Hello and welcome Parents to the Year 1P blog,
I hope you have all had a relaxing and peaceful holiday and enjoyed some of this beautiful Summer weather!
I am looking forward to getting to know your beautiful children and working with you throughout your child's learning journey this year.
Year One is a big, but exciting year where your child will, discover, grow, create, learn, reflect and experience an abundance of fun and interesting things in our class!
As a parent of a Year One student, it is extremely important to keep in mind that we all build on small successes. Each child will progress at his/her own rate, acquiring skills as he/she is developmentally ready. Maintaining each child's self-esteem and building a secure foundation for future growth will always remain a priority in our class.
As a parent of a Year One student, it is extremely important to keep in mind that we all build on small successes. Each child will progress at his/her own rate, acquiring skills as he/she is developmentally ready. Maintaining each child's self-esteem and building a secure foundation for future growth will always remain a priority in our class.
Here are some ways you can help:
- Celebrate your child's success, no matter how small it may seem. This will keep your child enthusiastic about learning and proud of their work!
- Look for and read any notes and letters going home and stay updated on what’s going on in our regular blog posts. These will have important information and helpful reminders.
- Read to and with your child every day, if possible. The more your child is exposed to language, the easier it will be for him/her to incorporate new skills in reading and writing in the classroom.
A few important things for the start of Year One:
Class Blog
This blog will be the main communication for any parent information over the coming year. Please enter your email into the 'follow by email' section on the left hand side of the blog so you will get email updates when I post to the blog.
Stationery
All class stationery (pencils, crayons, scissors etc.) will be collected together at the beginning of the year and distributed to the students on a shared basis. This year, we are trying to reduce our impact on the environment by not covering our books with contact. We have found in the past that the books have lasted throughout the year and it teaches the children to be responsible and take care of their belongings.
Text books including Spelling Journal, Handwriting book and headphones (If you ordered them) are the only items that require labeling.
Names
Text books including Spelling Journal, Handwriting book and headphones (If you ordered them) are the only items that require labeling.
Names
Please ensure that all personal items (hats, drink bottles, lunch boxes, uniforms crunch & sip containers, etc) belonging to your child are labelled to avoid losing items! You would be surprised how often we find a rogue shoe around the place :)
Uniform
Term one is our Summer uniform:
Girls - Summer dress with brown sandals or black school shoes with white socks.
Boys - White shirt, grey shorts with brown sandals or black school shoes with grey socks. Please see school website for more information.
New Bell Times
Doors open: 8:30
Recess: 10:40am - 11:00am
Lunch: 1:00pm - 1:40pm
End of School Day: 3:00pm for everyone, including pick up lane & bus.
Gathering Time
Gathering time begins at 8:30am until 8:40am. Please ensure that your child is at school by 8.40am. If you arrive at school after 8.40am parents are required to attend the office first with your child to sign and pick up a Late Pass and then give this to the class teacher. During gathering time, take this as an opportunity to settle your child into the day. Some mornings it could include your child completing a small English or Math game or activity or an activity relating to something we have been learning about. Please note no new learning will take place in gathering time.
New Policy for Early Leaving
This is a new OLC policy regarding early leaving - If you wish to collect your child early from school, you are required to come to go to the office first, collect a Parent Pass and then hand this to the classroom teacher as you collect your child.
Homework
OLC is following a new format for homework this year, from Years 1-6. This will be based on the Ian Lilico homework grid. There will also be a change to the Sight Words & Spelling homework tasks that the Year Ones and Two have completed in previous years. More information will follow in coming weeks.
Home Reading - As the children are settling into the new routines and expectations of Year One, we will begin sending home reading books from Week 2 Monday - Friday. We ask that your child brings their Red Reading Folder everyday so they can write the title of their new book in each morning during gathering time. On a Friday the folders will be left at school, as there will be no homework assigned over the weekends. There will be a tub placed at the front of the classroom for all of the folders.
Gathering time begins at 8:30am until 8:40am. Please ensure that your child is at school by 8.40am. If you arrive at school after 8.40am parents are required to attend the office first with your child to sign and pick up a Late Pass and then give this to the class teacher. During gathering time, take this as an opportunity to settle your child into the day. Some mornings it could include your child completing a small English or Math game or activity or an activity relating to something we have been learning about. Please note no new learning will take place in gathering time.
New Policy for Early Leaving
This is a new OLC policy regarding early leaving - If you wish to collect your child early from school, you are required to come to go to the office first, collect a Parent Pass and then hand this to the classroom teacher as you collect your child.
Homework
OLC is following a new format for homework this year, from Years 1-6. This will be based on the Ian Lilico homework grid. There will also be a change to the Sight Words & Spelling homework tasks that the Year Ones and Two have completed in previous years. More information will follow in coming weeks.
Home Reading - As the children are settling into the new routines and expectations of Year One, we will begin sending home reading books from Week 2 Monday - Friday. We ask that your child brings their Red Reading Folder everyday so they can write the title of their new book in each morning during gathering time. On a Friday the folders will be left at school, as there will be no homework assigned over the weekends. There will be a tub placed at the front of the classroom for all of the folders.
Specialist Days
Monday:
Tuesday: Music and HASS
Wednesday: Physical Education (wear teal OLC sports shirt)
Thursday: Indonesian
Friday: Library & Class sport (wear coloured faction shirt)
Support Staff
We are very fortunate to have the outstanding Mrs. Michelle Hughes to help and support the children in their learning journey throughout this year. Mrs. Hughes will be in our class Monday to Friday until 12.00pm each day.
Friday: Library & Class sport (wear coloured faction shirt)
Support Staff
We are very fortunate to have the outstanding Mrs. Michelle Hughes to help and support the children in their learning journey throughout this year. Mrs. Hughes will be in our class Monday to Friday until 12.00pm each day.
News
The children will be rostered on a particular day for news once a fortnight, with a roster and start date to be announced shortly. Each fortnight on the afternoon before your child’s news day, a bag will be sent home with some question prompts inside.
The idea of the questions is to get your child to think about what they will say to the class before they speak. It would be greatly appreciated if you could spend five minutes the night before news assisting your child to answer the questions. Please feel free to email pictures/ links or send usb's in if you would like to show news items on the smart board.
The idea of the questions is to get your child to think about what they will say to the class before they speak. It would be greatly appreciated if you could spend five minutes the night before news assisting your child to answer the questions. Please feel free to email pictures/ links or send usb's in if you would like to show news items on the smart board.
Crunch & Sip
Each morning we will stop for a 5 minute Crunch & Sip break. The idea of Crunch & Sip is that the students have a short break to increase their energy levels, increase awareness about eating fruit and vegetables, as well as encouraging them to drink water and keep hydrated throughout the school day. You can refer to the Crunch & Sip website (www.crunchandsip.com.au) for specifics on a list of foods that can be packed for this time of the morning. Generally speaking, the list will include fresh fruit and vegetables (celery/carrot sticks, broccoli, chopped or whole fruit, as well as dried fruit). Please bring along a water bottle with your child's name on it and this can be placed on their desks along with their small container of fruit/vegetables.
Canteen
Canteen
Canteen will run on Tuesdays & Thursdays & there will be a limited lunch time only menu on Fridays. Students are welcome to purchase food and drink at recess without prior ordering. If your child would like a lunch order, there will be a black lunch order box placed in the classroom that your child can place their order in during gathering time.
Teacher Contact
If you have any question or queries please don't hesitate to email me at:
monique.prowse@cewa.edu.au
I am looking forward to seeing your little ones on Monday!
Have a restful night and enjoy your weekend,
Miss Monique Prowse
Miss Monique Prowse
