Homecoming - Next Friday, October 4, is red and black day. Your child is encouraged to wear red and black clothing to support Creston High School as they celebrate homecoming (It's also a Spirit Day. For $1, your child can wear sweatpants to school.)  Also, school will be dismissed early/12:10 p.m.

Field Trip - Be sure to check out today's take-home folder for information and permission form for a field trip to the Thompson's Fall Festival.  We will be traveling to the pumpkin patch on Friday, October 11.  

Religion - October is the month of the rosary.  Mrs. Meisenheimer will be helping your child pray a portion of the rosary during religion class.  This unit of study will continue throughout the month of October.  Ask your child what he/she is learning in religion class.

Please remember to return your First Grade class T-shirt orders by Monday, September 30.

Dates to Remember

Fri. Oct. 4 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Red/Black day. Wear clothing to support Creston's Homecoming!

(Early dismissal/12:10 pm)

Sun., Oct. 6 - Sat. Oct. 12

National Fire Prevention Week

Creston Fire Department presentation to the First Grade

 1st Grade Shirt - In today's take-home folder is an order form for a T-shirt for 1st grade.  We will designate some days during the school year to wear our shirts.  Please complete the order form/money by Monday, September 30.  There are a variety of ways to order and pay for your convenience (as outlined on the order form).  

Language Arts - Your child is finishing module 1 in language arts this week.  Please be sure to review your child's language art's papers in the weekly take-home folder.  Please continue to review the high frequency words (sight words) for modules 1, 2, and 3 that I sent home at the beginning of the year.  Your support in helping your child
learn to read these words will increase their confidence and fluency. 

Dates to Remember

Fri., Sept. 20 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

Fri. Oct. 4 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Red/Black day. Wear clothing to support Creston's Homecoming!

(Early dismissal/12:10 pm)

Sun., Oct. 6 - Sat. Oct. 12

National Fire Prevention Week

Creston Fire Department presentation to the First Grade

(9 am)

Math information

Math  

The first graders are very busy understanding addition and subtraction.  They are learning about joining groups together and taking groups apart.  Math vocabulary is important in this area of learning.  Words they will be expected to know and recognize will be:  

• add 
• addend
• sum
• addition equation
• plus (+)
• is equal to (=)
• subtract
• difference
• subtraction equation
• minus (-)
• compare
• more
• fewer

Be sure to review their math work in the weekly take-home folder to see how they are progressing.  Also, there is a computer program that your child is working on each week called Successmaker.  This program correlates with their math learning in the classroom.  It is leveled according to your child's abilities.  Make sure to ask your child about what they are learning in math!!

Dates to Remember

Mon., Sept. 16 - Green Valley PE field trip (10 am -2 pm)

Wed., Sept. 18 - PTO meeting (6 p.m.)

Fri., Sept. 20 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

Fri. Oct. 4 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Red/Black day. Wear clothing to support Creston's Homecoming!

(Early dismissal/12:10 pm)

Chromebook Information

Social Studies - The first graders are spending time at the beginning of the school year talking about themselves and what it’s like to be in school.  Thank you for helping your child complete the "All About Me" sheet that I sent home before school started.  We have shared parts of that page for each student and now the sheets are on display for all to enjoy.  It helped us all to acquaint ourselves with each other.   We will continue discussing the “how to be a friend” topic in class.  As we progress through the school year, I will update you on their Social Studies topics.

Chromebooks - Your child has a Chromebook at school.  Thank you for reading through the technology use policy and having your child sign it.  It is important that each student understands their responsibility.  We started with how to unplug and carry the Chromebook carefully.  Also, each student has their headphones that they have learned to plug into the computer (Thank you to all for purchasing those!).  I am so pleased with all of the first graders as they have learned a rather difficult log in procedure to "get on" their Chromebook.  And, they also can "sign out".  The students also can plug in their Chromebook and put away their headphones.  One of the most challenging things to learn is using a keyboard and mouse pad.  (There is no "swiping"!)    I want all of the first graders to be able to do this independently with little assistance from me.  (And most have!!!)  Once all of that was accomplished, we have been to some "sites" on the computer.  This year, we are utilizing a program entitled Successmaker to work on math concepts and skills.  I have also bookmarked the language arts site so each student can utilize the many learning opportunites provided and assessments.  Your child has been introduced to Code to learn the basics of computer science.  And, the school has subscribed to the program Typetastic to learn keyboarding skills.  The first graders will be utilizing the Seesaw website to complete daily/weekly assignments in class.  It's amazing that we have already accomplished all of this!!!  If you have any questions, please contact me.

