October 2, 2026

 Dear Families,

What a fantastic week!  We had so much fun learning about our body systems and how they work together in a network!  Ask your child to tell you some facts about the skeletal, muscular, circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems! 

Smart Watches

***Please see below for a reminder from the Principals Message on August 21, 2026 regarding cell phones and smart watches.

Cell Phones & Smart Watches

To maintain a focused learning environment, cell phones and SMART watches must remain silenced and in airplane/off mode during the school day.  Because SMART watches function much like cell phones—with games, texting, and calling—they are subject to the same expectations.

If a device becomes a distraction or is used for communication, it may be confiscated and kept in the office until the end of the day.  Students may pick up their device at dismissal.  If distractions become a recurring issue, parents may be asked to pick up the device.  If students need to contact home during the school day, they should ask their teacher for permission to use the office phone.

Behavior

We are working hard on demonstrating expected behaviors in the classroom and in the hallway.  We do this by modeling expected behaviors, talking about what these behaviors look like and sound like, and practicing them.  As we are establishing  routines and expectations, we are finding that many behavior prompts and reminders are needed.  We would love your help in encouraging our students  to show positive behaviors regularly.  Below are some areas we are focusing on:

1. Follow directions the first time they are given. 

2. Show whole body listening:  (eyes looking at the speaker, ears ready to hear, mouth quiet, hands in your lap or by your side, feet quiet on the floor, and body facing the speaker)

3. Stay on apps that your teacher assigns.

4. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.

Reminders each morning at home and follow up conversations after school would be extremely helpful.  We are so grateful for your support!

Important Dates

-Thursday, October 8th–Early Release; Virtual Conferences 5:00-8:30 p.m.

-Friday, October 9th-No School; Virtual Conferences 10:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

-Monday, October 12th-No School

As always, please reach out with any questions or concerns. Have a great weekend!

September 25, 2026

 Dear Families,

We had so much fun celebrating Johnny Appleseed with apple activities! Talk with your child about their favorite kind of apple. Encourage them to use descriptive language and complete sentences. You can continue the learning at Apple Fest this weekend!

Over the weekend….

Each Monday students write about their weekends.  Sometimes it is hard to remember what we did come Monday morning.  To help your child during our writing time they will be coming home on Friday with an “Over the weekend” circle map.  Please take a quick minute or two on Sunday to help them fill out their circle maps.

Thank you in advance for the help!

*If you need a new circle map click here.​

​

Important Dates: 

None for the upcoming week!

Thank you so much for all of your support at home.  Have a great weekend!

September 18, 2026

 Dear Families,

We had such an amazing week!  We learned about what makes up a sentence, a (who) and a (what).  We then distinguished between words that were sentences and words that were not.  After that, we had the opportunity to write about our weekends.  First, the students used their circle map filled with ideas (thank you for doing this at home with your child!).  Then they wrote a sentence or two about their weekends.  The students were so enthusiastic to share what they did over the weekend with me!

Parent Directory

The KCSD96 Family Directory is now available with information updated for the 2026-2027 school year!  This could be helpful for planning playdates and birthday parties.

Johnny Appleseed Day

We are excited to celebrate Johnny Appleseed’s Day on Friday, September 25.  If you would like to get into the spirit, you can send an apple with your child to eat for snack time.  We will be doing a couple of fun apple activities too!

Literacy

Click here and here for two stories we read in class this week that your child can practice reading at home! 

How Can I Help at Home?

In Math:

We have been practicing counting to 120.  You can help your child practice their math skills at home by having them practice their counting out loud.  Different ways to practice could be telling them a number 1 to 120 and have them continue to count until you say stop.  They can count by 1s, 2s, 5s, or 10s.  This is a great skill to fit in while driving to practice, school, anywhere! Have fun counting!

Over the weekend….

Each Monday students write about their weekends.  Sometimes it is hard to remember what we did come Monday morning.  To help your child during our writing time they will be coming home on Friday with an “Over the weekend” circle map.  Please take a quick minute or two on Sunday to help them fill out their circle maps.

Thank you in advance for the help!

*If you need a new circle map click here.​

In Writing:

You can help your child practice writing at home too. Perhaps you can write about something that the family experienced together.  This could be as simple as going to the park or the grocery store.  Give your child an opportunity to talk out their ideas.  Then encourage your child to draw a simple sketch and label some of the pictures.  (The students can sound out words they might not know). After that, give a sentence starter such as, At the park, I.... .   Then have your child copy the sentence starter and start writing. Feel free to have your child share what they wrote on Seesaw!  We would love to read it!

Important Dates

Monday, September 21-No School

Friday, September 25- Johnny Appleseed Day

September 11, 2026

 We had a great week of learning in first grade!  In social studies, we learned about being good citizens and members of a community. We learned that community members can be leaders, make choices, follow rules and are respectful and responsible. Students can think about other communities that they are part of outside of school.

Fall Book Fair

We are looking forward to the upcoming Fall Book Fair! Our class will be attending the book fair to preview books on Tuesday, September 15th  and to purchase books on Thursday, September 17th.  Families are welcome to visit the Book Fair in the small gym during the Ice Cream Social on Thursday, September 17th from 5:00-8:30 p.m. 

Snack Reminder

As a class we reviewed how to keep our friends safe by being allergy aware.

Snack time is a great time to practice these skills! As a reminder, please only

send fruits and vegetables. Also, please pack your child’s snack in a

separate container from their home lunch.Items in their home lunch cannot be in the classroom if they are

not fruits and vegetables. This will help keep everyone safe and healthy

in our classroom. Thank you!

