WOW!!!  What a great open house!  Thank you for coming out on a smoky night and spending time exploring our classroom and filling out endless paperwork.  I loved getting to know your precious children a bit better and got some very cute pictures. (which I will upload as soon as I can make my ipad and computer to get along)


I just wanted to note that I have made a change to the math homework for the year.  Instead of homework, I will send home a math game at the beginning of each new unit.  Play it as often as you like and just enjoy time with your kiddo, learning while having fun!

Dear Parents, Guardians, and First Grade Kids,                                  

Welcome to First Grade at Thompson Falls Elementary!  The summer days have been gorgeous lately and I am looking forward to an equally fabulous fall, especially getting to know this fun new group of children in my class.  I also assume that some of the children (and parents) are a bit nervous about the first day of 1^st grade.  Honestly, every year, I have a bit of the ‘jitters’ when I’m getting ready for that first day of school too. 

I hope you and your child enjoyed the summer and are ready to embark on an important milestone in your child’s life.  First grade is a year of growing socially, emotionally, physically, and intellectually.  Your involvement, interest, and enthusiasm will help make this a wonderful year of growth for your child. 

I really hope your child is excited about beginning the school year…all the anxieties about the newness will soon disappear and we will be having a great time as we start learning our routines and making new friends.  I am sure you have many questions.  If this letter fails to answer a question or concern you have, please feel free to call or email me.  My email address is spavlik@blackfoot.net, and my cell phone is 406-546-0650.  You can text me at that number too, just please include your signature so I know who you are and can add you to my contacts. 

What to bring to school:

Your child will need to bring a bag or backpack to school every day to carry home papers/projects from school.  Please check the contents of your child’s backpack daily.  Any important notes from the office or me, as well as projects will be sent home in the backpack.  Your child will also need to have a pair of athletic shoes (sneakers) to wear for gym class.  I love shopping for school supplies, and the sales are on now!  The supplies needed are:

3- 1.25oz. bottles of white glue (no gel)

4- Glue sticks

1- Boxes of Kleenex

4- Plain plastic two bottom pocket folders

1- Bag or backpack

2- Boxes of 24 crayons

1- Box of colored pencils (the more the better)

1- 8oz or larger hand sanitizer or sanitizing wipes

24- Ticonderoga or Dixon #2 pencils

1- Box of either fine tip or regular water color makers

Non-marking shoes for PE

Oversized old t-shirt to cover clothes while painting

Quart size plastic Ziploc type bags or lunch sized paper bags (optional)

This supply list can also be found on our school website:  www.thompsonfalls.net.  Please put names on all backpacks, jackets, boots, etc.  You wouldn’t believe how many of us shop at the same stores and have identical outerwear! J

A Little About the Teacher:

Teaching is a wonderful job, there are probably no careers quite like this one, and I feel blessed to spend each day with these kiddos!  I do know that your children represent the best of you and are your most precious treasure.  I promise to treat them with respect and love.  I will challenge them to do the very best they can and hold them to high expectations.  I feel honored and privileged to be teaching your children and will give you and my students the best I have each day.  This will be my fourth year teaching in Thompson Falls Elementary School.  I taught preschool for 16 years before joining the amazing team of educators here.  When I’m not at school, I enjoy Zumba class and riding horses with my daughter, Emma Corrinne.  I also love visiting my older two sons and my precious granddaughter, Savvy when I have a chance.  Anthony, 23, is attending MSU in Bozeman and Christopher, 24, lives in Seattle with his wife, Kerri and Savvy.  I have two dogs, Sugar and Maximus, and two horses, Timber and Red. 

Communications Between Home and School:

I believe that parents, the teacher, and the student need to work as a team to achieve the best possible learning experience in first grade.  I look forward to a cooperative relationship that will foster a positive, comfortable, secure, and joyful environment at school.  Please contact me anytime you are unsure about anything.  I have a special mailbox in my room where your child can place important papers/notes from home.  You may also send lunch money this way and I will make sure all important information gets to the office or its designated place.