Dates to Remember

Fri., Sept. 6 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Cy/Hawk day. Wear clothing to support your favorite team!

Wed., Sept. 18 - PTO meeting (6 p.m.)

Fri., Sept. 20 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

Fri. Oct. 4 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants)

It's also Red/Black day. Wear clothing to support Creston's Homecoming!

(Early dismissal/12:10 pm)

First Grade Special Classes (& more)

Spelling

Next week, the first graders will not have spelling.  It's a short week because of the Labor Day holiday and I am easing them into the language arts series by spreading the first week of instruction over two weeks.  If you have any questions, please contact me either by phone (782-7125) or email (alevine@crestonstmalachy.org).

Music 

Our school’s music instructor is Mrs. Warner.  Your child has music class every Tuesday and Friday with her.  If you have any questions about music class, Mrs. Warner would be happy to answer them.

P.E.

Our school’s physical education instructor is Mr. McCabe.  P.E. is every Monday and Thursday.  Always remember appropriate shoes.  If you have any questions about P.E., Mr. McCabe would be happy to answer them.

Library

Our school's librarian is Mrs. VanGelder. Library for first grade is every Tuesday. Your child will check out 1 book, but must return it the next week before checking out another. If you have any questions, Mrs. VanGelder would be happy to answer them.

Reading

Please keep your child reading at home.  Go over the word lists I’ve sent in the take-home folder.  Your child should be reading to you each night (at least a page or two).  Whatever you can do at home to support your child’s reading will make them a better, more confident reader!!

Dates to Remember

Fri., Aug.30 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear sweatpants or wear a hat)

Mon., Sept. 2 - Labor Day (no school)

Wed., Sept. 4 - Welcome Back Picnic (5:30-6:30 p.m.)

Fri., Sept. 6 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear Cyclone/Hawkeye clothing to support the "Big" game)

Wed., Sept. 18 - PTO meeting (6 p.m.)

Fri. Oct. 4 - Spirit Day ($1 to wear red/black to support CHS)!

Creston Homecoming (12:10 p.m. dismissal)

Beginning of 2024 school year

Welcome to a new school year and a new grade for your child!

Take-home folder - The take home folder contains the papers your child has completed (and corrected) this week.  I will be sending this home each Thursday for you to familiarize yourself with your child’s weekly work.  Please sign the communication log each week and write any comments, questions, or concerns you might have (optional).  Please send the folder (and log sheet) back to school with your child the next day (usually Friday).  I am hopeful this method will keep you in touch with your child’s progress in first grade.

Special's Schedule - Parents often like to know some of the first grade schedule.  Every Wednesday is Liturgy in our gym at 9:15 a.m., which you are always welcome to attend.  Physical Education (P.E.) will be on Monday and Thursday (Please help your child remember to wear their tennis shoes on those days.  They could even leave an old pair in our classroom closet).  Music will be on Tuesday and Friday.  Sharing Time is on Friday (please read the sharing tab carefully).  Library checkout has been scheduled for Tuesday.  Your child should return their library books to checkout 1 more book. 

Spelling - Your child will begin spelling next week.  The number of spelling words will vary during the school year.  We begin the year with 6 words.  Usually the pretest is given on Monday.  Look for these papers in your child’s schoolbag as they are responsible for learning the spelling list by Friday of each week.  We practice in the room, but they need to practice at home as well (homework!).  

School Doors - The outside doors to our school will be locked during the school day.  You can come into the school through the front doors after ringing the bell and check in the office.

Email - You are always welcome to email me (alevine@crestonstmalachy.org) with thoughts or concerns.  If you are informing me of a change in your child’s schedule that day, you need to call the office as I do not always check my email during the school day.  Any time your child’s after school plans change, you need to send a note or call/email Mrs. Sanchez in the office.

Handwriting - In your child's folder is a copy of the handwriting chart that I teach in first grade.  This method is called the Zaner-Bloser method of handwriting.  Please encourage your child to use this method at home.

Religion - Mrs. Meisenheimer (the 2nd grade teacher) is also the 1st grade religion teacher.  She has a blog page with a 1st grade religion tab that has information.  You can access her blog either from my blog (There is a link on the right hand side) or the St. Malachy website.  Be sure to check it out today as she has posted some of the prayers your child is expected to know. 

I am here for your child and you.  Please email me (alevine@crestonstmalachy.org) or call me (school 782-7125) whenever you have questions or concerns. 

Thank you and let’s have a great school year!