May 2018

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. 

            There will be no school on Tuesday, May 15, due to the election on that day.

            Thursday, May 17 is a Spirit Day for Preschool-8th grade. This month our spirit day will be Favorite Book or Movie Character Day.

            Thursday, May 17, we will have a Silent Auction preview and chicken dinner. Please send in your chicken dinner orders if you plan to attend.

            The Race for Education will be held on Friday, May 18.  All students will be participating and families are invited to come and cheer for the children as they run (or even run with them!).  You are encouraged to sign your child out after devotions (in the church) and spend the day with them. We only ask that you be sure your student is at the starting line when it is our race time. I am trying to get an accurate picture of how the day will work, so I am asking each of you to please let me know if you do or do not plan to attend the race.

            Our final Bible memory work for the year is as follows:

Proverbs 3:3-6 -

Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

                        This will be due on Thursday, May 31

Just a reminder that there will be  no school on Monday, May 28,  Memorial Day.

            On Friday, June 8, we will have Pet Day in our classroom. I will be sending a Sign-Up Genius link for 10-minute time slots to bring pets for a visit. Small, non-furry pets who live in cages or bowls (hermit crabs, lizards, fish...snakes!) may be brought for the day, but furry pets may only come for 10 minute visits. If your child has a rabbit for a pet, please send a picture only. I am very allergic to rabbits and even 10 minutes in the classroom would cause a reaction for me. If you have any questions or concerns regarding Pet Day, please don't hesitate to contact me.

            I am still in need of one or two parents who are willing to take over the planning of our end of the year celebration picnic. Please contact me ASAP if you are willing and able to help.

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

~Tuesday, May 15 - No School

~Thursday, May 17 - Favorite Book/Movie Character Spirit Day

                                     Silent Auction Preview and Dinner

~Friday, May 18 - Race for Education

~Monday, May 28 - No School, Memorial Day

~Thursday, May 31 - Proverbs 3:3-6 due  

~Tuesday, June 6- Field Day

~Friday, June 8 - Pet Day

Monday, June 11 - Last Day of School; 1/2 Day of School

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

In Him,

Jackie McClure        

April 2018

I cannot believe that we are already into the fourth quarter!  Report cards will be sent on Friday, April 6. This year has gone so quickly. We've had a great time in first grade, but there is still much to learn and much to do!

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

               

                April 9-13 - Terra Nova Testing

                April 16 - Ruth 1:16 Due

                April 19 - Crazy Sock Day (School-wide Spirit Day)

                April 20 - Fine Arts Gala & Open House

                April 26 - No Hot Lunch

                ***May 4 - Field Trip to the Chester County Historical Society - Permission                                          slips will be sent home soon.

               

We have two April birthdays in our class:

Ethan will celebrate his birthday on April 18.
Ben P. will celebrate his birthday on April 27.

Happy birthday, Friends!

Friday, April 20 is our Fine Arts Gala and Open House. Our music and art lesson students will be providing entertainment and art pieces for showcase on this exciting evening. The third graders will be playing their recorders (so you can see what fun and excitement you can look forward to in a couple of years!). There will also be performances from our band students. Refreshments will be provided by McCormick Orthodontics. Please plan to join us for this special evening to support our very talented students at Bethany.

A Look Ahead:

Thursday, May 17 - We will hold a Silent Auction Preview from 5-8 pm. Buzz Tyson from the Lighthouse Youth Center in Oxford will be serving his famous chicken. All chicken dinners must be pre-ordered to make sure we do not run out of food. Order forms will be sent home closer to the date of the preview night.

               

Friday, May 18 – 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.    There will also be a silent auction.  Please remember to send in your items for our Game Time/Exercise Room  basket.  Thank you to those who have already contributed.

If you are attending the race, please plan to sign out your child early in the day and keep him/her with you at all times prior to our race in order to allow him/her to experience all of the fun and exciting activities of the day.

Our Sharing Chair will also be in the auction this year.  It has gone from being a plain white plastic chair to being covered with the signatures of your budding writers!  We will continue adding signatures through the end of the school year; the chair will be on display for the auction, but will not be sent home with the highest bidder until the end of the year. 

