First Grade Weekly News

May 28, 2012

Room 201-Mrs. Waldeck

It is hard to believe that the school year is coming to a close. I feel fortunate and blessed to have worked with your child this past year. It has been an amazing privilege to witness the tremendous progress and growth the students have made since the beginning of the year. They are now all readers and writers and a lot taller than they were 9 months ago! They are confident in their abilities and excited to learn more! 

Each child is very special and brought a tremendous amount of energy, excitement, and happiness to the classroom. I have enjoyed watching the students learn, grow and change from day to day. With many happy memories, I send them with great hopes and expectations for what next year has in store.

Thank you for all of your support. It has been a pleasure getting to know not only your child, but you as well. Having parental support and open lines of communication is an essential part of any successful school year and I can’t thank you all enough. 

This summer, there is a lot you can do to encourage growth over the summer. Take time to read to and listen to your child read. Ask questions, make predictions, and make text connections as you read. Practice addition and subtraction problems and work with time and money. Encourage your child to write often! Writing stories, letters, journal entries, etc. are great ways to get thoughts organized and put onto paper. I invite your child to write to me in the summer at the Queen of Angels camp I will be working at from June through the first week of August (4520 N. Western, Chicago, IL 60625). These little things will lead to big successes next year.

Again, thank you for a wonderful year. I wish all of the families the best of luck as you continue this wonderful journey with your child. 

Have a fantastic summer and I will see you in the fall.

Sincerely and With Love,

Mrs. Waldeck

• Math:  Students will be assessed on the content through the end of unit 8; as well as review these concepts through the various games they learned throughout the unit. 

• Religion: students will participate in the Child Lures Prevention Program, and understand personal safety skills that will enable them to take an active role in protecting themselves from strangers. Students will grasp the concept of child luring, as well as understand that they have an inner siren/instinct when they feel unsafe and to always tell an adult.

• Writing: students will create and read their Stop and Read: Tips for First Grade books to the kindergarteners.

• Reading: students will understand how to synthesize/evaluate, understanding that good readers seek new information as well as form opinions when they read. 

• Poetry:  End of the year poem, ABC Farewell

• Important Reminders:

• If you have any past due library books, please return to school or pay lost library fee. 

• Summer reading packets will come home on Thursday. This information will also be posted online. 

• On Thursday, the first graders will be celebrating summer birthdays at the park. If you would like to donate a popsicle treat for our class, please let me know. 

• On Monday, the students will be helping to clean the classroom. If you would like to donate cleaning supplies (Clorax wipes are always great especially for kid use) it is greatly appreciated. 

• The all school picnic is on June 4th. The picnic begins at 11 A.M at Wrightwood Park. If you have completed all the Archdiocese requirements, you are invited to join us. The PTO will be providing pizza lunch for all of the students, so no packed lunch needed. Since this is a long, hot day for the children, students may leave before the dismissal time. When you pick up your child, please sign out with me. Please have your child wear his/her gym uniform for this day. 

• On June 5th, the students will attend an all school mass and award ceremony, recognizing students who have participated in school activities and sports, as well as perfect attendance. School will dismiss for the summer at 10:20.