Over the weekend….

Each Monday students write about their weekends.  Sometimes it is hard to remember what we did come Monday morning.  To help your child during our writing time they will be coming home on Friday with an “Over the weekend” circle map.  Please take a quick minute or two on Sunday to help them fill out their circle maps.

Thank you in advance for the help!

*If you need a new circle map click here.

Literacy

Here you can find our caregiver letter that shares all of the fun things we are learning about! 

Expected Behaviors

We have been working hard to learn 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

Thursday, September 17 - Book Fair purchase;  Ice Cream Social 5:30-8:00 p.m.

As always, please reach out with any questions you may have.  Thank you for supporting your child at home.  Enjoy the weekend!

September 4, 2026

What a fun week of learning we had in first grade!  In math, the students were using

the number rack tool to help them think in groups of fives and tens, discovered

different ways to make a number, and solved word problems. The number rack is a

very helpful tool that builds number sense and helps students discover problem

solving strategies. The students worked so hard on MAP too.  I couldn’t be more

proud of them!

Over the weekend….

Each Monday students write about their weekends.  Sometimes it is hard to remember what we did come Monday morning.  To help your child during our writing time they will be coming home on Friday with an “Over the weekend” circle map.  Please take a quick minute or two on Sunday to help them fill out their circle maps.

Thank you in advance for the help!

*If you need a new circle map click here.

Guest Visitor

Families will have the opportunity to be our class Guest Visitor! This is such a fun chance for families to come in and read to our class or teach about something special to your family. Please bring 2-3 books or an activity that will take about 15 minutes. Please only sign up for one time per family, thank you for understanding!  Click here to access the Guest Visitor Sign Up!

Literacy

Here you can find our caregiver letter that shares all of the fun things we are learning about in Knowledge!

Reminders

Please make sure to send your child with the following items each day to school:

• Kildeer Folder

• water bottle 

• Snack 

• lunch (unless your child is getting a school lunch)

Expected Behaviors

We have been working hard to learn 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

Monday, September 7 - No School

Wednesday, September 9 - Picture Day

Friday, September 11 - Fun Run

As always, please reach out with any questions you may have.  Thank you for supporting your child at home.  Enjoy the weekend!

August 28, 2026

Dear Parents,

I can't believe we have already been in school for a week!  The time has flown by!  The students have been learning so much.  In math, we have been grouping objects, making graphs and sharing observations about patterns we see.  We also have been counting by 1’s, 2’s and 5’s. In addition, the students have been participating in Work Places this week where they were able to freely explore manipulatives such as unifix cubes, pattern blocks and dominoes. Please see this parent handout for more specific information about what we will be learning in Unit 1. 

Thank you for attending Curriculum Night. I appreciate you taking the time to hear all about first grade.  I look forward to our continued partnership throughout the remainder of the school year.  If you have any questions or concerns regarding your child or our classroom, please do not hesitate to contact me.  Here is the slide presentation from Curriculum Night.  

Curriculum Night Form

If you have not yet had the opportunity to fill out your form from Curriculum Night, please use the QR code sent home in the folder with your child or the link here. It is so helpful to read more about your family and child!  Thank you, I really appreciate your time!

Over the weekend….

Each Monday students write about their weekend.  Sometimes it is hard to remember what they did come Monday morning.  To help your child during our writing time, they will be coming home on Friday with an “Over the weekend” circle map.  Please take a quick minute or two on Sunday to help them fill out their circle map.  Thank you in advance for the help!

*If you need a new circle map click here.​

​

Literacy

Here you can find our caregiver letter that shares all of the fun things we are learning about in Knowledge!

Here you can find our caregiver letter that shares all of the fun thighs we are learning about in Skills!

Expected Behaviors

We have been working hard to learn 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

MAP Testing 

On Wednesday, September 2nd and Thursday, September 3rd, students will be taking the MAP test in Reading and Math.  MAP stands for Measure of Academic Progress. The purpose of these tests is to understand your child’s strengths and areas of growth. Knowing this information will help us plan instruction to best meet the needs of all students. A good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast is recommended.  Thank you! 

Important Dates

Wednesday, September 2nd - MAP Testing

Thursday, September 3rd - MAP Testing

August 21, 2026

 Hi Families!

We had a great first full day in first grade!  We had our first all school assembly, explored the school and started to get to know each other. It was so nice to have our class together.  I am looking forward to a wonderful school year!

Throughout the year, you will receive email updates from me with reminders, school information and updates on the learning happening in the classroom! I am using the email that was provided to the office during student registration. If you prefer to not receive updates to this email, or would like me to use an alternate email, please let me know. Below is some information and reminders about first grade!

Take Home Folder

Please send your child’s blue take home folder to school every day.  You received this folder during Meet the Teacher.  

Snack

Each day, including half days, we will have a snack. Please send one snack with your child from the approved snack list (fruits and vegetables only). 

After School Plans

Please be sure to send an email, call the office or send a note with your child if their dismissal plans differ from a typical day. If you are changing plans, please make sure to contact the office before 12:00 that day. This helps us ensure that all students make it to the correct place after school. Thank you for your help!

Class Schedule

We will be doing so much exciting learning this year in first grade! Click here to view our daily schedule!

Curriculum Night

Curriculum night is on Wednesday, August 26, from 6:30-7:25 pm for first grade. During this time, I will be sharing information about the first grade curriculum, class expectations and daily routines.  If you are unable to attend curriculum night, I will send home the information with your child on Thursday.

Important Dates:

Wednesday, August 26th: Curriculum Night