December 2016

   

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.

            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.

            Thursday, December 15 will be Twin Day.  You may coordinate with another parent to dress your children as twins or you may choose to send your child in his/her Bethany Blue shirt; there are always students in Bethany Blue on Twin Day to 'twin' with.

             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 in order that the world might be saved through Him.”

This memory work will be tested on Monday, December 19.. 

            We will have our Christmas party on Friday, December 23.  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 22; 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!

            There will be no school from December 24-January 2.  Classes will resume on Tuesday, January 3, 2015.

            We will celebrate two birthdays in our class this month. 
                      Austin has a birthday on December 2.
                      Emily has a birthday on December 8.
            We will also celebrate one 1/2 birthday in December.
                      Brooke has a birthday on June 18. She celebrates her 1/2 birthday on December 18.

           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 2016

Dear Parents,                                                                                                                       

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.  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.  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:

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 Friday, November 18, 2016.

Scholastic orders for November were sent in your child’s white envelope today.  Please place all orders by Monday, 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.  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 8, due to our school being used as a polling location for the election.

Thursday, November 10, will be a school-wide Pajama Day. For this Spirit Day, please do not send stuffed animals and slippers - that was only for our class-earned special day. Thanks!

Report cards will be sent home via RenWeb on Friday, November 11.  Conferences will be held on Monday, November 21 and Tuesday, November 22.  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.

Our annual Bethany Fundraising Banquet will be held here at the school on Friday, November 18. You should have received an invitation in your oldest Bethany student's white envelope a couple of weeks ago. Please be sure to return this to school so that we can get an accurate count of those attending. Please do indicate that your first grader will be attending with you as a performer. This will be a 1/2 day of school; we will dismiss at 12:30. 

Our November Birthdays:

Noah celebrates his birthday on November 22.

Johnny celebrates his birthday on November 25.

Happy birthday, friends!

We will be having a small Thanksgiving celebration on Friday, November 20.  We will watch A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving and enjoy a special snack together.  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. 

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 23, to Monday, November 28, for the Thanksgiving holiday.  Classes will resume on Tuesday, November 29. 

Important Dates to Remember:

           

November 7       ~Scholastic orders due
            November 8       ~No School - Election Day
           November 10     ~Pajama Day (school-wide Spirit Day)
            November 11     ~Report Cards issued
            November 18     ~1/2 Day of School

                        ~Psalm 9:1-2 due
                                    ~Thanksgiving Celebration

                        ~Fundraising Banquet

            November 21     ~1/2 Day of School

                                    ~Parent-Teacher Conferences and Book Fair

            November 22     ~1/2 Day of School

                                    ~Parent-Teacher Conferences and Book Fair

November 23-28~No School.  Thanksgiving Holiday

November 29     ~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 2016

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.  

Grandparents’ Day is on Friday, October 7.  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.

There will be no school on Monday, October 11. This is an In-Service Day for teachers.

There is a Coffee Connection for Preschool-First Grade on Friday, October 14. Please come and get to know some other parents in our early childhood grades that morning if you are able!

Our Bible memory work for October will begin with Genesis 28:15,

"I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land."

This will be due on Friday, October 14.
Please be sure to send your child's Bible Memory Verse book to school on the due date for each verse.
Picture Day will be Wednesday, October 19.  You will receive more information in the

white envelopes closer to that day. 

We are celebrating three birthdays this month:

                        Isabela has a birthdAy on October 27.

                        LeighAnn has a birthday on October 29.
                        Hunter has a birthday on October 29.

           

                        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 begins this month. You should have received your child's Book-It tracking calendar on Friday, 9/30. This will also serve as our homework tracking calendar for the month of October. Your child's goal is to read (aloud to a grown-up) for 200 minutes this month.

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.

            A Look Ahead:

                        ~We have a field trip scheduled for Friday, November 4. We will be going to Ashland Nature Center. Please be on the lookout for a permission slip in the white envelopes.

                        ~The First Quarter will end on Friday, November 4.  Report Cards will be sent home via RenWeb on Friday, November 11.

                        ~The Annual Banquet is on Friday, November 18 here at the school.. First Grade will be performing at this year's banquet, so please try to attend if possible. It is going to be a wonderful evening! 

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 2016

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 third grade at BCS this year.

