Welcome to First Grade!
August 31, 2018
Dear 1A Families,
We are your child’s first grade teachers: Mandy Ip and Drew McCann. Here is some information about us:
Mandy has taught First and Second Grade at Brooklyn Prospect the past four years. She has always been passionate about teaching and learning. She earned her Masters in Childhood Education from Hunter College and worked with bilingual students in dual language classroom settings during her student teaching. She also tutored students in both Math and Reading at an after-school program for two years. Outside of school, Mandy loves to spend time with her family, experiment with " do it yourself" projects and enjoy quality tea time.
Drew is thrilled to start her first year of teaching at Brooklyn Prospect! She will soon be graduating Bank Street College and will receive her dual master’s degree in Childhood and Special Education. Drew has a passion for working with a diverse range of students, and has worked with students in many different capacities, from mentoring, tutoring, to directing an after school program. Outside of school, Drew is an avid podcast listener, loves to care for plants and animals, and is learning how to play the ukulele.
First Grade Questionnaire
We are so excited to begin this year of learning and growth with you and your child. As we begin our time together, we would like to learn about your child’s interests and unique personalities. Please write us a brief email about your child. We will forward your response to your child’s new teacher should he/she switch classes. We have included the following questions for your consideration:
- What does your child love? Please tell us what your child is passionate about or share a topic on which he or she is an expert.
- What are your hopes for your child this year?
- As a family member, what supports do you need? How can we work as a team to create the best school experience for your child?
- Is there anything else that you would like us to know about your child?
Our classroom email is dtes1A@brooklynprospect.org Please send this information on or before September 14, 2018. Lastly, please note that as a team, we are getting to know your children as individuals and as a classroom community. Mr. Saunders reserves the right to switch a student's classroom based on student's needs and the needs of the classroom as a whole. We can’t wait to meet you and your child!
First Grade Birthday Policy
Starting in first grade, students celebrate their birthdays as a collective group. To do this, we will have a once-a-month classroom celebration for ALL students with a birthday occurring in that month. Besides promoting the idea of community, we feel that this will allow us to meet and better manage the diverse dietary needs, schedules, and cultural backgrounds of our school families. We, of course, will still recognize your child’s birthday on his or her special day.
This monthly birthday celebration will take place on the last Friday of every month. The celebration will usually occur from 3 - 3:30 PM; however, teachers will email to inform you if there is a change due to specials or school closings. Teachers will reach out to you with an invitation and to ask if you will be bringing any food items. Families are welcome to bring in treats. While sweets are allowed, we encourage the size of them to be kept small and also encourage healthy snacks, such as pre-washed fruit or fruit snacks. If you do bring in sweets, mini cupcakes are a great option as well as cookies (one per student). We have 30 students in our class. Other items, such as goodie bags or balloons, are not allowed. Please reach out via email if you have any questions or concerns about the first grade birthday policy.
Food Allergies
School Supplies
Below is a list of items that we are requesting from each family for our classroom. All supplies will go towards providing a safe, clean and fun learning environment for our students. Please provide what you can and only label designated items.
A regular-sized backpack/roller pack. Students will bring home books and items that
may not fit in a mini-backpack.A change of clothes for your student in a plastic zip-bag, remember to include a
change of underwear and socks. Please clearly mark the zip-loc bag with your child’s
Name.1 reusable water bottle. Please clearly mark with your child’s name.
(12) No. 2 Pencils with erasers, no designs please
(1) 7 oz bottle of Elmer’s Washable School Glue or similar item.
(2) .24 oz Elmer's Washable School Glue Sticks or similar item.
(2) Black whiteboard fine point markers
(1) Pair of student scissors
Classroom Supplies
Please note that all families with last names beginning in A-M will provide classroom supplies
in September. Families with last names beginning in N-Z will provide classroom supplies in
January.
- 2 rolls of paper towels
- 2 boxes of baby wipes
- 2 boxes of Kleenex or similar item
- 1 20 oz. bottle of hand sanitizer
- 2 containers of Clorox wipes or similar item
Important Dates
Tuesday, 9/4 - New Student Orientation (2-3pm)
Wednesday, 9/5 - First Day of School: Half Day (1:30 Dismissal)
Thursday, 9/6 - First Day of Bus
Friday, 9/7 - Specials Classes start
Wednesday, 9/12 - ASP starts
Contact Us
Email: dtes1a@brooklynprospect.org
Website: https://www.brooklynprospect.org/
Location: 80 Willoughby Street Brooklyn, NY 11201
Phone: 718-722-7634