Monday update

Things at school are going well. We are really getting involved in the curriculum now and exploring new ways to learn. We are working a lot on being independent. It is important at this age for students to start to feel like they are an active part of their learning. We are increasing the amount of responsibility that is placed on students. With that being said the following things are going to begin taking place.

• If students are missing any work on Friday they will not be allowed to participate in our Character Counts celebration at the end of the day (a.k.a Fun Friday). They will, instead, need to finish the work.
• The missing work will go into the grade book (Jupiter) as a zero until rectified. 
• Students may make up (redo) an assignment if they are unhappy with their grade for any reason. This will need to be done as homework.

Please contact me ASAP if you are concerned with your students grade. You can check this at any time on Jupiter grades. If you do not have your login information you need to contact me as well. Please stay on top of this so there are no "surprises" at the end of the quarter. Progress reports will go out next Tuesday.

We are getting into leveled reading, writing and math groups. Hopefully this will mean more valuable learning for each student at their needed level. I will be differentiating spelling lists in addition to the in-class leveled activities that they will complete. Please do not hesitate to approach me for more or less work. I want to do what is best for your student and you are the expert on them. With all of the ability levels present in our class I am going to have my work cut out for me -- if you can volunteer in the classroom any time please do so! Just send me an email to let me know when you want to come in. I can always use help running copies, laminating, or working with small groups in math or reading. The parents who have come already have been an absolute blessing and a huge help! Thank you!

As parents you are doing such a fabulous job! I hope that your little ones come home saying that they are enjoying school. Things have been a little rough lately as we are really trying to train them in procedures and independence. Please encourage them to continue working hard; they are all such great kids and I am lucky to be their teacher!

Spirit Day Monday

On Monday it will be spirit day at Filibertos! If you make a purchase at this restaurant on Monday August 20th please make sure to mention Ranch Elementary to have a donation go to our school PTO.

Also please "like" the Ranch PTO group on Facebook and follow the directions to vote for Ranch on Give with Target. This is such a simple way to give to our PTO with little effort. For every 25 votes we get a $25 gift card. We are competing with Ellsworth Elementary right now and we need to pull ahead! Tell all of your friends and family to get on and vote! :)
Ranch PTO Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ranch-Elementary-School-PTO/146850305338247
Give with Target - https://givewith.target.com/schools/98105

Spelling and homework!

Today I sent home the homework sheet! It's official, homework has dawned on the little darlings.

I am asking that everyone read at least 4 nights a week for a minimum of 15 minutes each time (please do read more if you have the time!). This is the best way to get the students involved in what print looks like and sounds like. I suggest that if you are going to do the reading, allow them to see the book and point out things like our sight words or words that fit in the word family! This helps them make the connection between school and the real world.

I have updated the Weekly Skills page to reflect what we are learning in school this week. The spelling words are listed there as well as sight words, high frequency words as well as the word families.

I will send home a sheet tomorrow that has their spelling words on it for you to practice with them at home. If you want ideas about how to practice them feel free to ask me! Get creative with it :)

If you would like to volunteer in the class but have not turned in the Helping Hands sheet, or have changed what you want on that form, please contact me by Wednesday! I am hoping to have the schedule out by then.

You are wonderful parents! Thank you for staying involved in your child's education!

Get me those papers!

Please remember to turn in all paperwork by FRIDAY! The dental care packet and the blue medical sheet are both needed back before Friday. Please get the other information to me as soon as possible as well.

This week is flying by! We are having fun but learning lots and lots of rules as I am sure you have heard. It's a tough week for the kids as they get used to new rules and procedures. Not to mention just getting back into the swing of being at school and using those brains! :)

You all have some fabulous kids and I am blessed with a great class of caring individuals. This will be a great year!

First day!

My goodness! Whew! We have all survived the first day!
It was a great day that just FLEW by! All of the kiddos came in looking so cute and were so well behaved, I was very impressed. I'm sure they didn't come home looking as cute. Boy was it hot outside at recess!

Just as a reminder it is really hot, really sunny and sticky too! If you would like to send sunscreen with your student for recess time that would be fine. They will be responsible for putting it on themselves but it wouldn't be a bad idea just for the next month or two. I know they sell the cute twist up kind (they look a little like glue stick containers) somewhere so that it isn't so messy for the little ones.

Also, a BIG thank you is in order for all of the supplies that came in this morning! It was overwhelming how much support I have from parents. It is great to see all of you taking such a big role in your student's education. It feels amazing to know that I have the support of all of you along the journey!

Please pack snacks for your kids! HEALTHY snacks! It's a long day and they need brain food.

I will be finishing up the take-home folders this week and we will start using them next week. Reminder: homework will be reading for 15 minutes at least 4 days a week until I have a chance to assess student knowledge and set up homework packets at individual levels.

PLEASE DON'T FORGET THAT YOU MAY EMAIL ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS YOU HAVE!! Don't be shy! :) I will work on a volunteer schedule this weekend and get that out to all of you wonderful parents next week!
You rock!

Give your kiddos a hug for me!

Welcome to Ms. Kistler's first grade classroom!

Hello Parents & Guardians!
    Welcome to our classroom blog! I am looking forward to a fabulous year. Here are just a few things to make sure we're ready for Monday:


*If you have not done so already, please make sure to bring the completed forms back to school. It is important to keep everyone updated and these forms will help to start the year off right.


*Our school doors open at 7:55. No student will be allowed on campus any time before that, this is a safety issue. If your student is getting breakfast in the morning they may enter the multi-purpose room at 7:55 and do so. We will all meet on the playground before school to line up and walk in together.


*Snack time will be an important part of our day. As the kids get adjusted to being at school again it is crucial to take a brain break and I ask that they have a nutritious snack to help them through all of the brain work that we will be doing!


It has truly been a pleasure meeting all of you and your families! I am looking forward to seeing everyone in the classroom throughout the year. I appreciate the time you take to invest in your child's education. It is extremely important and meaningful to them! 


See you all on Monday!!