I hope you had an enjoyable Thanksgiving and enjoyed the long weekend!  The students were excited to be back today sharing what they did over the holiday.

Read In: The November Read In has been moved to tomorrow, Tuesday, November 29.  Please have your child bring in 10 books or so to read along with an extra healthy snack.  Thanks for your help.

Domino Top It: Today your child is bringing home a bag of dominoes.  These can be used to play Domino Top It.  Place the cards in a pile face down.  Each person takes a card and counts the total number of dots.  The player with the highest number gets the cards.  In case of a tie, each partner picks again and the highest number gets all those cards.  Please send the domino cards back to school with your child tomorrow.  If you would like a copy of the domino cards for home, please let me know.

Reading Incentive: November is coming to an end.  Don't forget to record your reading minutes online at www.maywattsreads.com.  Starting in December, you will have the option of recording your minutes online or on a paper copy of a calendar.  You can transfer the minutes from the calendar to online.  Look for a calendar to come home on Wednesday.  Please let me know if you have any questions.

Boots in the Classroom: As cold and snowy winter weather approaches, the students will be wearing boots to school.  Please send shoes with for your child to wear.  These shoes can either stay at school or go back and forth each day.  I would prefer that students don't wear their snow boots all day.
After Thanksgiving Break (beginning 11/28), students should plan to have a pair of shoes at school to wear when they wear boots to school. They should not be wearing boots all day at school.

I hope you have a good week.  As always, please let me know if you have any questions.

Sight Words

Your child is bringing home the second list of sight words.  Please spend time practicing these words with your child.  They should be able to recognize them instantly by sight.  If your child knows all the words try writing sentences or a story with them, create a game...

Fall Festival

On October 31, we will be having our Fall Festival and Costume Parade.  A note with details was sent home last week.  The note is available on the May Watts website.


Coins

It is time to add 10 dimes to our math kits.  Please send 10 dimes with your child this week.

Parent Teacher Conferences

Conferences are coming up in November.  If you haven't yet, please sign and return the confirmation letter that was sent home.

Have a great week!

Our class has adopted Isis an African Lion.  We will be learning all about lions next week in class.  The students will learn many interesting facts and even write a research paper on lions.  We go to the Brookfield Zoo on Tuesday.  The students are excited to see the lion up close in person.  If you haven't yet, please send in $2 to cover the cost of this adoption.  This is optional though.

Don't forget we are going to the zoo on Tuesday.  Please have your child dress for the weather.  Make sure they are in comfortable shoes since we will do lots of walking.  The children need to bring their lunch in a disposible (paper or plastic) bag and also bring with a drink.  No hot lunch or milk will be available on this day.  We will have our nutritious snack break when we return to school after the trip.

Parent Volunteers:  Thank you for chaperoning this field trip with us.  Don't forget to bring a sturdy bag/backpack to carry your group's lunches in.  Also, please be at school at 9:00 to meet with Mr. Raczak.

There is no school on Monday, October 10 and there is an early dismissal on Wednesday, October 13 (12:15).  No lunch is needed this day.  However, your child can bring a healthy snack that we will eat at our regular lunch time. 

Please visit Mrs. May's blog at mwlmc.blogspot.com for information about the reading incentive program.

Enjoy the long weekend and this lovely weather.

Upcoming Important Dates:

Friday September 30: Applesauce Day

Please send your child with a peeled, diced apple.  We will combine them all to make applesauce.  Also, be sure to sign and return the permission slip so your child can enjoy this special treat.

Monday October 3: Send your child with 5 nickels for math if you haven't yet.

Thursday October 6: Class Picture Day
Since Picture Day is in the LMC, our book checkout is switched to Wednesday next week.  Please have your child return his/her library books a day earlier so new books can be checked out.

See message below from Mrs. McHale, our Room Parent and Ms. Andrews the p.e. teacher.  She is holding a self defense class for families.  Please read below about this important event.

Hello 1G Parents!

My name is Stephanie McHale, Room Parent for Mrs.Giarrante's class this year. I am excited to work with all of you to make this a great year for the kids in 1G!

I will be helping to coordinate classroom and at home volunteers and already have several fun ways to be involved:

- Class Parties: Fall, Winter and Valentine's Day

- First Edition

- Reading helpers

- Supply donations I will also be sending a friendly reminder when your special time with your child's class is approaching.

