December 2015

Dear First Grade Families,                                                                               

I trust everyone had a wonderful and restful Thanksgiving holiday.  It is nice to be back in school again, and hear the different activities that your children enjoyed during the school break.  Thank you all for taking the time to come out for conferences.  I very much enjoyed having the opportunity to speak with each of you.

In Bible, we will be studying the life of Moses, and we will continue to learn the Ten Commandments.  Commandments 4-6 will be due on Thursday, December 10.

            4. Remember the Sabbath Day by keeping it holy.

            5. Honor your father and your mother.

            6. You shall not murder. 

We will continue and review the Ten Commandments after the Christmas break. 

During the second half of the month, we will be discussing the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our memory verses will be John 3:16-17.

            “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.”

This memory work will be tested on Monday, December 21. 

Your child is invited to visit the Penguin Patch Christmas Shop this month, during the week of December 7.  More information will be sent home from the office, giving an exact day for our classroom visit, as well as details about an appropriate amount of money to be sent for your child to shop for Christmas gifts for his/her loved ones this year.

We will have our Christmas party on Tuesday, December 22.  We will be having a book exchange in the morning.  Each child is asked to bring one book, costing no more than $5.  Girls should bring a book for another girl; boys should bring a book for another boy.  Each book should be wrapped and labeled as follows: 

                                                            To:  A Girl/Boy

                                                            From:  Your Child’s Name

Please send the book to school by Friday, December 18; we will have our book exchange early in the day on December 22.  The party will be in the afternoon.  Thanks!

There will be no school from December 23-January 3.  Classes will resume on Monday, January 4, 2016.

 If you have any questions regarding any of our classroom information, please contact me at your convenience.  I pray that you have a beautiful Christmas season!

In Him,

Jackie McClure

November 2015

As the days begin to get cooler, I’m realizing that the year is progressing very quickly.  We have been very busy in first grade, and time seems to be flying!   

With the weather growing colder, please keep in mind that the children should be dressed appropriately.  We do go outside on cold days; children should be wearing coats that can button or zip, and a hood or a hat.   

Each year, our students participate in a can drive to help provide Thanksgiving dinner to those who cannot afford it.  This year, we are donating our cans to Oxford’s Neighborhood Services.  Each class has been assigned a specific food item.  We are collecting 1 lb. cans of green beans in first grade.  More information, including collection dates, was sent in white envelopes on November 4.  Please mark your cans with a ‘B’ from a boy and a ‘G’ from a girl.  We will be lining the halls with the cans, and will see if the boys or the girls bring in more cans. 

Our Bible memory work for November:

Genesis 28:15 – Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land.  Due Tuesday, November 10.

After this verse, we will begin learning the Ten Commandments, starting with commandments 1-3, which will be due on Tuesday, November 24.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.

2. You shall not make for yourself an idol.

3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

Report cards were sent home on Tuesday, November 3.  Conferences will be held on Monday, November 23 and Tuesday, November 24.  Dismissal for the students on these days will be at 12:30.  We do not eat lunch at school on half-days, but children will need to bring a morning snack.  There will be no aftercare on these days.  I am very much looking forward to this opportunity to meet with you to discuss your child’s progress, and to get to know you as well.

Scholastic orders for November will be sent in your child’s white envelope on Tuesday, November 10.  Please return these by Friday, November 13.  Please make checks payable to Jackie McClure.  If any items are gifts, please let me know, and we will arrange for you to pick up the order in the office. 

Our November Birthdays:

Mikayla turned 7 on November 2.

Ivy turns 7 On November 23.

Happy birthday, friends!

We will be having a small Thanksgiving celebration on Friday, November 20.  We will watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving.  If you would like to provide a snack or drink for this small celebration, please contact me by email.  I would like one salty snack and one sweet snack, as well as drinks, if possible.  Please keep our nut allergies in mind.

