Jackson Elementary First Grade

Dear First Grade Families,

What an exciting week in First Grade! Our classroom was full of mathematicians, scientists, voters, and poets. This week, we solved addition and subtraction word problems up to 20, investigated what happens when objects collide in science, voted in our class election for Duck or Grace for President, and explored rhythm and rhyme through classic nursery rhymes!

Read on below for classroom updates and key reminders for the week ahead. Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

The First Grade Team

• Phonics Focus: Silent e- Rule 3: The c says /s/ and the g says /j/ because of the e. H.F. Words: came; Heart Words: where, one, they

• Reading: I can retell and compare fairy tales.
• Writing: I can retell a fairy tale using the main story elements.
  

• Social Studies: I can understand how historical figures helped shape our state and nation.

• Science: I can plan and conduct an investigation that predicts how pushes and pulls can stop, start, or change an object’s motion.
• Math: I can use addition and subtraction strategies to solve word problems up to 20.- *NEW*- see Math parent resource letter at the bottom

• November 11th- Veterans Day Assembly- see flyer below for details- Wear red, white & blue
• November 16th-20th- Book Fair Week
• November 18th- Turkey Trot (during Specials)
• November 19th- Grandparents & Special Friends Lunch- Grades K, 2, 4 (1st grade will eat lunch in the classroom- bring a lunch from home)
• November 20th- Grandparents & Special Friends Lunch- Grades 1, 3, 5 (Lunch Time: 10:45-11:30 am)

Students have a Daily Folder that comes home each day and should be returned to school the following day. Please check your child's Daily Folder every day. The folder contains a GROWS expectations chart, monthly calendar, Specials calendar, a Take Home Section for papers, and a pouch for guided reading books (more information to come in September).

• The lunchroom is now open to visitors.
• Guests must park in the parking lot.
• Guests must have their ID scanned and given a badge to wear.
• Guests are not permitted to walk any other locations of our building during your visit.
• You are only allowed to eat with your child on stage.
• Our lunch time is 11:25-12:00.
• If you choose to take pictures/ selfies during lunch time, please do not include any other students in your photo.
• Other useful information:
• To put money on your child's lunch/breakfast account, please visit My School Bucks.
• Free and Reduced Lunch Application
• Meal Account Restrictions Form

Friday, November 20, 2026

First Grade: 10:45am-11:30am: Click Here for First Grade Fast Pass

Students in the designated grade levels will eat lunch in the cafeteria with their visiting grandparents, special friends, or other family members.

On the day your child's grade level is NOT scheduled for Grandparents and Special Friends Lunch, students will eat lunch in their classrooms.

Thursday, November 19: 1st Grade, 3rd Grade, and 5th Grade (eat in the classroom)

Friday, November 20: Kindergarten, 2nd Grade, and 4th Grade

On classroom lunch days, students will need to bring a lunch from home or purchase a sack lunch from the cafeteria. No visitors will be allowed in the classroom on Classroom Lunch Day.

• RSVP Deadline for number of guests attending, Thanksgiving lunch order, and sack lunch order: Monday, November 9, 2026

• Sack Lunch Payment Deadline: Friday, November 13, 2026

• Guests who were not able to pre-register using the links above will be required to check in with the front office. Please ensure that all family members have a hard copy of their personal identification (driver's license or passport) on the day of the event. We are unable to accept a photocopy.

If your child will be purchasing a sack lunch, please ensure their student account is funded by Friday, November 13.

Please complete the form to indicate your child's lunch arrangements and whether any grandparents or special friends will be attending. If you have multiple children at Jackson, please submit one form per child.

Thank you for helping us prepare for a wonderful celebration! We look forward to welcoming our Jackson grandparents and special friends!

* Indicates required question

Please enter the email of the person completing the form.

Your child will be bringing home a communication page each day in their take home folder. Our campus as a whole decided this would be an excellent way to stay connected about your child and their expectations here at school.

This folder contains important information regarding:

• Classroom Expectations: A clear outline of the expected behaviors in your child's classroom.

• School-Wide Expectations: An overview of the positive behavior expectations for all students at Jackson.

• Behavior Tracking: A record of your child's positive behavior and any instances where they may have needed redirection.

• Communication Log: A space for teachers and parents to communicate about your child's behavior and any concerns.

We encourage you to review the folder with your child daily and discuss the importance of positive behavior at school.

We believe that open communication between home and school is essential for your child's success. We appreciate your partnership in supporting positive behavior and creating a positive learning environment for all students.

No notes is GOOD!

A positive note is EXCELLENT!

A note describing a behavior incident will be noted as well.

Please send a snack and water bottle to school each day. Snacks should be easy to eat and easy to clean up. Please make sure your child's water bottle is labeled and spill-proof. We want to keep our carpets nice and dry! Also, please only send WATER in the water bottle---when spills happen, the desks/ carpet become sticky and stained.

Please label ALL of your child's personal items. This can include, but is not limited to: water bottles, lunch boxes, jackets, change of clothes, headphones, backpack, etc.

Sometimes the excitement of what's going on in class keeps students from going to the bathroom because they don't want to miss anything. They may wait a little too long and have an accident. While this rarely happens, the student and teacher are relieved when parents have packed a change of clothes. Please pack a change of clothes for your child in a gallon-sized baggie labeled with his/her name to keep at school. Pack a well-used outfit that can be worn for any season and include a change of underwear and socks.

Due to classroom allergy safety, please DO NOT send food/ candy treats. If you would like to send birthday treats with your child, we encourage goody bags instead. If your child would like to pass out birthday invitations to his/her classmates, they may be distributed at the beginning or end of the day.

Thank you for your patience during school dismissal. Please look at these tips that apply to your family:

• Please help your first grader learn their new family dismissal number and a gentle reminder to remain quiet during dismissal. Please use the current 26-27 car tag.

• Accompanied Walkers- Please write your child's name and teacher's name on the car tag using a permanent marker. They exit through the door near the circle drive.

• Bus Riders- Please help your child learn their AM & PM bus number.

• Unaccompanied Walkers- They should only be leaving school with an older sibling. Older siblings should not leave the building without their younger sibling. For safety reasons, first graders do NOT walk home alone. Unaccompanied walkers will be walked to the crosswalk. Parents are not to meet students at the building if they are an unaccompanied walker.

The teachers in First Grade use various types of positive reinforcement, such as tickets or "sprinkles" to reward students when they are making good choices. Students may then use their tickets, etc. to purchase coupons such as bring a stuffed animal to school, Show-and-Tell, wear a hat to school, and more. If your child tells you they earned a coupon at school, please let him/her bring the item to school. If your child's class earns a reward, such as a pajama day, your child's teacher will communicate that to you.

Students will earn "Betty Bucks" for demonstrating desired behaviors in all common areas of our school. Earned "Betty Bucks" will be deposited into their grade level's jar. Each week, a drawing will take place where names are randomly selected and there will be a winner chosen from each grade level. Winning students will then have the exciting opportunity to choose from a variety of rewards. We believe that strong partnerships between home and school are key to unlocking your child's full potential.