August 24, 2015
Dear First Grade Family,
Hello and welcome, or welcome back, to WES! I was happy to learn that your child will be in my class this year. I have been teaching for ten years and I’m excited to venture into my eleventh year as I continue teaching first grade at WES.
The start of the school year is quickly approaching. The first day of school, September 8th, will be here before you know it! I am writing to share the following information with the hope of helping you and your child get ready for this big day.
You should have received a supply list in a mailing from the school office. In addition, please send in a pencil box, a wide-ruled, 1 subject spiral notebook, and a box of 2-gallon sized Ziplock bags (boys) or bottle of hand sanitizer (girls). Please bring all supplies with you on the first day of school. Please label all supplies, as well as all outer clothing, backpacks, and lunchboxes, with your child’s name. I will supply folders, notebooks, and any additional pencils and erasers as needed throughout the year.
On the first day and everyday of school, your child should bring a backpack, a snack, and a lunch or lunch money. A mid-afternoon snack is eaten each day in the classroom. A snack is needed even if your child is buying lunch. You have already received a letter explaining lunch procedures if your child is buying lunch. Your child has also received a pin number he/she will need to know. I will also assist in helping the first graders learn their pin numbers. If you choose to send in a check or money for lunch, please place it in a sealed envelope or a baggie with your child’s name, my name, and pin number on it. We will practice lunch procedures before lunch begins on the first day of school.
Each day, your child will bring home a homework folder. Homework, however, will not be given during the first two to three weeks of school. Please check the “mail” side of the folder each day for notes from me and from the school office. That is also the place where I will check for notes or mail from you.
First day arrival can be confusing. Please have your child wear the enclosed name tag on the first day of school. When your child arrives at school, he/she will go to the cafeteria until it is time to be dismissed to their classrooms at 8:45. There will be many helpers on the first day to help walk the first graders. All children should report to the cafeteria between 8:20 and 8:40.
First day dismissal is very important. Please return the attached form on the first day of school. This dismissal form indicates how your child will get home from school and will allow me to assist your child. Bus numbers are of vital importance. Please do not leave the bus number blank on the form. If you have questions regarding the bus schedule, please call our Transportation Office at 610-892-3470, X-1701. Also, please notify me in writing whenever a change will occur in your child’s dismissal procedure.
First grade will be a wonderful year for your child. Our school wide theme for this year is “Go For The Goals”. There will be many things to do and so much to learn. To help get our year started, please help your child put a first grade goal on each of the four arrows sent in this letter. They can be just a few words. Tracing over with marker will help the goals shine bright on our bulletin board. Throughout the first week, these goals will be shared with the class.
There are many more exciting moments that will occur throughout the year. Please plan to attend Back-To-School Night to visit our classroom and hear more about your child’s first grade experience. In the event you cannot make Back-To-School-Night, I would like to let you know from early October through December, I will be out on maternity leave. Mr. Peterkin is working to ensure we have a great substitute in the classroom during my absence. I will work with the sub and have everything ready to go to help make those few months run smoothly.
Finally, I look forward to meeting you and your child and to having a great year. School should be a safe, happy, and fun place to learn. I will do my best to make this an enjoyable and successful year for your child. If you should ever have a question or concern, please do not hesitate to call me at school, write a note, or send an email. Enjoy the last days of summer.
Sincerely,
Ms Jenn Hole
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Please complete and return with your child on the first day of school. Thank you!
Child’s Name______
First Day Dismissal
_____ by walking (meets in back by library door)
_____ by car (meets by the gym doors)
_____ by bus #_____
Regular Weekly Dismissal
(Please indicate days of the week for different dismissals)
_____ by walking ( meet in back by library door) M-T-W-R-F
_____ by car (meet by the gym doors) M-T-W-R-F
_____ by bus #____ M-T-W-R-F
______
Parent Signature