To be added to the distribution list for these and other upcoming activities, please reply to stephanie.mchale@gmail.com with your e-mail address by Tuesday, September 27th. I will be following up with an email with additional details on the upcoming class activities and how to use www.signupgenius.com - a new and VERY user friendly scheduling site that will allow you to view availability, add yourself to a desired activity and efficiently plan for the year.

Thank you in advance for all your help. If you have any questions throughout the year, please don't hesitate to contact me.

Kindest regards,

Stephanie McHale

(Kaitlin's mom)

312.933.6722

DON'T FORGET: Forward your email address to stephanie.mchale@gmail.com by Tuesday, September 27 to be part of all the fun ways you can help your child's class

Dear Parents,

The safety of our children is of great importance to all of us. We can do our best to keep them safe at home and school, but situations may arise that we can not control. These incidents can happen anywhere, at any time, and with anyone. It is not just an issue in the big cities or always a “stranger danger" attack. Parents are often unsure of what to say to their young children and how much information they should provide to them. Mrs. Andrews will provide an age appropriate, hands on self-defense workshop in which you may participate with your family. When parents are in attendance, they can hear and see first hand what she plans to cover. Your child can practice these techniques on their parents or adult family members. Competence and confidence in self- defense techniques can relieve anxiety and is a good resource for your child. The majority of self -defense is avoidance of dangerous situations and good information. That will be her focus. We will be practicing physical defenses, though, so please have your child wear comfortable clothing and safe gym shoes. Older siblings and all family members are encouraged to participate. Permission slips have been sent home, but Mrs. Keene has them in the office and Mrs. Andrews as well. The number of participants will be limited due to safety and space needs, so be sure to return this slip promptly. This event will be held Wednesday, Oct 5 from 6:30-8:30 for K-5 students and parents. If you have questions or concerns, please contact Mrs. Andrews at terri_andrews@ipsd.org or 428-6709.

Curriculum Night

Thank you to everyone who attended Curriculum Night.  It was great to see so many of you.  If you weren't able to attend, I will send home a packet of information with your child.  Please let me know if you have any questions.  Please hold on to the yellow brochure from the LMC.  It contains your child's username and password.  Your child will learn more about this during LMC and Computer Lab time.

Classroom Volunteers and Donations

Thank you to everyone who signed up to be a classroom volunteer.  I will contact you when opportunities come up.  We have our first Math Exploration coming up next week.  I will rotate through the list of volunteers.  Thank you to those who have signed up to make a donation to the class.  I appreciate your willingness to help out.

Please let me know if you are interested in being a classroom volunteer or donating a needed item to the class.  You can send the donated item to school in the coming weeks.

Volunteer Opportunities: Math Explorations Leader, Classroom Helper, Field Trip Chaperone and At Home Helper

Donations: 8 oz plastic cups (red, blue, yellow, green), individually wrapped antibacterial wipes, package of white lunch bags.

Assessments

We are finishing up our beginning of the year assessments.  Then teachers will meet to discuss the data and place students into Flexible Groups and determine if additional Interventions are needed.

PTA Reflections Program

Students can begin to work on their submission for the Reflections Program. This year's theme is "Diversity Means . . ."
The Project Turn In deadline for May Watts' students is October 7. For more information, please go to www.wattspta.org. Also, information, rules, and entry forms can be downloaded at www.ptareflections.org/cs/rules_and_documents or contact our Reflections Chair, Amy Toepper, at amytoepper@hotmail.com

Upcoming Information (notes will be coming home with more information)

Wednesday, September 28: Read In
Thursday, September 29: Applesauce Day
Friday, September 30: Field Day
Tuesday, October 11: Brookfield Zoo Field Trip

The students having been busy in first grade.  They are practicing classroom routines, learning about each other and learning new things.

All About Me: When your child brings home his/her All About Me paper, please help your child fill it out and practice reading it.  Then bring it to school the next day along with a bag of 3-5 items that are special to your child.  The class will enjoy learning all about your child.

New Entrance: Starting Wednesday, September 7, first grade students (walkers) will be dismissed out Door #1 (main entrance).  This will help ease the congestion at dismissal.