This will be my twelfth 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 2, and Monday, September 5.

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 Isaiah 55:9: 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'  All Bethany students will be expected to commit this verse to memory.  I will test the students on the theme verse on Friday, September 16.

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 Isaiah 55:9 -  'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.'  This will be sent home in Bible memory books on Tuesday, August 30, and will be due to return back to school for recitation on Friday, September 16.  Please be sure to send Bible memory books back to school on the due date throughout the year. 

            We are celebrating three birthdays in our class this month:

                        Christian will celebrate his birthday on September 12.

                        Branden will celebrate his birthday on September 14.

                        Luca will celebrate his birthday on September 17.

            Happy birthday, friends!

Save the Date!

Grandparents Day will be held on Friday, October 7.  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.

Our annual banquet will be held on Friday, November 18 at 6:30 pm at Bethany Christian School.  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. 

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.

In Christ,

Jackie McClure

May 2016

 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. 

Please remember to send in the monthly reading calendar.  A first-grade student should be reading at home at least 3-5 days each week, and should be able to log at least 100-200 hours of reading, depending on level.  Please be sure to write your child's name on his/her reading calendar.

The Race for Education will be held on Friday, May 13.  All students will be participating and families are encouraged to come and cheer for the children as they run (or even run with them!).  There will be food trucks available for lunch. There will also be a silent auction taking place in the gym.  Please remember to send in your items for our Disney Extravaganza  basket.  We are still in need of any items that you are able to send!  There will be a cake and ice cream party for the class with the basket that receives the highest bid!  Thank you to those who have already contributed.

Thursday, May 26 is a Spirit Day for Preschool-8th grade.  This day will be a Switcheroo Day, where the students will dress like the teachers and the teachers will dress like the students!  This could be interesting!

We are celebrating four birthdays in our class this month.

            Ayden C. has a birthday on May 12.

            Kimmy has a birthday on May 15.

            Shane has a birthday on May 19.

            Mrs. Brown is celebrating her birthday on May 18.  Mrs. Brown has been a remarkable blessing in our classroom this year.  If you think of sending her a note, I'm sure she'd appreciate it! :)

           

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

Psalm 145:17-18
"The Lord is righteous in all his ways

     and kind in all his works.

The Lord is near to all who call on him,

     to all who call on him in truth."

This will be due on Tuesday, May 10.

Daniel 2:20-21
"Blessed be the name of God forever and ever,

     to whom belong wisdom and might.

He changes times and seasons;

     he removes kings and sets up kings;

he gives wisdom to the wise

     and knowledge to those who have understanding;"

This will be due on Friday, May 20.

Daniel 2:22-23a

he reveals deep and hidden things;

     he knows what is in the darkness,

     and the light dwells with him.

To you, O God of my fathers,

     I give thanks and praise."

This will be due on Tuesday, May 31.

Just a reminder that there will be  no school on Monday, May 30, Memorial Day.

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

              ~Tuesday, May 10 - Psalm 145:17-18 due

              ~Friday, May 13 - Race for Education!

              ~Friday, May 20 - Daniel 2:20-21 due
              ~Thursday, May 26 - Switcheroo Day

              ~Monday, May 30 - No School, Memorial Day      

              ~Tuesday, May 31 - Daniel 2:22-23a due

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

In Him,

Jackie McClure         

April 2016

Dear First Grade Families,                                                                                                            

I always enjoy watching the early signs of spring popping up everywhere!  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 1 - Backwards Day!

                April 14 - Proverbs 3:3-4 due

                April 21 - Crazy Hair Day (School-wide Spirit Day)

                April 28 - No Hot Lunch

                April 28 - Field Trip to the Chester County Historical Society

                April 29 - Proverbs 3:5-6 due

We have two April birthdays in our class:

Bella will celebrate her birthday on April 6.

Katelyn will celebrate her birthday on April 23.

Happy Birthday, friends!

In our Bible class, we are talking about King Solomon and his time as a peaceful ruler of Israel.  Our April memory work will be taken from Proverbs 3:3-6.

We will first learn Proverbs 3:3-4:  "Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.  So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man."

Proverbs 3:3-4 is due on Thursday, April 14.

Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths."

Proverbs 3:5-6 is due on Friday, April 29.

