Weekly Update

Hi Everyone!

I hope you've been enjoying the cooler weather.  The kids are talking about apple picking, the sun is setting earlier, and the stores are full of Fall decorations.  Our family is enjoying sitting by the fire pit while preparing to "tuck in" for the winter.  I love this cozy time of year!

Please Subscribe to My Blog!

If you were directed to this post by a link in an email, please take a moment to subscribe to my blog by entering your email address in the box to the right that says "follow by email".  You will receive a confirmation email to verify your subscription. Please clink the link in the email to verify your email address.  You will then receive an automatic notification each time I've published a message.  Please don't skip that important last step -- you MUST verify/confirm your email address to be subscribed.  ***Please note:  At the end of September, I will no longer send an email to notify you of content on the blog.  You must be subscribed to receive classroom news and updates.***

Please Sign Up for a Conference!

Parent / Teacher conferences will be held at the end of the first quarter.  I am using Sign Up Genius to schedule conferences.  You can sign up for a conference time by clicking HERE.  If you are unable to attend a conference on one of the dates / times listed, please send me an email to make alternate arrangements. 

RAZ-Kids, Dreambox Learning, and Reflex Math:

RAZ-Kids, Dreambox Learning, and Reflex Math are web-based programs that allow your child to practice reading (RAZ-Kids), math skills (Dreambox Learning), and math fact fluency (Reflex Math).  I sent home your child's log-on information for these learning platforms yesterday. Please allow your child to explore these fun and valuable learning tools!

Important Information About School Pictures:
Fall pictures will be taken Friday, September 30th.  This will be a day for individual pictures only; a whole-class picture will be taken in the Spring.  Following are some guidelines to help facilitate your picture order / purchase:

• If possible, please order your child's pictures online.  It's the fastest, easiest, and most convenient way to order your child's pictures.  If you order online, you do not need to send anything to school with your child on Picture Day!
• If you are not ordering online, please fill out the payment envelope, enclose your payment, and send it to school on picture day.  Your payment envelope must include your child's name, my name, your "look" (or background) selection, and your payment.

Next Week is a Hat Drive and Spirit Week:
In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Pinebrook will host a hat drive next week to benefit Ellie's Hats Foundation, which distributes new hats to children who have lost their hair due to childhood cancer treatment.  Please consider donating a new hat during our hat drive.  We will also raise awareness through a school-wide Spirit Week.  Themes for each day are:

• Monday:  Pajama Day
• Tuesday: Twin (Buddy) Day
• Wednesday: Wear a Hat
• Thursday:  Mismatch Day
• Friday:  Wear Gold / Yellow 

First Grade Math Night:

Please mark your calendar for our First Grade Family Math Night on Wednesday, October 5th from 6-7 pm in the Pinebrook cafeteria.  Come to play some fun math games, and leave with instructions for how to play at home.  Siblings welcome!

Focus Areas for the Coming Week:

• Reading:  We will talk about retelling stories and making connections when we read.  I will begin administering the Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA) to determine your child's current independent reading level.
• Writing:  We will continue learning the routines and procedures of Writer's Workshop as we explore the idea that "writing is just telling on paper".
• Math:  We will continue learning the routines and procedures of Math Workshop as we explore number sense and counting.
• Science:  We will talk about our 5 senses, the 4 seasons, and the relationship between the Sun, Earth, and Moon.  

Please let me know if you have any questions!  I welcome your feedback.

Happy Friday!