Oct. 29, 2010
News and Study Guide
Important Dates for next week:
Monday: PJ Day Wear your athletic shoes for Music. But, bring your slippers for class.
Tuesday: Student Holiday
Don’t forget to VOTE
Wednesday: Scholastic Book Orders Due
Thursday: Run for our BoosterRun
Lunch @ 9:38
Run @ 12:30 – 1:45

Thank you for the many contributions towards the Booster Run. The money provides many hands-on opportunities for the children. The students have also experienced team work and learning character traits.
Please check my Blog for websites that are helpful for improving your child’s, reading, writing, spelling, and math skills. The children think of these as games, which can help motivate them to improve. There are several math sites that help with math facts. An objective for 2nd quarter is 25 mixed (addition & subtraction) problems in 3 minutes.
Please return all library books by Monday morning. If your child returns the book on Friday or before the due date, they will be allowed to check out a new book.
Shout -Out for Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Daws, Mrs. Nardulli, and Mrs. Rennie, for all the many hours they give our class. Also, thank you for sending in all of the “craft” materials for our “center” time on Friday. The children had a wonderful time.
Once again, your children are growing so quickly. If there is ever a question, call me. 770-330-6033. I know you want the very best for your child, and so do I.

Oct. 8, 2010
News and Study Guide
It is hard to believe that we are ready for our first report card. They will be issued at your conference.
I have confirmed 99% of the schedule. Please contact me if there are any changes. The school is on an extremely tight schedule. There is time for 20 minutes for each student. Please send in questions or concerns in advance so that I can use the time to your best advantage.
Please check my Blog for websites that are helpful for improving your child’s, reading, writing, spelling, and math skills. The children think of these as games, which can help motivate them to improve. There are several math sites that help with math facts. An objective for 2nd quarter is 25 mixed (addition & subtraction) problems in 3 minutes.
Please return all library books by Monday morning. If your child returns the book on Friday or before the due date, they will be allowed to check out a new book.
My computer driven Scholastic book order did not work out this month. We will try again after the Book Fair. The Book Fair will be held during Conference Week.
Shout -Out for Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Daws, Mrs. Nardulli, and Mrs. Richa for all the many hours they give our class. Also, thank you for having your child prepared with transportation notes and homework. Thank you for being so conscientious about signing daily reports, reading logs, and behavior charts.
The children love their “garden” and their “Mr. Bones” bird feeder. Be sure to ask them about them.
Once again, your children are growing so quickly. If there is ever a question, call me. 770-330-6033. I know you want the very best for your child, and so do I.
Have a wonderful weekend.

Labor Day News

September 3, 2010
Dear Parents,
Monday is our Labor Day Holiday. I hope everyone enjoys the day of rest.
The first have of the quarter is over. Many of the grades you are seeing will be recorded. Please correct all work with your child. Sign and return 1’s and 2’s. We work towards 3’s. Please check the folded standards sheet I sent home at Open House. I hope that you always feel comfortable to call, 770-330-6033.
Writing/Phonics
• Please remind your child that every sentence begins with a capital letter and ends with punctuation.
• Students should be encouraged to sound out their words and know the sight word list that was sent home at Open House.
Reading/Science:
• Tuesday we will have our Earth Parent lesson on Weather. Please send in your child’s observation sheet of measuring the wind.
• We will also visit the Library on Tuesday. Please return all library books.
Math:
• Our focus is constructing math sentences. Please review all math vocabulary. It is posted on my blog. http://mrspoesplace.blogspot.com/
• There are also many math and language arts computer games sites on my blog. You can locate the sites under my picture as a young student, right side.
• First in Math is available. I will send home your child’s user name and password. Please keep it in a safe place.
Have a great holiday.
Julie

I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow night, Tuesday, at Open House. The PTSA meeting begins at 6:30 in the cafeteria. Our meeting in the classroom will be brief but extremely informative. I will present the information through the Smartboard. You will also have the opportunity to speak with our room parents.

Parents, homework is being sent home tonight. In addition to the 15 minutes your child reads each evening, please help them "observe" the movement of the wind. They have a chart to complete and turn in by Friday.

Thank you for helping your child complete this.
Once again, thank you for all that you do.
Julie

Language Arts Vocabulary

When reading with your child, help them understand the concepts from the following vocabulary.

Topic 2 Vocabulary
self correct (fix)
beginning
setting
reread
middle
synonym
end
narrative elements
character
fluency
prediction

First Nine Week Math Vocabulary

Please review and know how to use the following math words.
Topic 1 Vocabulary

•place value
•compare
•digit
•number
•ones
•tens
•money
•penny
•nickel
•dime
•quarter
•fair trade
•more than
•less than
•set
•exchange
•equivalent
•equal

First Day!

