Hey Everyone,

I hope this is finding you having the BEST summer. The weather in Maine is so awesome this summer. I am finding myself spending every minute I can outside swimming, camp, family, friends and lots of cooking out. I am looking forward to a new school year with you a new group of fabulous kids. We still have plenty of summer left so if you are visiting my page you are to enjoy every last MOMENT of it. If you have any questions or concerns please contact me at jnickerson@dedhamschool.net. Once the school year starts you can always call me at 843-6498!

Here are some dates to put in your calendar!

Tuesday August 28th- Open House- 5:30 pm- 6:30 pm in the Gym. I look forward to meeting you and having you see our classroom.

Wednesday August 29th- FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL!

See you next MONTH!

Mrs. Nickerson

Welcome Back to School First Gradecc

Hello Everyone and Welcome Back!
     Things are going great in First Grade and we are off to a fantastic start.  The students have made a classroom constitution and learned the first grade responsibilities along with our core values.  We have started learning about each other and have established our first reading levels.  We are ready to begin our reading and writing program Writing to Read and still looking for volunteers.  With your help in the classroom this allows students to move at a more rapid pace and become fluent readers and writers.  Not to mention how fun it is watching the progress!  They have written their first writing prompt.  They worked so hard.
     First Grade is a big change for them.  The schedule is quite heavy so remember to make sure they get to bed early and are well rested.  They should eat a nice healthy breakfast before coming to school as we only have one snack in the morning.  They will ALL need PE shoes for their IN BINS.  They will have  PE twice a week.   YAY!  Homework starts next week so get ready.  Remember to put the folders back in bags directly when they are done.  Also, the homework should take no longer than 15-20 minutes so if it does send it back with a note and I will make sure we pick up where you left off. I never want this to be a frustration   Thank you so much.   This is a great way for you to see your child's progress and also see what goes on in the classroom during the day.
     We are already planning our field trip to Treworgy Farms.  Be looking for those field trip notices to be coming home next week.  This is a great day with lots of bonding and fresh air.
     We are happy and having a great time.  I am glad we begin slow with a three day week so that all routines can get put into place.  Have a great long weekend.  I am so looking forward to a great year so never hesitate to give me a call here at school or drop an email.  I will get right back to you when I can.
                                                        Here's to a Fantastic FALL!
                                                                 Mrs. Nickerson

Grade One Goal Diggers

Hello from First Grade!  Second trimester has started and well under way.  We have set new goals and resolutions.  Time to kick it up a notch! We are tackling new reading vocabulary words,  new reading levels,  new math concepts,  informative writing, creative writing and moving into animals and families.  First grade is busy! Monday January 18th we observe Martin Luther King Jr. so there is no school that day.  We will have lots of conversation about who is and why he is so important to all of us.  January 19th is the school Music concert.  The concert starts at 6:00.  The students will need to meet me in the classroom no earlier that 5:45.  Remember to pack your child with snow pants, boots, mittens, hat and an extra pair of pants.  Sometimes the snow can creep through and I want the kids to be comfortable in the afternoon.  Thats all for now. Looking forward to a great 2016 with your children.  They are just awesome!  

Thanksgiving feast is almost here!

Dear Parents,
     November is here!  It came upon us fast!  There is so much that is happening in November and hopefully this post will help you and I both keep organized.  On Wednesday November 11th there will be no school as we will be celebrating Veterans Day.  It does fall on a Wednesday so it will be a broken up week.  
     First and Second grade will be celebrating Thanksgiving together as we prepare to cook and serve our traditional Thanksgiving Feast.  Notes have been coming home but also be looking for more as you will be assigned certain items to bring in. If you cannot get the items just let us know.  Without out your help the feast does not work.  It is a beautiful event and the kids take such pride in their hard work and being together.  It has gotten so large that we have now moved the event into the gym to make it more comfortable for everyone to enjoy the time together.  We will be cooking Thursday, November 19th from 8:30-10:30.  The feast will be the following day starting at 11:30.  We ask you arrive by 11:15.  Please try and schedule your lunch breaks as we love having all of you here.  If you have signed up for clean up please stay after the feast.  Thank you so much!  Many hands make light work.  
     Conferences will be held November 23rd from 11:00-7:00. They also will be held November 24th from 9:00-3:00.  Call the office and sign up.  There will be no school for students those days. 
     I hope this post is helpful it sure was for me as I typed it.  We want to enjoy our time together and treasure our family time so with that said have a wonderful Thanksgiving Break. 

