Welcome to First Grade!  I am delighted to be working with you and your child this year.  We are lucky that our school is small because I already know many of the children from the past school year.  I have received many hugs in the hallways when they have passed by my room.  Now, I can't wait to get to know them even better.

Our Classroom

Our days will be full of many different areas of study - Reading, Phonics, Math, Language Arts, Spelling, Social Studies, and Science.  Each week the children will also have different Specialty Classes: Library, Art, AR, Music, Computers and P.E. Our theme this year is Oceans. I have many activities planned to help make first grade Oceans of Fun.

Drop-off & Pick-up Procedures

Children will be dismissed at 3:10 pm.  Please, do not take them from the classroom before this time.  We will dismiss walkers and children being picked up through the front doors. The children may be picked up there. Only children going to SAFE will be dismissed out the back door. This way I can keep track of who has been picked up and by whom. Children riding the bus will exit the east doors to the bus pick-up area.

Tardies & Attendance

It is important that students arrive on time. The morning bell will ring at 8:10. Your child is tardy at 8:15 a.m.  At that time, they must get a tardy slip from the office before they may enter the classroom.   We are scheduled for P.E. every day at 8:20. If your child is late they will miss out on part of the P.E. time and not be very happy. This isn't a good way for them to start the day. It is also very important that your child attend school every day.  If for some reason he or she must be absent please notify the office.  

Birthdays/Invitations

If your child has a birthday during the school year, you are welcome to bring in a treat item for the celebration.  I will try to schedule snack days as close to their birthday as possible. We will celebrate during snack time in the afternoon. Send all utensils, plates, napkins etc. I do not have these items on hand. Please remember this is not meant to take the place of a birthday party. It is just a special snack.

If your child has a party planned during the year, he/she can hand out the invitations to the class.  Please make sure there is an invitation for every child.  If it is a boy party all boys should be invited if the invitations are to be passed out at school. The same holds true if it is a girl party. You are also welcome to mail the invitations if you are limited to the number attending.  Be considerate of each child's feelings. No one would want their child left out. 

Toys

Please leave all toys at home.  If a child does bring something to school and it is out during class time, it will be taken away and kept until the end of the day.  If this happens repeatedly the toy will be taken away for a longer period of time.

Snack/Water Bottles

We will have a snack in the afternoon.  You should send the snack with your child on their assigned day.  I usually keep the left over snacks, if they are not perishable, for those days when a child forgets their snack for the class. Please send in a water bottle with a sport top with your child.  It is hot and they need to keep hydrated.

Book Orders

I will send home a Scholastic Book Order form with your child occasionally.  This is a great way to add to your child's library.  Of course, it is completely optional. 

Field Trips

We will take field trips at different times during the year.  We sometimes rely on parents to be chaperons.  Unfortunately, we are unable to include younger siblings on these trips. If you wish to chaperon you will need to make arrangements for siblings. 

Conferences

I have many things that must be done in the morning to get ready for the day.   As such, if there is an issue you wish to discuss, please set up an appointment for after school or another day.

We are going to have a wonderful year.  I so look forward to getting to know you and your child!

Mrs. Kestner