April 2, 2026

 

Dear Families, 

We hope you all had a wonderful spring break. It was great to see all of the students’ smiling faces back at school! We loved hearing about all the great adventures you had.  This week we also continued to work on our opinion writing and word problems.  

Literacy

Click here for the newest caregiver letter!

Social Studies Family Homework

To end our Social Studies unit we invite you to create a family slide with your child .  This is the same slide your family may have created for the I Am Me, We Are Kildeer event. If you already made it please don't feel like you need to make another one,  just share the one you already created.  These slides will be shared during our social studies culmination day.  Please practice presenting their slide with you at home to prepare them to share with the class.   Please click HERE to make a copy of the “Our Magical Family” slide. Once your slide is complete, please email or click the share button. Send it to kstrauss@kcsd96.org. Thank you!

*If you would rather have a paper copy please let me know. 

Due by April 6th

First Grade Tricky Words

Here are the tricky words we have been or will be practicing this school year. Please have your child continue to practice reading and writing these words.  We have worked on Unit 1-5  in class so far.

Looking for some games and activities to help your child practice tricky words in a fun and exciting way?  Check out these ideas!

Recess

As the weather is unpredictable this time of year, please send your child with coats to keep them warm at recess.  Recess is still so early in the morning that we are not at the peak high temperature for the day yet. We go outside every day and we want to make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather at that time of day.

Spring Book Fair 

Our class will be attending the Book Fair next week! We will be previewing the book fair to make a list of your child’s favorite books. Then we will visit the book fair again to purchase books at a later date. The Book Fair will only accept e-wallet purchases. Be on the lookout for the principal's message for more information.

Paper Towel Rolls

We are going to be doing a project in math soon using empty paper towel rolls! Please note that we will not be using toilet paper rolls, only the paper towel rolls (the longer tubes). If you have any empty paper towel rolls at home, please send them in! Thank you very much for your help! 

Expected Behaviors

We are continuing to work hard on showing expected behaviors. Gentle reminders at home are very helpful. As a reminder the Cougar 5 are:

• Follow Directions

• Use Kind words

• Keep hands and feet to self  

• Make safe choices

• Do my Best

Important Dates

-Tuesday, April 7th-Book Fair Preview 8:40-9:00 am

-Thursday, April 9th-Book Fair Purchase 8:40-9:00 am; Pajama Day

5:30-7:00 pm-Book Fair open for families

March 19, 2026

Dear Families, 

I’m looking forward to meeting with you for your child’s conference either tonight or tomorrow.  As a reminder, the link to access the video conference was emailed to you when you signed up on Meet the Teacher.

Click here for a folder filled with activities and book recommendations if you would like to continue learning at home! 

Social Studies Assignment:

To end our Social Studies unit we invite you to create a family slide with your child .  This is the same slide your family may have created for the I Am Me, We Are Kildeer event. If you already made it please don't feel like you need to make another one,  just share the one you already created.  These slides will be shared during our social studies culmination day. Please practice presenting their slide with you at home to prepare them to share with the class.   Please click HERE to make a copy of the “Our Magical Family” slide. Once your slide is complete, please email or click the share button. Send it to kstrauss@kcsd96.org. Thank you!

*If you would rather have a paper copy please let me know. 

Due by April 6th

First Grade Tricky Words

Here are the tricky words we have been or will be practicing this school year. Please have your child continue to practice reading and writing these words.  We have worked on Unit 1-5  in class so far.

Looking for some games and activities to help your child practice tricky words in a fun and exciting way?  Check out these ideas!

Expected Behaviors

We are continuing to work hard on showing expected behaviors. Gentle reminders at home are very helpful. As a reminder the Cougar 5 are:

• Follow Directions

• Use Kind words

• Keep hands and feet to self  

• Make safe choices

• Do my Best

Recess

As the weather is unpredictable this time of year, please send your child with coats to keep them warm at recess.  Recess is still so early in the morning that we are not at the peak high temperature for the day yet. We go outside every day and we want to make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather at that time of day.

Important Dates

-Thursday, March 19th-Conferences 5:00-8:30 pm

-Friday, March 20th-No School; Conferences 10:00 am-1:30 pm

-Monday, March 23rd-Friday, March 27th-Spring Break

-Monday, March 30th-School Resumes

-Tuesday, April 7th-Book Fair Preview 8:40-9:00 am

-Thursday, April 9th-Book Fair Purchase 8:40-9:00 am; Pajama Day

5:30-7:00 pm-Book Fair open for families

March 13, 2026

 Dear Families, 

The students have enjoyed learning about families near and far! They loved sharing special traditions, foods, and memories of their loved ones. Ask your child what their favorite family tradition is!

