Reading log Daily 10 minutes
-Spelling Worksheets
-Math Worksheets
 

Welcome to First Grade! 

Dear Parent/Guardian,

My name is Amanda Garcia and I will be your child’s First Grade Teacher at St. Leander School. I am very excited to be working with each one of your children and look forward to getting to know them better. I have heard wonderful things from Mrs. Jitosho and I am thankful to have such great parents and students joining my class this year. Due to Covid-19, we will begin this school year with virtual learning however this can change within the next couple of months. As we move forward with this academic school year, I ask you all for your support and patience.

About Me 

I grew up in East Oakland and attended Catholic schools for most of my academic career.  I attended St. Elizabeth Elementary School from K- 8th and then attended Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School in Alameda.  I went on to receive my Bachelors’s Degree and teacher education from Cal State East Bay.   I have been working with the youth for almost 10 years.  This will be my sixth year teaching and working with 1st graders.  When I am not teaching. I love watching movies with my family and playing with my baby who was born in February. Being a mom is a new adventure and I always welcome any parental advice.  My favorite animal is the panda and I love the color purple. 

Communication/ClassDojo/Zoom:

    My main form of communication will be through Classdojo.  This is a free app that allows us to instantly communicate with one another.  I will also be using this site to communicate important updates, class activities, and important school information.  I will be sending you a link via email that will instruct you on how to download the app and connect to our class.  If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please message me through this platform and not through email. 

    It is expected that during our zoom time your child is ready to learn and is presentable for class.  There will be no eating however drinking water will be allowed.  Students should use the restroom during breaks or independent work time.
 

Google Classroom:

    Our class will be using Google Classroom for our daily agenda, morning message, and any printable assignments.  I will try my best to not have many printables for assignments and will try to convert any printable documents into PDFs so that it can be completed digitally.  In google classroom, your child will also be able to access the websites that we will be using this year.  I ask for your patience, as I am still trying to learn more features around google classroom.  I will message you via Classdojo when we are ready to use it. 

Websites

    This year we will be using many educational websites. These websites include Raz Kids, Lexia, and Mathletics.  I will also be using youtube to post previously recorded lessons so that you can go back and view them.  Our youtube channel will be sent to you via Classdojo. I will post tutorials on how to use each of these different websites as well as do in-depth lessons with your child so they are able to access these sites safely on their own. 

Books and Materials

    Your child was given a bag of different books and materials.  This bag included a Social Studies book and workbook, a Spelling workbook, 2 folder workbooks (one red, one gray), 2 Go Math workbooks, a Religion book, 5 reading books, and a whiteboard.  I highly advise that all these materials stay together and be put in an area where they are easily accessible to your child.  The 5 reading books that were provided are to be returned at our next scheduled pickup.  If any of the hard textbooks or reading books are misplaced or damaged it will be your responsibility to replace them.  No eraser was provided for the whiteboard but an old sock will work just fine. 

Distance Learning

For tips on how your child can be successful during distance learning please visit https://acs-schools.com/parents-guide-distance-learning

This website provides great information and helpful advice. 

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns please feel free to contact me via Classdojo. I look forward to working with you and your child. Let’s have a wonderful year! 

Sincerely,

Amanda Garcia
1st Grade Teacher