SAINT JOSEPH LAB SCHOOL
A School You Can Believe In
Sharing – Each table has an assigned day for sharing. Your child will know which day is theirs.
Birthdays – Please celebrate in any way you and your child would enjoy. Treats must be store bought according to MN regulations. Please remember peanut free/not processed on equipment that also processes peanuts. Because we eat snack at school, it is possible to eat a birthday snack together. Apples and caramel dip, strawberries, carrots and dip, or any fresh fruit/vegetable is always a treat. If a parent wants to come help pass at snack time (9:05am), that is fine too. If your child celebrates a summer birthday, we will celebrate them as ½ birthdays during the school year, or at the beginning or end of the year. If celebrating with a home party, please mail invitations to avoid hurt feelings.
Book Orders – Every month, I will send home book orders. Please do not feel obligated to order anything. However, taking advantage of the offers is an inexpensive way to build a library at home for your child. Reading is SO important in first grade, that anything you can do to encourage it would be helpful. The classroom also benefits from your order by receiving free books.
Class Masses – The first grade will plan several liturgies this year, Oct. 23, Jan. 8, , and March 26. Please have your child dress neatly for these special days. Join us if you can!
Word Cards – A set of word cards may come home periodically. Please practice these at home with your child. When your child reads them with ease, send them back.
Visiting – please stop in and visit anytime, just check in at the office first.
Volunteering – if you would like to volunteer in our room, there are lots of things to do. Please call me and we can coordinate times that work for both of us. There are a couple of times that extra hands are needed regularly. I appreciate help in the computer lab on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 1 - 1:40. I also need help with stations on Fridays from 8 am - 9:50 am. You can do this on a regular basis or only once or twice. If you would like to be on an email list, I can send a note when we need help also.
Library – Please take your child to the new St. Cloud Public Library, and get them a library card, if at all possible. Go there as often as your families schedule allows. It is such a great thing for your early reader to do!!!!!!!! They can bring these books to school for DEAR time or to share if they like. The College of St. Benedict has a beautiful library also. Residents of St. Joseph can get a library card for a dollar! Please visit there also.
Estimating Jar – This year your child will bring home an estimating jar. Please help your child decide what he/she would like to fill it with (to the top if possible). Rice, beans, rocks, legos, hair clips, or buttons are all possibilities. Get creative!! Please send the full jar (and the actual number of items. This can be taped under the lid) back to school on Monday.
Home Folder – One of the pocket folders your child brought to school has been designated their home folder. It will go home every afternoon and needs to come back to school every morning. It will contain your child's work and other important correspondence.
Money – Please send all money in a sealed envelope labeled with your child name, grade, and purpose.
Homework – READ! READ! READ! Your child will be expected to read or be read to 10 - 15 minutes each night. Also, spending time practicing math facts (+,-) is most beneficial for your child.
Label – Label everything that comes to school, especially snow pants, mittens, and hats.
Notes – Please send notes for tardiness, early dismissal, and absences. If there are any changes in your child's regular routine, please send a note for that change also.
Thank you for all your help in making this the best first grade experience for your child!!!
Joanne Schneider
