August 23, 2007

Dear Family,

Welcome to the 2007-2008 school year.  I am delighted to have each child for the coming year.  As promised, I wanted to share information with you regarding a positive classroom experience.

In first grade our students will improve their reading skills throughout the curriculum.  We have adapted a primary source for writers workshop by Lucy Calkins.  Our Scott Foresman science series cover life science, earth science, physical science and space and technology.  We will continue with the Math Trailblazers series, building skills with additional supports.

We will be using the Color Up/Color Down System again this year.  I always encourage the students to think “outside of the cube.”  The positive consequence of good behavior is a treat after earning 10 Colors Ups as a class.  Individually, a student that earns three Color Ups for a day will receive a sticker.  Color Ups are blue.  Negative Consequences are:
1st: Orange – verbal warning, 2nd: Yellow – missed recess, 3rd: Red – note or call home.

You should expect to see homework in your child’s Thursday envelope.  Please take care of these envelopes.  A replaced envelope will cost $0.25.  All homework is due by the following Wednesday.  Late homework will affect the student’s report card in the area of effort.  The assigned homework will greatly aid understanding of concepts and parents are encouraged and at times needed to help.

Please read the policy handbook.  I just need the signature sheet returned.  Please also complete the Census Verification packet if you have received one.  Some parents have already completed one for their child.

Your child’s first homework assignment is to read at least 20 minutes to you or independently each day.  I have a Read-At-Home Program that allows you to document minutes spent reading either To, With or By your child each week.  Please be sure to fill out and sign.  When the student returns a card, they receive a sticker for their name on our class name board.  For every five cards returned, the student will get an ice cream sandwich during snack time.

Speaking of snack time, if at all possible, please send in snacks for the class.   Healthy snacks such as apples, bananas, goldfish, trail mix bars, animal crackers, etc. are most welcome.  I am hopeful that our room mom will take charge of this endeavor to collect the needed snacks that are distributed after the first recess.  We’ll probably have a sign-up sheet for snacks.

Rootin’ Tootin’ Cowpoke of the Week:  You may notice that there’s a special bulletin board that will be devoted each week to feature a student in our class.  As your student is randomly selected, I will send home a sheet outlining more details.  We have a lot of fun with the western theme in our classroom.  This year we’ll be dwelving into the Southwestern/Four Corners area of the West.  If you have any ideas to make this an even better theme, please let me know. 

A positive attendance record is essential.  Please keep in mind that we cover a lot of curriculum and missed days can never be replaced.  Also, it’s essential to get a good night’s rest and eat a healthy breakfast.  Performance is strongly linked to the three factors cited above.

Please remind your child that Cottonwood does not allow toys.  But there is one exception!  SHOW AND TELL!  The first Friday of each month, from 2:00-3:00 will be devoted to the class favorite. 

Birthdays are happily celebrated.  If you would like to bring a snack for your child’s birthday, please let me know in advance.  The time to distribute will vary depending on the time of year and day of the week.  I try not to load the students with sugar unless they can go outside or go home right afterward (!)  Summer birthdays are celebrated in May.  If you’d like a special day to celebrate, just let me know.

If you would like to call, I can be reached at Cottonwood – 249-2539.

Best Regards,
Miss Reuter