               

New This Year: Race Day will conclude with an ice cream social following the awards ceremony. 

On Monday, June 11, which is now our last day of school, I would like to have a picnic to celebrate our year together. In the past, we have gone to Nottingham Park for our picnic and have had a great time. I need 3-4 parents who are willing to take charge of planning the picnic for us. If you are interested, please let me know. Thanks!

As the weather begins to warm up, it is important that your child brings a water bottle to school each day.   First graders are able to keep water bottles on desks throughout the day so that we may keep our bodies hydrated.  Please be sure that your child has a water bottle every day.  Thanks!

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.  The Book-it program ended in March, but students should still be reading at home for 20 minutes at least  3-4 days each week. It is okay if the reading is somewhat challenging; allow your child to work on sounding out the words that may be difficult.

If you are interested in helping as a reading parent during the month of April, please visit this link:

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e49a8ab28a20-april2

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 2018

          In just a few short weeks 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, I hope you do 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 would like to thank each and every child for being an important part of our class.  You are loved and appreciated so much more than you know!

Thursday, March 8, and Friday, March 9, are snow make up days. We will now have school on March 8 and March 9. There will be no hot lunch on Thursday, March 8. Please be sure to send a lunch with your child.

Our next memory work 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 due on Friday, March 9.
          The next verse will be Revelation 5:12: Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and wealth and wisdom and honor and glory and blessing! This will be due on Friday, March 23.

Please remember to send in your child's Bible memory verse on the due dates so that we can place the new verse into the book. 

I will be out of the classroom the week of March 12-16. My husband has a business trip to Orlando. Ordinarily, when my husband has an out-of-town trip, he would go and my daughter and I would stay home. It just happens that this trip falls over my daughter's tenth birthday. Since it also happens to be in Orlando, Mrs. Cost and Mrs. Ingiosi have graciously allowed me the time off to go along so that we can make this trip into a family vacation to Disney as well. My substitute for the week will be Mrs. Susan Hancock. Mrs. Hancock is a wonderful substitute. She was a long-term substitute for my daughter's third grade class last year and was fantastic. She has also been a substitute in our class twice this year and has gotten to know your children very well. I know the class will be in great hands!
          During this week, should you need to contact Mrs. Hancock, please call the school or send a note with your child. I cannot promise that I will be able to check my email throughout the day to see dismissal changes so please do not send dismissal changes to me via email. If there are dismissal changes, please be sure to call the office so that they can let Mrs. Hancock know before dismissal time.

Thursday, March 22 is Favorite Sport Day. This is an all-school Spirit Day.

          The third quarter will end on Tuesday, March 27.  Report cards will be available Friday, April 6.

          Easter Break will be March 29-April 2. We will resume school on Tuesday, April 3. The last day before Easter Break, Wednesday, March 28, we will have a small Easter celebration. If you are interested in sending a treat, please let me know. We will need one salty snack, one sweet snack, juice boxes, plates, and napkins. Please remember, no red dyes in food or drink. Thanks! :)

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.

         

Important Dates to Remember:

          ~Friday, March 9 – Proverbs 28:1 due

          ~March 12-16 - Mrs. McClure will be away
          ~Thursday, March 22 - Favorite Sport Day

          ~Friday, March 23 - Revelation 5:12 due

          ~Tuesday, March 27 – Third Quarter Ends

          ~Wednesday, March 28 - Easter celebration

          ~Thursday, March 29-Monday, April 2 - No School. Easter Break.

          ~Tuesday, March 3 - School resumes

          ~Friday, April 6– Report Cards available

         

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

          Email:  jmcclure@bethanychristian.org

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

In Him,

Jackie McClure

February 2018

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.

February is a busy month in first grade.  Thursday, February 1 is Favorite Toy Day. Please remember, no video games (including phones/iPads/etc) should be sent to school. Electronic toys (toys that have a battery and may make noise/move) may be sent as long as they can be turned off when needed. Use your discretion as to what may/may not be appropriate for a classroom setting.

