Reference Information Packet
for Ms. Lesperance Classroom Information
KEEP THIS HANDY ON
THE FRIDGE FOR ALL YR. INFO.
COMMUNICATION
If you have a question, concern or
something that needs to be clarified, please get in touch with me as soon as
possible. You can call and leave a message at the school (222-1050) or email me
at michelle.lesperance@gorhamschools.org.
I am also here late (6pm) two days a week- usually this is Monday and
Wednesday- but the days vary according to my own children’s schedules. The room
phone here is 222-________. I check
email once a day and my mailbox in the office once a day. If I am unavailable or
out sick when you call or email, I will get back to you as soon as I can. (For
an emergency or urgent matters please leave a message for me with someone in the
office.)
MONEY
If you give your child money to bring to
school (book orders, field trips etc.) please put it in an envelope with
your child’s name on it and the
purpose of what the money is for written on the outside of the envelope. (On the crazy days you have run out of envelopes-
wrap it in paper and label it as if it were an envelope, or use a zip-lock
baggy with note on inside with the money. The key is to include NAME and
PURPOSE. That way the money will get to the correct spot!) This includes lunch
and popcorn money. There are unclaimed
money and tears with lost money each year …and this would reduce these events.
I have a special box on top of the student
mailbox area…so please remind your child to look
and place it the correct box. Note:
LUNCH MONEY uses special envelopes from the cafeteria if
you are not paying
directly through the Internet. I also have a box for kids to put their lunch
money - should you opt to choose method this rather than paying online. Either
way, students will
supply their name and special PIN number they punch in on a keyboard with lunch café staff each
day. This PIN number will live with them during their entire stay in Gorham Schools. Any milk,
breakfast or lunch $ issues/questions call the cafeteria at 222-1200. I will be practicing their codes
with them first full week of school- from then on it will be “homework” to have this
number memorized.
supply their name and special PIN number they punch in on a keyboard with lunch café staff each
day. This PIN number will live with them during their entire stay in Gorham Schools. Any milk,
breakfast or lunch $ issues/questions call the cafeteria at 222-1200. I will be practicing their codes
with them first full week of school- from then on it will be “homework” to have this
number memorized.
BACKPACKS,
BOOKBAGS and HOMEWORK INFORMATION
Backpacks should be large enough for
snowpants, bookbag and shoes with some room for lunchbox and/or snack bag.
Please check this bag each and every day so school items stay in
school and
home items stay at home. (Toys, even little ones, and all electronics are
not allowed in
the classroom. There are always tears when small toys are lost
or misplaced.)
BIRTHDAYS,
HOLIDAYS AND CELEBRATIONS=
We are not allowed to pass out party invitations in school; that way there are no hurt feelings.
We are not allowed to pass out party invitations in school; that way there are no hurt feelings.
Please use phone, mail or email to arrange party/ playdates.
Birthdays and holidays are important to
most young students…and they are to me too!
I love celebrations. I will be sending newsletters home around each
holiday that will map out the holiday plans. As for birthdays, if you would like
to send in a special healthy treat without sugar, nuts or milk you may do so if
you provide the ingredients list ahead of time and we seek district approval
ahead of time. Please make sure all treats are the same, however, as young
students like to have treats that match their peers. That includes size, color-
you name it! (It is a team spirit thing and a fairness goal that makes young
children so special. It is the “varied birthday treats” confound them at this
age. I am sure you have noticed this at many a birthday party with cake size-
and who has biggest piece!) If your child’s birthday falls on a weekend or a
vacation, we will honor it either before or after the day. We usually celebrate
summer birthdays the last few weeks of school. Any other special celebrations
that are canceled for snow days are also usually celebrated the following day
as well. ALL shared treats are to be counted/portioned out ahead of time and
ready to eat- for example, we do not have the time or equipment to divvy up a
large bowl of mixed treats/gifts during classroom time. Same with spooning
fruit salad etc. Many thanks for your understanding.
ALLERGY alert = every year we have several
students who are allergic to nuts, eggs and milk. Please do not bring in any
shared classroom food with these ingredients and read labels carefully before
bringing any food item to share. Again, we have to appy ahead of time for
approval.
AND WHILE WE ARE ON SUBJECT
OF SNACK…
Each day we will have time for a very,
very short snack; small finger foods like 2-3 crackers, a piece of fruit or
¼ sandwich, along
with water is perfect. Having the food in a snack sized zip-lock or item
labeled “snack” allows student to find and eat correct food quickly. Please go
over what is a healthy quick snack- so child does not end up eating chips or
cookies…or has so many items so it becomes a meal. We define a snack as a small
bite or two for an energy boost. It is also a “working snack” where kids are
listening to a story that will be a part of next lesson or playing math game.
Sending in a small bottle of water instead of energy drinks is also a
good idea. There is NO sharing of snack due to possible allergies; please go
over this rule with your child at home. Again, many thanks!
SPECIALS CLASSES: ART, GYM, MUSIC and Computer/Library
We will be having music, art, gym and media/library
each week. Special classes start the first week,
but our specials schedules will rotate and calendar to follow. Be sure and
dress in sneakers each day!
