Dear Parents and Guardians,

I just wanted to take the time to thank each of you for sharing your first grader with me.  It has truly been a pleasure to teach this class!  This year has been a great success.  There were many challenges, as well as triumphs.  There have been lots of smiles, laughter, and friendships made.  This has been one of the sweetest classes I have had in all of my years of teaching.  I am very proud to pass them on to second grade, but also sad to let them go!  Not only have the students been wonderful but you have been an AMAZING group of parents to work with.  I feel like we were all on the same “team” and we worked very well together.  As a whole, you have been one of the most supportive groups of parents I have ever worked with at Whiteside.  I hope that you can continue to have strong relationships with your child’s future teachers, as well.  It really does make a big difference and it sets such a positive example for your child!

I hope that you and your first grader (now second grader) have enjoyed this year as much as I have.  I feel truly blessed to have been part of your child’s academic career!  

Have a safe and exciting summer!!

Hugs and High Fives,

Ms. Bleich

5.17.18

One full week to go until summer!  Then of course there's the half day on the 29th! 

We have a lot of fun activities coming up but we are still hard at work in first grade!  I'm still continuing teaching all subjects trying to squeeze every last bit of learning in... otherwise they tend to get a little squirrely!  I am throwing in a lot of fun stuff too, so it's a nice balance! 

On Monday FREDBIRD is coming to visit us!!!!  Please have your kids wear their Cardinal Red!

Tuesday is our all day read in.  There are still plenty of slots left for any parents or grandparents who want to come in and read to the class!  Please send a small blanket or beach towel, three of your child's favorite books (with their name written inside), a FLASHLIGHT, and a healthy snack.  We plan on doing some flashlight reading for fun! 

Congratulations to Joelle, Maggie, Madison, and Salvador who made their AR Challenge goal this week!  Speaking of which... we have extended the last day to make AR goals and the challenge goal so that we can take AR quizzes on books we have read on our Read In day!  The last day to make your AR goal or Challenge goal will be Thursday, May 24!  We have a few who are a couple points away and I KNOW they can do it if they put in a little extra effort!  Unfortunately, I will not be sending any more of my books home, since it's so close to the end of the year.  So any books that they want to test on will have to be books from home or books read at school. 

Happy Birthday to Camdyn!  Thank you for the yummy cupcakes!  Madison also has a birthday this month, so happy birthday to her too!  I'm saying it now because with all of the craziness of the end of the year I don't want to forget! 

Our visit to Morningside yesterday was AWESOME!  The kids were SO well behaved and they sang beautifully!  All of the residents enjoyed their performance. I was so very proud of my little firsties.  I took a bunch of pictures and videos, which I will try to share soon.  Thank you to Maggie's parents who came to watch our performance!

Have a great weekend! 
Hugs & High Fives!
Ms. Bleich

5.14.18

Here are some end of the year updates and reminders:

Tues. May 15-- Morningside permission form due

Wed. May 16-- Early dismissal 2pm/ Hat Day $1

Thurs. May 17-- Ms. Bleich's class sings at Morningside Assisted Living (Parents who wish to watch our performance may meet us there at 1:25.  We do not have room for parents to ride the bus.)

Fri. May 18-- Last Spelling Test.  Last Reading Test (high frequency words only)

Tues. May 22-- First Grade All Day "Read In"- a note will come home with details.  If any parents are interested in being guest readers that day please send me an email and let me know! 

Thurs. May 24-- End of Year Assembly 9-11am to kick off next year's character theme "Lights, Camera, Character"/ Carnival Day 11:00-12:30 (first grade's time)/ Lunch at 12:30.  Any parents are welcome to join us on this day.  If you plan on purchasing a school lunch, please fill out the form sent home today and send it back with payment by 5-18-18.  We will be outside that day from 9:00 am-1:00 pm.  Please dress your child accordingly for the weather and please put sunscreen on your child that morning! 

Mon. May 28-- NO SCHOOL-- Memorial Day

Tues. May 29-- Last day of school!  8:30am-12:00pm (no lunch served that day)



Congratulations to the following students who have made the AR Challenge goal of 12 points with 80% or above average:
Cody, Khloe, Taylor, Kaeden

Congratulations to the following students who have made their personal AR Goal:
Cody, Cassanje, Taylor, Salvador, Kaeden, Madison, Khloe, Noah, Joelle, Maggie, Camdyn, Elisha, Ellie, Maliya

Maggie and Kaeden both bought Show and Tell coupons from our classroom store and brought in their pets from home to show us and tell us all about them!  Thank you to their moms for making special trips up to school to bring their animals.

I can't believe this school year is almost over.  I am excited for summer, but so sad to let this group go! 
Hugs & High Fives,
Ms. Bleich 😎