Before School Parent Letter --August 18, 2018
Dear Families,
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer. It is amazing how quickly the season is passing. My summer has been filled with traveling, gardening, reading and spending time with my friends and family. I have also been busy preparing for an exciting new school year!
With the beginning of school approaching, I would like to answer some of the more frequently asked questions about life “upstairs.” I hope this will be helpful to you as your child enters first grade,
*Does my child need specific school supplies?
Most of the materials that 1st graders will need this year have already been purchased, however, I know shopping for school supplies is an exciting part of getting ready for the new school year. Markers and glue sticks always come in handy, although they are not necessary.
*How does breakfast/snack work in 1st grade?
Breakfast continues to be free for all students and is available in the classroom upon arrival. There is a mid-morning snack break. daily. Twice weekly, fresh fruit is provided for an afternoon snack. Students are welcomed to bring their own breakfasts & snacks. As a reminder, the primary building is a nut free space.
*Will my child have homework?
Yes, 1st grade students have homework four afternoons a week. Homework assignments generally include short reading, spelling, and/or math tasks. Homework bags will be sent home Monday through Thursday afternoons. It is very important that the bags and their contents are returned on the next school day.
*Students who work with support staff may receive additional homework.
**Homework will not begin immediately. I will give ample warning. :-)
*Will my child receive a Friday Folder?
Yes. Friday folders will be sent home each Friday. Please return them on the following Monday.
*Will I receive a Friday Letter? Yes. I send a home a weekly letter each Friday. Please check your child’s Friday Folder. Additionally, the letter can be found posted on our class website. (If you prefer not to receive a paper copy of the letter, there will be a form to indicate so early on.). These letters include important information about what we have accomplished during the week and upcoming announcements and notes of interest. Please take time each week to read the weekly letter.
Is there a class webpage? Yes! The class webpage can be accessed at www.cabot12multiage.weebly.com. Alternatively, you can reach it via the Cabot School website (www.washnesu.org/cabot). Once at the site, click on Academics, then Elementary in the drop down bar. From Elementary, you will see Grades 1&2 Multiage. That is currently the link. It will likely change to Grade 1 in the near future! Please visit the class website often. You will find information on what your child has been learning about in class, lots of photographs, notes and memos about upcoming events and trips, links to videos and websites we use, the weekly letter and much more.
*Will my child continue to use Class Dojo? Yes! Your child began using Class Dojo in Kindergarten and will continue to do so in first grade. I use Class Dojo to help students build and strengthen social/emotional skills and to share with you messages, updates, and photos of activities as they are happening. Class Dojo dovetails nicely with the school-wide positive behavioral initiatives you will be hearing about soon. If you have not yet signed up, please do. I have included directions and personalized codes with this letter. Please let me know if you did not receive one.
*Can I talk to you if I have questions or concerns? Yes! Children learn best if teachers and parents work together as a team.
*How can I reach you? I can be reached at school before 8:00 and after 3:00 (563- 2289: extension 223). During the school day, please leave a message, and I will do my best to respond in within one working day. I can also be reached by email at [email protected]. Class Dojo provides convenient messaging that many found quite handy last year. Sending a note with your child, a time-honored tradition, also works well!
I hope I have answered the most pressing questions you may have. If there are others you would like to ask, please contact me. I look forward to working with you and your children.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Donna Ferrario
PS. I will be in and out of the classroom as the first day of school approaches, If you and your child would like to stop in and say “Hi.” Drop me a note to check my schedule or look for the open back door. :-)
I hope you are enjoying a wonderful summer. It is amazing how quickly the season is passing. My summer has been filled with traveling, gardening, reading and spending time with my friends and family. I have also been busy preparing for an exciting new school year!
With the beginning of school approaching, I would like to answer some of the more frequently asked questions about life “upstairs.” I hope this will be helpful to you as your child enters first grade,
*Does my child need specific school supplies?
Most of the materials that 1st graders will need this year have already been purchased, however, I know shopping for school supplies is an exciting part of getting ready for the new school year. Markers and glue sticks always come in handy, although they are not necessary.
*How does breakfast/snack work in 1st grade?
Breakfast continues to be free for all students and is available in the classroom upon arrival. There is a mid-morning snack break. daily. Twice weekly, fresh fruit is provided for an afternoon snack. Students are welcomed to bring their own breakfasts & snacks. As a reminder, the primary building is a nut free space.
*Will my child have homework?
Yes, 1st grade students have homework four afternoons a week. Homework assignments generally include short reading, spelling, and/or math tasks. Homework bags will be sent home Monday through Thursday afternoons. It is very important that the bags and their contents are returned on the next school day.
*Students who work with support staff may receive additional homework.
**Homework will not begin immediately. I will give ample warning. :-)
*Will my child receive a Friday Folder?
Yes. Friday folders will be sent home each Friday. Please return them on the following Monday.
*Will I receive a Friday Letter? Yes. I send a home a weekly letter each Friday. Please check your child’s Friday Folder. Additionally, the letter can be found posted on our class website. (If you prefer not to receive a paper copy of the letter, there will be a form to indicate so early on.). These letters include important information about what we have accomplished during the week and upcoming announcements and notes of interest. Please take time each week to read the weekly letter.
Is there a class webpage? Yes! The class webpage can be accessed at www.cabot12multiage.weebly.com. Alternatively, you can reach it via the Cabot School website (www.washnesu.org/cabot). Once at the site, click on Academics, then Elementary in the drop down bar. From Elementary, you will see Grades 1&2 Multiage. That is currently the link. It will likely change to Grade 1 in the near future! Please visit the class website often. You will find information on what your child has been learning about in class, lots of photographs, notes and memos about upcoming events and trips, links to videos and websites we use, the weekly letter and much more.
*Will my child continue to use Class Dojo? Yes! Your child began using Class Dojo in Kindergarten and will continue to do so in first grade. I use Class Dojo to help students build and strengthen social/emotional skills and to share with you messages, updates, and photos of activities as they are happening. Class Dojo dovetails nicely with the school-wide positive behavioral initiatives you will be hearing about soon. If you have not yet signed up, please do. I have included directions and personalized codes with this letter. Please let me know if you did not receive one.
*Can I talk to you if I have questions or concerns? Yes! Children learn best if teachers and parents work together as a team.
*How can I reach you? I can be reached at school before 8:00 and after 3:00 (563- 2289: extension 223). During the school day, please leave a message, and I will do my best to respond in within one working day. I can also be reached by email at [email protected]. Class Dojo provides convenient messaging that many found quite handy last year. Sending a note with your child, a time-honored tradition, also works well!
I hope I have answered the most pressing questions you may have. If there are others you would like to ask, please contact me. I look forward to working with you and your children.
Enjoy the rest of your summer!
Donna Ferrario
PS. I will be in and out of the classroom as the first day of school approaches, If you and your child would like to stop in and say “Hi.” Drop me a note to check my schedule or look for the open back door. :-)