Dear Parents:
 
It has been a joy to be back in the classroom after the winter break. Your children seem very focused and ready to learn. With the New Year as a back drop, we have been discussing the concept of time and how we can use clocks and calendars to help us figure out what time it is. Please ask your child what he or she has learned about telling time, and give them the opportunity to tell you what time it is.
 
First graders have also started a reading club with Ms. Koubek’s second and third graders. Your child will have an older reading buddy, and they will read to each other on a weekly basis and write a journal back and forth to each other to reflect on their experience. This is a great opportunity for your first grader to spend some time on the ‘other side’ of campus in preparation for the big move next year.
 
In the coming weeks we will be working on several class projects. Our school is holding a Science Fair on the evening of February 9th. Our class will be submitting a group project to the fair and all students and parents are encouraged to attend. Our class is also responsible for creating a group art project for the PTO Silent Auction Fundraiser. Our class will be creating a Paint-Your-Own-Pottery piece. We are requesting parent donations to help us pay for the materials. I will be sending home a letter with details shortly. Additionally, our class will be putting together a themed basket for the same fundraiser. Our theme is going to be a “A Day at the Spa Basket” and we are requesting that you donate high quality soaps, lotions, bubble bath, candles, and other accessories to help create an appealing ‘spa day’ basket for auction.
 
Thank you to all the families who donated their tax credits. Our class raised over $2000.00 for our school. We are still accepting spare change in our class change jar. We have been counting all of our donations, and we have gathered over $50.00. We are participating in a program where we will be able to double the amount we raise, so please remember to encourage your child to bring any spare change he or she might have. Every penny counts (and this has provided a great opportunity for us to learn the value of coins and to practice skip counting). Thank you again for all you do to support our beautiful school.
 
I continue to encourage you to help your first grader practice his or her spelling words each evening to prepare for the weekly test on Friday. I also continue to encourage you to read with your child each night. Please feel free to contact me (as always!) if you have any questions or concerns.
 

Ms. Catherine