Week of October 12, 2021
I hope that you all enjoyed the long weekend. Having an extra day is always a great time for rest and relaxation. I hope you were able to have some extra family time while doing something fun.Thank you to those who were able to donate extra to our N.U.T. Day last week. It was very nice that the students could take part and use their own money to help out! Thank you again!

Individual Picture Day
Wednesday is individual picture day. Order forms were sent home with your child. If you wish to purchase a package, please fill out the information according to your preferences, include the exact payment, and return it to school. Students should wear their school uniforms for this picture. Usually, in the spring, there is another individual picture day and that will be a casual dress picture. If you do not want to order a picture, there is no obligation.

Nightly Reading/Language Arts Suggestions 
Reading practice is very important and should be a priority each night. Here are some suggestions that we use in class. You can also use them when reading nightly. 

*Talk about the characters, setting, and plot of the story.
*Practice using picture clues if possible.
*See if your child can locate/notice high frequency words 
*See if your child can locate/notice spelling words. 
*Can your child locate/notice rhyming words? Letter patterns? 
*Locate or notice repetitive words/phrases.
*Predict what might happen before reading and while reading. Was your prediction true?
*Was there a problem in the story? What was the solution? Would you have come up with the same solution? Could you have come up with a different solution?
*Point out details. Talk about main ideas.
*Point out the end marks(. ? !). Use them to express your voice when reading.
*Point out quotation marks and commas. How should your voice carry when you come to these punctuation clues in sentences?

There are so many ways to practice reading. I am sure that you have done many things already. You can choose a couple or a few to focus on and change it up nightly. I hope these suggestions are helpful. If you have any other ideas or skills that help, please use them!

Spelling Words-Test Friday
are, they, have, that, purple, five

Homework
Read every night with an adult. Review papers that need attention.
Tues. 10/12 Write spelling words 3x each in notebook.
Wed. 10/13 Math
Thurs. 10/14 Daily Language Review

Have a great week!

So Long September Hello October!

Week of October 4, 2021

Wow! The month of September came and went. I hope everyone is well, and continuing with Covid safety practices. It is important to remind your child to do their part each day in the practice of social distancing while at school. Please have your child carry an individual size hand sanitizer in their backpacks. Also, an extra mask, just in case. Thank you for your help.

Service Project - N.U.T. Day, October 8th
Friday is a N.U.T. Day. The donation for this month's N.U.T. Day will benefit the Saint Vincent de Paul Society. If participating the cost is $1. If you are able and wish to make an extra donation ($2, $3, $5), it would be greatly appreciated. This might be a good opportunity to teach your child about helping the less fortunate. Students could turn to their own piggy banks and help with their own donation(25 cents, 50 cents, 75 cents, $1). Every little bit helps. Thank you.

Bathroom Help
There seems to be many bathroom visits right when we are to begin our day. Please remind/have your child to use the bathroom before leaving home in the morning. When students are out of the room, they are missing their learning time. Thanks.

Spelling Words - Test Friday
do, you, look, was, three, black,

Homework 
Read nightly with an adult. Remember to talk/ask questions about your reading. Reread/review any papers that need reviewing.
Mon. 10/4 Write the spelling words 3x each.
Tues. 10/5 Daily Language Review
Wed. 10/6 Math
Thurs. 10/7 Phonics

Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples’ Day
There is no school on Monday, October 11th in honor of the day.

Enjoy the long weekend!

Happy Fall!

Week of September 27, 2021

We are adjusting to being back in school and what it means to be a student of learning. Learning the grade one rules, routines, and expectations is beneficial to students' success. Being attentive and focused, listening and speaking skills, and following directions are practiced daily and necessary for learning.

Safety at Cheverus
Our class has discussed safety rules to follow in school. Students are not allowed to open the doors for anyone. Not moms or dads, not police officers or firemen, not anyone. Students have been instructed to let the adult in charge know if they see someone is at the door trying to enter/visit. Students have been directed not to touch/open the doors even when passing by them. We have discussed that if they see someone in the building, who they are not familiar with, they are to let the adult in charge know. Please remind/review all of this with your child for the safety of all. Thank you for your help in this matter. If you are a visiting adult, please do not ask a student to open the door for you. Please ring the doorbell and the appropriate adult will allow you entrance. Thank you. 

Early Dismissal Friday 
Friday is a half day. Dismissal time 11:15.

Scholastic Book Club Reminder
Book Club Orders are due Friday, October 1st.

