Dear Parents,

Today marks the 17^th anniversary of the unthinkable attacks on America.  “Where were you???” Is a common question of the day. I remember where I was like it just happened and don’t think that memory will ever be forgotten….it’s imprinted in my brain.

Today the firsties and I read another book about the twin towers and I showed the firsties my pictures of “ground zero”.

 They saw the cross and it was (AND IS) a good reminder of how even in the midst of the awfulness of the day and months to follow, that God was very present.  Remembering it is certainly sad, but knowing that God is merciful and full of love can be a comfort.  9-11 is a part of our history but God is our ALL…He is our history, our present, and our eternal future.  Praise the Lord! 

Below are a few pictures from our little “ground breaking ceremony” yesterday.  I ask that you continue to keep everyone involved with this, in your prayers.  

This Friday we are going to be taking our first NWEA test.  The NWEA test is an assessment that our school (K-8) takes three times a year.  In first grade the students are tested in two areas…Math and Reading.  Both tests are read to the firsties and we take the tests on the computers in the lab.  There is nothing that they can really study for, they just need to do their best. 

The mission for this month is Leader Dogs for the Blind.  Tomorrow we have our first prayer partner activity….make sure to ask your firstie tomorrow after school, who came to our school to visit us!

Blessings on your evening!

Miss Gallagher

Dear Parents,

Another week down!  How are you feeling about the start of the year? I am sure that you have noticed that I have starting sending a little homework home.  Please make sure that after your firstie does their homework, it goes back in their folder (at the Return to School side), so that they can turn it in to their numbered mailbox in the morning. 

How did the reading go last night?  Next week I will start sending home their “Take Home Story” bags…please watch for them!  In each bag there will be two paper books for the kids to read, out loud to you, a few times throughout the week.  The bags need to come back to school on Friday,  and the next week we start all over again!  Please remember that this isn’t something that it graded.  It is simply something for your child to practice their reading out loud, so that they can become more fluent and confident and we are learning!

Have you checked out GoNoodle yet?  I am sure that your kiddo has told you, by now, how much fun it is  We use it for Brain Breaks a few times a day, but only as a privilege.  If you need me to send home the info on signing up at home, again, just let me know and I would happy to do so.  

One of the things that we do as a part of our “Morning Routine” is calendar work, making a prediction about the weather for the day, counting how many days that we are in school, and praying.  Part of our prayer time is confessing to God that we are sinners and then asking Him for forgiveness.  Before we pray, I go through and ask each firstie if they have any prayer requests.  We’ve been talking about how God wants us to talk to Him and that He DOES answer prayers.  Sometimes the answer is YES, sometimes the answer is NO, and sometimes the answer is NOT RIGHT NOW.  Does your firstie participate with your prayers at home?  I want to encourage you to have them try! 

When we are finished with our “Morning Routine” and before the firsties go back to their seats, they give each other a sweet little blessing on the back of another firstie’s hand.  Ask your firstie what the blessing is…

In Math, we are starting to add!  Yesterday we talked about part+part=whole and today we learned the word, sum.  We will talk about finding the sum, a lot!  Talk about these words with your firstie. The more they hear them, the more they will (hopefully!) become a part of your firstie’s vocabulary.  

Don’t forget that we are singing in church this Sunday, for Education Sunday.  We are singing at the 10:30 am service and all students will be meeting in the sanctuary by 10:10.  I look forward to sharing our praises to God with you and the other congregation members of Trinity. 

Blessings on your weekend!

Miss Gallagher

Dear Parents,

We made it!  First week down and I think that all the kiddos are starting to get the hang of being a big, ol’ firstie!  

It's true....!

 I have been sending home different pieces of information home throughout the week so that I don’t overwhelm anyone. I certainly don't want to do that!  

Did you get the yellow, September calendar that I sent home yesterday?  Please note that our spelling and memory tests will begin next week!  If you want to work ahead, you may do so (wink, wink!)

The bright orange Church and Sunday School sheet that was sent home today, should be filled out and returned each week.  Please mark down whether or not your firstie was in church/ss for that week, and then sign your name.  Even if your firstie wasn’t able to make it one of the weeks, I still need a parent signature.  I hope that makes sense!  If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask! 

I’m sure by now your firstie has told you about GoNoodle! I sent home a sign up/informational sheet, so that you can do GoNoodle at home!  We love it for our brain breaks and to get our “wiggles” out.  It is also fun to do at home, especially when your firstie can show you what we have done in class….then they can be the “teacher”!  We don’t do every channel, but some of our favorites are Koo Koo Kangaroo, Maximo, and Blazer Fresh.  We will explore some of the other “channels” too, but the ones that I mentioned before are the ones that we do the most. 

In Math today we explored different ways to make the numbers 6 and 7.  Ask your firstie what we did to try to show those numbers (hint, hint, hint, it involves disposable plates…).  

We have been practicing writing our numbers and letters, as a review.  Ask your kiddo what they use to help make sure they are putting the right amount of space in between their words.  

We also have been learning about how God created the world and how long that took.  Quiz your firstie and see if they can tell you something about what they learned (They can use the little creation booklet that we made to help them if they forget).  

At dismissal time, we have been learning a hymn to end our day, remembering that God loves us and that we are His children!  Here is the 1^st verse….

“Go My children, with My blessing, NEVER alone! Waking, sleeping, I am with you, you are My own.  In My love’s baptismal river, I have made you mine forever, go My children with My blessing, you are My own.” 

Amen.

Have a fun, relaxing, and very blessed weekend!  See you on Tuesday!  

Miss Gallagher

Dear Parents,
Well, we made through our first day as firsties! (The REAL test will be tomorrow though.....getting through an entire day of school....) 

Because it was storming this morning, we actually had Chapel in the Gym.  Throughout this year, we will be learning about different Psalms of encouragement.  Watch for more information about these!

After Chapel we ate our snacks (just a reminder that snacks should be healthy please) and had our bathroom break.  Did your firstie tell you that we took a quick tour of both the boys' and the girls' bathrooms?!?!  And we ALL went in BOTH?!?!  Lol......The reason for that was I wanted all the kids to see the paintings that were done in each bathroom over the summer.  It was actually a fun project and I am thankful that I was able to be a part of it.

We worked on a little Math, did some labeling, and packed up! Our time went fast today!

Thank you for sending your "jitter glitter" pictures!  Below are a few.....enjoy!

Because of the storms last night, sleeping was fitful in my household.....yours too?  Hopefully the storms are done and we can ALL get a good night's sleep. 
Blessings on your evening!
Miss Gallagher