Behavior Expectations:

Our school district follows the principles of the Love and Logic system.  By focusing on the positive behavior and always treating students with respect, these principles truly help defuse most behavior problems.  I will go into more detail about this system and how it will be used in my classroom during our open house.

                                       

Homework:

As a first grade student, your child should have very limited homework.  We will work hard all day long so your child can relax and enjoy time with your family after school.  Mainly, reading each night with your child is the most important ‘homework’ your kiddo will be expected to do each night.  I’m including this visual to explain the importance of just 20 minutes a night.

I am a parent as well as a teacher so I completely understand how hard it is some nights to get the reading in.  Please know that I do not give this information to you as a guilt trip, just maybe more like a pep talk, from one tired, overwhelmed parent to another.  NO, I repeat NO condemnation from me when reality hits and reading doesn’t make it into your nightly routine! J

I’m taking a chance here and exposing my weird sense of humor by sharing one of my favorite blog posts from Jen Hatmaker.  She sums up how hard life can be and I will totally accept an “auditory reading” entry in your reading log any day! J

Here is the link: http://jenhatmaker.com/blog/2013/05/30/worst-end-of-school-year-mom-ever

Here is my favorite quote:  Yesterday Remy brought her books to me at bedtime – an hour notable for its propensity to incite rage and trauma – and chirped, “We need to read for 20 minutes!” and a little part of my soul died.

 “No, we don’t have to read tonight.” “YES WE DO!!! MRS. BURKE SAID!!! WE HAAAAVE TO!!!” “We already read.”  “NO WE DIDN’T!!! YOU ARE FAKING ME, MOM?”

“When I talk to you during the day, that’s like reading. You have to listen to the words I am saying and then make sense of them. It’s really hard work for you. It’s called auditory reading. We’ve been practicing all day. I’ll write the minutes down in your log.”
A math game for your family to play will be sent home at the beginning of each new unit to give your child just a bit more practice with the skill learned that day and give you a chance to see what skills we are learning.  Play when you can and mainly- HAVE FUN!!!

Learning attire:

Learning in my class is fun, active, and a bit messy at times.  I would hate to ruin any special clothing with paint or marker stains.  Most of our supplies are ‘washable’, but sometimes that label is misleading!  Please dress your child in clothing that won’t hinder exploration.  I will try my best to cover clothing with paint shirts or smocks but dirt, paint, and science projects always seem to go where they shouldn’t!

Snack Time:

The school provides a small, healthy snack each day.  You are welcome to send a special snack to celebrate a birthday or some other occasion at any time!  Also, it is a long day for these kiddos and their tummies are pretty small, if you want to send in a box of Goldfish, graham crackers, Ritz, Cheese Its, etc. I will use those to supplement our school snack. 

Helping your child feel independent:

Coming to first grade is an important milestone in your child’s life.  We will encounter many new experiences as a class.  If you bring your child to school, I ask that you say your good-byes outside of the classroom.  One of our goals is to help your child become a responsible and independent learner.  Each child needs to be able to hang up his/her jacket and backpack on their own, as well as take care of other classroom duties.  Please do not worry if your child needs help, I am here to help, that’s my job!  I am sure you will agree that hearing your child say, “I can do it all by myself!” is a great feeling!  Thank you for helping your child grow in this matter.

Of course, on the first day of school, you are welcome to come into the classroom with your child to share the first experience.  Although it may be an emotional time for some of you, to make the transition smoother for your child, it is important to help get them settled and then say your good-byes in a timely manner.  Your child will begin to grow wings and explore on their own as we begin our first day together. 

Again, I am so excited to meet all of you and “Get our learn on”, as our principal, Mr. Dorscher, always says.  Please contact me with any questions.  We are all in this together and your child is my top priority!  

Sincerely, 

Shannon Pavlik