Week of August 13th

Dear Parents,

What a great start we have had to the new year at school!!  Your children are learning the rules of 1st grade and what is expected of them.  Now, some general information about this school year.

Mrs. Whitson and I are very excited about this year.  She and I will be planning much of the Language Arts and Reading together, and will be exchanging children for Guided Reading and Literacy Centers.  This will give us the ability to meet the academic needs of a wider range of children.  Then, a little later in the year, Mrs. Dion, Mrs. Whitson and I will be planning math together for the same reasons.  We'll be able to group children according to their needs and really teach them at their own levels.  So, the kids will sort of have three teachers this year!  They will also benefit greatly from different teaching styles and strengths.

Next Tuesday, August 21st, will be Open House for K -2 with PTA beginning at 6:30.  After the meeting, you will be able to come to the classroom for an overview of our schedule as well as other information that I will share with you---such as behavior apples in the classroom, notes to me if change of daily dismissal routine, and  Mrs. Snook's Angel Bear, etc.  The children will be having homework this year.  It will not be a lot, but it will be important.  Be sure they have a spot at home that is designated as the homework place, and get them in the habit early!  We'll be asking that the kids read every night, and will have an incentive program in place to encourage them.  They will also have spelling tests after Labor Day and Math time tests.  I'll talk more about these things at Open House next week.

I hope to update my blog every couple of weeks and give you important dates that you will need.  I look forward to a wonderful year and seeing each of you next Tuesday.

Sincerely,  Peggy Snook