August 16, 2008
Dear First Grade Parents and Guardians,
I would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your child
to kindergartne and
first grade! My name is Miss Putnam. This is my fifth year teaching and my
first year at
NYOS Charter School! I am really excited to be teaching at NYOS. We have an
amazing team
here. I am originally from South Dakota. I worked as a youth director for 5
years before
pursuing my dream in becoming a classroom teacher. I am so excited to work
with your child.
Kindergarten and first grade are wonderful times in your child's education.
Teaching children at
this level is both challenging and rewarding to me as a teacher because of
the amount of
educational and personal growth that occurs for kindergarten and first grade
students. I am
excited about the possibilities a new year brings. We are going to have a
great year! Please
know that we are partners in education. I value your input and support.
Teaching is part of who
I am and I am committed to ensuring your child's educational, emotional, and
social success. The
adventure is about to begin and endless possibilities await us. I can't wait
to watch your child
soar!
Folders
The blue folder is our major communication in first grade. This will
inform you of your
child’s behavior and any notes from Miss Putnam. Please go through the blue
folder with your
child every evening. If your child colors the circle yellow, they had a good
day. Blue means
they got a warning. Red means they had repeat reminders to stay on task and
Purple means your
child had a GREAT day!!! School notes will be sent home on Wednesdays and
need to be signed
weekly in the Bluebonnet folder. Homework will be sent home in the red
folder.
Homework
We have a great homework plan for first grade this year.
Every child will be taking home a book bag filled with books to read to an
adult. They will be
expected to read every night for 10 minutes. Some new books and return books
will be in the
bag. Your child needs to read the new book first and then favorite books
after. Repeat reading
of books helps to build fluency and comprehension of text.
Each week on Monday the homework folder will go home with your child. You
may complete the
homework any time during the week. In the folder you will see a
science/social studies
activity, math story problem or activity, and a response to their reading
writing assignment.
The folder will be expected to return on Friday for grading. We will graph
our homework
progress to keep track of work.
Have fun spending time with your child doing enjoyable school work!!
Odds and Ends
• There are a few forms that are needed from the student handbook.
Please fill them out
and return them to school in your child’s blue folder.
• Water bottles are welcome in my class and may go out with your child
during recess.
• Balls (soccer, waffle, basketball) and jump ropes are more than
welcome for recess.
Please leave all other toys at home.
• Our Library day is on . Please help your child to remember their
library books
to return on Thursdays.
• Through out the year, you might need to send money with your child
for a variety of
reasons. Please send it in a sealed envelope with your child's name, grade,
teacher's name, and
what it is for on the outside. This will help in case the money gets miss
placed. Thank you!
• School Hours: The cafeteria doors open up at 7:30. I will pick up the
kids at 7:50 in
the cafeteria. School is dismissed at 3:30 in the cafeteria.
• Thank you for helping the class by sending in your healthy snack to
school on your
designated snack day.
Contact Information
If you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail me at
tputnam@nyos.org, call the school at NYOS ex 312, or send in a note to make
an
appointment to speak with me.
Sincerely,
Miss Tara Putnam
