September 2015

Dear Parents,
Welcome to Class 1-2! I am so excited to work with you and your child this
year. First grade is a huge milestone in your childs academic career. I look forward
to working hard and collaborating with you in order to make this year a success.
Over the next few months, you will see your child make tremendous growth
in both reading and writing. Our focus in first grade is building great reading habits
that will stay with your child throughout the rest of his or her life. Your child likely
left kindergarten reading books at a level A-C. By the end of first grade, your child
is expected to read at level K! This is a huge jump; however, it is accomplished
through intense phonics instruction and comprehension work in the classroom. In
order to support your childs growth in reading, take EVERY opportunity you can to
read with your child at home!
You will see your child make huge progress in writing this year. Our major
focus is challenging students to expand upon their ideas and write multiple
sentences across multiple pages. While your child may struggle to write complete
sentences with correct spelling now, your child will be writing conventionally by the
end of the year. In order to support this work, encourage your child to keep a
journal at home so that they are writing daily.
Our focus in math this year is on addition and subtraction within 20. By
June, your child will be expected to count and write numbers from 1-120, and add
and subtract within 10 fluently. Science is taught twice a week in our class, and
once with Ms. B, our school science teacher. Major topics covered include animal
diversity, weather, seasons, and life cycles. Social studies will be taught three
times a week in the classroom. We will focus on family, community, and holidays.
Homework will be assigned Monday through Thursday nights. Each night,
your child will be required to complete a math handout and write sentences with the
weekly words. Students will be required to read 20+ minutes a night and complete
their reading log. Homework packets for the week will be distributed on Mondays.
Homework will be handed in and checked every Friday. Please ensure that your child
has completed his or her homework each night. Homework is an extension of the
curriculum, and is essential in ensuring that your child makes adequate progress. On
Friday Sunday, encourage your child to read, read, read, and access some of the
online resources that will be distributed in the September newsletter later this
month.
Attached to this letter is the supply list, school expectations list, and list of
online resources to be used at home. Please read them carefully and send in supplies
with your child as soon as possible.
I believe that a childs education is a result of a collaborative effort
between parents and teachers. Please feel free to contact me with ANY questions
or concerns at any time. I can best be reached by calling the school or by emailing
clairegerken25@gmail.com.

Looking forward to a fun and productive year!

Ms. Gerken

First Grade Supply List

2015 2016

*Please write your childs first and last name on all of their
supplies*
Six two-pocket folders (yellow, red, orange, green, blue,
purple)
Six marble composition notebooks
2 packs of #2 pencils
1 pack of Expo Dry Erase markers
1 pack of white printer paper
1 pack of multi-colored construction paper
1 pack of glue sticks
1 pack of 24 count Crayola crayons
1 box of tissues
1 roll of paper towels
1 pack WetOnes or baby wipes
1 box gallon size Ziplock bags
Individual teachers will make specific requests for supplies as
needed throughout the school year. We ask that supplies be
replenished as used throughout the year.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation and support!
~ The First Grade Team

PS 246 Policies/Expectations
The following policies/schedules will be in place for the 2015-2016
school year:
School begins promptly at 8:20am. Please be sure that your
child is on time to school each day, as lateness is disruptive
to classroom learning and instruction. Breakfast will be
served starting at 7:50am.
School ends at 2:40pm. If your child is not involved in the
afterschool program, please ensure that your child will be
picked up promptly at this time.
Lunch is served at 10:50am for grades K & 1, 11:45am for
grades 2 & 4, and 12:40pm for grades 3 & 5.
Students are expected to wear a uniform to school each day,
excluding days your child has gym.
o Boys: white or blue collared shirt, blue sweater, blue
pants, and black shoes.
o Girls: white or blue collared shirt, blue skirt or pants,
blue sweater, and black shoes.
Students are expected to behave according to our school
mission statement. It is expected that students exhibit
respect for their peers, teacher, and school community at all
times.