The annual Book Fair will be set up during conferences.  Your child will have an opportunity to preview the book fair and make a list of books that interest him/her.  Students will not be given an opportunity to buy books.  You will be able to browse the shelves at the Book Fair during conferences, and make any purchases then.  

             

There will be no school from Wednesday, November 25, to Friday, November 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Classes will resume on Monday, November 30. 

Important Dates to Remember:

            November 7       ~Picture Retake Day

            November 10     ~Genesis 28:15 due

November 13     ~Scholastic orders due
            November 19     ~Twin Day (school-wide Spirit Day)

            November 20     ~Thanksgiving Celebration

            November 23     ~1/2 Day of School

                                    ~Parent-Teacher Conferences and Book Fair

            November 24     ~1/2 Day of School

                                    ~Parent-Teacher Conferences and Book Fair

            November 24     ~Commandments 1-3 due

November 25-27~No School.  Thanksgiving Holiday

November 30     ~School resumes

            As always, feel free to contact me at any time with questions or concerns as we partner together in your child's educational experience at Bethany!

In Him,

Jackie McClure

October 2015

Thank you for helping to get our school year off to such a wonderful start!  I have been enjoying my time with your children thus far, and am so very glad that we have the rest of the year to spend together.  

            Friday, October 2, is our annual fundraising banquet at Hartefeld Country Club, beginning at 6:30 pm.  We have a wonderful evening planned, and I hope to see you there!  Please remember that Friday, October 2, is also a half-day of school.  Please do send a snack with your child, as we will have snack. 

            Grandparents’ Day is on Friday, October 9.  Please keep in mind that this is a half-day of school.  Our day will end at 12:30.  We will not be having lunch at school on half-days.  We will have a snack time in the classroom.  Please be sure to send a healthy snack to school with your child.

Picture Day will be Wednesday, October 14.  You will receive more information in the

white envelopes closer to that day. 

The first quarter ends on Tuesday, October 27.  Report cards will be sent out via Renweb on Tuesday, November 3.  There will also be no school on Tuesday, November 3, due to a Teacher In-Service Day.  Conferences will be held on Monday, November 23, and Tuesday, November 24.  More information will be sent home regarding this. 

        Our Bible memory work for October will begin with Colossians 3:12-14, our theme verse, in its entirety:

"Therefore as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion kindness, gentleness, humility and patience.  Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.  Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

This will be due on Thursday, October 15.

Our second verse for October will be Genesis 8:22

            "While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease."

            This will be due on Tuesday, October 27.

Please be sure to return the Bible memory books on the days that verses are due.

            We are celebrating two birthdays this month:

                        Scotty D. has a birthday on October 1.

                        Cage has a birthday on October 15.

Happy birthday, friends!

            Our classroom is full of excited learners this year!   We have been reading Colors Glowing, our first story reader of the year.  The students are having a good time reading about the Miller and Lopez families, and we have had a few good laughs together at some of the silly situations that the characters find themselves in!  Reading homework will begin sometime this month.  Please be on the lookout for books to be sent home, along with instructions and assignments.

            We are working on many interesting things in math class this year,  and I would like to ask for your help.  I would like each child to spend some time at home practicing math flash cards for addition and subtraction.  These can be bought (they are available at Wal-Mart, as well as well as many other stores) or made with index cards or poster board.  Children should practice addition and subtraction facts up to 20.  This will help your child as concepts become more difficult in math class, as well as when we begin administering timed tests.

            Please be sure that your child is returning all homework in a timely manner.  Math homework is sent periodically, and should be returned on the date indicated on the paper.

Thanks!

            Again, thank you for your help thus far, and I look forward to continuing to work with each of you as our school year progresses!  

 In Him,

                                           Jackie McClure

August/September 2015

Welcome to First Grade at Bethany Christian School!  I am so glad that God has placed your child in my class for the upcoming school year!  For those of you who were able to make it out to our Open House, it was a pleasure to meet you.  If you were unable to attend, I look forward to meeting you sometime soon. 