We will be celebrating our 100th day of school on Tuesday, February 6.  The children have been anticipating this all year!  We will have a normal class schedule on this day, with 100th Day activities included in many lessons.  Your child will be thrilled to tell you that he or she is 100 days smarter!  Please visit our Sign-Up Genius if you would like to contribute any items for our celebration. We still have several items that are needed to help with our fun day!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e49a8ab28a20-100th2


We are participating in the Spread the Love Campaign once again this year. We are collecting jars of peanut butter and jelly (no glass jars, please!) from February 1-14. The class that brings in the most jars will win a cupcake party!

Our first Bible memory this month will be Joshua 24:15.
Choose this day whom ye will serve.... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!
This will be due on Friday, February 2.

Our Valentine card exchange will be held on Wednesday, February 14, in the afternoon.  Valentines for the class may be sent on or before February 14th.  I am sending a copy of our class list in White Envelopes on Tuesday, January 30.  If your child would like to hand out Valentines to his/her classmates, please be sure to include everyone listed, so that no one gets hurt feelings!  If you are interested in providing a snack for our class, please contact me. Thanks!

This month’s Spirit Day will be Career Day on Thursday, February 15.  Children are invited by the Student Council to participate.  I can't wait to see all of our future careers!

There will be no school on Monday, February 19, in honor of Presidents' Day.

On Wednesday, February 21, we will have a visit from an employee of McCormick Orthodontics to discuss the importance dental hygiene.

Please be watching for your Re-Enrollment information which should be coming home sometime in February.

If you have not yet had a chance to be a reading helper, please consider coming to listen to our students read during the month of February. The children love to have visitors! The only requirement is that you have your clearances on file in the school office.  Please visit the Sign-Up Genius link below to sign up!
http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e49a8ab28a20-february2

February Dates to Remember:
***Thursday, February 1 – Favorite Toy Day
***Friday, February 2 - Joshua 24:15 due
***Tuesday, February 6 – 100th Day of School
***Wednesday, February 14 - Valentine Card Exchange
***Thursday, February 15 - Career Day
***Monday, February 19 - No School (President’s Day)
***Wednesday, February 21 - Dental Health Visitor

Birthdays this Month:
***February 2 - Sofia's Birthday
***February 18 – Connor's Half-Birthday


God bless you!
Jackie McClure

Dear First Grade Families,     January 2018

Welcome back!  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!  I will be starting our Reading Parent program within the next month.  If you are interested in becoming a reading parent, we must have all of your clearances on file in the office.  I will send information home to those parents who were interested in being a reading parent only if we have your clearances on file.  Thanks.

Please remember to fill out and return the Book-It calendars for each month. I will be accepting December calendars for the rest of this week. January calendars were sent home on Friday, December 22.

In Bible, we will continue our lessons on the life of Moses and also continue to learn the Ten Commandments.

Commandments 4-6 will be due Friday, January 12.

4. Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.

Commandments 7-10 will be due Friday, January 26.

7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not give false testimony.
10. You shall not covet.

On Monday, January 15, 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 18, we will have a school-wide Spirit Day.  This month’s Spirit Day is Decades Day.  Have fun!

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

Important Dates to Remember:

Friday, January 12 – Commandments 4-6 due
Monday, January 15 - No School
Thursday, January 18 - Decades Day
Friday, January 19 - Second Quarter Ends
Friday, January 26 - Commandments 7-10 due
Friday, January 26 - Report Cards issued

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, feel free to contact me by note or email (jmcclure@bethanychristian.org).  Enjoy the winter weather, and stay warm!

In Him,
Jackie McClure

December 2017

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 for taking the time to come out for conferences.  I very much enjoyed having the opportunity to speak with each of you.

Please continue to listen to your child read aloud at home each week.  We are making great progress in our readers, and the at-home practice makes such a difference.  It is very important that the children are reading aloud to an adult; this helps catch inaccuracy in the reading.

Our class will visit the Penguin Patch Christmas Shop on Wednesday, December 6. If you plan to send money for your student to shop, please send it on or before December 6. I am happy to store your child's money in a safe place in the classroom until our shopping day.

