Upcoming Events - Please Mark Your Calendars

The end of November and the month of December are always a very busy time in first grade! Information regarding some of these events will be going home as we get closer so please be sure to check your child's green folder daily.   Please make note of the following dates to help keep you organized:

• Monday, November 23 - Blue, Red, and White Day: wear your blue, red, & white to support our heros. (and the Patriots)
• Tuesday, November 24 - Bring your stuffed animal to school (1st grade only) for filling the ticket jar
• Tuesday, November 24 - First Grade Parent Questionnaire is due
• Wednesday, November 25  - Pine Glen Walk-A-Thon & students should bring in a snack.  This day is a HALF DAY for students.  Students will be dismissed at approximately 11:30.
• Thursday, November 26 and Friday November 27 - NO SCHOOL for Thanksgiving.
• Monday, November 30-Friday, December 4 - Pine Glen Book Fair.  First grade students will be attending the book fair on Wednesday, December 2 to purchase books. 
• Monday, November 30   - Progress Reports will go home
• Thursday, December 3 - NO SCHOOL for Parent Teacher Conferences.  Please check your child's Progress Report for a reminder of your scheduled time.
• Friday, December 18 - Holiday Concert for Grades 1-3 at 9:00 in the cafeteria
• Monday, December 21 - Winter Wonderland
• Thursday, December 24 - Friday, January 1 - NO SCHOOL for Holiday Break
• Monday, January 4 - Classes resume  

Reminders for October

Just a few reminders for the upcoming weeks:

• Wednesday, October 14 we will have a pajama day as we get to enjoy the stars.  Mr. Musselman will be here with StarLab and we will get to experience the night sky during the day.  Please remember that students will still need appropriate footwear and jackets/sweaters for outdoor recess and also P.E.

• Wednesday, October 21 we will be having a retirement celebration for Elaine Babajtis (Mrs. B).  All of her collegues, parents, and students are welcome to come by and say hello to Mrs. B.  The celebration begins at 3:30 in the Pine Glen cafe.  There will be treats and drinks for you to enjoy.  If you plan on attending please RSVP to Mrs. Gordon at gordon@bpsk12.org by October 14. 

• Saturday, October 24 the PTO will be hosting the annual Pine Glen Halloween Dance.  This is always a fun night for kids!  If you are able to volunteer or would like further details about this event please see the PTO's website for more information.  

• Friday, October 30 is our Fall Festival.  A notice was sent home in your child's folder regarding this event.  If you would like to volunteer for this event between 9:00-10:45 please contact me.  All volunteers will need an updated CORI on file and have attended a Confidentiality Meeting.  We are asking all first graders to bring in a small grapefruit sized pumpkin and a paper towel roll for projects for the day.  This event is a fun filled morning for first graders!

Back To School Night

Back to School Night will be held on Wednesday, September 16.  Mr. Lyons will be speaking from 6:00-6:10 and then we will be havinf 2 different sessions.  Session 1 will be 6:15 to 6:45 and Session 2 will be held from 6:55-7:25.  A flyer was sent homein your child's folder with more details regarding this night.  Please remember that this night is for parents and guardians only.  We also ask that you use this as a time to see our classroom and get an overview of what first grade will be like.  It is not a night to discuss specific  concerns or questions. If you have any concerns or if  you are unable to attend please feel free to contact me.  

Confidentiality Meetings

All parents are required to have an updated COPR form on file at Sentral Office and also attend a Confidentialty Meeting with Mr. Lyons to be eligible to chaperone field trips or volunteer in the classroom. If you have not already attended a meeting, Mr. Lyons will be hosting meetings on September 14, 15 and 18 at 8:40 am at Pine Glen. If you have already attended this meeting you do not need to attend again. Please note that CORI forms are valid for 3 years. You may check Mr. Lyon's Blog for more details regarding the Confidentiality Meeting.

Welcome to Room 107!

Welcome to First Grade!

I expect that this year will be a wonderful experience for you and your child. This blog is a vital communication tool that I will use throughout the year to keep you informed of all that is taking place in our classroom. Please make every effort to check it on a regular basis. To receive emails when the blog has been updated you may subscribe to our class blog. You may do this by typing in your email address into the box titled "Follow by Email" on the right hand side of the screen.

As we journey into the first few weeks of first grade, please consider that there are many differences between kindergarten and first grade.  The first major difference is the length of the school day.  First graders now come to school for the entire day.  This will mean that your child will be much more tired for the first few months as they adjust to a longer day.  Please help your child by allowing him/her to get a full night sleep. The first few weeks require the introduction to many new routines and procedures that may take some time and may not seem as exciting for your child.  Please rest assured that I will make every effort to keep your child's experience positive and exciting, especially once we are settled into our routines.  

Another difference between first grade and kindergarten is your child's experience with a variety of teachers. Although they will now have only one classroom teacher, students will work with Mrs. Nicholas for Gym, Mrs. Agati for Music, and Ms. Fallon for Art.  Your child may also experience different teachers for reading instruction.  This will be discussed further at Open House.   

Finally, first grade is a lot of work!  I can assure you that I will never ask your child to do anything that he/she is not capable of, but will push your child to do his/her very best each day.  My hope is that first grade learning will be enjoyable for your child and will hardly seem like "work" at all!  

I look forward to a fantastic year ahead.  As these next few weeks unfold, PLEASE do not hesitate to call, email or set up a conference for questions or concerns.  

First Day of School

I hope you have enjoyed your summer!  It is hard to believe that the new school year is quickly approaching.  As we prepare for the 2015-2016 school year please make note of the following:

• The school day begins at 8:35 and dismissal is at 2:40.  
• The first day of school for 1st graders is Monday, August 31st.  
• On the first day of school your child will need to bring in their backpack, lunch, water bottle, bus transportation form and the student information form. (Both of these forms were sent home prior to the first day of school.) 
• Your child will be given all the school supplies that they need for first grade.  I ask that they do not bring in anything from home as they may get broken or may cause a distraction to your child or their classmates.  
• On the first day of school we will be having art with Ms. Fallon.
• If you are able to donate tissues, baby wipes, or anti-bacterial wipes they would be greatly appreciated. 
• Please note that there is NO SCHOOL on Friday, September 4th and Monday, September 7th for Labor Day. 

I am very excited for the upcoming school year and I can't wait to meet all of you!!  Enjoy the remaining days of summer!