My name is Jackie McClure, and I am a 2001 graduate of Pensacola Christian College, in Florida.  I have a daughter, Cadence,  who is in second grade at BCS this year.

This will be my eleventh year teaching first grade at BCS, and I am very thankful for the opportunity to teach your child.

There will be no school on Friday, September 4, and Monday, September 7.

Our initial time together in first grade will be spent getting to know each other, and helping your child become familiar with the new environment, as well as the routines and rules that he/she will be expected to follow throughout the year.   

I will be sending a form to those who volunteered as homeroom parents/party helpers, as soon as I can get all of the necessary contact information together.  If you did not get to sign up at Open House, but are interested in serving as a Homeroom Parent or Helper, please let me know so that I can include your contact information on the list.  Thanks!

I would like each child to keep one silent reading book in his/her desk at all times. Please send a silent reading book to school for your child as soon as possible.  Thank you.

           

Each day, your child will be participating in a special class.  Our schedule for the year is as follows:

Monday – Computer

Tuesday – Music

Wednesday – Art

Thursday – Gym (Please dress your child appropriately, in comfortable clothing and sneakers.  No jeans, please.)

Friday - Art (1st half of the year)

Gym (2nd half of the year)

I will let you know if the schedule changes at all during the course of the year.

            
Every Wednesday, your child will be attending a Chapel service in the church sanctuary.  It is our goal to not only teach your child more about God and His love and plan for them, but also to train him/her to behave in a reverent and respectful manner while in a church building.  Children are expected to bring their Bibles to Chapel, and to be attentive throughout the service.  Each year, there is a theme verse for all of the students at Bethany.  This year, our theme verse is Colossians 3:12-14 - "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity."  All Bethany students will be expected to commit this verse to memory.  I will test the students on the theme verse on Friday, September 26.

            

In addition to weekly Chapel services, our class will have a daily Bible lesson in the classroom.  As a part of Bible class, children will be given Bible memory work throughout the year.  Our first Bible verse for the year is our theme verse.  We will learn one verse of the passage at a time, and eventually be able to put it all together.  We will start with Colossians 3:12 - "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience."  This will be sent home in Bible memory books on Tuesday, September 1, and will be due to return back to school for recitation on Monday, September 21.  Please be sure to send Bible memory books back to school on the due date throughout the year. 

            

Bethany Christian School will be walking in the Solanco Parade on Wednesday, September 16, in Quarryville.  Please look for more information from the office.

            We are celebrating two birthdays in our class this month:

                        Ethan will turn 6 on September 5.

                        Scotty B. will turn 7 on September 28.

            Happy birthday, friends!

Save the Date!

Our annual banquet will be held on Friday, October 2 at 6:30 pm at the Hartefeld Country Club in Avondale, PA.  This will also be a half-day of school.  We will dismiss at 12:30.  Children will need to bring a snack to school, but no lunch.  Please be sure to send in your RSVP for the Banquet as soon as possible.  I hope to see you there as we celebrate how God is using Bethany in our community.  We will have a special guest with us; April Knight is a Scripture Doodler.  She will be at school visiting the students on Thursday, October 1, and will also share her talent with us at the Banquet on Friday evening. 

Grandparents Day will be held on Friday, October 9.  This is also a half-day of school.  Children will need to bring a snack to school, but no lunch.  Please watch for more information to be sent home this month.

If you do not have access to the internet, please let me know before the second week of school, if you have not already done so.  In the future, parent letters will be posted on our class blog.  Please check our blog often for more class information (http://jmcclurebcs.blogspot.com/).  Those families without internet access will receive a hard copy of each month’s parent letter in their child’s white folder on the first Tuesday of the month.

Once again, welcome to our first grade class!  If you have any questions or concerns throughout the year, you may contact me by calling the school office, at (610) 998-0877, and I will return your call at my earliest possible convenience.  You may also send a note with your child, and I will contact you in the way that best suits your schedule.