Homework Folders-Please Help!
Please empty out homework folders nightly. It makes it easier for your child to manage when they are only dealing with the present day's work. Also, important papers and current information are less apt to get lost when folders are emptied daily. In addition, some may require action from parents to sign and return to school ASAP. Please review any classwork/papers that go home while completing homework with your child. This can be beneficial to your child’s learning. Thank you for your help. 

Lunch-Spork Shortage
Mrs. Martens wanted me to relay the following message. Believe it or not there is a spork shortage. At this time, Mrs. Martens is having a hard time ordering them. If your child brings a lunch from home, and requires utensils to eat it, please remember to pack the utensils in the lunchbox. She does not have any extra to give out daily at this time. Thank you. Who would’ve thought, a spork shortage??? Also, a reminder from last week, please do not send glass bottles or containers. Thank you.

School Band
Students will have an opportunity to join the school band. This is provided by an outside company, Paul Effman Music Company. I believe they offer violin lessons for first graders. If you are interested, the registration form and information is in the school office. Sign up by September 28th. Lessons begin October 14th. This is an afterschool program. Lessons are not during school time.

Spelling Words
like, the, can, we, two, blue

Homework 
Read nightly with an adult. Review classwork/papers if needed.
Mon. 9/27 Write spelling words 3x each in notebook
Tues. 9/28 Daily Language Review
Wed. 9/29 Math
Thurs. 9/30 Phonics

Have a nice week!


Week of September 20, 2021

Thank you to all who were able to attend the Back to School Night. It was very nice to meet you. I hope the information given was helpful. The information you provided for me is very helpful. If you did not attend Tuesday’s meeting or did not leave the questionnaire regarding your child, please complete it and return it to school with your child. Thanks.

Final Reminder! Emergency Forms-Overdue!
Thank you to those who have sent back the emergency form! If you have not sent back the emergency form yet, please fill it out completely, sign it, and return it to school with your child.

Snack/Lunch
Please do not send in glass bottles or glass containers to school. Thank you.

N.U.T. Day-No Uniform Today!
Friday is a N. U. T. Day. Students may dress in play clothes. The cost is $1.

Sanitizer/Masks
Please have your child carry an individual size bottle of hand sanitizer in their backpack for their personal use. Please remember to pack an extra mask in their backpack in case it is needed.

Scholastic Book Clubs-Orders Due October 1st
Routine reading practice helps build fluency and comprehension for students who are learning to read. I am going to send home Scholastic Book Club flyers for you to look through with your child. You may find something interesting that they would like to read. You can purchase books if you wish, however, there is no obligation. If you do want to purchase books, the due date is October 1st.

Spelling Words-Test Friday
one, to, he, she, go, yellow

Homework
Read nightly with an adult for 15 minutes.
Mon. 9/20 Write spelling words 3x each in notebook.
Tues. 9/21 Daily Language Review
Wed. 9/22 Math
Thurs. 9/23 Phonics

Have a great week!
 

Week of September 13, 2021

I hope that you had a nice weekend! Thank you for checking out my teacher page. As previously mentioned, this is a valuable tool to look at and read every Monday.  It will help you with your involvement in your child’s learning at home. This will be our first full week of school. Here are some reminders and information for this coming week.

Important Health Information
It is a new year and I have no information about your child’s health. For in case of emergencies, it is important for you to inform me of any health issues that your child may have. Please let me know of any food allergies, asthma, or needed use of epiPens etc. You should also contact the school nurse. Thank you.

Gym 
Just a reminder, our gym days are on Mondays and Fridays. Please wear your gym uniform and sneakers to school on these days. All other days, please wear your school uniform and school shoes. Thanks.

Back to School Night
Tuesday is Back to School Night. It will be held in the gym at 6:30. After this general meeting parents are invited to the classroom to hear about grade one expectations. Please remember this meeting is for parents only. If you would like to speak about your child's individual needs, we will need to set up an appointment for another time. Looking forward to meeting you.

Lunch Orders
Even though you may have filled out a menu and ordered lunch for your child, I still need to send a lunch count to the cafeteria daily. As you drop off your child at school each day, please tell them if they are ordering a school lunch or brought a lunch from home. Students will need to know, as I will be asking, so I can provide the cafeteria with a lunch count every morning. Thank you for your help with this matter.

Snacks
Please send in a small healthy snack for your child to eat mid-morning. A small piece of fruit, cheese and crackers, yogurt, or a granola bar would be great. Please do not send in candy bars or soda. Thanks.

