January 16 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

January 16, 2026

Review of our week:

In Math we are working on place value.  In CKLA Skills we are reading informational text about animals that live in a zoo.  In Listening and Learning we are learning about our outer space.  This weekend would you please let your child go out after dark and see what they can see in the night sky?

Homework:

After your child has finished reading their book, I would like you to have them tell you what happened in the book and also ask them some questions to clarify.  Most of them are getting to the point where they can decode very well, now we need to start working on comprehension and fluency.  

I have packets of books on each reading level.  If you would be interested in some extra books for your child to read on their reading level, please let me know. 

Kite Flight Reading Record:

I have attached a reading record.  Every year the Lions Club along with other organizations and businesses sponsor this reading record and Health Fair.  Please keep track of your child’s reading minutes on this reading record as well as the one I send home for class.  THEY DO NO NEED TO READ MORE MINUTES FOR THIS ONE.  You can count their reading minutes for both. The school earns money for each reading record turned in.  This is a great way for our school to earn money. 

FYI’s:

* Remember take home books are switched every day, but Fridays.  I have a lot of kids who are not reading their take home books.  This is such a great resource, please take advantage of it.  This is also a crucial time of year with our reading.  I really need them reading for 20 minutes every night.

* Thanks for everything you have done to help our class this year. I really want to thank all of you who come in and read in the mornings. 

* Please watch for SEP sign-up link next week.

Upcoming Events:

        *Monday, January 19 – No School (MLK)

*Thursday, January 22 – Celebrate Briggs’ Birthday

*Friday, January 23 – 100th Day of School

*Monday, January 26 – Celebrate Brian’s Birthday

*Monday, February 2 – Celebrate Kendyl’s Birthday

January 9 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

January 9, 2026

Review of our week:

We wrote some New Year Resolutions.  I have been really happy with the progress we are making in reading.  Almost everyone has moved up a level. Those will change next week.  If your child is reading on a J or higher, they won’t move levels in their take home book as often.  We have also been learning about astronomy.  

F.Y.I’s

*I wanted to thank you all for the wonderful gifts, cards and notes I received at Christmas.  I really do appreciate it.  I meant to send thank you cards, but I didn’t them finished.

*For this time of year your child needs to be on a F-G instructional reading level to be on track for being on grade level for the end of the year.  That means their take home books would be E-F.  Reading for the 20 minutes every night will make the biggest difference.

*The weather is always changing, please make sure your child is coming with a coat and or jacket and snow boots if they want to be out in the snow.

Upcoming Events:

*Wednesday, January 14 – Celebrate Elsie’s Birthday

*Monday, January 19 – No School (MLK)

*Thursday, January 22 – Celebrate Briggs’ Birthday

*Friday, January 23 – 100th Day of School

*Monday, January 26 – Celebrate Brian’s Birthday

*Monday, February 2 – Celebrate Kendyl’s Birthday

November 21 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

November 21, 2025

Review of our week:

Miss Kemery from SUU had her last day yesterday.  We have really enjoyed having her in our class and will miss her. We have been working on different addition strategies. Reading fables in our readers. We are all making so much progress in our reading.  Thank you for reading with your child at home. We have been doing some fun Thanksgiving things. 

Homework:

I know this time of year is very busy. Please encourage your child to fill out their reading record right after they are finished reading, so you don’t have to try and remember at the end of the month how many days they read.

Cold Weather:

I know the weather is changing every day, please make sure your child is coming with a coat.  We go out to recess unless it is raining, snowing or below freezing.  Also, when there is snow they need to have snow boots on to go out in the snow.  If they don’t, they will have to stay on the blacktop.

Gingerbread Houses:

We are going to be making gingerbread houses on Wednesday, December 17 at 2:00.  We could still use a couple of bags of candy.  You can either sign up on the Signup-Genius or just send them in. The candy can be small candy canes, peppermints, smarties or anything else you think would look nice on a gingerbread house.  

I would like to invite all parents come in and help with the gingerbread houses. Remember you do need to do the fingerprints at the district office.  If you would like to donate something please have it here by Monday, December 15 so I will know if I need to get anything and I can have it all sorted. Thank you for those of you who have already donated things.

Upcoming Events:

*Tuesday, November 25 – Thanksgiving Feast

*November 26-28 – No School – Thanksgiving Break

*Monday, December 1 – Celebrate Oaks’ ½ Birthday

*Tuesday, December 16 – Celebrate Tommy’s ½ Half Birthday

*Wednesday, December 17 – Make Gingerbread Houses @2:00

November 7 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

November 7, 2025

Review of our week: 

We have had a great week.  We started our new readers and are reading fables.  If I have sent readers before, I will also send this one.  You can send the others back at any time.  I have been able to move several students in their take home library levels.  I can tell you are reading at home.  Remember, if your child is higher, they won’t move through the levels as quickly.

Cold Weather:

The weather changes so much from day to day.  Please make sure your child has a warm jacket, a coat or both to wear outside to recess.

Book Orders:

I have included a book order.  You can click on the link at the bottom on the email and order online. You can order from any order, not just the one I sent home. They will be due on Friday, November 14.  If you are ordering books for Christmas, please let me know.  I won’t send them home with your child, but I will let you know when they come.

Gingerbread Houses:

We will be making gingerbread houses in December.  I have done a Signup Genius with things we could use.  It is mostly candy and frosting.  If you could donate anything, that would be great.  I have seen things in the stores lately and I know they will go fast, so I thought I would put this out now.  You can send them any time you want to.  Reminder-if you would like to come and help us, you do have to go do your fingerprints at the District Office.

Upcoming Events:

*Monday, November 17 – South Family Bingo Night 5:30-7:30

*Tuesday, November 25 – Thanksgiving Feast

*November 26-28 – No School – Thanksgiving Break

*Monday, December 1 – Celebrate Oaks’ ½ Birthday

*Monday, December 8 – Mrs. Bali will be gone

*Tuesday, December 16 – Celebrate Tommy’s ½ Half Birthday

*Wednesday, December 17 – Make Gingerbread Houses @2:00

Halloween