Let's Celebrate!
*updated September 9, 2008*
BIRTHDAYS
There will be LOTS to celebrate in First Grade! We'll celebrate each child's birthday, including those summertime ones! Dickerson has adopted a school birthday policy. Due in part to the large number of food allergies, there will be no edible treats, such as cupcakes, etc., allowed for birthdays. As an alternative, we invite each family to donate a small gift to the classroom, such as a book, puzzle, craft item, game, etc. Some parents choose instead to give each individual student a little treat, such as a pencil, sticker sheet or eraser. We'll read a birthday story on your child's day, and he/she can open the gift and present it to the class. We're looking forward to this birthday tradition!
CLASSROOM HELPERS
Parents are integral to making first grade a great success! The PT0 will usually choose one or two "head" class parents early in the school year, and I will send home a form asking if you are interested in helping in or out of the classroom. Please know this is open to ALL parents - the PT0 simply chooses a contact person.
I will contact the head class parent early in the year, and together we'll tentatively plan our celebrations. Usually we'll have 4 or 5 parents help out with each classroom party. I will ask the contact person to give everyone who expressed an interest an opportunity to join us for at least ONE of the classroom events. Thanks for your understanding in this matter! The more help we have, the better!
OTHER CLASS CELEBRATIONS
In October, we'll have our annual Dickerson school costume parade, as well as our classroom Halloween party! Children are invited to wear their costumes to school, bringing a change of clothes in a bag. After the parade, we'll celebrate in our classroom and the parent helpers will remain to assist children out of their costumes before lunch.
In December, we'll celebrate the winter holidays the old-fashioned way -- with a Pioneer Party and Frontier Feast! Classroom helpers will organize authentic l800's games and prepare recipes inspired by pioneer author Laura Ingalls Wilder!
February is the month of friendship, and we'll conduct a classroom post office to share all of those valentine letters. We'll celebrate with a valentine party, where the highlight will be to open and read those cards! And don't forget to wear RED!
February also usually means the school-wide celebration of the 100th day of school! We'll do everything the HUNDREDS way that day! This is a class celebration - no parent helpers are required.
Our springtime celebration will focus on the best planet -- Earth! Our Earth Day party will be coordinated by classroom helpers, and will feature games and activities reinforcing the theme "Earth Day is Every Day."
By June, we'll be ready to celebrate a successful first grade year! We will picnic either at Grove Street Park, and it will be a time to say goodbye to first grade, and hello summer!
Buzz back home!