ABC’s of Mrs. Wand’s Grade 1 Class
This newsletter outlines many of our classroom and school routines.
AGENDA: Your child will be using an agenda each day to record information (e.g.,
homework, special events, etc.). The agenda will be sent to and from school each day.
Please check the Agenda each night and initial beside the date.
The agenda is also a great way for you to communicate with me regarding absenteeism,
appointments, etc. Each morning agendas will be checked for messages. Please ensure
Agendas are returned DAILY.
Occasionally, a plastic communication envelope will be sent home with the agenda. This
envelope is used to store any important notes/reminders your child receives from the
office or the teacher (e.g., permission forms, pizza day forms, book orders etc.).
There is a $5.00 fee for the Agenda. Please send the money in an envelope or baggie with
your child’s name on it.
BOOK ORDERS: - Each month, Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home. If you wish to
purchase books for your child, please fill out the order form using the Ontario prices and
return it to school with the required amount of money in an envelope or ziplock bag labeled
with your child’s name. The due date for that month will be located on the monthly
calendar.
Every order earns bonus coupons that will be used to purchase books for the classroom!
COMMUNICATION – Throughout the year I will be sending home monthly newsletters and
using ClassNet to keep you up-to-date on classroom happenings. I will also use ClassNet to
provide you with links to websites that I feel might be of interest to you and your child.
Please use the URL below to quickly link to my ClassNet website.
https://classnet.wcdsb.ca/ele/stmat/gr1/Mrs-Wand
If you have any questions or concerns please call me for clarification at 519- 886-9311,
write in your son/daughter’s agenda, or send a note. Also, please inform me of any changes
in your child’s routine. If your child is not taking the bus, is going home for lunch, or is
leaving early for an appointment, please let me know!
DRINKS: The key to boosting the capacity to learn is to keep well hydrated throughout
the day. Students are encouraged to bring a reusable water bottle to school that can be
refilled throughout the day.
EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: Emergency contact information is kept at the
office. Please make sure that out secretary has current information regarding your home
and work numbers.
FOOTWEAR: Students should have a pair of INDOOR running shoes for use in the
classroom and/or gym. Please label these along with any other articles of clothing such as
jackets, hats, boots etc.)
GYM: Mrs. Carla Fundak will be teaching Gym, Music and Drama and Dance this year.
Please be sure your child comes prepared with indoor running shoes each day.
HOMEWORK: Throughout the year, homework will include practicing weekly words and
nightly reading. The students’ weekly words will be written in the agenda each Monday. I
use a web based program called “Spelling City” that provides a variety of ways to practice
the words over the course of the week. I believe homework should take no more than 10 15 minutes a night.
INVITATIONS: Invitations are extended to you to attend our school masses, assemblies,
class trips (volunteers are always needed and welcomed), and all other special events.
JUST A REMINDER: We are in classroom 76. Students are to enter and exit the school
through the primary doors located at the side of the school. If you are picking your child
up after school, please be waiting outside of the primary door at 3:20pm.
KEEP INFORMED by reading our newsletter every month and checking the Agenda daily
for notes and information. Also, please regularly check in with Classnet.
LUNCH LADY: Each Friday the Lunch Lady will be available for students who order. The
menu and order form came home on the first few days of school. Please return the order
form and a cheque, or order online at www.thelunchlady.ca.
MATERIALS: We have been provided with all the materials we need to learn this year.
Special pencil cases, binders, and other school supplies can be kept at home for your
writing area. All toys and cards need to stay at home unless requested in the Agenda.
NUTRITION POLICY:
Students are encouraged to make healthy snack choices for our
morning and afternoon snack time (e.g., fruit, veggies, crackers, cheese, etc). Please make
an extra effort to send litter-less lunches to school (use reusable containers, etc.) Items
requiring forks and spoons should be saved for lunch time. Easy to eat snacks are best for
snack time!
OPENING EXCERCISES: Opening exercises consist of O’Canada, morning announcements
and prayer. If your child arrives after O’ Canada has begun, please have him/her report to
the office first to check-in and receive a late slip.
PLANNING TIME: Mrs. Carla Fundak will be our planning time teacher this year. Mrs.
Fundak will teach the Grade 1’s Gym, Drama, Dance and Music.
QUESTIONS: Instead of asking your child, “What did you do in school today?” ask, “What
book did you read during Read to Self time?” or “What did you learn in Math?” or “Tell me
what you wrote about during Writing Workshop!” Show that you’re interested, and ask
specific questions. Most likely, your child will respond positively and openly.
READING: Daily reading is very important! Please ensure that your child reads for at
least 15 minutes each night! Starting later this month, your child will bring home a book as
part of our Home Reading Program. I will often send home additional resources to help
with parent-child dialogue during at home reading!
SNACKS AND LUNCHES: Just a friendly reminder that we are a nut-free school so please
ensure your child’s snacks and lunches are nut-free. As well, please do not send in food for
special days due to allergies, as well as our nutrition policy. We will celebrate birthdays in
the classroom in our own special way. We have adopted a healthy school policy so let’s do
our part to make good food choices!
TALENT SHOW TUESDAY: Talent Show Tuesday is an opportunity for the students to
share some of their God-given talents. Each Tuesday during lunch, students will be
provided time to perform for their classmates while they eat their lunches. Past talents
have included singing, dancing, magic, playing a musical instrument, joke telling, reading a
story/poem that they have written etc. Some students take this opportunity to do more
of a show and tell…which is just fine. We are building confidence standing in front of a
group, as well as enhancing oral communication and performance skills. We will rotate
through our class list, so please look for your child’s name on our monthly calendar.
UNIQUE: Each student in my classroom is unique. I will do my best to differentiate
instruction to ensure that all children get what they need to be successful in first grade.
VOLUNTEERS and VISITORS are welcome! There are many opportunities for you to be
involved in the classroom this year. Be on the lookout for upcoming information. When you
arrive at school to volunteer or visit, please register in the office and pick up a badge
instead of coming directly to the classroom. This policy is for the safety of your children.
WILDCATS: We are the St. Matthew WILDCATS! Throughout the year your child will
earn “Catch-a-Cats” when a teacher catches them making respectful and responsible
choices. There will be a weekly draw, and winners will be able to collect a prize from the
office.
It is EXTRAORDINARILY important for your child to have a successful first grade YEAR.
I will do my best to make learning fun and exciting – you can expect a lot of growth in so
many different areas. It will seem as if the 2014-2015 school year will ZOOM by!
I look forward to working together with you as partners in the education of your child.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Kymberly Wand