1. It’s going to be a great year!
Dear Family,
Welcome to First Grade! This will be an exciting time as your child embarks upon new adventures in the world of learning. My goal is to make your child’s learning experience a fun and exciting one, and to instill a love of learning that will last a lifetime!
Classrooms consist of unique individuals with differing needs and interests. Each day I will be listening, observing and participating with the children in order to better understand and address their needs. I am determined to foster an individualized learning plan for each child within a risk free environment and to make our classroom a warm and pleasant place to come every day. Your child will be encouraged to explore, discover and accept new challenges. Self- confidence is a key component in the learning process and I will do everything to boost this important quality in your child!
Parent-teacher communication is essential to your child’s educational success. It would be wonderful for you to become an active partner in our classroom by sharing special talents, assisting us on class trips, or even coming to be a guest reader! Together we can establish an environment where your child will flourish.
I hope you enjoy the remaining days of summer and I look forward to meeting you at Back To School Night on September 8th!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Nicole Montellese
 Welcome To
First Grade! 
*Make sure to check out our class page for pictures and updates on the Hewlett-Woodmere website! *
Mrs. Montellese
Room 208
A Parent’s
Guide to
First Grade
Mrs. Montellese
It’s going to be a great year!

2. ** Please make sure your child wears sneakers EACH DAY!**
Homework
Each week, you will receive a packet of homework assignments for Monday through Thursday. The packet will not be due until the FRIDAY of that week. All assignments will be listed on the cover sheet of the packet, in addition to a blurb about recent and upcoming events. Every night, including Friday, the folder must be checked for notes, messages, and work. Please empty the folder daily!
Homework is an important way to be involved in your child’s learning. Please support your child in doing the work but do not do it for them!
Reading Homework
Each night, your child will be required to read for 15 minutes. The reading time may be spent with you reading to your child OR your child reading to you. He/she will borrow a book from our class library each night (Mon-Thurs). Your child is responsible for taking care of this book and returning it to school the next day in the appropriate folder.
Notes
Any notes for the teacher, office, nurse or PTA should be placed in your child’s homework folder . You must send a note to school upon returning from an absence and each time there is a change in your child’s dismissal procedure.
Specials Schedule
Specials begin at 10:40 and end at 11:20
Day 1- Library
Day 2- Gym
Day 3- Gym
Day 4- Music
Day 5- Art
Day 6- Gym
** Please make sure your child wears sneakers EACH DAY!**
Lunch
If your child brings lunch to school, clearly print/label his/her name and room number on the lunch box.
If your child buys lunch in school, please send the money in an envelope with your child’s name, teacher name and room number. It is also suggested to keep money in the school’s cafeteria account if your child is a regular buyer.
Snack
We have snack time in the classroom daily. Please send a healthy, NUT FREE snack and drink (children can keep a water bottle on his/her desk) each day. Snacks should be sent in a labeled bag/box separate from lunch.
Birthdays
We will celebrate each child’s birthday in our classroom. Two weeks before your child’s birthday, you will receive an “All About Me” Poster to be completed at home as a family. On your child’s birthday, you will be invited into our room to assist your child with sharing his/her poster with the class. When your child is finished sharing his/her poster, we will all play a game of Birthday Bingo! If you are unable to join us for the celebration, don’t worry! You can always send the poster to school with your child.
I will contact you during the month of your child’s birthday to make the necessary plans for this celebration.
Class Trips
Our two class trips usually take place in the Spring. We may also take spur of the moment walking trips. A permission slip will be sent home during the first week of school in regards to such events. Please return all permission slips promptly.