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