If you prefer to email, my email address is jmcclurebcs@gmail.com.

 I am very much looking forward to getting to know your child this year, as they grow and learn in a Christ-centered environment.

May 2015

Dear First Grade Families,                                                                          

            It is hard to believe that we are now entering our last full month of school!  It doesn’t seem like very long ago when my classroom was full of brand-new first grade students, ready for an exciting new year.  I have enjoyed watching those eager students grow and learn over the past months. 

           

            In Bible class, we will be studying the Kings of Israel, including David and Solomon.   Our new Bible memory work will be:

Psalm 24:1-2
"The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers."

This will be due on Friday, May 15.

Proverbs 3:3
"Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them around your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart."

This will be due on Friday, May 29.

            Just a reminder that there will be  no school on Tuesday, May 19, Election Day and Monday, May 25, Memorial Day.

            The students are continuing to work through our reading program, and I am pleased to see that many of them are beginning to show a love for reading independently.  Basic reading skills are being built through our phonics classes, and as the students are expanding their reading vocabulary, they are searching for materials that they can take pride in reading.  Thank you for your dedication to your child’s reading education, which you show by listening to his or her reading homework each evening.  This extra practice and reinforcement helps your child’s education in so many ways.

            Here is a list of important dates to remember in May:

~Thursday, May 14 - Crazy Hair Day!

~Friday, May 15 – Psalm 24:1-2 due
~Tuesday,  May 19 - No School; Election Day

~Monday, May 25 – No School, Memorial Day      

~Friday, May 29 – Proverbs 3:3 due

Have a wonderful Mother’s Day, and a beautiful month of May.

In Him,

Jackie McClure         

April 2015

Dear First Grade Families,                                                                                                              

I always enjoy watching the early signs of spring popping up throughout the world around me.  They serve as yet another reminder of God’s awesome creation.  As you observe the flowers blooming and other new life beginning, take a moment to thank God for giving us such beautiful things to enjoy.    

April begins a busy time here at Bethany Christian School.  Here is a list of dates to remember:

                April 20 - Ruth 1:16 due

                April 23 – Career Day Spirit Day

                April 23 – No Hot Lunch

                April 30 – Isaiah 55:6 due

We have three April birthdays in our class:

Siri will celebrate her birthday on April 14.

Lydia will celebrate her birthday on April 18.

Julianna will celebrate her birthday on April 24.

Happy Birthday, friends!

A Look Ahead:

Friday, May 1 – We will be having the Race for Education.  All students will be participating and families are invited to come and cheer for the children as they run.  The art show will also be set up in the hallways at this time, and you will have an opportunity to see what the students at Bethany have been doing with their creativity this year.  There will also be a silent auction.  Please remember to send in your items for our Bundle of Joy basket.  Thank you to those who have already contributed.

               

This year, Race Day will also include a Fun Fair following the awards ceremony.  This will take place on the soccer field.  This event will be ticket-based; tickets will be sold for all games and food items.  Please plan on attending Race Day so that you and your child/children can have a special time together at the Fun Fair.

In Bible, we will be studying the story of Ruth, and then the lives of Samuel and Saul.  The memory work will be  Ruth 1:16 and Isaiah 55:6.

"But Ruth said, 'Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you.  For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge.  Your people shall be my people and your God my God."  Ruth 1:16

This verse will be due Monday, April 20.

“Seek the Lord while He may be found.  Call upon Him while He is near;"  Isaiah 55:6

This will be due on Thursday, April 30.

We have used up our class supply of paper towels.   If you are able to send in a roll or two of paper towels, we would greatly appreciate it!  Thanks!

If your child's lunch requires a spoon/fork, please be sure to include that in the lunchbox.  Thank you.

