Dear Parents,

    The First Grade year is a time for tremendous growth and learning.  Your child will learn many new skills and concepts.  Our main goal is to enable your child to make a successful transition from kindergarten to first grade.  We will seek to help lay the foundation for lifelong learning, and to be effective communicators with you as we work together through this academic year.  We desire for each child to develop a postitive self-concept, and will provide opportunities to help your child reach his or her full potential.

    Learning is a social activity and your child will be provided opportunities to work cooperatively, collaboratively, and to develop and apply problem-solving and critical thinking skills.  This approach to an integrated curriculum uses literature, hands-on experiences, and computer technologies.   

    We believe that learning is also a team effort between students, parents, and the school.  We ask for your cooperation in helping your child in each of these key areas:

    1.  Develop a lifelong reading habit by reading together after school and/or nightly before bed (Chema Reading Program).
    2.  Return all forms promptly (permission slips, cards, etc.) in the daily folder.
    3.  Help your child develop a sense of responsibility (turning in homework).

We look forward to working closely with you to help make this a meaningful and positive school year for your child.

Sincerely,

The First Grade Team

Katherine Colella
Diane Helfrich
Patrice Sheikh
Jamie Pavia