Report Cards

On Wednesday report cards will be sent home with the students.  There will be lots of 1's (beginning) on the report cards this first quarter since the students have not yet covered all the reading, language, math, and spelling components.  In Kindergarten and First Grade the report cards show an overall picture rather than just the quarter. 

We did add Set 6 for spelling this week which includes:  down, do, could, when.

I will add more to the blog this week.  Happy Monday!

Special Thoughts for Special People

In observance of Grandparents' breakfast yesterday, the boys and girls wrote about why their Grandparents are special.  Please go to the Writing Projects tab and the writing pieces will appear.  They are guaranteed to make you laugh, cry, and smile all at the same time!

Each day during last period we have a high school aide help us.  Her name is Tina Nelson and she is a junior at the high school.  She helps with special projects and works with the boys and girls.  She typed all the writing projects for me so that they could appear on this blog.  We are so fortunate and thankful to have her in our room this year.  Tina will be helping us launch our Readers' Theater troupe this month.  She is dependable, self-motivated, conscientious, and patient.  All great qualities for someone working with first graders!  

We are grateful for these special people in our lives--Grandparents and High School helpers!  

Grandparents Return to School!

Grandparents returned to school today but not for the 3 R's!  They came to enjoy the company of their grandchildren and the delicious school breakfast in conjunction with National Hot Lunch Week.  View the pictures above of grandparents who were able to attend.

Fire Prevention Week

The weather was gorgeous for our annual Knd-First Grade trip to the fire department in conjunction with Fire Prevention Week.  Fire fighters Chris Olander, Brian Petzoldt, Kyle Skokan, and Don Skokan demonstrated how to put on the fire gear.  They also explained fire safety practices to the classes along with an educational DVD.  The boys and girls viewed the fire trucks and ambulances and then left with a goody bag from the fire fighters.  What a blessing to have such an active and reliable volunteer fire department and group of EMT'S! 

Grandparents' Breakfast

The Huskers are in the lead--Go Huskers!  Since my internet is down at home for a week or so, I am sitting at McDonalds using their internet service and watching the game.  Unfortunately, I couldn't resist ordering a couple of cookies with my ice tea!


On Monday Grandparents are invited to eat breakfast with their grandchildren.  Hopefully, everyone received the information in the district newsletter.  During Writers' workshop yesterday and today the boys and girls wrote and illustrated stories as to why their grandparents are special.  The students did rough drafts and their finished product was a polished writing piece including illustrations.  Hopefully, I will get the pieces on the blog early next week.  We continue to concentrate on the 4 points of a sentence: (1) Does it express a complete thought?  (2)  Is there one finger spacing between the words?  (3) Does it start with a capital letter?  (4) Does it end with the correct punctuation mark?   I was quite impressed with the depth of their writings at this early stage of first grade.


I will be right back!  I have to check on the score and refill my ice tea.  No more cookies, though!!


All is good--Nebraska is still in the lead and there was ice tea left!


Tomorrow afternoon we will travel to the Winside Fire Department for our annual tour.  The weather sounds GREAT!


Thanks so much for the continued support!  Your child and I appreciate it very much!


I have to get out of here since the smell of French fries is getting to me!


Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher

Accelerated Reader

The first graders took their first accelerated reader tests in the computer lab today.  We will travel to the lab each day to take AR tests, practice math facts, and work on other reading programs.  Your child will be bringing an AR book home on Mon., Tues., Wed., and Thursday with no assigned books for the weekend.  At the end of the week generally a minimum of 4 tests will be taken.  


As I look over at the bouquet of beautiful roses from my daughter's wedding, I am reminded of my class of first graders.  Each rose with its exquisite and unique beauty opens its blossom in its own good time.  Of course, a steady supply of water and a comfortable temperature must be provided so the environment is conducive to the rose.  With the rich learning environment provided at home and school, each beautiful first grader will also bloom in his/her own good time.  The AR program allows us to tailor the reading to each individual so he/she is able to progress at the rate that is correct for him/her.  If you have questions about the program, please don't  hesitate to contact me.  Happy reading!  :)

Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher 

A very, very busy week!

Thank you so much for attending parent teacher conferences!  We had 100% participation which is not surprising since we have such supportive and involved parents at Winside.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the first six weeks of school and look forward to many more wonderful days with this bunch of kiddos.  As I shared with you at conferences this is a GREAT group to work with and lots of fun!

On Friday I attended the wedding of my daughter Jolene who was married at the family farm near Emerson.  It would have been my parent's 60th wedding anniversary.  My new son-in-law Nate Burdine and Jolene live in Sioux Falls.  It was a unique wedding (Aren't they all?) since Jolene came in with her father on the family Model A John Deere tractor.  Guests sat on straw bales with the barn which was built by Jolene's grandpa, great grandpa, and great great grandpa Loetscher in the background.  Jolene and Nate's pugs Maggie and Mayhem were the flower girls.  It was a beautiful wedding!

I am looking forward to a fantastic week!!

Your partner in education,
Ms. Loetscher