Opening Mass
On Thursday we will have an opening school Mass for Grades 1-4. At arrival, you will need to drop your child off at Sacred Hearts Church no later than 7:55. Mass will begin at 8:00. Parents will need to bring your child inside to be seated. We will sit together as a class. Please look for me when you arrive inside. Parents are free to leave once your child has been seated with the class. If you or your child are not familiar with attending church, it is important for students to conduct themselves in a calm prayerful manner. It would be helpful if you could refresh or teach your child how to conduct themselves in God’s house of worship. Thank you.

Spelling Words
see, I, she, a, green
*We will have a weekly spelling test on Fridays. Each week students will bring home new words in their spelling notebooks. Please write these words down as the notebook will not be returned until the following week. You can always locate the words here, on this teacher page, as I will post them each week. Please practice these words nightly with your child to help prepare for the test on Fridays. We will start off with five words and work our way up to ten words. Please remember that spelling words should be studied so that the words can be recognized, read, spelled, and used correctly in a sentence for mastery.

Homework
Read nightly with an adult 15 minutes
Mon. 9/13 Write spelling words 3x each in notebook
Tues. 9/14 Daily Language Review 
Wed. 9/15 Math
Thurs. 9/16 Phonics

Again, thank you for checking out my teacher page every Monday!
Enjoy your week!

Happy Labor Day!!

I hope you had a nice safe weekend!

September 7, 2021

Welcome to Grade One! We are in Room 13!
This week’s announcement will be a long one as there is a lot of information to tell you at the beginning of the school year.

I hope that you all are healthy and had a great summer vacation! Even though it was only two half days, we had a super first week of school! I am looking forward to a wonderful school year! Thank you for checking out my teacher page! This will be a valuable tool for your family and you should seek it out every Monday, throughout the school year! While you are here on my teacher page, please be sure to check this web site for the school updates, yearly/monthlycalendars, lunch order forms, etc. My teacher page will usually be updated on Sunday nights. Thank you.

School Supplies
Thank you to all who shopped and sent in the school supplies/materials for your child’s use. We use these supplies daily. If you have not sent in the supplies yet, it is important to do so as soon as possible. When your child is prepared for school it makes for a very successful day. The supply list is on the Cheverus Web Site and was also printed on the back of my welcome letter. There is also a special sub category under my name. Thanks.

Back to School Night
Tuesday, September 14th is Back to School Night! I hope you can make it! Mr. Arria will begin the meeting in the gym at 6:30. After Mr. Arria's meeting, the teacher's will conduct meetings in their classrooms. This is a general meeting to inform you of the expectations for grade one. This is not a night for parent conferences., however, if you wish to discuss things referring to your child I would gladly set up an appointment for a more suitable time to talk. This informational night is for parents only. Hope you can make it! Looking forward to meeting you!

Gym Schedule
We are scheduled to have gym on Mondays and Fridays. Please have your child wear their gym uniforms and sneakers on these days.

Snacks
Please send a small healthy snack to school with your child to eat. Also pack a small bottle of water to have throughout the day. We cannot use the water fountains/ bubblers at school.

Lunch Program
Even though lunch is provided free this year, you will still need to pre-order and fill out a menu each month for your child. This will help Mrs. Marten’s with ordering food and preparing the meals for the school. Please send/forward the order form to the cafeteria. If you do not pre-order a lunch for your child, you will need to provide a lunch from home. If you have any questions regarding the lunch program you can email Mrs. Martens, her email is cafe@cheverusschool.com

Arrival and Dismissal Times
For the safety of all, Cheverus has staggered start and dismissal times. School arrival time for Grade 1 is between 7:40-7:50 and dismissal is at 2:00. We will dismiss Grade 1 in front of the school building closest to the Ferry Street doors. It is important for you to pick up your child on time. After you have picked up your child, please leave the school yard to make room for the next group of classes who will be dismissed in five minutes time after us. Thank you for your help in this matter.

Masks and Hand Sanitizer
It would be helpful to practice and remind your child to wear their masks properly. Also, please send in an extra mask to keep in backpacks in case needed as a backup. Please wash all cloth masks daily. A small individual bottle of hand sanitizer should be carried in backpacks as well. Thank you very much.

Extended Day Program
EDP will be back this year! EDP will begin on Tuesday, September 7, 2021

Homework
Read Nightly with an adult 15 minutes
Tues. 9/7 Practice Review Worksheet
Wed. 9/8 Practice Review Worksheet
Thurs. 9/9 Practice Review Worksheet

Have a wonderful week!