I would like to take this opportunity to welcome your child to my class! I anticipate a wonderful year as we all learn many new things. Here are a few important reminders you need to know. Our classroom is NUT FREE due to severe allergies. Please make sure that any snack you send into school contains no nuts or traces of nuts. *If for any reason your child is not taking his/her usual transportation home, you must send a note into school informing the school of this change. Include the date(s) this change will occur as well as your signature and a way for us to reach you during the day. Thank you! *Please check your child's homework folder EVERY DAY. This is the main link we have to communicate with one another. Any notes from school or important notices, lunch calendars, permission slips, etc. will be on the "notes" side of your child's folder. Homework will be on the homework side and must be completed and returned the next school day unless noted. Homework must be returned initialed or signed by a grown up or adult - this way we know an adult is assisting in review at home. *We have snack every afternoon. Please pack your child’s snack separately from his/her lunch. We ask that you not send glass containers to school, please. The teachers do not provide snack. *If your child chooses to buy lunch, buy from the school store, bring in money for a special event, or bring in money for any other reason, money MUST be sent to school in an envelope or wallet labeled with your child’s name. Please DO NOT send loose money to school with your child. *If your child would like to celebrate his/her birthday in school, please send a simple treat (cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc.) for the class to share during snack time, along with napkins, to the office that morning. Drinks are not necessary. As we do not have a birthday party, only celebrate by sharing snack together; parents are not permitted to host their child’s birthday party in school during school hours. *If your child will be handing out invitations in school, please make sure that everyone in the class is invited. Invitations may not be handed out to only a few children in school. *Please make sure your child knows his/her phone number and address. Your child is reponsible for knowing this important information! Thank you. ***We encourage independence in first grade and are trying to build responsible patterns in our students. Please encourage this at home as well by making sure your child is responsible for his/her own schoolwork, backpack, etc. A responsible student is a successful one!*** *Each week, your child will take home a Reading Record. Each child is asked to read at least ten minutes every night, and record the books on this paper. Please return the Reading Record on Friday. Ten minutes might not seem like much, but it is an important part of making your child a reader! Thank you for your cooperation! *If you wish to reach me, I find a note first thing in the morning with your child works the best. This way I can call you back within the same day. You can also leave a phone message with our school voice mail- I do my best to check this at the end of each school day. Please send in a recent wallet sized photo of your child as soon as possible for a special hall display. Sorry it can't be returned. Thank you for your ongoing support. Your classroom donations, participation, and volunteerism really make a difference in your child's education. We appreciate all you do, and THANK YOU!