Back to school!

It was great to meet so many of you today at GATE Jump Start.  I am really looking forward to the first day of school on Tuesday.  Many parents asked me today about what supplies are needed.  Our district has a policy of not asking parents to provide supplies, so please do not feel any pressure to buy anything.  I have prepared everything that your child will need during class.  However, I recommend that each scholar bring a folder with a pocket for holding homework, a whiteboard eraser (a sock is a cheap and easy eraser!), and a box of colored pencils.  It's not necessary to bring these, but they would be very helpful!!  Please send your child to school with a backpack for carrying home important items and a healthy snack for our recess at 9:50 am.
Our first grade lunch time is from 11:50-12:30.  Parents are welcome to eat lunch on campus with their children, just be sure to sign in at the office first.  Because our school is so large each grade level goes to recess and lunch at a slightly different time.  That way there is enough room for all children to play safely and with the appropriate age group.
Today was a very hot day and we will have more hot weather into September.  My first graders are always welcome to bring water bottles into class to keep cool.  Just make sure that they can open their water bottles by themselves, please, so that I don't have to disrupt class to help them.  First graders are also welcome to bring hats to wear during playground time in you wish.
Please make sure that your child knows exactly how they are getting home from school.  If they are a bus rider, make sure they know their bus number, what their bus stop looks like, and who is meeting them at the bus stop.  If they are being picked up, please make sure they know who is picking them up and what kind of car to look for.  I will walk the students out to the South parking lot and wait with them until they are all picked up.  Knowing how they are getting home will help your child to feel more comfortable during the day.
On Tuesday morning, children will play on the blacktop and playground until 8:30 when the bell rings.  When the bell rings, the other teachers and I will blow our whistles and show the scholars where to line up.  Our class will line up on the number 8 because we are in room 8.  Then, I will walk them into class.
Last but not least, I wanted to give you a glimpse at our classroom.  I have been working very hard to get it ready and all that's left to add now are your wonderful scholars and their masterpiece quality work!  I can't wait for the school year to begin!