Here We Go Again

Hello First Grade Parents,
     Here we go again!  Welcome to a brand new school year.  I am so excited to see what this year brings us.  I can tell already the kids are very ready and eager to learn.  We will have jammed packed days and your child will be tired.  It is totally normal.  I want to remind you to make sure your child has a big breakfast in the morning so they are ready to work as soon as they get here.  I also want to thank you ahead of time for having their homework journal packed in their bag and having them prepared for each day.  It will all become a part of your routine very soon.  If you would like to volunteer in our classroom we sure could use you.  I am looking for volunteers to read and work with children during Writing to Read.  Writing to Read is each day from 1:30-2:30.  Also, I am sure Mr. Pearson could use you during PE.  That would be a great time for all.  Homework has started and it was a success.  I was thrilled and so were they.  Most weeks they will have homework 3-4 nights a week and it will be a mirror image of something they have learned that day.  Remind them to put that folder right back in their bag when finished and it will be ready to pack up for the following day!  If you ever need to reach me feel free to drop me an an email here at school or call me.  I will return your message as soon as I can.  Working together is the key to success.  Let's do this!

February A Fast Paced Month

Hello Everyone,     
     February is the month that seems to come and go so quickly.  There is so much going on!  I think we all can say we have had enough of the snow storms.   It seems as though we have 6 more weeks of winter according to the ground hog. 
     We are in the stages of collecting information on our chosen animal.  I would like all the information in by this Friday.  They are pretty excited to get this under way.  We have lots of studying to do before we can do the projects.  
     I will be collecting book orders soon so if you are ordering books please send in the filled out book order along with the money.  Thank you so much.  This class is full of great readers!
     It seems as though the 100th day of school and Valentines day are going to fall on the same day.  We will be doing our 100th day Olympics in the morning on February 13th.  The kids will need to wear workout clothes and bring in a water bottle.  The afternoon we will attend the wedding of Q and U in the gym and come back to a Valentine party.  This is one exciting day.  They can ALL read their own Valentines.  Everyone feels so special because they ALL get a special note from each friend.  Be looking for your class list coming home.  
     You have a week off.  If you would like your child to have books for the vacation please send in a note, email or call and I will arrange for that to happen.  
      Enjoy this month, enjoy your vacation and think sun and spring.  It will be come it always does.
                                       Mrs. Nickerson

A Great First Trimester

Hello Everyone,
     In August 23 boys and girls landed in my first grade.  They are full of spunk and great personalities.  They are eager learners.  They are so super smart and so much fun to teach.  Thank you all so much for all of the support with their homework and reading.  It makes a world of difference.
     This trimester we have been reading leveled books.  Our goal is to make it to level 9 by the end of this trimester.  They are flying.  We have spoken about goals and why it is important to set them. With that said, each child has a new goal to work towards.  We will continue to do this all year.  The second trimester we are looking for them all to reach level 14.  Happy Reading.
     In writing we have been using the Lucy Calkins program.  It is just amazing to watch them absorb all aspects of writing.  We have been writing small moments stories.  These are stories that have made a difference in their lives.  It could be as simple as a trip to the park or a play date.   They are learning to add detail, write in complete sentences, illustrate, bring characters to life and remember step by step of what took place in that moment.   They are using pop out words and speech balloons. It is all coming together.  They are also creative writing.  When a story is complete it is typed and hung in the hall.  Please look for your child's writing when you are in the building.
     In Math the students are learning the basics of algebra, geometry, adding and subtracting and place value.  They are learning symbols such as greater than, less than and equal to.  Next it will be time to tackle fractions.  You will see wake up packets coming home as they complete them.  This is just extra work to master what concepts are being taught in the program and to enrich those who need it.
     This month is Fire Safety Month.  Yesterday we took at trip to the Dedham fire station to learn about fire safety.  They were taught about what volunteer fire fighters do and safety in the home. They were treated to a bag full of goodies and a fire hat.  Thursday they will attend the Brewer Fire Department to learn about fire fighters in the city.
     The PTF has been working so hard planning the Fall Festival.  Come join the fun this
 Saturday from 10-2.  Please bring your children and support the Dedham School and have a fun filled morning and afternoon.
     I know it's almost Halloween, but in first and second grade we need to be thinking about Thanksgiving.  We have our Thanksgiving feast in one month.  Be looking for your notes and mark your calendars November 21st.  You do not want to miss!
     Have a safe and happy Halloween and we will catch up the first of November!