Social Studies Homework

To end our Social Studies unit we invite you to create a family slide with your child!  This is similar to the slide your family may have created for the I Am Me, We Are Kildeer event. If you already made it please don't feel like you need to make another one, just share the one you already created. You can use a mixture of photos, videos, and words. These slides will be shared during our social studies culmination day. Please have your child practice presenting their slide with you at home to prepare them to share with the class. Click HERE to make a copy of the “Our Magical Family” slide. Once your slide is complete, click the share button and send it to kstrauss@kcsd96.org . Thank you!

*If you would rather have a paper copy please let me know.

*Due Date: Monday, April 6th

First Grade Tricky Words

Here are the tricky words we have been or will be practicing this school year. Please have your child continue to practice reading and writing these words.  We have worked on Unit 1-5  in class so far.

Looking for some games and activities to help your child practice tricky words in a fun and exciting way?  Check out these ideas!

Expected Behaviors

We are continuing to work hard on showing expected behaviors. Gentle reminders at home are very helpful. As a reminder the Cougar 5 are:

• Follow Directions

• Use Kind words

• Keep hands and feet to self  

• Make safe choices

• Do my Best

Recess

As the weather is unpredictable this time of year, please send your child with coats to keep them warm at recess.  Recess is still so early in the morning that we are not at the peak high temperature for the day yet. We go outside every day and we want to make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather at that time of day.

Important Dates

-Tuesday, March 17th-No School

-Thursday, March 19th-Early Release-2:05 pm dismissal; 

  Conferences 5:00-8:30 pm

-Friday, March 20th-No School; Conferences 10:00 am-1:30 pm

-Monday, March 23rd-Friday, March 27th-Spring Break

-Monday, March 30th-School Resumes

March 5, 2026

Dear Families, 

We have had fun learning about fractions this week! The next time you have a pizza or cut  a sandwich ask your child what fractions they can create! We also had a great time learning at the beach! The students brought a lot of sunshine into our classroom

First Grade Tricky Words

Here are the tricky words we have been or will be practicing this school year. Please have your child continue to practice reading and writing these words.  We have worked on Unit 1-5  in class so far.

Looking for some games and activities to help your child practice tricky words in a fun and exciting way?  Check out these ideas!

Literacy

Click here for the newest caregiver letter!

Expected Behaviors

We are continuing to work hard on showing expected behaviors. Gentle reminders at home are very helpful. As a reminder the Cougar 5 are:

• Follow Directions

• Use Kind words

• Keep hands and feet to self  

• Make safe choices

• Do my Best

Recess

As the weather is unpredictable this time of year, please send your child with coats to keep them warm at recess.  Recess is still so early in the morning that we are not at the peak high temperature for the day yet. We go outside every day and we want to make sure that your child is dressed appropriately for the weather at that time of day.

Important Dates

Nothing for next week! 

February 27, 2026

First Grade Tricky Words

Here are the tricky words we have been or will be practicing this school year. Please have your child continue to practice reading and writing these words.  We have worked on Unit 1-5  in class so far.

Looking for some games and activities to help your child practice tricky words in a fun and exciting way?  Check out these ideas!

Literacy

Click here for the newest caregiver letter!

Beach Day

First Grade Beach Day on Friday, March 6th! Students are invited to wear summer clothes including: shorts, tank tops, sunglasses, and flip-flops  for our celebration (no bare tummies please.) Students can also bring a towel to sit on during our activities! Please remember that it is still very cold, and  students need to come prepared to be outside when they leave “the beach.” 

Important Dates

Monday, March 2nd-No School-District Holiday

Friday, March 6th- First Grade Beach Day

February 20, 2026

Dear Families,

We had a great week wrapping up Trimester 2.  Students are making such great

progress during First Grade.  It is hard to believe we only have one trimester left! 

Time sure flies by when you're having fun learning.  Talk to your student about what

their favorite part of the trimester was and what they can do to make trimester 3

even better!   

First Grade Tricky Words

Here are the tricky words we have been or will be practicing this school year. Please

have your child continue to practice reading and writing these words.  We have worked on Unit 1-5  in class so far.

Looking for some games and activities to help your child practice tricky words in a fun

and exciting way?  Check out these ideas!

Literacy

Click here for the newest caregiver letter!

Beach Day

First Grade Beach Day on Friday, March 6th! Students are invited to wear summer

clothes including: shorts, tank tops, sunglasses, and flip-flops  for our celebration

(no bare tummies please.) Students can also bring a towel to sit on during our

activities! Please remember that it is still very cold, and  students need to come

prepared to be outside when they leave “the beach.” 

Important Dates

Friday, February 20th-Last day of Trimester 2

Friday, February 27th-Trimester 2 Report Cards online

Monday, March 2nd-No School-District Holiday