A Look Ahead:

               

Friday, May 13 – 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 Disney Extravaganza  basket.  There will be a cake and ice cream party for the class with the basket that receives the highest bid!  Thank you to those who have already contributed.

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. 

               

This year, Race Day will also include a Fun Fair following the awards ceremony.  This year's Fun Fair is sponsored by McCormick Orthodontics.  This will take place on the soccer field.  This event will be ticket-based; tickets will be sold for all games and food items.  There will be a dunk tank again, so have your throwing arm ready! :)  Please plan on attending Race Day so that you and your child/children can have a special time together at the Fun Fair.

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 ends in March, but students should still be reading at home for 20 minutes at least 3-4 days each week.  I am sending an April calendar which should be marked with the days that your child reads each evening.  This is a homework calendar; please mark each day that your child reads for at least 20 minutes on his/her individual reading level.  It is okay if the reading is somewhat challenging; allow your child to work on sounding out the words that may be difficult.

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 2016

Dear Parents,                                                                                          

          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, 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 love spring, in case that wasn't clear!    :-)

Mrs. Brown and I received so many lovely Valentines, and we 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!

There will be no school on Friday, March 4.  This is a teacher in-service day. 

Our first memory verse for March 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 Thursday, March 10.

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 22.

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. 

There will be no school from Thursday, March 24-Monday, March 28 to celebrate the Easter holiday.  Praise God, He is risen!

          On Wednesday, March 23, I will have a small Easter celebration with the children in the afternoon.  If you are willing to send a salty snack, sweet snack, drinks, or plates and napkins, please let me know.  Thanks!

          Thursday, March 17 will be  Sports Day.  Children are invited to dress as a player of a favorite sport, or simply dress to support a favorite sports team.

          The third quarter will end on Thursday, March 31.  Report cards will be available Thursday, April 1.

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 Disney Extravaganza!  Thanks!

          Classroom Birthdays:
                   March 12 - Andrew

                   March 15 - Chloe
                   March 30 - Caden

                   March 31 - Caleb

Important Dates to Remember:

          ~Friday, March 4 - No school; teacher in-service.

          ~Thursday, March 10 – Psalm 24:1-2 due

          ~Thursday, March 17 – Sports Day

          ~Tuesday, March 22 – Matthew 28:6 due

          ~Thursday, March 24 - Monday, March 28, No School; Easter Break

          ~Tuesday, March 29 – School Resumes

          ~Thursday, March 31 – Third Quarter Ends

          ~Thursday, April 7– Report Cards available

         

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

          Email:  jmcclurebcs@gmail.com

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

In Him,

Jackie McClure

February 2016

Dear First Grade Families,

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.  We will be celebrating our 100^th day of school on Tuesday, February 9.  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!  Please visit our Sign-Up Genius if you would like to contribute any items for our celebration.

http://www.signupgenius.com/go/9040e49a8ab28a20-100th

Our Valentine card exchange will be held on Friday, February 12, in the afternoon.  Valentines for the class may be sent on or before February 12^th.  I am sending a copy of our class list in White Envelopes on Tuesday, February 2.  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!

There will be school on Friday, February 12. This was originally an in-service day, but it is now a snow make-up day.

There will be no school on Monday, February 15, in honor of Presidents' Day.

On Wednesday, February 24, we will have a visit from an employee of McCormick Orthodontics to discuss the importance dental hygiene.  This is part of our Science unit on health and nutrition.

This month’s Spirit Day will be Book Character Day on Thursday, February 25.  Children are invited by the Student Council to participate.  Students may dress up as a favorite character from a book on that day.

Our first Bible memory this month will be Ruth 1:16

"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."

This will be due on Thursday, February 11.

February Dates to Remember:

***Tuesday, February 9, 2015 – 100^th day of school    

***Thursday, February 11 – Ruth 1:16 quiz

***Friday, February 12 - Snow Make-up Day

***Friday, February 12 - Valentine Card Exchange

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

***Wednesday, February 24 - Dental Health Visitor

***Thursday, February 25 - Book Character Day

            ***Thursday, February 28 – Commandments 7-10 quiz

Birthdays this Month:

            ***February 16 – Timmy's Birthday

            ***February 25 – Gabby's Birthday

            ***February 2 - Addie's 1/2 Birthday
            ***February 15 - Aidan's 1/2 Birthday

God bless you!