Raz Kids Update

I want to send a HUGE congratulations to those who have already accessed their Raz Kids account!  I'm very impressed with how many books our class has already read since Friday!

If you have not had a chance to access your child's account, I highly recommend this amazing at-home leveled reading program.   

If you have any questions, or are having trouble logging on, please let me know. 

Happy reading!

Have a Wonderful Break!

From the whole First Grade Team...

Happy Holidays

Raz Kids

We've got Raz Kids! 

Today, all of the first grade classrooms had their Raz Kids reading account activated for use!  Raz Kids, which stands for Reading A to Z, is an amazing program that allows students to read books at their level from home.

Today your children brought home a parent letter i their red folders.  This letter explains Raz Kids and gives you your child's username and password.  To help get you started, I have included a link to the login page for your convenience.

Helpful Hints

1.  You need to search for your child's teacher's username to find our class list.  To do this, use the name mrkefgen in the search box.  No period, all lowercase.

2.  Find and select our child's name from our classroom page.

3.  Enter your child's password.  Each child has a unique password.  This is their last name and birthday.  For example, my birthday is May 27, so my password would be kefgen527.  When entering the numbers, you do not need to add any 0's (as in 01) for either the month or date.

4.  After logging in, your child has an assignment section.  Here, I have load their scores so that they have access to "Just Right," "Comfort" (2 levels below their level) and "Challenge Books" (2 levels above their level).  They should select the "eye" icon to read each book, both fiction and non-fiction, as well as the "?" to take a comprehension quiz.  The "ear" icon reads the book to them.

5.  The more books and quizzes the children use, the more stars they can earn.  They can use their stars to design their own robots and spaceships.

If you have any questions, please let me know.  I am so excited that we have access this our account just in time for the long break!.

Good luck and keep reading!  :)

http://www.raz-kids.com/main/Login

Popcorn Day - Tuesday, Dec. 16

This is a gentle reminder that tomorrow, Tuesday, Dec. 16, will be Popcorn Day.  The cost is $0.50 per bag.  Students who forget their money will also be able to have popcorn.

If you do not want your child to have popcorn, please let me know.  Thank you!

Fruit Donation Reminder

This is a gentle reminder that Harlan will be collecting fruits to be donated to local soup kitchens and shelters this week. 

If possible, please send in one or more pieces of fruit for our multi-age Husky Packs tomorrow, Monday, Dec. 15. 

The fruits we are asking for include apples, oranges, grapefruits and pears as these fruits last the longest. 

Thank you in advance for your help!  If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Mystery Reader

Thank you so much to HH for joining us as our Mystery Reader today!  The children had a great time guessing what the different animals in your book were!

If you were interested in becoming a Mystery Reader please use the below link to find an available date that works best with your schedule. 

Fruit Donations for Husky Packs

In our multi-age Husky Pack meetings this Monday, Dec. 15, students will hear a story about a soup kitchen and see an interview with the director of The Welcome Inn day shelter/soup kitchen.  We will also make fruit baskets to be donated to The Welcome Inn, Lighthouse of Oakland County and Open Hands Food Pantry.

We are asking each student to please bring one or more pieces of fruit (apples, oranges, grapefruits or pears, as these last the longest) to school on Monday, Dec. 15 so that they can be made into edible donation baskets.

If you have any questions, please let me know.  Thank you in advance!

Winter Party - Thursday, Dec. 18

This is a gentle reminder that on Thursday, December 18 from 2:15 - 3:15pm, our class will be enjoying our Winter Party!  We will have snacks, activities and lots of fun!  Please know that all families are invited to join us for the party.  If you have any questions, you may contact our room parent directly, or let me know and I can pass the information along. 

We cant wait to see everyone next week!

Schedule for the Week of 12/15 - 12/19

Monday (C) - PE
Tuesday (D) - Media Center
Wednesday (A) - Music
Thursday (B) - Music & Art
Friday (C) - PE

Please remember to bring gym shoes on days we have PE and return library books on days we visit the Media Center.

Delayed Start Reminder

This is a gentle reminder that tomorrow, Wednesday, December 10 will be a delayed start day. School will begin at 10:14 AM. All buses will run their usual routes, only 90 minutes later. 

If you have any questions, please let me know. 

Pink Eye

From the Office: 

Conjunctivitis has been reported in your student’s grade level at Harlan School.  The invasion period may be variable after exposure.

            Observe your child for symptoms during this period.  Keep your child home if he/she shows signs of illness.  Attacks of this disease may vary in severity.  Some may be very mild.  Either severe or mild cases may have serious complications.  It is usually from mild attacks that the disease spreads because the parent does not recognize the disease and fails to call the physician.

            Cases of Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria, Smallpox, Tuberculosis, Infectious Hepatitis, Typhoid Fever and Salmonella (intestinal infections) should be reported to the Health Department immediately.  Children who have recovered from these diseases, except Scarlet Fever, must have clearance through the Department of Health in order to return to school.

Gentle Reminder

This is a gentle reminder that we will be visiting the Media Center tomorrow afternoon. Please remember to return media center books so that your child can check out new books for the week. 

Thank you in advance!