August 28 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

August 28, 2015

Review of our week:

         We have our first full week behind us and it went great.  We are still working on learning our procedures and getting into a routine.  I am so excited about our class and the upcoming year.  I have really enjoyed getting to know your child.  There are a few things I wanted to remind you about as well as some things coming up.

Raz Kids:

         If you have not checked out the website, please do so.  I sent home a log in paper with the information on it.

Preps:

         We have P.E. on Tuesdays.  Please send your child with appropriate clothing and shoes.  I sent home 2 papers from Miss Taylor yesterday.  We also have Library on Thursdays. Your child needs to bring their books back in order to get new books.  I have asked them to keep their books in their backpacks. 

Homework & Reading Records:

         I have included the reading record for September and a couple of pages of math.  The math pages are due by next Friday and the reading record is due by the date at the bottom.  Please, take the time to help your child with this math and with their reading.  Thanks

Forms Online:

         In my email there is a link to help you with this.  If you still have questions, email me or call Mrs. Griffiths in the office.

Upcoming Events:

·      Monday, September 7 –No School (Labor Day)

·      Friday, September 11 – Family Fun Day

·      Saturday, September 12 – Back To School Bash & Splash

·      Monday, September 14 – Vision & Dental Screenings

·      Tuesday, September 22 – Celebrate Will’s Birthday

·      Friday, September 25 – Fall Pictures

·      Friday, September 25 – Family Fun Day

·      September 28-October 2 – SEP Week (School gets out at 2:30 everyday.)

FYI:

         * If your child has not turned in any of the papers I sent                   home please do so ASAP.

         * Thank you to those of you who donated things off our             board.

         * Remember school starts at 8:50 please have your child                    here before that.

* Remember to keep saving those Box Tops. Have everybody you know save them for your child.

* If you have not sent all of the supplies I had on the list                                  yet, please do so as soon as you can.  If you can’t get them or can’t get them right now, just let me know.  I would like to start putting their portfolios together.  Thanks

        

         I really appreciate all of the help and support I have received so far.  If you have any questions or concerns please let me know.

                                                      Thanks,

                                                      Brooke

Here is the list for snacks.  Please send approximately 25. If you are unable to do this please let me know.

August 31 – Chantz

September 1- Cohen

September 2 – Dylan

September 3 – Gracie

September 4 - Hayden

September 7 – No School (Labor Day)

September 8 – Holden

September 9- Jarom

September 10- Kamryn

September 11 - Kensley

May 1 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

May 1, 2015

Review of our week:

         We finished our chapter on graphing.  I was really happy with how everybody did on the test.  We started on shapes.  We are starting to do some really fun writings for the end of the year.. 

         We had so much fun on our field trip.  If any of you are going to be buying flowers, Ladybug nursery is a great place to go.  They were really nice and let all of the first graders plant a flower to bring home.  They also gave each class a package of ladybugs.  It would be nice if we could support them.

Book Order:

         I am sending home 1 more book order.  There are some really fun books in the orders.  This is a great way to get some books for your child to read over the summer.  A lot of them have the Guided Reading level listed on there.  If you have any questions, please let me know.  They will be due by Thursday, May 7.

Animal Reports:

         I have assigned each student an animal to do an oral report on.  I have included all of the information. I would like you to help your child write it a report form and not just answer the questions.  Please check the paper in your child’s backpack, so you will know when your child is scheduled to do their report.  If you have any questions please let me know.  You are welcome to come and watch. 

Fluency Reading Passage:

         Along with the fluency page this week, I have included several other passages.  We will be doing our Dibels testing on Wednesday, May 13.  The passages I am sending home are the kind of passages your child will be reading for this test.  The benchmark goal for the end of the year is 47 WPM with an accuracy rate of 90%.  I would really like you to have your child practice reading some of these passages, to prepare for the Dibels test.

Library Books:

         Library books were due back yesterday.  If your child still has their library books, please help them find them or you will need to pay for them.

Reading Parents:

         I really wanted to thank all of you who have taken the time to come in and read this year.  I know it takes a lot of time, but it really has made a big difference with helping our class learn how to read this year.  Next week will be the last week to come in and read.  Thanks again for everything you have done this year. 

