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 1st
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 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
