Weekly Notable News Update
Dear Parents,
It was wonderful meeting with every First Grade family during Parent Teacher Conference Week! We have a wonderful team.
First Grade is in charge of the annual Cake Walk on October 19th. Please remember to donate a minimum of 2 dozen individually baked goods for the Fall Festival. Baked goods should be dropped off in the Music room Friday morning when you bring your children to school. A sign in list will be out to check your child's name off for their donation. If you would like to assist our room parents and volunteers, please help us organize and pack the baked items after Mass on Friday, October 17.
All 1st Grade students donating 2 dozen baked goods will have "NO WRITTEN HOMEWORK" Thursday night, October 16, 2025!
Our Life Skill will be Patience. We will be discussing and reading about the many ways we can wait calmly.
We are working in Math Ch. 4 Addition and Subtraction related facts (fact families or number bonds). Please practice addition and subtraction fact families (0-7). i.e. 1+2=3, 2+1=3, 3-1=2, 3-2=1 etc. Math fact families must be committed to memory without using fingers. Please practice with flashcards or one of the many technology applications. Students may also use the Freckle application to practice Math facts at home, (by selecting the dog icon and choosing "Math Facts" on the tab). I will begin one on one Math fact addition and subtraction (0-7) assessments October 14th. Students need to have quick recall of the sums and differences.
Please assist your children in reading and following all directions. For assistance with Math you may access www.sadlier.connect.
We will be working in Unit 3 of the Superkids. Please practice Unit 3 vocabulary words on Seesaw to help your child read them easily. Some of the Vocabulary words will also be on the Spelling lists, handwriting, and dictation lessons.
Homework: Please help your child read both weekly stories. The first story is the "Super Short" it will need to be video recorded by 6:00 pm on Thursday night. Please post the video on the Assignment section (lightbulb icon). The journal section is only for graded assignments. Students must be seen when reading. Please choose a quiet location, without noise from talking, cleaning, cooking, siblings, or the TV, to record. Parent assistance may not be given on the recording.
The Unit 3b Spelling test will be Thursday. Please study all 10 words.
Accelerated Reading (AR) quizzes are part of weekly homework. All students must have a minimum of 5 points by October 24th. Currently, 18 students are beyond 5 points. Great work!!!!
UPDATE ON PARENTAL ACCESS TO AR: I reached out to Renaissance and received the following information for parental access. Please try:
Sources:
-
Parents can sign up to receive an email every time their children take an Accelerated Reader quiz. The email includes the book's title and author, the student's score, the points earned, and the book/article level.
To sign up, parents select Get Email Updates, either from the student Home page (when their child logs in) or in Renaissance Home Connect at the top of the page.
Please be sure to help your child prepare to take one AR quiz in class on the first school day of each week and a second quiz by Thursday. When your child is prepared to test, please complete the form by printing neatly (include the book quiz number) and send it to school along with the book that they will test on. AR quizzes may only be taken at school. Please see the school webpage to access Accelerated Reading, subscribe for scores, and find books (and reading levels and quiz numbers) available for quizzes. This website also gives point levels for each book. Please be sure to keep track of your child's progress. Keep reading "Thomas Team"!
As primary educators, parents are asked to insist on neat work. Your child's finest effort is expected on all work including homework (coloring, printing, cutting etc.). Please be sure to have a clean surface for the completion of homework. Papers must not have oil, food, etc. on them when handing them in. (This is a direct reflection of your support, and student effort and integrity in all work).
REMINDERS and UPDATES:
- We are having updates to the school internet system. I will keep you posted if this prevents access to our apps.
- It is getting chilly. Autumn weather can quickly change. Please be sure to send a uniform sweater to school.
- October 17th: Trimester Award ceremony. First Grade Fall Festival Cake Walk preparation after Mass. Please let Mrs. Cano know if you can assist. We need at least 5 parent volunteers. It usually only takes a few hours to prepare for the Cake Walk. THANK YOU!!!
- OCTOBER 29th: The 1st Grade class will host the Prayer and Flag ceremony in the courtyard at 8:20 am. Please bring your camera and join us. We hope to have you support us for our first Prayer and Flag Ceremony!
- October 30th: Trunk or Treat. Ofrendas are due (see the Home and School Connection for details).
- October 29th Autumn homework is due : Please decorate the turkey worksheet provided, cut it out, and return it on October 28th or 29th. The turkey will be printed on cardstock. Please use creativity to disguise "Tom Turkey" so he will not be caught and served on Thanksgiving. Use any craft items: i.e. silk flowers, felt, fabric, etc. (Do not use organic material, food, or glitter). Our projects will parade in the hallway. (Do not just color the turkey). Some of the previous disguises include: careers, sports, religious staff, super heroes, other animals, Christmas trees, ornaments, bugs, cartoon characters etc. Have fun working with your child on this First Grade tradition.
- November 3rd: Winter Uniform will be in effect.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have questions or concerns. Your support is appreciated. Have a wonderful week.
God bless you. God bless America!
T.E.A.M. Together Everyone Achieves More!
Blessings,
Mrs. Thomas