Upcoming Events:

* Thursday, May 7 – First Grade Program @2:00 in the gym

         * Thursday, May 7 – Celebrate Hailey’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 8 – Family Fun Day (Nielson Family)

         * Monday, May 11 – Celebrate Evelyn’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, May 12 – Celebrate Aidan’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 15 – Family Fun Day (Aullman Family)

         * Tuesday, May 19 – Celebrate Dylan’s Birthday

         * Thursday, May 21 – Celebrate Davin’s Birthday

         * Thursday, May 21 – Field Day

         * Friday, May 22 – Last Day of School

April 23 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

April 23, 2015

Review of our week:

         I can’t believe how fast this year has gone. We have been practicing really hard for our program.  We hope that you will all be able to come and enjoy it.  In math we have been working on graphing.

Homework:

         I am still sending home a few things for homework. I know it is hard to keep doing homework this time of year, but it is so important to keep going until the end of the year when we will be doing our DIBELS testing and benchmarks for reading levels.  Some of you made that a goal to help your child do their homework and turn it, but I am still not seeing it come back.  PLEASE, PLEASE help your child with this.

Kite Flight for Reading:

         The Kite Festival is on Saturday.  We sent home a paper for you to keep track of your child’s minutes on.  The PTA also asked us to keep track of them at school.  I have gone through and written down the reading records your child has turned in.  The days your child read might be off a little, but the amount of days is what they had on their reading record.  I also didn’t put the extra minutes your child read.  You are more than welcome to fix them if you would like to.  I have a lot of students who are not turning their reading records in every month.  I would really like you to look at how much reading your child has done the last couple of months.  If your child turns this in, they will receive a kite and the school earns money.

        

My Backpack App:

         I am sending home a paper that has information about an App you can download for your child that goes a long with the computer program we have been dong all year.

Animal Reports:

         I will be assigning each student an animal to do an oral report on.  All of the information will be coming home next week.  Please check the paper in your child’s backpack, so you will know when your child is scheduled to do their report and what animal.  If you have any questions please let me know.  You are welcome to come and watch.

Reading Helpers:

         I really wanted to thank all of you who have taken the time to come in and read this year.  I know it takes a lot of time, but it really has made a big difference with helping our class learn how to read this year.  The week of May 4-8 will be the last week to come in and read.  Thanks again for everything you have done this year. 

        

Thanks:

         I just wanted to tell all of you thanks for everything you have done this year.  I appreciate all of your help and support.  It makes my job so much easier with your help.  I also appreciate you making sure your child is doing their reading and their homework.  It is wonderful to see how much progress we have made this year.   

Take Home Books:

         I have at about 7-10 students everyday not bring their take home books back or not read them.  I know some are reading other books, but I would really like them to read their take home book as well.  We only have 2 more weeks of the Take Home Books, please help your child to read their take home book.  The last day for the books will be on 9, so they will all be due on Monday, May 11.  If your child has lost their book, you will need to send $5 to pay for it.

First Grade Music Program:

         The First grade classes have been practicing a program that we are going to perform in the gym on Thursday, May 7 at 2:00.  We would love to see all of you there.  Please have your child wear their nice school clothes.

Upcoming Events:

         * Friday, May 1 – Celebrate Matthew’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 1 – Family Fun Day (Garfield Family)

         * Friday, May 1 – Reading Celebration for the school

* Thursday, May 7 – First Grade Program @2:00 in the gym

         * Thursday, May 7 – Celebrate Hailey’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 8 – Family Fun Day (Nielson Family)

         * Monday, May 11 – Celebrate Evelyn’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, May 12 – Celebrate Aidan’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 15 – Family Fun Day (Aullman Family)

         * Tuesday, May 19 – Celebrate Dylan’s Birthday

         * Thursday, May 21 – Celebrate Davin’s Birthday

         * Thursday, May 21 – Field Day

         * Friday, May 22 – Last Day of School

**If I have missed a birthday, Family Fun Day or anything else in the Upcoming Events, please let me know.  Thanks

        

April 17 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

April 17, 2015

Review of our week:

         In Math we took our test on measuring with non-standard units and telling time.  I am glad we spent a couple of extra days on telling time.  We will also continue to work on it for the rest of the year.  I was really proud of the class on how well they did on this test.  We have had 3 of our Flat Stanley’s return.  He had a great time.

Volunteers Needed:

         I know there is a lot going on in the next month or so, but we have some fun things going and we really need some parents to come and help.   

I need 1-2 parents to come and go on the field trip with us.  It will be on Friday, April 24. We are going to the library, Ladybug Nursery and Discovery Park. I also need either 1 parent all day for field day or 1 parent in the morning and 1 in the afternoon to take our class around.  Field Day is on Thursday, May 21.

On the field trip your child will need to each school lunch.  If your child usually eats home lunch, you need to pay the office for their lunch for this day.