Thursday, December 14 will be Clash Day.  Children are invited to wear the most mismatched clothes they can find! :)

Friday, December 15 will be Sock Day for First Grade. We've earned another class reward and the children voted for Sock Day. On Friday, December 15, students in first grade are invited to wear their favorite socks to school. They can be a favorite pair of crazy socks, fun socks, Christmas socks...anything goes! Students will be permitted to leave their shoes in the coat hook area of the classroom for the day (except when outside or visiting the bathroom, of course!). Have fun!

During the month of December, we will be discussing the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  Our memory verse for this month 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 sent home on Monday December 11 and tested on Thursday, December 21.

This is our verse for after Commandments 1-3 - - we will continue learning the Ten Commandments after Christmas break.

We will have our Christmas party on Friday, 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 December 21; we will have our book exchange early in the day.  The party will be after recess, beginning around 10:30.  Parents are welcome to attend our Christmas Party.  Thanks!

We have several birthday celebrations this month.

                        Vivianna has a birthday on December 1.

                        Ben J. has a birthday on December 14.

                        Carolyn has a birthday on December 31.

                        Henry has a half-birthday on December 24.

                                                Happy Birthday, Friends!

There will be no school from December 23-January 1.  Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 2, 2018.

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 2017

                                            

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.   

Our Bible memory work for November:

Psalm 9:1-2

"I will give thanks to the LORD with my whole heart.

I will recount all of Your wonderful deeds.

I will be glad and exult in You;

I will sing praise to Your Name, O Most High."

This will be due on Tuesday, November 14, 2017.

Scholastic orders for November were sent in your child’s white envelope this week.  Please place all orders by Tuesday, November 7.  If you are sending an order to school for me to place, please make checks payable to Jackie McClure.  Please do not send cash.  Orders being sent to school need to be in by Monday, November 6. If any items are gifts, please let me know, and we will arrange for you to pick up the order in the office or in the classroom.

There is no school on Tuesday, November 7, due to our school being used as a polling location for the election.

Thursday, November 16, will be a school-wide Crazy Hair Day. I can't wait to see all of the silly hairstyles that day! Have fun!!

Report cards will be sent home via RenWeb on Friday, November 10.  Conferences will be held on Monday, November 20 and Tuesday, November 21.  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.  Please consider sending a large than usual snack, as our tummies will be hungry before 12:30. 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.

Taryn celebrates her birthday on November 15.

Gavyn celebrates his birthday on November 22.

Happy birthday, friends!

We will be having a small Thanksgiving celebration on Friday, November 17.  We will watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and enjoy a special snack together.  We will also be making butter! If you are able to send in any empty and clean plastic peanut butter jars (or other plastic jars with lids that fit tightly, please let me know how many you can provide. We also need about 30 cornbread muffins. If you are willing to make some or all of the muffins for our celebration, please let me know. Thanks!

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 22, to Monday, November 27, for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Classes will resume on Tuesday, November 28. 

We are having a door decorating contest for Christmas this year! I plan to make a large Christmas tree with green paper cones, having each child decorate 2 or 3 of the paper cones. I need your help! Please send a baggie of decoration items with your child by Wednesday, November 29. Please put your child's name on his/her baggie so that your child uses the decoration items he/she has chosen. I would love for each child's personality to shine on the tree! Some ideas: stickers of things your child likes, favorite candies, ribbons in his/her favorite colors, Christmas gift bows, a handful of favorite cereals, etc. Be creative! :)

Important Dates to Remember:

           

 November 7       ~Scholastic orders due
            November 7       ~No School - Election Day
November 10     ~Report Cards issued
            November 14    ~Psalm 9:1-2 due            November 16     ~Crazy Hair Day (school-wide Spirit Day)
            November 17     ~Thanksgiving Celebration                     

            November 20     ~1/2 Day of School

                                    ~Parent-Teacher Conferences and Book Fair

            November 21     ~1/2 Day of School

                                    ~Parent-Teacher Conferences and Book Fair

November 22-27~No School.  Thanksgiving Holiday

November 28     ~School resumes

November 29     ~Tree Decorating Items Due

            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