1st Grade Class Newsletter

Hello 1st grade families!

Thank you to all you who were able to make it to our Open House! It was wonderful seeing our students so excited to show you their classroom, their friends, and their work! Please let me know if you were unable to make it but would like to stop by! :)

We have been preparing and learning independent work habits for the past 6 weeks. This week, we are excited to finally start putting those skills to use as we begin Otter Block, or our small reading groups! We will also begin to learn about Dia de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, as we learn about the different traditions and celebrations that our families celebrate.

Please keep reading to the end to find out what more we will be learning as well as important dates and announcements.

All the best,

Alondra Mendoza

Dia de Los Muertos and Family Photos: We will be creating an ofrenda in our pod of loved ones who have passed away. We would love and encourage families to participate by sending a photo for our altar! You may also email it or text it to me and I can have them printed! If you would like to learn more, please take a look at the PowerPoint we will be using in class below :)

Thank you to those who have sent a family photo for our Classroom Community board! We would like to continue to add photos, so if you can, please send those in, too!

Parent Conferences: Parent conferences are just around the corner! During this time, we will be discussing your goals for your child, as well as areas for glows and grows. We will be sending in our next newsletter times and dates to sign up.

Rain and Jackets: With rainy season upon us, we do go outside to play except in the case of severe rain. Please make sure students have appropriate jackets for the weather. If you are in need of rain gear such as rain jackets or boots, do let me know and we can support by getting one for your child! As a reminder, there is a new No Umbrella rule at our school. Thank you for your understanding.

Snacks: Thank you so much to all who have supported our classroom by proving snacks. They have been helping so much during our day when we might be needing a little brain food! Goldfish, fruit snacks and fruits, crackers, and juices are always welcomed!

PTA News:

All PTA events, offers, and activities are open to the entire Olympic Hills Elementary Community! You do not have to be a PTA member to join in the fun. If you would like to join the PTA for additional benefits and to be able to vote on PTA business, you can do so here: https://olympichillspta.org/join-the-pta/

• The annual Move-a-Thon will take place on Friday, October 20th from 8:15-10:15am. The PTA is hosting this event as a fundraiser this year. Please invite your friends and family to donate! More info, including how to share your student’s personal link, can be found here: https://olympichillspta.org/event/move-a-thon-2/.
• If we reach the total fundraising goal of $5,000, the whole school will get a Cozy Day! The fundraiser will allow the PTA to continue to fund grants for our educators, field trips, and whole school enrichment programs.
  
• We have an additional class spirit and participation goal! We will be charting class participation and spirit at the event on our class bingo card. Each class will have a square. If we get a blackout (all classrooms), all classes will be awarded an extra 15 minute recess during the week of November 6-9th!!! We encourage you to come up with a fun class cheer, wear purple and gold, or some other way to show off your spirit.
• If you are interested in volunteering at this event, please email OlympicHillsPTAVolunteer@gmail.com
  
• The first Family Movie Night of the school year will be on Friday, October 20th. The PTA will be showing The Book of Life, produced by Guillermo del Toro and directed by Jorge Gutierrez. Doors open and concession sales start at 5:30pm. The movie will start at 6pm.
• Snacks, popcorn, drinks and slices of pizza will be available for $1 each. $5 suggested donation per family. Supervision not provided. All children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Save the Date: Our first Family Engagement Night (PTA membership meeting) of the year will be on Thursday, November 2nd from 6-8pm. Bring the whole family for a Día de Muertos celebration! There will be so many fun activities including sugar cookie decorating. We will be serving a free dinner.

• October 20- PTA fundraiser Move-a-thon 8:15 - 10:15
• October 26 Latino Family Council 6-7pm

• November 10 Veterans Day (no school)

• November 20 – 22 Elementary conference days (no school for elementary and K-8 students

• November 23 – 24 Thanksgiving and Native American Heritage Day (no school)

READING: I can make connections and answer questions about key details in a story..

WRITING: I can generate ideas and add details to my writing and illustrations..

MATH: I can learn new strategies to help me add and subtract.

SOCIAL JUSTICE/ Social-emotional learning: I can be an upstander when I see unfairness happening. I can pay attention by tracking the speaker and respectfully listening.

Email: almendoza@seattleschools.org
Location: Olympic Hills Elementary School, 20th Avenue Northeast, Seattle, WA, USA
Phone: 3606749903