****** On both of these days, please make sure your child has sunscreen on.  Thanks

Family Fun Days:

         If you would still like to do a Family Fun Day and have not signed up please let me know. 

Library Books:

          All Library books are due back on Thursday, April 30.  If your child can’t find them you will need to pay for them.

Take Home Library Books:

         We will only have these for the next couple of weeks, please take advantage of it.  The last day for the books will be on 9, so they will all be due on Monday, May 11.  If your child has lost their book, you will need to send $5 to pay for it.

First Grade Music Program:

         The First grade classes have been practicing a program that we are going to perform in the gym on Thursday, May 7 at 2:00.  We would love to see all of you there.  Please have your child wear their nice school clothes.

        

Upcoming Events:

         * Monday, April 20 – Celebrate Collin’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, April 21 Celebrate Anna B’s Birthday

      * Friday, April 24 – Family Fun Day (Corry Family)

      * Friday, April 24 – First Grade Field Trip

         * Friday, May 1 – Celebrate Matthew’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 1 – Family Fun Day (Garfield Family)

         * Friday, May 1 – Reading Celebration for the school

* Thursday, May 7 – First Grade Program @2:00 in the gym

         * Thursday, May 7 – Celebrate Hailey’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 8 – Family Fun Day (Nielson Family)

         * Monday, May 11 – Celebrate Evelyn’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, May 12 – Celebrate Aidan’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 15 – Family Fun Day (Aullman Family)

         * Tuesday, May 19 – Celebrate Dylan’s Birthday

         * Thursday, May 21 – Celebrate Davin’s Birthday

         * Thursday, May 21 – Field Day

         * Friday, May 22 – Last Day of School

April 10 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

April 4, 2014

Review of our week:

         In math we finishing up measurement and telling time.  I had several students who are struggling with telling time.  Would you please work with your child on this.  We only have to be able to tell time to the hour and half hour. We wrote a paper about Spring. We have been sharing stories from writing.  I am so impressed with the writing abilities of this class.

Book Order:

I will be sending home 2 more book orders.  This would be a great way to get your child some books to read over the summer.  I will be sending one home today.  If you would like to order books they are due back on Thursday, April 17.  You can also order online.  If you have any questions about the books or would like some suggestions, just let me know.

FYI’s:

* Keep saving those Box Tops.

* If you are planning on moving and will not be in our school next year, will you please let me know?  They would like to know, before making class lists for next year.

* Teacher Requests for next year are due into the office by April 17.  There is a form you can download on the school web page.

* I have put most everything on the upcoming events, until the end of the year.  I will explain later what some of them are.  I just want you to be aware of some of the things we will be doing.  The last couple of months, things get pretty crazy.

Upcoming Events:

         * Friday, April 17 – Family Fun Day (Clayton Family)

         * Monday, April 20 – Celebrate Collin’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, April 21 Celebrate Anna B’s Birthday

      * Friday, April 24 – Family Fun Day (Corry Family)

      * Friday, April 24 – First Grade Field Trip

         * Friday, May 1 – Celebrate Matthew’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 1 – Family Fun Day (Garfield Family)

* Thursday, May 7 – First Grade Program @2:00 in the gym

         * Thursday, May 7 – Celebrate Hailey’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 8 – Family Fun Day (Nielson Family)

         * Monday, May 11 – Celebrate Evelyn’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, May 12 – Celebrate Aidan’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 15 – Family Fun Day

         * Tuesday, May 19 – Celebrate Dylan’s Birthday

         * Thursday, May 21 – Celebrate Davin’s Birthday

         * Thursday, May 21 – Field Day

         * Friday, May 22 – Last Day of School

Flat Stanley

Dear Parents,

         As a class, we recently read the book Flat Stanley by Jeff Brown. It is a fun book about a boy named Stanley Lambchop, who is flattened by a bulletin board that falls on him in the night while he is sleeping. Although he wonders if he is destined to spend the rest of his life being four feet tall and one inch wide, he was a positive attitude and many wonderful adventures.

         Stanley soon realizes he is thin enough to slip under doors without opening them, go down through the bars of a gutter grate to rescue his mother’s ring, help catch burglars at an art museum, and become a kite for his brother to fly in the park! One of Stanley’s greatest adventures is a trip to California to visit a friend. His parents sent him in an envelope because it is cheaper than going by plane or train.

