Grade 1 Newsletter - Seabrook Primary School

Page 2 Grade 1 Newsletter—Term 1 2012TISSUES, PAPER TOWEL AND EVAPORATIVE HAND CLEANSERA donation of a box of tissues to share within the classroom throughout the year wouldbe greatly appreciated. We also require paper towel for spills. Evaporativeantibacterial hand cleansers/gels are most useful for using before eating as we do nothave sinks in each classroom. You may wish to send a small individual tube/bottle foryour child or larger pump packs to share. All donations will be greatly appreciated.TOYS AT SCHOOLAt times children will want to bring “special things” from home to share or show theirclassmates (e.g. Nintendo DS). Teachers will encourage children NOT to take theseitems outside, however we hope you can appreciate that, at times, children will playwith their treasures outside and thus things “go missing”. Please speak to your childabout looking after their things and to leave them inside with the teacher. It wouldalso assist us if items were clearly labelled with names.A reminder that expensive or exclusive items SHOULD NOT be brought to schoolwithout parent permission. Your help in this matter is appreciated.Please note that school does not carry insurance for personal items.ART SMOCKSChildren in Grade One have started Art lessons. An Art smock is required to protectyour child’s school uniform from media used in the Art room. Please send along asmock or an old shirt, clearly labelled, for your child to wear.SWIMMING PROGRAMA Swimming Program is in the planning stages for later on this term. A note explainingthe details, (cost, venue and dates) will be sent home in the near future. Weencourage all children to take part in this program, to help learn new, as well aspractise and further develop, existing swimming skills.INQUIRY TERM ONEThe Curriculum Overview outlining the first Inquiry will be sent home in week four.This Inquiry is about Communities and will follow the Learning To Learn programundertaken during the first three weeks of this term. Please help your child byreminding them to bring in an artefact that is related to their learning so that he/shecan discuss it with others.HOMEWORKFor Grade One children in Term One, it is recommended that daily reading of TakeHome Reading Books occurs. We also recommend the reading of books borrowed fromour School Library, the local community public libraries (including involvement in themany free activities for children that are available) or from your child’s own personallibrary at home. As the term and year progresses some spelling, mathematics or topicrelated homework may be introduced at the discretion of each class teacher. Allstudents have a Mathletics login, which can be used at home, outside school hours.Please encourage your child to take advantage of this, as this exciting and valuableprogram is provided to all Seabrook students at no charge.SPECIALIST TEACHERS:Art – Paul Cochran & Leonie MalvasoL.O.T.E – Elena PirovanoP.E. – Blair Ganley, Kelleigh Evans & Paul CochranCLASSROOM TIMESClassrooms will be open from about 8:40 am daily, to allow teachers to be thoroughlyprepared for the day. Children will be able to come into the classroom to change theirtake home reading material. If you wish to discuss any issues with your child’steacher, please make a mutually agreeable appointment time. As teachers are ofteninvolved in meetings from 3.30 pm onwards, appointments can be made in advance todiscuss issues of serious concern that require more time and/or the attendance of theAssistant Principal or Learning Community Leader.

Page 3 Grade 1 Newsletter—Term 1 2012GRADE ONE ASSEMBLYGrade One Assembly will be run fortnightly, commencing on Friday the 10 th ofFebruary, in the gym, from 2.30 to 3.00 pm. Merit certificates and acknowledgments ofstudent achievements will be presented. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend.PARENT HELPERSThe Grade One Team is committed to providing your child with a stimulating andenriching learning program. To do this we require your assistance and co-operation.All parents are invited to offer their time, experience and expertise in thedevelopment of a home/school partnership. The benefits of this approach are welldocumented.Classroom helpers usually work with the teacher in providing students with extraassistance. Please see individual classroom teachers for days and times.JUMPERS/CONTAINERS/SUNDRY ITEMS:Please ensure that your child’s jumper, hat and other belongings have been clearlylabelled with your child’s full name. In addition, regularly check that the labels havenot faded or fallen off. This should assist when locating jumpers and other belongingsthat are misplaced. Please check our Seabrook Lost Property Collection regularly.Thank you and best wishes to you and your child for a great year of learning and fun.Habiba Durani, David Trott, Rima EL Souki, Laura Garro, Theodora McGlade, SharonPeterson, Anna Hallatsch and Virginia ThompsonThe Grade One Team