Sept. 3, 2010

September 3^rd, 2 010

Dear Parents,

            Happy Friday!  Ok. I’ll give your children back.  For a couple of days.     I’d like to take this opportunity to, again, welcome you and your child to my class.  I’m looking forward to a happy, successful year.  We’ve had a great time at school this week getting to know each other.  The students have learned some of the procedures for using a variety of materials in the classroom. They’ve also helped to develop our classroom rules, and above all, we are learning that when we are kind and helpful, together we can do anything.

            This letter will encompass a variety of information to help the year go smoothly.  First, homework (which will be commencing  soon):   once reading groups are up and running, your child will be bringing home a book bag.  S/he should read on a daily basis for at least 15 minutes.  There will be a reading log to fill out on a weekly basis as well.

At the 1^st and 2^nd grade level, besides the 15 minutes of reading each night,  you can expect, 1-2 times per week, math homework that is part of the Bridges program.  This will come home in a math homework folder.  It will always be an extension of what we have done in class. It won’t be something that you are having to teach your child. Students  at this age should not be spending more than 30 minutes per night working on homework (reading + math).  If the time spent on homework consistently exceeds this, or if  you see that you child is struggling, please let me know and I will make some adjustments.  

            If your child would like to bring in a closeable water bottle to keep at his/her desk and fill up throughout the day,  I welcome that.  In addition, we will be having a short snack time each morning.  I am encouraging kids to bring (and trying , myself,  to bring, ) a healthy snack.  Some snack ideas are: fruit, vegetables, cheese and crackers, string cheese, yogurt, granola bars, hard boiled eggs, apple sauce, or pretzels.  One of our students in this class is allergic to tree nuts (if he eats them) --  but not allergic to peanuts , so peanuts are a great snack choice. 

Please also send in a change of clothes in a plastic bag that your child can keep on the top shelf in his/her locker in the event that he or she needs to change. 

**** There has been a change in policy this year, and the school nurse can no longer provide  extra clothing. 

Important Dates:

September 6^th- No School (Labor Day)

Sept. 22^nd  - Field Trip to Shelburne Farms

Sept. 22nd - Class picture taken at 8:00 a.m. sharp

Sept. 22^nd – Curriculum Night
Sept. 24th - Our first Four Winds  Lesson

Sept. 28^th – Early Dismissal

Reminder: If your child is leaving school at dismissal time in a way other than their typical daily transportation (bus, walk, or pick-up) please be sure to send a note to school.  You may email  your note, but please do so the day before, since I often do not have a chance to check my email during the day.

Please feel free to contact me at anytime.  We’re off to a great start, and  I look forward to getting to know you all better across the  coming  months.

Onward!

Mr. Bolger