May 12, 2011

Unfortunately today we had a very serous altercation between several first grade students from varying classrooms. I am notifying you that our playground rules and class rooms have been changed and will be strictly enforced. No student is allowed to touch another student in any way. No student is allowed to participate in any behavior that can be considered bulling. This includes physical bullying and name calling. In an effort to make our final days here in the first grade as pleasant as possible, I as well as several other teachers are going to continue to be vigilant regarding the enforcement of all school rules. Thank you for your cooperation in ensuring that school is a safe and happy place for every student.

The Golden Rule

Today we focused on our character traits during our group writing this is what we came up with:

I am Mrs. Costello and her students. I want the world to be a better place. I pledge to forgive you when you make a mistake, and to listen to you when you have something to say. Please do the same for me.

Some other ideas we developed were to be nice, show that I matter, respect me, remember I'm a child, be kind, take care of me, help me up when I fall, remember I'm growing up, treat me with care, listen to me, be friendly, don't call me names and don't touch me.

May 9, 2011 Spelling Words

1. paint
2. way
3. lay
4. fail
5. day
6. stay
7. pay
8. say
9. sail
10. rain
11. play
12. right
13. night
14. Monday
15. Tuesday
16. Wednesday
17. Thursday
18. Friday
19. Saturday
20. Sunday

Enrollathon June 11, 2011

Please join us for our Enrollathon on June 11th from 11:00a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Heritage Elementary School is one of Arizona's fastest-growing charter school systems. We are a tuition FREE, not-for-profit K-8 charter school providing an exceptional educational environment that focuses on incredible academics, community involvement and family values. We also offer a full- or partial-day tuition-based preschool program.

Exciting times are ahead for our school. I can't wait to welcome your child into our growing family. Heritage Elementary strives to develop a lifelong love of learning, community service and integrity in all students.

SUMMER CAMP!

I am so excited to announce that Heritage Elementary in cooperation with Desert Springs Children Services will be hosting a Day Camp here at Heritage Elementary. The cost is $125 per week and that includes Lunches, Field Trips, Arts & Crafts, Drama & Music, Computers, Academics, Sports, Games, Swimming and Certified Teachers. There will be FREE academic tutoring available! The Day Camp will be for children 4-12 years old. The hours will be from 7:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. 5 days per week all summer (May 31 - July 29), here at our address 6805 N. 125th Avenue. For questions, contact Justin Dye at (520)661-2775 or you can learn more at www.SummerCampAtHeritage.org


EARLY REGISTRATION EVENT: Saturday, May 7th at Heritage Elementary

Progress Reports

Progress Reports are currently delayed. I am working on getting all of the grades entered as quickly as possible and will have them out to you as soon as I can. Thank you for all of you support and patience.

Professional Facebook Account

With my recent trip to Ireland and Paris my student had the opportunity to view pictures and videos of the places I've visited. I wanted to share these wonderful memories with everyone so I have uploaded them to my professional facebook account. Just search under Amy Costello, I hope you enjoy!

2/22/11 Vocabulary

I Am a Butterfly

air - the sky
animals - living, breathing creatures
around - clse by; in a circle
fly - to move through the air
live - to have as one's home
soon - before long
turns - changes to

Friends Forever

each - one separate from another
great - much better than usual
other - different, not this
place - a space or area
school - place for teaching and learning
talk - speak, say words
together - not alone; one with the other

2/22/2011 Spelling

Group A
child
much
rich
chair
chalk
such
chip
chin
inch
itch

Group B
catch
match
wish
shop
how

Group C
should
many
push
shoes
chance

Saturday 2/19/2011

I am awake this morning and feeling much better. I want to thank all the parents who noticed I was sick, again, and wished me a quick recovery. I want to encourage all of my parents to be extra diligent when observing your child's health this weekend. We have had multiple children in our class become physically ill and several children have been coughing. I spent three afternoons in bed overcoming a dry cough with no fever. Sleep and fluids are always important when we aren't feeling our best.

I know several parents are going to be surprised by our progress reports. As the year progresses I look for new ways to challenge all of my students. As expectations increase students who have become confident in their abilities discover that they need to refocus and become more diligent in their class work. I did not send any work home with the progress reports because over the next week I am going to sit down with each student, during class, and show them what they can do to improve their grades. They will bring their work home after their meeting with me and any work with a grade of 70% or below will require a parent signature.

Additional Supply Requests

Toilet paper rolls, paper towel rolls, baby food jars and shoe boxes are back on our requested supply list. Many of our class projects can be completed with these recyclable materials. As always class donations assist students who are attempting to achieve an E for their caring grade.

1/31/2011

Spelling Words:

Group A:
1. sing
2. song
3. ring
4. your
5. bring
6. long
7. spring
8. song
9. sung
10. thing

Group B:
11. zoo
12. home
13. lone
14. alone
15. one

Group C:
16. hang
17. rang
18. when
19. bus
20. must

Phonograms: ng, ou, oo, wh

Super Supply: Construction paper, colored copy paper, 5 pound bags of salt.

High Expecations

We are halfway through the year and expectations are increasing. Homework is going to be more challenging as well. The most important expectation that our class is having a challenge with is behavior. I am phasing out the dot system that is regularly used in kindergarten, and continuing to use tickets as well as the positive affirmation worksheets. After a particularly challenging day on Tuesday our students received their first taste of second grade expectations yesterday. The day was very challenging for many students and many students will not be having recess until their affirmations are complete. A classroom with few behavior issues and distractions is a better learning environment for all.