Elementary Classroom News - Week 1

Dear Parents,

I would like to welcome new and returning families to Pinewoods.  Thank you to everyone for sharing their children with us.  Over the next few weeks in school we will be focusing on establishing a classroom culture and sense of community,  communicating academic expectations, and creating an environment conducive to learning.  We are off to a good start!  


After teaching for many years, I realize that it takes a few weeks before students begin to feel comfortable in their classrooms. Please communicate with me any problems, frustrations, or successes your child is experiencing in the transition back to school and throughout the year.  Most research suggests that children who are the most successful in school have parents that are involved.  I would like to invite everyone to share their expertise in the classroom.  Currently, I am looking for parents to share their interest/knowledge about gardening, native and invasive species of plants and beneficial/harmful insects in the garden and related topics to botany.

September calendar:

September 2                    Labor Day Holiday; No School for Students
September 6                    Parent Handbook forms are due
September 13                  T-shirt forms are due
September 26                   Potluck Dinner

Playground Safety

 Students will not be allowed to climb on playground structures if they are wearing flip flops or crocs.  We want to make sure that children remain safe at school.  Over the years we have found that flip flops and crocs contribute to slips and falls from the structures.  Please encourage your children to wear appropriate shoes and clothing for outdoor activities.

Classroom Work

This week I will start to incorporate science and geography into the classroom.  In science, the focus will be on botany. We will be creating terrariums, working in the outdoor environment, doing some botany experiments using the scientific method, and other hands-on activities. If you have any plants that you would like to share with school, we would appreciate them in our studies.

Summer and I will be working with your children to help them record their work on an individualized work plan. Please ask your child to see their weekly work plans on Friday afternoons.

Field Trips

Our first field trip will be in September to a local botanical site.  I am still finalizing details and will have more information next week.

We will be going to Oak Island for an overnight trip to the beach on October 10-11.  I still have one private bedroom available for chaperones.  The private room is available on a first-come, first-serve basis.  Please let me know if you are interested in chaperoning on the trip. 

Science Olympiads

Science Olympiad teams will be forming soon.  Third through fifth graders are eligible to compete with other local teams in the area.  Younger students are also encouraged to participate, but will not be competing with other schools.  More details will be available in my next classroom update.
Warm Regards,

Jo Ann