Please continue to work with your children at home on flashcards, spelling words, and reading.  It really does help them to have that extra few minutes of practice.  If you find that your child wants to continue past his or her assigned pages of reading homework, perhaps finding a book at the library, which interests him or her, would be a good idea.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns that may arise.  Thank you for your active participation in our classroom.

In Him,

Jackie McClure

March 2015

Dear Parents,                                                                      

With all the cold weather lately, it is hard to believe that spring is not far away.  In just a few short weeks, however, spring will officially arrive, and with it, the glory of God’s creation as it begins to blossom.  If you’ve never taken the time to fully appreciate the signs of spring, do so this year.  Each new leaf, robin, and bud is a gift that God has sent for us to enjoy, and to remind us that He makes all things new.

I received so many lovely Valentines, and I would like to thank each and every child for being an important part of my life.  You are loved and appreciated! 

Some of our memory work for March will coordinate with our March bulletin board.  If you have a chance to come in to see our Woolly Lambs and Mrs. Ingiosi’s Ferocious Lions, please do so!  Our first verse for March will be Proverbs 28:1:  “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.”  This will be tested on Tuesday, March 10.  The second verse for March will be Revelation 5:12:  "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!"  This will be tested on Wednesday, March 18 .  Please take time at home to help your child learn these verses.  The final memory work for March will be Matthew 28:6: “He is not here, for He has risen, as He said.  Come, see the place where He lay.”  This will be due on Tuesday, March 31.

Thursday, March 26 will be  Book Character Day.  Children are invited to dress as a favorite book character. 

The third quarter will end on Tuesday, March 24.  Report cards will be available Tuesday, March 31.

On Friday, March 27, the first grade classes will be going on a field trip to the Chester County Historical Society for a look at Victorian Childhood.  This is a fabulous trip, one the children are sure to remember.  Parents are welcome to attend.  The cost for parents is $7.00.  Please keep in mind that we cannot allow siblings to attend our field trips.  Permission slips for this trip will be sent home as the date approaches.

There will be no school from Thursday, April 2-Monday, April 6, in observance of the Easter holiday. 

As our year continues to progress, I must emphasize the importance of working with your child at home to reinforce what he or she is learning.  Good study habits begin at an early age.  Take some time each evening to practice spelling words, math flashcards, and the Bible memory verse.  Even just a few minutes for each area can make a huge difference.  Thank you for your continued faithfulness in supporting your child’s education.

         

Please remember to send items in for our class basket for the Silent Auction.  Our theme is Bundle of Joy, items for mom and baby.  Thanks!

          Classroom Birthdays:
                   March 4 - Elijah

                   March 10 - Anthony
                   March 19 - Emma

Important Dates to Remember:

          ~Tuesday, March 10 – Proverbs 28:1 due

          ~Wednesday, March 18 – Revelation 5:13b due
          ~Thursday, March 19 - Snow Make-up Day - - There WILL be school.

          ~Friday, March 20 – Teacher Inservice; no school.

          ~Tuesday, March 24 – Third Quarter Ends

          ~Thursday, March 26 – Book Character Day

          ~Friday, March 27 – Chester County Historical Society field trip

          ~Tuesday, March 31 – Matthew 28:6 due

          ~Tuesday, March 31 – Report Cards available

          ~Thursday, April 2-Monday, April 6 – No school.  Easter break.

          ~Tuesday, April 7 – School Resumes

Feel free to contact me at any time with any questions or concerns regarding your child. 

          Email:  jmcclurebcs@gmail.com

          Phone:  610-998-0877 (8am-3:30pm)

                     610-467-0622 (6:00pm-8pm)

          You may also send a note to school with your child.

In Him,

Jackie McClure

February 2015

 February is one of my favorite months of the year!  It is a good time to reflect on God’s amazing love.  I pray that you all have experienced His great love in your own lives.

On Wednesday, February 11, we will have a visit from an employee of McCormick Orthodontics to discuss the importance dental hygiene.  This will kick off our Health unit regarding health, wellness and nutrition.