What a wonderful day! Your children are so polite and ready for 1st grade.
Tears were gone before 8:15.
Mrs. Shepherd helped with the morning crush. She deserves a big hug!
We were able to accomplish most of the work I had planned.
Please return the sheets that require a signature from the Cobb County Packet sent home today.
I am still having concerns that these emails are not reaching everyone. I will post this one on my blog. If you see it on my blog and didn't get an email, please call me.
770-330-6033 This is my cell phone.
Reading Homework begins Monday. You will sign a sheet confirming that your child has read that evening.
Mrs. Daws and Mrs. Richa have agreed to sharing the Room Mom title. They will be contacting everyone later on helping in the classroom.
Mrs. Nardulli has agreed to be our Earth Mom
Mrs. Brown has signed up for two working days next week.
It is going to be a great Year!!!!
Thank you for your support.

Welcome letter

Dear Parents,

Welcome to my first grade classroom! I am looking forward to working with you and your child this year. I know it will be a success. The following is a list of general information to keep in mind as we begin our busy year.

 SCHOOL HOURS: 7:50 a.m. – 2:15
 TRANSPORTATION: For the safety of your child, changes in transportation must be in writing. Please put a note in his/her Take-Home Folder and remind your child the morning of the transportation change.
 HOMEWORK: Reading homework will begin Monday, August 9th. Beginning after Labor Day, students will be given other daily homework assignments. They will have homework Monday – Thursday.
 ABSENCES/MAKE-UP WORK: If your child is has an excused absence, please let us know and we will have their work ready for you to pick up. If your child should have an unexcused absence, make-up work will be given when he/she returns to school.
 BIRTHDAYS: You may send in cupcakes, cookies, pre-cut servings of cake, or other treats to celebrate your child’s birthday at lunch. Please do not send in drinks or party favors.
 LABELING: Please write your child’s name on his/her backpack, coat, jacket, lunchbox, scissors, pencil box, and folders.
 SNACK: The children will have snack time. Please send in a nutritious snack everyday with your child. A small water bottle is allowed to drink, but we have a water fountain in our classroom. Please do not send in any other drinks.
 BREAKFAST: The lunchroom will be serving breakfast for $1.00.
 LUNCH: Student lunches are $1.60 this year. I recommend that you purchase lunch credits weekly or monthly since no charges are allowed. Adult lunches are $2.50 and milk is $.50.
 VISITORS: Parent volunteers and all other visitors must sign in at the front office and obtain a visitor’s tag. This is for the safety of the children here at Ford.
 PTSA: At Ford, we are very fortunate to have a wonderful and supportive PTSA. Both parents and children are encouraged to join PTSA. Membership fees are $5.00 per person, payable to Ford Elementary PTSA.
 TEACHER CONTACT: You can email me at Julie.poe@cobbk12.org Please be aware that messages and emails are checked at the end of the day. Urgent messages should be left with office staff and they will notify me.

The Ford PTSA Handbook, which will be sent home early in the school year, will contain more detailed policies and important dates. The Cobb County web site also has valuable information.

Having your support is very important. If we work together as team, we can provide your child many opportunities to learn and succeed. If you ever have any questions, suggestions, or concerns, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Mrs. Poe

New Year 2010 - 2011, New First Grade

I am so happy to be teaching 1st Grade this year.
Sneak A Peak is Tuesday, Aug. 3.

I hope to see you then!

May 20, 2010

Dear Parents and Precious Students,

My heart is full of emotions as I say good-bye to this class. It has been one of the most satisfying years in my sixteen years of experience in the classroom.

Our school experienced major changes which have included the School of Excellence, Mrs. Pepper as PTSA Principal of the Year, Seeds of Hope Gardens, Captain Planet, and a full year of Science Lab sponsored by our BoosterRun. It has been an exponential year of growth physically and mentally.

We have also been able to weather through many climate changes; the Flood of 2009, Volcanic Ash from Iceland, (Who ever would have imagined that happening?) and now the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

Through it all, you have been a constant. Your children have been sent to me ready and anxious to learn. They are in training to be our leaders of the world and the caretakers of our future. They have strived to be independent learners. They have learned that their lives are determined by the choices they make and that they make a difference!

You have showered me with gifts, working with me in the classroom, numerous emails, phone calls, and compliments. Your children have taken rainy, cold, dreary days and brought sunshine into the classroom with hugs, smiles, and love beyond standard. YOU have made this year one of the best in my career. It goes without saying I will miss working with you.

I have been at Ford Elementary nine years. Previous to that I worked seven years in Paulding Co. Five of those years were in 1st Grade. Also, I have taught swimming for more than 30 years with all age groups. Nothing is set in stone, but I have been asked to teach First Grade next year here at Ford. I hope that you will continue to support me by visiting me on the First Grade hallway. Change is always an opportunity to learn and grow. I am looking forward to the move.

It goes without saying that this is one more reason this 2nd grade class will always hold a most special place in my heart.

Thank you again. Please continue to keep my phone number/email address. I welcome all communication.

Julie A. Poe