First Grade News
April 30, 2019
Dear Parents
Thank you for following our First Grade communication. Please continue reading for some valuable information.
This Week's Learning Objectives
This week we will also be working on writing a personal narrative for our EOY Writing Assessment.
Spelling: In our spelling pattern we are learning about the prefixes re- and un- (ex: replace, review, unsafe, unpack)
Star Words: build, laugh, goes, only
Math: We are starting our interesting new unit on Income where we will discuss wants and needs; spending and saving; giving.
Science: We are continuing with our unit, Designing Walls. Over the next few weeks, students will be working as materials engineers to answer the question: How can we design a wall using rocks and a mortar mixture?
PISD Summer School
A Note from Dr. Lovell
Dear Andrews Family,
As we quickly move through the month of April, we recognize that it is that time of year when parents begin to think about teacher assignments for the 2019-2020 school year. I want to take this opportunity to share some information with you about how the class creation process works here at Andrews for grades 1-5. (Kindergarten will utilize a different system, and parents will learn more about that process at our Eagles' Nest event for kinder parents on May 7th at 4:00 p.m. in the Andrews library.)
Assigning students to classrooms is a very detailed and time-intensive process for all of our teachers. Each grade level spends countless hours during the spring and summer months, looking at each child individually as they place him/her in a class for the following year. Many factors are considered during this process, including student learning styles, teaching styles, personalities, amount of structure needed, emotional needs, etc. This list could go on and on! I share this information with the hope that this deeper understanding allows you to have trust in this process. I want for you to realize that class lists are never something computer-generated - instead, they are the result of MUCH intensive labor!
Please know that it is not necessary to send anything in regard to the teachers for your children next year. We do realize that most families do not feel the need to make any special requests. You can be assured that we will be extremely diligent in carefully considering every student's needs and learning style as we form classes for the 2019-2020 school year.
In the event that you desire to share a special request with me regarding the teacher with whom your child is placed next year, please know that we will not accept requests that include a specific teacher name. Instead, please submit (in writing) information about the type of teacher who you feel would be the best match for your child. Having this information about teacher characteristics is much more helpful than a name for many reasons, one of which is the fact that changes take place among the teaching staff on grade levels each year. If you choose to submit teacher characteristics, I need to receive your written information no later than Friday, May 3, 2019 in order to utilize it as we begin the 2019-2020 class formation process.
As always, thank you for your ongoing support and dedication to learning at Andrews Elementary! Your partnership makes all the difference as we work together for your children's success on this educational journey!
Sincerely,
Dr. Joy Lovell, Principal
Andrews Elementary
Upcoming Dates
Monday, April 29 - Friday, May 3: MAP testing (Math)
Friday, May 3: Andrews Games Day!
Monday, May 6 -10 : MAP testing (Reading)
Monday, May 6 -10 : Teacher Appreciation Week!
Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep and eats a healthy breakfast, especially during our testing days!
Andrews Games Day - Information From Our Coaches
Andrews Games Day is quickly approaching!! It is on Friday, May 3rd. Please sign up and let the coaches know if you want to be a volunteer at Games Day. This year we will have K-2 in the morning (8:45 - 10:45) and 3-5 in the afternoon (11:30 - 2:00). You must have a completed background check (you still have time to get this done) to be a volunteer. Volunteers will be assigned to a certain game and help all the students as they come to that game. You will receive more information from the coaches once you have signed up!
Schedule For Games Day, May 3rd 2019
Note from Plano ISD
Plano ISD to Begin Collections for Unpaid Meal Charges
This month, families with unpaid meal charges will begin receiving notifications from Plano ISD regarding the amount owed and how to pay their balances. We want you to be aware of this impending communication and the related guidelines and payment options.
The goal of Plano ISD’s school breakfast and lunch program is to provide healthy meals to children during the school day. In order to serve healthy, high-quality meals to all children, we must make sure we are financially secure, and parents play a key role in this effort.
Procedures for Students with Unpaid Meal Charges:
If you are unsure if your family has a meal account balance, you can view your balance via the Plano ISD Mobile App (downloadable at www.pisd.edu/mobileapp), or you can access and pay the balance online using Paypams, https://paypams.com.
A student is allowed up to two reimbursable breakfast meal charges (where served) and two reimbursable lunch meal charges. Once a student incurs these charges, communication to the parents/guardian is initiated. This month’s direct notification will include comprehensive guidelines and instructions, and will be sent in addition to the regularly scheduled notifications.
- Parents/guardians may make payments in students’ accounts through the online payment system or in person at the campus site.
- For online payments, visit https://paypams.com. You will need to know your login information.
- To access the Free and Reduced Price Meal Application visit https://fans.pisd.edu/fma.
Qualifying for the Free and Reduced Meal Program will apply only to charges incurred after successful enrollment, and cannot be applied retroactively to existing balances.
For questions or inquiries about payment plans, contact the food and nutritional services manager at your child’s school. You may access those phone numbers as follows:
- Elementary Schools: https://www.pisd.edu/Page/4521
- Middle Schools: https://www.pisd.edu/Page/4548
- High Schools/Senior High Schools: https://www.pisd.edu/Page/4549
First Grade Volunteers-- ONE SLOT LEFT!!
Please consult this link if you have signed up to help first grade. We depend on you once you sign up! If you have to delete your sign up on last minute notice, please email your teacher so we can open up the opportunity to someone else to sign up and help.
Thank you!
Makerspace Week
Schreiber: Tuesday library/Wednesday makerspace (alternate weekly)
Morris: Monday
Vazhavilla: Wednesday
Moore: Tuesday library/Thursday makerspace (alternate weekly)
Reed: Thursday
Designing Walls - New Science Unit
Dear Parent or Guardian:
We are writing to tell you about our next Science unit. Over the next few weeks, students will be working as materials engineers to answer the question: How can we design a wall using rocks and a mortar mixture?
Throughout this unit, students will show their learning by:
observing and comparing components of soil
gathering evidence of how rocks, soil, and water help to make useful products
creating mortar mixture designs and constructing walls made of earth materials
testing mortar mixtures using a demolition ball
Because science and engineering projects are hands-on, materials are often needed. Several materials necessary for this unit are listed below, and if you have any of these materials available, your donation would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you for your continued partnership in your child’s education!
1st Grade Teachers
rocks ceramic tiles plastic spoons
clay powder paper plates sand
Lysol Wipe Donations
Thank you!
Parents - We want your feedback!
At Andrews we value parents as partners in education! Next time you come in the front office, look for the sign with directions on how to access a survey where you can provide us with feedback. The survey is short and will only take a few minutes to complete!
We will be changing the survey questions each month in order to get feedback on multiple aspects of our school.
We look forward to receiving your feedback!
Helpful Websites...
- The PISD Parent Portal https://parentviewer.pisd.edu is the primary resource for all online services provided to parents.
- Andrews PTA www.andrewspta.org
- Meal Viewer www.pisd.edu - You can now access all school cafeteria menus in the palm of your hand! We have launched our menus in MealViewer, an app and website that allows everyone to access lunch menus. www.pisd.edu ->For Parents ->Food & Nutritional Services (FANS) ->Menus and Nutritional Information. From there you can click on the MealViewer logo and access online instructions.
- PayPAMS https://PayPAMS.com - Parents can set up automatic payment plans, view account balances and history, receive automatic notification on balance status & more!