First Grade Parent Letter
September 6, 2005
Dear Parents,

Welcome to the 2005-2006 school year! I hope you had an enjoyable summer. I am delighted to have your child in my class. Attached is a Curriculum Map and Syllabus Outline that will give an overview of the first grade curriculum and expectations. Please review carefully, it contains important information about your child’s success this year.

Enclosed is a piece of our writing paper and handwriting sheet. You may want to make copies or purchase some from an office supply store for writing letters, journal entries or practicing writing letters and numbers from top down. We will be practicing D’Nealian handwriting; it will help prepare your child for cursive writing in second grade.

In addition to writing paper, the following are suggested school supplies that your child will need this year: pencils, crayons or color pencils, pencil box and a two-pocket folder.

Due to our busy school year, your child is welcome to bring some nutritious snacks and drinks each day. Students may enjoy their snacks any time during the day. Candy and soda pop are not to be brought to school. No snacks will be provided by other classmates, which may be different from kindergarten. Also students can bring a water bottle to keep at their desk. The water bottle will be sent home every Friday for cleaning.

Please look in your child’s backpack nightly. Every Thursday I will send a letter home enclosed in the "Thursday Folder." For those unfamiliar with Thursday folders, it is a folder that will come home on Thursdays with important information and reminders about school activities. The folders need to be returned on Friday or Monday. Please review the materials in the Thursday Folder and send the appropriate paperwork back to school with your child.

Our Michigan weather is unpredictable, please be sure your child is dressed appropriately. Throughout the school year, your child will need a winter coat, hat, gloves, snow pants, snow boots, spring coat and a pair of inside shoes during the winter months. Your child will be expected to go outside for recesses. If you feel your child is too ill to go outside, then please keep him/her at home.

Attached is "My Child as a Learner." Please complete and return with your child at your earliest convenience.

I look forward to working with you and your child. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns about any of the enclosed materials. My phone number is 231-889-9674. My voice mailbox number is 436.

Warmly,

Mrs. Niederstadt