August 29, 2008

Upcoming Dates

Monday, September 1st: NO SCHOOL – Labor Day

Thursday, September 4th: Back-to-School Night 6:15pm-7:00pm in Room 8
This is a mandatory informational meeting about our classroom procedures and curriculum plan for the year. There will be a PTO meeting in the MP room from 7:00pm-7:15pm afterwards.

Friday, September 5th: Scholastic book orders are due
I am including the September book order with this newsletter. This first order is very important because it gives our classroom free materials depending on the amount ordered. Please look through the book orders and if you are interested in purchasing books, make ONE check payable to Scholastic Book Clubs.

Sunday, September 14th: Cupertino Jubilee Chicken Dance @ 1:00pm
The first graders from Eaton will perform the Chicken Dance at the Cupertino Jubilee which is held at City Hall (next to the library). Plan on coming if you are available that day!

Friday, September 19th: NO SCHOOL – Staff Learning Day

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Dear Families,

Thank you for those of you who have given generous donations for our classroom! In addition to the first grade supply list, we ask each family to donate $150 (payable to Eaton Elementary School) in order to cover the costs for all the fun assemblies, field trips, projects, and activities we complete all year long. These programs are not possible without your donations. We appreciate your contribution and support! The Eaton PTO (Parent-Teacher Organization) also is asking for a $175 donation (payable to Eaton PTO) to help plan school wide events and fundraisers. Please consider these donation opportunities, as they greatly help our school!


The first few days of school have been focused on class rules and procedures. I am reminding students to be on their best behavior, to try their best, and be a peacebuilder to others. Parent communication is very important to me because I strongly believe we have a huge influence on your child’s academic and social learning. Please be sure to read these weekly newsletters carefully and remind your child to follow directions at Eaton.

Here are some highlights from the week:
• Language Arts: We have begun our phonics and vocabulary lessons by beginning a picture dictionary. I have been emphasizing neatness and proper handwriting in their work. We worked on A, B, C, and D.
• Social Studies: We are learning about ourselves and our families. We made a family portrait to share with the class. Also, we discovered all the countries that our families have come from and drew flags around the world.
• Writing: We have been learning about our classmates. We select a Prince or Princess of the day. The students interview them and then we write a paragraph about that person. Some areas we are beginning to focus on are indenting paragraphs, capital letters in the beginning of sentences, punctuation, and sentence variety.
• Math: We began our first chapter in our textbook on addition facts. We are practicing basic computation and also word problems using addition. Please review the work that gets sent home. Most of the word problems are done as a whole class so some students need more practice doing them independently.
• Physical Education: We began our PE this week. We have PE class on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students have to run around the track once and then we play games afterwards.
• Fire Drill: On Thursday, we practiced our first fire drill. We lined up quietly when the fire bell rang and walked onto the field until we were excused. We did a great job!
• Music: We have started our first grade music program on Wednesdays before lunch and Friday afternoon. We are singing fun songs led by the first grade teachers.
• Nutrition Policy: We are continuing our nutrition program at our school and we are only allowed to have one treat per month. Therefore, if your child has a birthday and you would like to share something with the class, we can only allow items such as pencils, erasers, or stickers.
• Friday Folders: Today you are receiving our weekly Friday Folders. Please review all the work that is sent home with your child and sign the back of the folder. Every week I monitor each child’s behavior using Super Stars. If your child receives green cards all week long, they will take home the Super Star (this week is the yellow bus). Please acknowledge these Super Stars and post them up in your house to remind children of good behavior!!!

We are fortunate to have an ELD aide to help out in our classroom everyday. Her name is Seema Saxena (Mrs. Seema) and she helps in our class for an hour and a half each day. Mrs. Seema is a wonderful help to us! Also, we have an ELD Specialist who will be helping in our classroom every Tuesday morning before recess. Her name is Miss Yeh. Both helpers have already been introduced to our class.

I am looking forward to meeting all of you next Thursday at Back to School Night! If you have not returned the first day forms such as: supplies, health card, library permission slip, directory information, classroom donation, etc., please do so on Tuesday! Have a wonderful weekend!