1. Welcome to Ms. Stricklin’s 1st Grade Class Dear Parents and Guardians, The first week of school is a great milestone for you and your child. I understand that you and your child have met this new year with excitement or apprehension (maybe a little of both). I hope that this letter will help you to understand what to expect in 1st grade this year and answer any questions you may have. I would like to take this time to introduce myself. My name is Jenny Stricklin. I am excited to be working with you and your child this year and helping him/her to achieve his/her full potential. Parent/Teacher Relationship I believe that a good parent-teacher relationship is necessary for maximum school success. Throughout the year I will communicate with you as much as possible. Students will have a folder in which I will put any announcements, notes, or reminders as well as your student’s work. This folder is to be returned each day and you may also use it to send me any notes as well. I encourage you to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. You can send me a note, call me at school (256 428 7600), e-mail me at jennifer.stricklin@hsv-k12.org.jennifer.stricklin@hsv-k12.org School Attendance Your child’s regular and prompt attendance at school is crucial to his/her success. I can not emphasize this point enough!!! Most 1st grade learning activities are group oriented and involve interaction with classmates. Therefore, it is next to impossible to make up work at home. Please view school as a priority, and see to it that your child attends everyday except in cases of illness or emergency. We are serving breakfast in the lunchroom starting at 7:30 a.m. School starts at 8:00 a.m. I will be taking attendance at 8:05 a.m. Your child will be counted absent if he or she is not present at that time. If your you are running late, which I know is not always avoidable, please check him/her into the office. Your student will be counted tardy for the day. Please keep in mind, three tardy days equal one absence. Before/After School When your child arrives in the morning, they are to come in and sit along the wall outside the door. I will let students in the room at 7:45 a.m. When they enter the classroom, the students will put their folders in the bin put their backpacks and coats on their hook. After school, students who ride buses will be dismissed at 3:00 a teacher will walk your child in the to the east canopy to board the buses. If they are a walk up or in the extended day program, they will be dismissed at 3:00, and a teacher will walk them to the gym entrance. Car riders will be dismissed at 3:05. Please be patient with us. We are desperately trying to figure out the best possible way to dismiss students in a timely manner. We have officially shaved off 30 minutes since the first day.

2. Changes in Transportation If there is a change in how your child gets home, please call the front office, send a note, or send an email. Please do not rely on your child to tell me this information, because children often become confused and relay messages incorrectly. If no written note is received, your child will be sent home by his/her usual method of transportation. Money On occasion it will be necessary for your child to bring money to school. Always send money in the folder in a sealed envelope or Ziploc bag with the following information written on it: 1.Your child’s first and last name 2.The purpose for the money (field trip money, lunch money, picture money, etc.). 3.Teacher’s name. Birthdays Birthdays are special occasions for young children. If your child wishes, he/she may bring treats for the class on his/her birthday. Pre-packaged treats are best and easiest. Please send a note a day or two in advance, so I can give you an exact number of children in the class and set a side some class time for the party. Huntsville City Schools has a new wellness plan. Nutritional Standards for Food Items. All food items sold or provided must: Be a “whole grain-rich product”; OR Grain products must include 50% or more whole grains by weight or have whole grain as the first ingredient Have as the first ingredient a fruit, a vegetable, a dairy product, or a protein food; OR Be a combination food that contains at least ¼ cup of fruit or vegetable; OR Contain 10% of the Daily Value (DV) of one of the nutrients of public health concern in the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (calcium, potassium, vitamin D, or dietary fiber) * Beginning July 1 2016, the 10% DV criteria will not be allowed Calorie, Sodium, Sugar, and Fat limitations Calories limits: Snack Items: ≤ 200 calories Entrée Items: ≤ 350 calories Sodium limits: Snack Items: ≤ 230 mg Entrée Items: ≤ 480 mg Fat limits: Total fat: ≤ 35% of calories Saturated Fat: ≤ 10% of calories Trans fat: Zero Grams Sugar limits: ≤ 35% of weight from total sugars in foods ***Beginning July 1, 2016, snack items must contain ≤ 200 mg sodium per item The End In closing, I would just like to say that I am looking forward to a great year of working with your child! I would also like to suggest that you save this letter for future reference. Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions or concerns. With great anticipation, Mrs. Mahan School: 256 428 7600 jennifer.stricklin@hsv-k12.org Adapted from Ms. Mart's Kindergarten Welcome Letter