Back to School Parent Letter 7-31-24

Hi! School is just around the corner. I’m excited to get the opportunity to work with you and your child. Together we will make this a successful year!

I have enclosed a transportation schedule. However, I have already sent home a survey via email, so just be sure to fill out one of them and return it to me before the first day of school. This will be the schedule your child will follow unless I get a note or phone call from you changing it. For safety reasons, I cannot take your child’s verbal statement of where s/he is going. Also, please call the office before 1:00 if at all possible to make sure I get the message. 

On the back of the transportation schedule you will find a social media release form. I update my classroom blog each week with pictures and news. The kids really enjoy seeing themselves and sharing what they are doing with family and friends. I also like to publish a lot on the school Facebook page. I encourage you to let your child be a part of this. You may also use any of the pictures I take of your child...just drag them off the page or screenshot. Check out our classroom blog at: www.vcslk1.blogspot.com to get a feel of what our classroom will be like:)!

Your child will have his/her own personal locker. Please feel free to leave extra clothes in a labeled bag in this locker. This way your child can change if a mishap occurs (puddles, paint etc.). The school day tends to start off cool and get hot by the afternoon the first couple of months. Feel free to leave a sweatshirt or shorts in the locker as well. I don’t mind if the kids change during the day.

We will have a snack each morning. I also allow the kids to grab a “working snack” in the afternoon if they get hungry. It’s a good idea to pack an extra just in case.! Water bottles are also welcome! 🙂

Students will need a backpack and a one inch - three ringed binder. Please write your child’s name in bold print on the cover of the binder. We use the binders to hold our poetry in. If anyone would like to donate an extra one inch three ringed binder, I would really appreciate it. Students will take their poetry books home in June. I will send homework and notes home in the folder that the PTO purchases for us. I check folders each morning for notes and homework. It would also be helpful to keep a plastic reusable bag in the front pocket of your child’s backpack. This helps when there are projects to bring home.

First Graders will have desks with a small storage area. I would like each child to have his/her own work supplies. Stores usually have these items on sale extremely cheap towards the end of summer. I have already purchased a desk organizer for each child. I would like each child to bring the following items to keep in his/her organizer:  a glue stick, Crayola colored pencils, Crayola 8 or 10 count markers, Crayola crayons, 3 Ticonderoga pencils (pre-sharpened if they have them), two thin dry erase markers, and two highlighters. We also need Clorox wipes, tissues and Ziploc bags (sandwich and gallon size) and plain brown band-aids. 

We could also use donations to our treat box (party supplies, old happy meal toys, things you might be throwing away that would be a treasure to a first grader). Dollar Tree gift cards are always appreciated throughout the year. This is where I get LOTS of our project supplies, guess box items and treat box prizes.

If you have any questions, feel free to call me at school (947-6573). You can also reach me by e-mail at lkimball@veaziecs.org. 

I want to make your child’s transition to Grade 1 as easy as possible...

 yours too :)!

Sincerely,

Laurie Kimball

P.S. Can’t wait to see you at Open House on Tuesday, August 27th from 5:00 - 6:30. Feel free to bring your child’s supplies in then and they can set up their desk and locker. This way they will have less to carry on their first day of school the following day. 

For those that enjoy lists, like me, I’ve attached one with supplies on it. 😀

First Graders Should:

Bring Daily

Backpack

Folder (Provided by PTO)

Snack/Lunch (unless getting it at school)

Bring to Open House or on First Day

Extra clothes for locker (in a labeled bag)

Glue stick(s)

3 Ticonderoga pre-sharpened pencils

Twistable or regular Crayola colored pencils

Twistable or regular Crayola crayons

8 or 10 count of Crayola markers

2 highlighters

2 thin Dry erase markers

1 - 1” 3 ring binder labeled with name

Optional Donations

Tissues

Clorox Wipes

Bandaids (plain brown ones)

Prizes for Treat Box

Sandwich or Gallon Size Ziploc baggies

Dollar Tree Gift Card for class projects/treats/supplies

Also, don’t forget to fill out the online survey I emailed OR return the transportation/social media form enclosed. 🙂