Early Dismissal:  If you will be picking your child up early or bringing your child in late, feel free to send me an email or note ahead of time to let me know.  Then I can have your child ready ahead of time.  Thanks for your help.

Respect YOE: The students have been learning about respecting yourself, others and the environment.  These are the school rules.  The students are practicing how to Respect YOE in the classroom, in the hallways, at lunch, at recess, at specials and on the bus.  They are busy earning lots of paw prints and gold tickets.  Have them tell you how they are earning them.  Please read and discuss the May Watts Code of Learning with your child.  Please see below.

Curriculum Night: Thursday, September 15.  This night is an information night for parents only to come and learn about the first grade curriculum.  The times of this event are To Be Announced.  Look for a letter to come home soon with your child.

Supplies: Thank you for labeling your child's supplies.  This helps as items end up on the floor during the day.  As your child runs out of supplies, I will send home a note letting you know what is needed.

MAY WATTS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

800 Whispering Hills Drive

Naperville, Illinois 60540

Phone: (630) 428-6700

Dear May Watts Families:

We believe all students can behave appropriately in our school. In order to guarantee your child and all students in May Watts School the excellent learning climate they deserve, we all need to work together to help each child be successful.

The following expectations will be taught at May Watts.  We will reinforce these to help grow responsible citizens:

Respect Yourself

Respect Others

Respect Your Environment

When students behave as expected (appropriately) they will earn:

               

·       Positive verbal reinforcement/positive notes/phone calls home               

·       Paw Prints that can be redeemed through the school store for various rewards

·       Citizenship Celebrations

Behaviors will be taught, modeled and reinforced.  As situations warrant, the consequences will be administered as the teacher sees appropriate.         

·       1^st time: Child is given two choices- expected behavior or natural consequence

·       2^nd time:  Child given natural consequence

·       3rd time: Communication to parent and loss of privilege  

·        Major Offense: Office Referral- parent contacted and sent a copy of the referral/loss of privilege

     

These expectations will be applied to all learning environments. It is in your child’s best interest that we work together in a positive relationship to accomplish our mission of encouraging good citizenship and promoting the academic, social, emotional and physical growth of your child. Please discuss the May Watts Citizenship expectations, rewards and consequences with your child.                                                                        

Sincerely,
Mrs. Giarrante

The May Watts Staff

Welcome to First Grade!

Dear Families,

Welcome to 1st grade!  I am looking forward to meeting all of you very soon.  We have a very exciting school year ahead of us...we will be making new friends, learning many things and growing together.  If you have any questions throughout the year, please feel free to contact me via email Amanda_Giarrante@ipsd.org or phone 630-428-6730 at any time.

Meet and Greet: Wednesday, August 17              Room 130                1:15-2:00

Please stop by to say hello and see your classroom.  If you would like, you may bring your school supplies on that day.  Just put them in a bag or leave them in the box if you ordered a school supply kit with your child's name clearly marked on it and set it on or near your coat hook.  Please do not put supplies in your desk on this day as we will organize our supplies together on the first day of school.

School Supplies: This year we will work on our organizational skills and responsibility.  Please label all of your child's supplies with his/her name or initials (every pencil, every crayon, every marker, folder, etc.) Also, please sharpen all pencils before bringing them to school.  As we work hard during the day, supplies do end up on the floor and the good citizens in 1G will want to return items to their owners.

If you ordered a supply kit for your child and receive it at Meet and Greet, you can take it home to label the supplies and then have your child bring it with on the first day of school.

Nutritious Snack Break: Your child may bring a daily snack for our afternoon healthy food break.  Please send finger foods that do not require utensils (pretzels, raisins, dry cereal, granola bars, crackers, cheese sticks, rice cakes, cut up fruit, etc.).  This will begin on the first day of school.  Please do not send in any snack items that contain peanut butter due to food allergies.  We want to keep all our friends in 1G safe and healthy.

See you soon!
Mrs. Giarrante

100's Day will be celebrated on Wednesday, February 9.  Don't forget to send in your item for our special snack and your collection of 100 items.  On Wednesday you can wear something that shows 100.

We will celebrate Valentine's Day on Monday, February 14.  Please send valentines to school by the end of this week.  Please do not include any candy/food items with valentines.