We are beginning our social studies unit on Our Changing World, including a study of schools long ago.  The students will enjoy seeing pictures of one-room schoolhouses and the different school tools that children used many years ago. 

In Bible, we will continue discussing the Israelites’ journey from Egypt to the Promised Land, under the leadership of Moses and later, Joshua.  Our first Bible memory work for February will be John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”  This will be due Friday, February 13.   Please be sure to send Bible Memory Books to school on the due date so that a new verse may be sent home.

February is a busy month in first grade.  We will be celebrating our 100^th day of school on Thursday, February 5.  The children have been anticipating this all year!  We will have a normal class schedule on this day, with 100^th Day activities included in many lessons.  Your child will be thrilled to tell you that he or she is 100 days smarter!

Our Valentine card exchange will be held on Friday, February 13, in the afternoon.  Valentines for the class may be sent on or before February 13^th.  I am sending a copy of our class list in White Envelopes on Tuesday, February 3.  If your child would like to hand out Valentines to his/her classmates, please be sure to include everyone listed, so that no one’s feelings are hurt!  If you are interested in providing a snack for our class, please contact me. Thanks.

There will be no school on Monday, February 16, in honor of Presidents' Day.

On Wednesday, February 19, we will have a special nature presentation from the grandmother of one of Mrs. Ingiosi's first graders.  She works as a nature teacher for Fair Hill Nature Center at Fair Hill State Park., and has offered to present a program called "Animals in Winter".  We are very excited for this special visit!

This month’s Spirit Day will be Pajama Day on Thursday, February 19.  Children are invited by the Student Council to participate.  Wear your comfy jammies and slippers.! Please do send sneakers for outdoor play on that day.

February Dates to Remember:

***Thursday, February 5, 2015 – 100^th day of school  

***February 9-13 – Spread the Love Campaign Peanut Butter & Jelly collection

***Friday, February 13 – John 3:34 quiz

***Friday, February 13 - Valentine Card Exchange

***Monday, February 16 - No School (President’s Day)

***Thursday, February 19- Pajama Day

Birthdays this Month:

            ***February 11 – Lia's Birthday

            ***February 16 – Wyatt's Birthday

God Bless You!

Jackie McClure

January 2015

Welcome back and Happy New Year!  I pray that everyone had an enjoyable and restful Christmas.  Thank you to all who helped with our classroom Christmas celebration.  The children had a wonderful time, and I appreciate the effort that went into making it such an exciting day!

Our classroom is full of excited learners this year!  We are especially enjoying the time that we spend with the reading moms and dads in the mornings.  The children enjoy being able to spend some time out in the hallway, practicing their reading skills.  Thank you to those who have been able to assist thus far!  If you would like to receive information about being a reading helper, please send a note to school.

In Bible, we will be talking about the life of Moses. 

We will be learning the Ten Commandments, beginning with Commandments 1-3.

1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall not make for yourself an idol.
3. You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God.

These Commandments will be due on Tuesday, January 13.

On Monday, January 19, there will be no school, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.  During the previous week, we will have discussed the reason for remembering Martin Luther King, Jr., and all that he did for our nation.

           

On January 22, we will have a school-wide Spirit Day.  This month’s Spirit Day is Clash Day.  Wear the most UN-matching clothes possible!  Have fun!

Please send your child to school dressed appropriately for the winter weather.  This includes a coat that cans zipper/button up the front, a hat or hood, and gloves or mittens.  We do go outside when it is possible to do so.

Important Dates to Remember:

Tuesday, January 13 – Commandments 1-3 due

Wednesday, January 14 – Second Quarter Ends

Monday, January 19 – No School

Wednesday, January 21 – Report Cards Sent via Ren Web

Thursday, January 22 – Clash Day

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me by note, email (jmcclurebcs@gmail.com), or telephone (610-467-0622).  Enjoy the winter weather, and stay warm!