Monday, January 28, 2013

January 28, 2013

 A Note from B-3! 

Monday, January 28, 2013

Parents,

   Only one more month before we track off again!  (I can’t believe it!!)  These kiddos are working so hard in class these days and they are growing by leaps and bounds!!!  Let’s just keep it going!! 
Please continue to read to or with your little firstie as often as possible.  Some of them may choose to read on their own, but all of them will benefit from the time snuggled up enjoying books!!!
As a reminder…reading to your kiddo is always beneficial!  First graders still need to hear what a fluent reader sounds like and your modeling will help them to understand that “real readers” change their tone and inflection as they read. 
If your first grader is choosing to read to you, you can remind them to use strategies that will help them to figure out the words…
       -use the picture
       -put the word in their mouth and try to stretch out the sounds
       -think about what you have read and what makes sense in that
         spot
       -skip the tricky word, read to the end of the sentence and then
  go back and try that whole sentence again
      
**As always, let me know if you want or need more information as you help your child to practice reading at home.  Happy Reading!!!



Things to note:
·       Family Science Night is tomorrow, January 29th   from 6:00 – 7:30.  There will be lots of fun things happening…science fair projects will be out for display, book fair will be going on in the library, hands-on science experiments for the kids, and a real scientist doing REAL SCIENCE!!!  There will also be snacks available for purchase in the cafeteria.  Plan to join us! 
·       Book Fair continues until Wednesday afternoon at 4:00.  You can still send money with your child or plan to shop with them before or after school.
·       Our Valentine’s Day party is coming up on Thursday, February 14th.  I would love if every student could bring a store-bought or home-made valentine for every member of our class. Please use the attached class list for your child to address each Valentine.  Please let me know if this is not possible or if I can help.  I love to use this opportunity to teach students about the importance of friendship and the importance of including everyone!
·       I had many parents sign-up to help with the Valentine’s Party but no one sign up to organize it.  Are there any volunteers????  I would love if someone was willing to take this on!  Please let me know ASAP!!!  (Of course, I will give you some helpful hints and let you know which parents are willing to help out!!!)
·       Starting this week, your first grader’s spelling and dictation tests will be graded a little differently.  At the beginning of the year, I sent home a notice explaining that handwriting would not be counted against your first grader on the spelling and dictation tests.  However, at this time in the year, I believe it is important to get them ready for 2nd grade expectations.  From this point on, words will be counted wrong if there is a capital letter in the middle of the word (i.e. cAp for cap) or if there is a letter reversal (i.e. cad for cab).  Please remind your child while practicing to use lowercase letters and to check their work for reversals.  Reminders will be given throughout our week, throughout the spelling and dictation tests, and reminders will be given to check their work after each of these tests.  Thank you for understanding! 



] Principal’s Lunch [
Looking for next month’s winners!!!


Upcoming Birthdays:
Happy Birthday to the following friends…
} Calvin – February 18th
} Zachariah – February 26th



On-Going or Weekly Reminders:
ü HFW test every Monday
ü Spelling test every Friday 
ü Math facts test – daily
ü Please continue collecting empty paper towel rolls if possible. =)
ü Please collect BoxTops for Education.
ü If you go see a 3-D movie…bring me your 3-D glasses…we can use them in our room!



Dates to Remember: 
January 23 – 30, 2013 – BOOK FAIR!!!!
January 29, 2013 – Family Science Night 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
                            (A.K.A. Winterfest!! Science Fair, Book Fair…)
February 11-14, 2013 – “Fleecing for Friends” (more info. to come!)
February 14, 2013 – Valentine’s Day Party
February 18, 2013 – Presidents’ Day – No School; possible skate night…
February 19, 2013 – Spring Pictures
February 20, 2013 – Principal’s Lunch (TBA)
February 22, 2013 – Early Release at 1:10, GREEN TRACKS OFF
March 25, 2013 – Back to school



Mrs. Aimee Jacobs
S.S.E.S.  425-7710
ajacobs@washoeschools.net 
www.washoecountyschools.org/spanishsprings/  (school website)
www.mrsjacobs1stgrade.blogspot.com  (my blog)
www.otterupdates.blogspot.com  (Ms. Walters’ blog)
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Sunday, January 6, 2013

January 7, 2013 - Welcome back!

 A Note from B-3! 