It is important for your child to be ready
for gym and outdoor weather at all times, as we will frequently be out and
about. For instance, we take walks around pond etc. So…leave fancy clothes
at home! For gym, please have your child wear slacks or shorts and sneakers. There is
at home! For gym, please have your child wear slacks or shorts and sneakers. There is
a school rule of no baseball caps, heels or flipflops for safety reasons.
Rule of thumb: Be dressed
for work and play and you will be okayJ
for work and play and you will be okayJ
VOLUNTEERS
I have a sign up sheet during Open House
but if you miss this – or your schedule changes so you are able to volunteer
later in the year- let me know! Typically I start volunteers the first weeks in
Oct. If you are unable to set a regular time, you can also come in once or
twice a year for our “special activities” or field trips. Or you can assemble
things at home or come in on those late nights when I am here until 6-7pm. If
you have a set time, you can come in and work with kids during group time
(reading, math, writing). Or you can be the accountant and handle the monthly
Book Order- which always gives us free books for the classroom! Last, but not
least, you can search out a group of willing folks to donate money to our
classroom wishlist on various book sites.
LOSING A TOOTH
We keep a tooth graph each month and
record a loss of teeth. Please send in a note if your child lost a tooth at
home so we can “put it on the graph”. This type of collection of data is a
major focus in 1st grade, so don’t be surprised when your child
comes home asking questions about our various graphs! And...losing a tooth is big excitement in first grade!
WHAT WILL BE THE BIG DIFFERENCE in 1st grade vs. Kindergarten?
From a kids’ perspective, the following
changes are often the three major differences that can trip them up the first
weeks:
1. Math journal (like workbooks) are new- and have more written math activities
- New bathroom procedures and lunch procedures.
This last one often brings on the most
confusion, glitches and accidents during the
first few week of grades 1-2. In kindergarten- and at home- one can get to
the bathroom
whenever one feels like it.
whenever one feels like it.
But we have our shared bathroom down
the end of a long hall, which requires learning
to be responsible to recognize
and try to take the time to go during breaks (before school,
lunch, recess, class breaks) as well as not fool around in the bathroom and miss instruction/ directions etc. We will be going over this in school, of course, but a “sit down conversation” between you and your child is also helpful; explaining that now that they are more grown-up
first graders, they are ready to use the “big kids” bathroom when needed.
lunch, recess, class breaks) as well as not fool around in the bathroom and miss instruction/ directions etc. We will be going over this in school, of course, but a “sit down conversation” between you and your child is also helpful; explaining that now that they are more grown-up
first graders, they are ready to use the “big kids” bathroom when needed.
Lunch in a cafeteria is often an active
event; kids must type in PIN numbers, walk
with trays and eat with
distractions. Another “sit down conversation” is helpful to explain
the
importance of taking a few bites of everything right away- and a long drink-
before
they talk to friends. It is very hard for many kids to eat with so much
to look at-but
impress upon them that time is limited so they have to “fill up
their tanks” for the p.m.
WHICH
BRINGS US TO….change of clothes!
A
large plastic bag-LABELED W/NAME and with a change of clothes should be sent in
to
“live in their cubbies for the year.” I will be sharing my own personal story
of family accidents
with all students so they understand that most everyone has
(or will have) had a bathroom
accident in their lives. Those who escape this
fate may have a trip in the mud, snow or art
mistake etc. So it is just best to
be prepared- then it becomes no big deal.
CLASS
PHONE NUMBERS AND EMAIL
We are not allowed to give out any
information about a parent or child. That being said, I feel
that since many
kids live so far apart it is important that they get together outside of
school.
And birthdays require addresses or email etc. because kids have hurt feelings if they are not
invited to events- therefore we do not allow kids to pass out invitations at school. So I request a “permission to share email”. Once I receive an email that expresses your okay to share your
email with classmates I will be able to share student emails to be used throughout the year…
but a caution…if it is lost you must find a fellow parent to retrieve info. Many thanks for understanding!
And birthdays require addresses or email etc. because kids have hurt feelings if they are not
invited to events- therefore we do not allow kids to pass out invitations at school. So I request a “permission to share email”. Once I receive an email that expresses your okay to share your
email with classmates I will be able to share student emails to be used throughout the year…
but a caution…if it is lost you must find a fellow parent to retrieve info. Many thanks for understanding!
Hopefully,
this packet will answer all of the typical questions that arise throughout the
year.
Please don’t hesitate to email me or call to set up a time to meet if you
have deeper questions
or concerns. Again, I am here until 5 pm at least 3 days a week.
or concerns. Again, I am here until 5 pm at least 3 days a week.
I
look forward to having the pleasure of working with you and your child this
year! First grade
is a year of tremendous growth and independence- especially in the areas of reading and writing
is a year of tremendous growth and independence- especially in the areas of reading and writing
which makes it such a favorite of mine!
Hurray
for first grade!
Ms
Lesperance
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