9/2-9/5 First Grade Weekly Newsletter

Dear First Grade Families,

Here’s a look at what’s coming up for the week of Sept. 2-5. Please make sure to read all the important information below to avoid any questions that may already be addressed. If you missed last week’s email, you can find updates on my school blog: First Grade Blog.

Important Dates:

• Monday, Sept. 1 - Labor Day

  • No School

• Wednesday, Sept 10 - Back to School Night

  • 6:30-8:00pm

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1st Grade Policies

Everyday Must Haves
   1. Homework Folder
   2. Homework Sheet

Please ensure all students practice submitting their homework folder in the morning by themselves to encourage student independence. Points from work habits grade will be deducted for missing homework folders.

Complete Formal Mass uniform 

Every Friday, all students must wear their COMPLETE Formal Mass uniform:

• Boys must have a tie & vest
• Girls must have a bow and a cardigan with logo

No other jackets or windbreakers allowed (please check the handbook for details).
Uniform infractions will be issued if students are missing any part of their uniform.

Missed work Procedures and Make-up work Policy from 1st Grade Syllabus
Please arrange with me to make up for missed classwork or tests. All work or tests missed must be made up within the week of return. 

Make-up classroom work and missed homework due to an excused absence are due within the same number of days absent. For example, if an excused absence is for three days, the student has three days to complete and submit the work. If work is not submitted in a timely manner, an effort slip will be issued.

Missed tests must be made up within the week of return. Please arrange a time with the teacher after school before 4:00pm if a makeup time is needed.

For planned absences, parents should contact the teacher to make arrangements regarding classwork, homework, tests, and projects that will be missed. The student will only receive partial credit for planned absences during school time. 

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Homework

Homework Sheet
Homework sheets will be put in homework folders every Monday. Please initial and return homework sheets with their assigned math homework ripped out of their homework journal and attached to the homework sheet daily. Math homework journal stays home (or in backpack if it completing in daycare)!
Please do not move ahead with math homework as they are assigned based on the lesson learned each day. Attached will also be their weekly story that they will be tested on every day. Students can annotate their weekly story by highlighting their vocabulary words found on the homework sheet.

Word Study
Each week, students will have a Word Study Focus of the week, noted on their homework sheet. Words they may be tested on are practiced in class but may also be practiced at home as well.

Behavior Chart
Please note that all students start on green and can move up or down throughout the day. I will make notes, as needed, to communicate student behaviors. I will be implementing the behavior chart much more this week. The behavior chart may look a little daunting during the first few weeks as students are learning first grade expectations and procedures. Please encourage your child that it’s okay to make mistakes, as long as we learn from them and do better next time. Please refer to the first grade syllabus for the color code and class information. Physical copies will be distributed on Back to School Night: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1w1HIq8odmXrj_2kvbVxjJtQU4U03y60m/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106817678134878846812&rtpof=true&sd=true

Seesaw Sight Words
Sight word notebooks are to stay home (or in their backpack, if completing at daycare). Students will use this notebook to help them complete 1 sight word activity daily (Monday through Thursday), unless there is no school, and post on Seesaw. Decodable readings will be assigned on Tuesdays and Thursdays for students to highlight, read, and record. Log in using the QR code in the back of the homework folder.

No need to do sight word homework on Monday (Labor Day)

Raz-kids
Students have been assigned Raz-kids reading on Mondays and Wednesdays. Login information can be found on the first grade syllabus. If your child's reading level needs to be adjusted for them to be able to read independently, please let me know and I will adjust it accordingly. 

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STAR Testing

First STAR Testing Done

Parents will receive a copy of the results during parent-teacher conference week (Oct. 6-10). Scheduling sign ups still to be determined.

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Focus of the Week:

• Math: Module 1-Addition Concepts

• Reading: The Storm, Understanding Characters

• Vocabulary: Lesson 2 words

• Word Study: short -a and -i

• Sight Words: Week 3

• Grammar: sentences

• Religion: God makes everything

• Prayer: The Lord’s Prayer (The “Our Father”)

• Science: Life Science - Organisms

• Social Studies: Lesson 2 - Rules

Tests:

Friday

• Sight word Test

• Word Study Test

• Reading Test-The Storm (Multiple Choice test)

  • Vocabulary

  • Comprehension

  • Phonics

Amazon Wishlist:
As we continue an exciting school year filled with learning and growth, I wanted to share an opportunity to enhance our classroom experience. I have created an Amazon Wishlist with items that will benefit our students’ educational journey and classroom. You may check out the link below: 
https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/36U1P6MLO309
 
 Upcoming Events:
 For more details, please refer to the [school calendar here].

• Sept. 2 – Fall Fundraiser Kick Off at 8:30am in Hall today

• Sept 3 – Yogurtland 8th grade fundraiser 

• Sept 9-10 – Chocolates picked up in Hall 9/9 and 9/10 (for Early Bird drawing) 

• Sept 10 – Back to School Night, K-8, 6:30 pm-8pm in the Hall. Come early to sign in for credit and pick up your chocolates in the Hall. This is the first of three mandatory parent meetings throughout the year. Non-participation will result in a $50 fine every time, per the tuition contract you each signed.

• Sept 16 – FALL School Picture Day 8:30-10:30!  (Wear your complete Formal Mass Uniforms with white blouses and Oxford shirts, cardigans, vests, and ties for Yearbook photos) 

• Sept 21 – Catechetical Sunday, all families welcome! 11am Mass

• Sept 25 – Dave and Buster’s 8th grade Spirit Night. All are welcome!

If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out. I will try my best to respond within 24 hours.

Thank you and have a restful Labor Day Weekend. God Bless!

Warmly,

Ms. Catbagan