Monday, January 7, 2013

Parents,

   2013!  Really??  I can’t believe it is already the beginning of a new year!  Unbelievable!  I hope that you and yours enjoyed a wonderful holiday season!  I always relish the time that I spend with my children!  The holidays are magical to children!  I am sure you would agree!
   The beginning of the year always signifies a few things to me…
1.  We have worked so hard already this year, but there is no time like the present to push your kiddo.  It feels like we are going to slide into 2nd grade before we know it.
2.  Your child is going to begin to transform into an independent reader if they haven’t done so already.  Please keep reading to them or with them or just sit and listen to them!  In my mind, there is no homework more important than reading!  But, please remember to enjoy the time reading with your kiddo…let me do all the hard work! =)
3.  Please begin to push them towards independence (no matter how difficult it is…trust me…I know!).  Ask them to write on their reading logs, encourage them to practice tying their shoes, ask them to write words on your shopping list or to write reminder notes (you may have to decipher it…but don’t tell them it’s wrong!). 
I am so glad to be back with your little firstie!  We have a lot to accomplish and a lot to learn.  Let’s get back to it! =)










Things to note:
·       I am so thrilled to let you know that starting today, my student teacher, Ms. Sharon Janssen will begin to share the classroom with us!  She will be here, every day, for 8 weeks!  We are so lucky!  Ms. Janssen and I have known each other for almost 5 years.  Specifically, Ms. Janssen did a long-term sub job for me for almost 5 months when I had my son, Drew.  She knows me and my classroom and we agree that she is a good fit for us!  Ms. Janssen has also spent many days subbing for other teachers in our building and at other schools.  She has a ton of experience with children and with teaching.  I very much look forward to having her in our room.  I know your children will enjoy her and learn a ton from her.  I am also eager for all of you to meet and get to know her.  She is a mother herself and knows just what an important job, we, as teachers, have! 
·       The “Holiday Homework Bingo” should have been turned in today.  If you did ANY of it!  WAY TO GO! If you didn’t…I get it! The holidays are CRAZY!!!!  I absolutely understand!!!  If your child completed any of the squares, they will receive an otter shell for each square.  If they completed blackout, I will send home a notice of their reward! 
·       It was so awesome to see some of you at Family Skate Night on Dec. 17th!  Thank you for supporting our school and your children…what a fun night!  (Although, I was exhausted!!!  It was the first time skating for my 6 and 4 year olds.  I carried one around the rink and nearly got pulled down by the other!)
·       Thank you for all of the food/supply donations for our Polar Express Classroom Party on Dec. 20th.  We had a marvelous time and I truly appreciate all that you do for your child and our room!!!!
·       Family Science Night is coming up on January 29th.  Lots of fun things happening…science fair, book fair, hands-on science experiments for the kids, and real scientists showing what they know!!!  Plan to join us!  Watch for information to come home!

] Principal’s Lunch [
Kindness or Safety (TBA) – January…Can’t wait to find out who gets it!!!

Upcoming Birthdays:
Happy Birthday to the following friends…
} Gabriella – January 5th (Hope you had a super B-day!!)
} Calvin – February 18th
} Zachariah – February 26th



On-Going or Weekly Reminders:
ü HFW test every Monday
ü Spelling test every Friday 
ü Math facts test – daily
ü NEW!!!  Please start collecting empty paper towel rolls!  Send them on in!
ü Please collect BoxTops for Education.
ü If you go see a 3-D movie…bring me your 3-D glasses…we can use them in our room!



Dates to Remember: 
January 7, 2013 – Back from Winter Break
January 15, 2013 – PTO Meeting at 3:30, BINGO at 6:00
(Superbowl theme!)
January 21, 2013 – MLK, Jr. Day – NO SCHOOL, possible Skate Night…I will let you know for sure!
January 23, 2013 – Principal’s Lunch
January 23 – 30, 2013 – BOOK FAIR!!!!
January 25, 2013 – Early Release at 1:10, Pajama Day (I think!? If it changes, I will let you know!) ($1.00)
January 29, 2013 – Family Science Night 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
                            (A.K.A. Winterfest!! Science Fair, Book Fair…)
February 11-14, 2013 – “Fleecing for Friends” (more info. to come!)
February 14, 2013 – Valentine’s Day Party
February 18, 2013 – Presidents’ Day – No School; possible skate night…
February 19, 2013 – Spring Pictures
February 20, 2013 – Principal’s Lunch (TBA)
February 22, 2013 – Early Release at 1:10, GREEN TRACKS OFF
March 25, 2013 – Back to school



Mrs. Aimee Jacobs
S.S.E.S.  425-7710
ajacobs@washoeschools.net 
www.washoecountyschools.org/spanishsprings/  (school website)
www.mrsjacobs1stgrade.blogspot.com  (my blog)
www.otterupdates.blogspot.com  (Ms. Walters’ blog)
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