Thursday, August 29, 2013

“DASHER” VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!


“DASHER” VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Mrs. Jensen is looking for parent volunteers to help with the Discovery Dasher run/walk club.  Discovery Dashers meet Tuesday and Thursday during last recess (2:30-2:45) and the job consists of stamping student cards as they run/walk laps on the track.  Consistency is important, however, the job could be split with someone taking Tuesday, and someone else volunteering for Thursday, or volunteers could sign up by the month.  If you are interested in becoming a stamper for Discovery Dashers, please contact Mrs. Jensen (855-4090 or email jensen.jessica@meridianschools.org).

Thank you,

Mrs. Jensen

PE/Health Teacher

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Yellow Folder - Daily Parent & Teacher Commication Folder

Thank you for signing and sending back your child's Daily Parent & Teacher Communication Folder.  Your child will bring this folder home every day.  Inside, you will find student work and the student progress report.  The student progress report outlines daily behavior, curriculum overview, specials schedule and sight words. There is also room for parent notes.  I was VERY impressed that every student returned their yellow folder today!!  First time ever!  What a responsible group of students!

Bucket Fillers

Today we read, Have you Filled a Bucket Today?.  I use this book and bucket filling to help build the community in my classroom.  This picture book encourages positive behavior and demonstrates how very easy and rewarding it is to express kindness, appreciation, and love on a daily basis.  Through vivid and fun illustrations, children learn the meaning of the terms bucket filling and bucket dipping, and discover that when they fill someone's bucket, they fill their own.

You can find more information about this concept here:  http://www.bucketfillers101.com/

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Welcome to First Grade!


As your child’s teacher, I am looking forward to being your educational partner for this year.  Together we will create a positive learning experience for your child.  As partners in your child’s education, we will give your child a successful beginning on his/her school journey.  Throughout this year, your child will have the opportunity to learn and grow academically, physically, emotionally and socially.  This will be an exciting year for us all!  

To guarantee your child a positive experience (as well as yours and mine), here is some valuable information regarding our program:

þ  Lunch:  Your student will need to bring a sack lunch from home or participate in the hot lunch program.  You may send lunch or milk money with your student.  They will be given time in the morning to submit their payment to the cafeteria or you can load money on their account here:  https://www.mypaymentsplus.com/default.aspx

þ  Supplies:  A supply list is available in the office or here:  http://www.meridianschools.org/Lists/NewsNotes/DispForm.aspx?ID=161&RootFolder=%2FLists%2FNewsNotes  If possible, please bring your supplies at the scheduled Meet and Greet time or on the 1st day of school.

þ  Clothing:  1st grade is a place for washable clothes.  We do many hands-on activities and cannot guarantee that your child’s clothes will not get soiled in the classroom or out at recess.  On PE day, be sure that your child wears closed-toed shoes, preferably tennis shoes.  They should also wear pants or shorts.  

þ  Illness:   If your child is ill, please keep him/her home to avoid exposing the other children.  It is important to call the office as soon as possible to let them know your child is absent.  If a child is too sick to go outside to recess, they are too sick to be around others at school.

þ  Folders:  I will send home a daily parent/teacher communication folder with your child every day.  This folder will include a daily progress report, all parent/teacher communication, as well as your child’s homework assignment and any work completed for the day.  There is also a place in the folder for you to write questions or concerns to your child’s teacher.  This folder also includes a classroom management circle to identify your child’s behavior for the day.  Once you have reviewed the progress report for the day, please insert your initials under the behavior circle.

þ  Homework:  Read 20 minutes a day, weekly reading passage and comprehension and weekly spelling tests.

þ  Volunteers:  Parents are always welcome in the classroom.  A sign up form will be available at Meet and Greet or by emailing me:  slocum.melissa@meridianschoosl.org

þ  Birthdays:  During the school year, we will celebrate each student’s birthday in our class.  Birthdays are an important celebration in our student’s life.  If the student’s birthday falls on a weekend or holiday, we will celebrate their birthday on the Friday before.  Summer birthdays will be celebrated the last week of school.  You may send a treat to school with your child to share with the class - optional!

þ  Problems/concerns:  If you or your child has a problem or concern, please call or email me right away!  Together we can solve the problem.  Often times, I may not even be aware of the problem.  Good communication is essential for a successful year.

I am so excited to be working with you this year!  Please do not hesitate to ask if you have any questions or concerns!

Mrs. Slocum

Melissa Slocum
First Grade Teacher
Discovery Elementary

*Make today the BEST day ever!