         Each student in our class has designed and made a Flat Stanley to send somewhere for an adventure. Could you help your child decide where to send his/her Stanley? Please give me the address of an aunt, uncle, cousin, grandparent, or friend, who lives somewhere other than Cedar City, and who will enjoy writing back. I will address the envelope, affix the postage, and send a letter of explanation, along with the Stanley your child has made. I’ll request that Stanley and information about his adventure be sent back to school. Everything we receive will be placed on a bulletin board where students can read it and share it. In the past, Students have received letters, postcards, snapshots of Stanley and his host(s) on their adventures, etc. All of this will eventually be sent to home for you to see and keep.

         Please send the name and address to me via your student or by email by Wednesday, March 25.  Try to think of somebody who will do this activity and have fun with it for your child.  It is really sad when they don’t get their Flat Stanley back. This is a fun activity and the kids are very excited about it. Have your student tell you the story of Flat Stanley.

                                                      Thank you,

                                                      Mrs. Bali

March 20 Newsletter

Mrs. Bali’s First Grade News

March 20, 2015

Review of our week:

         In math we started a unit on measurement and telling time.  I think this chapter will go very quickly.  I have several who are still struggling with place value.  We will continue to spend time on that as well.  I have also been doing some assessing. We also wrote about what we would do if we were a leprechaun.

Progress Reports:

I will be sending them home next week.  I would really like you to look at these and see if there is anything your child could work on.  I did mark most of the students with a slash with their math facts.  They know how to do them, but they do not know the facts yet.  This is something they could all be working on.

Flat Stanley:

         I have attached a letter explaining what we are doing with Flat Stanley, please make sure you read it and get me your address as soon as possible. Please pick somebody who will take him and do some fun things with him.  I thought it would be fun to send him before Easter.  This is one of the most fun activities we do. I will start sending them as soon as I have the address. You can even email the address to me.

Field Trip:

         We are going to go to the Playmaker’s Play Honk on Friday, April 10.  I have included the permission slip.  Evelyn from our class is going to be in it.  We are so excited to go and watch her.  We going to ride the bus over and walk back.  If you could send a $1 donation to pay for your child’s ticket when you return the permission slip that would be great.  I would like to have a parent or two come go with us.  If you could be interested in that, please let me know.

FYI’s:

* Library on Thursday, please make sure your child has their books.

* If your child is going to be gone, please let the office know.  Mrs. Smith has to call the parents of every student who has not been excused.  I don’t always remember to tell her if you have told me.  Also, if you drop your child off after the bell rings, please have them go to the office and check in.

******We have been working towards earning a party for being here at school.  When we have 25 days of 100% attendance we will be having a party.  We have only had 19 days that everyone is our class has been here since the beginning of the year.  I know there are times you have to be gone or that your child is sick, but please try to make sure you child is here and here on time.  I would really like you to look at see how many days your child has been gone or late since school started when you get the progress report next week.

* There were a few of you who talked about doing a Family Fun, but didn’t schedule one.  If you would like to still do one, please get with me so we can schedule a time.

Easter Party:

         I was talking to the grandma who is doing the Easter Party.  We decided to do an Easter Egg hunt.  If you would be willing to send 2 dozen filled Easter Eggs, please let me know.  We will need about 12 dozen eggs.

Upcoming Events:

* Thursday, March 26 – Celebrate Logan’s Birthday

         * Friday, March 27 – Family Fun Day (Anderson Family)

      * Tuesday, March 30 – Easter Party

         * April 1-3 – No School (Spring Break)

         * Thursday, April 9 – Celebrate Claire’s Birthday

         * Friday, April 10 – Family Fun Day (Wittwer Family)

         * Friday, April 10 – Playmaker’s Play “Honk”

         * Friday, April 17 – Family Fun Day (Clayton Family)

         * Monday, April 20 – Celebrate Collin’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, April 21 Celebrate Anna B’s Birthday

      * Friday, April 24 – Family Fun Day (Corry Family)

* Friday, May 1 – Field Trip to Ladybug Nursery, the Library and Discovery Park

         * Friday, May 1 – Celebrate Matthew’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 1 – Family Fun Day (Garfield Family)

* Thursday, May 7 – First Grade Program @2:00 in the gym

         * Thursday, May 7 – Celebrate Hailey’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 8 – Family Fun Day (Nielson Family)

         * Monday, May 11 – Celebrate Evelyn’s Birthday

         * Tuesday, May 12 – Celebrate Aidan’s Birthday

         * Friday, May 15 – Family Fun Day

         * Tuesday, May 19 – Celebrate Dylan’s Birthday

         * Thursday, May 21 – Celebrate Davin’s Birthday

         * Thursday, May 21 – Field Day

         * Friday, May 22 – Last Day of School