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

February 13, 2026

 

Hi Families!

What a “LOVEly”   week we had.  The students enjoyed exchanging valentines with their classmates.  It was so touching to see all of their happy faces when they received such heartfelt valentines from their friends!  Thank you to our wonderful volunteers who planned such fun games and activities for our Valentine’s Day Party! 

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! 

Headphones

Please check with your child to see if they have working headphones. It is very helpful for students to successfully complete their independent work. 

Important Dates

Monday, February 16 - No School - District Holiday

Friday, February 20th-Trimester 2 ends

Friday, February 27 -Trimester 2 Report Cards online

Monday, March 2-No School-District Holiday

February 6, 2026

Dear Families,

We are looking forward to celebrating Valentine’s Day as a class on Friday, February 13 and continuing to build our friendships! As a reminder, we will be passing out valentines and having a celebration. Please help your child check that they have a valentine for everyone in our class. There is NO FOOD allowed on the valentines. We are looking forward to a LOVE-ly day!

Valentine's Day

We are all looking forward to Valentine's Day on February 13th. If you choose to include an item with your child's Valentines, please note that only non-food items are allowed.  Please see attached letter for more information! 

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 1-4  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

Important Dates

-Tuesday, February 10th-Early Release-2:05 pm dismissal

-Friday, February 13 - Valentine’s Day Party and Pass Out Valentines; Half Day of School-11:45 am dismissal

-Monday, February 16 - No School

-Friday, February 20-Trimester 2 Ends

Thank you for all of your support!