be planned.
Permission Slips and Time-Sensitive Mail
Occasionally, parents will receive permission slips and other important information that requires immediate attention. Please return these forms as soon as possible. Thank you.
School Times
8:21 am First bell—doors open
8:31 am Class Starts (students must be in class and ready to work)
10:05-10:20 am Recess (students will eat snacks before/after recess)
12:00-12:15 pm Lunch (students eat lunch in classroom)
12:15-12:45 pm Outside play
2:30 pm end of class (pick-up in hallway or at the office if your late)
Special dates to Remember
October 3rd- Friday- Terry Fox Run
October 7th- Tuesday-Picture Day
October 13th- Thanksgiving Day
October 22- Early Closure for Parent/Teacher Interviews
October 23- Early Closure for Parent/Teacher Interviews
October 24-Professional Day (Inservice Day)- No School
This Week:
September 29- Monday-Big Buddies & New Sight words
September 30-Tuesday-Gym Day
October 1-Wednesday-Gym Day
October 2-Thursday- Gym Day
October 3-Friday-Music Day
As always you can contact me through email: [email protected]
Let's have a great week!