First Grade Newsletter

Reading- This week, students will read a fantasy text called Brontorino. They will learn how to retell important parts of the story and describe the characters. The students will also read a folktale called The Great Ball Game and learn about point of view. Then students will learn about kindness and make connections while reading If You Plant a Seed. Please the attached letter about Module 4.

Math- This week, students will continue to work in Unit 3. They will explore equations. They will write addition expressions and compare equations within the range of 0 to 120. They will also engage in activities about subtraction and explore part-part-whole relationships. Soon we will begin Unit 4.

Content- This week in social studies, students will finish learning about their local community. They will learn about opportunity cost, goods and services, technology, community helpers, and the importance of rules in a community. They will then begin learning about plants and animals in the Creepers and Creatures Features science unit.

*December 8 - Fall Picture Retakes

*December 15 - Wall of Valor Forms Due

*December 20 - Pajama Day

*December 21 - Winter Celebration

*December 22 - Half Day of School, Asynchronous Learning

*December 23 - January 1- Winter Break

*January 2 - Schools Reopen

*May 4, 2024 Westy Wellness Walk (see below)

Please see the following guidelines on volunteering this school year.

• All volunteers must complete the volunteer application and participate in an orientation/training session annually beginning on July 1st. All volunteer training expires on June 30th.

Masks are currently optional in all BCPS schools and offices, regardless of vaccination status. We continue to monitor current metrics as well as recommendations from the CDC, Baltimore County Health Department, and the Office of Health Services. Please view the BCPS COVID-19 website for updates.

Step 1:
Complete the BCPS Volunteer Application - Complete and save a copy to your computer or device. You will need to send this along with your training certificates to the volunteer coordinator at your desired location. Applications are available in the following languages:
Spanish | Arabic | Burmese | French | Nepali |
Russian | Urdu | Vietnamese | Yoruba

Step 2:
Complete the online Volunteer Orientation training. The training is available in English and Spanish. Once the user has logged in, language selection is at the top right next to the profile picture.

• New Users
• Returning Users with an existing Vector Login

If you have completed training in the past but don't remember your login information, please email your school's volunteer coordinator for assistance in recovery.

Once you've completed the training you will be provided with a certificate. Print them both out and send them to school. Please save a copy (electronic or printed) for your records.

Step 3:

Send your certificate and application to the volunteer coordinator at the location you would like to volunteer. They will work with you to find the perfect placement!

***Early Dismissal Procedures AND Absences- If your child is to be absent, late, or picked up early on any given day, please make sure to include the following persons within your email:

1. Your Student's Homeroom teacher
2. Mrs. Ford- dford3@bcps.org
3. Mrs. Sidou- asidou@bcps.org

***Absences due to Illness- If your child is absent due to illness on any given day, please make sure to include the following persons within your email:

1. Your Student's Homeroom teacher
2. Mrs. Ford- dford3@bcps.org
3. Mrs. Sidou- asidou@bcps.org
4. Mrs. Vanderwal- lvanderwal@bcps.org

*Please continue to check your child’s gold Westy Folder and planner nightly. Thank you for initialing home in the agenda when your child has completed it.

*Students are expected to read for 15 minutes each night and math homework will be coming home 2 times a week.

*A smiley face in your child’s planner means they had a great day.

*Please encourage your child to bring a water bottle to school daily to limit the number of times they travel to the water cooler.

*We will continue to head outside for recess. Please make sure your child is wearing appropriate clothing for outdoor recess as the weather changes.

*If you are volunteering at WTES and would like your child to leave with you before the end of the school day, please make sure to send in a note, email, and/or let someone know in the office know when you obtain your badge.

Mrs. Vanderwal has asked the teachers to reach out to all of you asking for extra clothes for the health suite. She is in need of stretchy pants, clean gently used underwear, and shirts. If you have something to donate, just put it in a bag marked for Mrs. Vanderwal and we will send it down to her office.

The first grade project is melting used crayons to make fun shaped recycled crayons. Please let your classroom teacher know if you are interested in helping with this project. The kids have a lot of fun and everything you need will be sent home in a kit.

Many students have been bringing in toys from home. Unfortunately, this can be very distracting for those students, as well as the other students in the classroom. If you could please remind your child to leave his/her toys at home, we would greatly appreciate it!

Destruction and/or vandalism of school property

is a Category II offense. This includes the

destruction of technological devices. The student's

responsible use of technology/internet is

described in the 2023-2024 BCPS Student

Handbook.

Specifically, it indicates that students shall be

held responsible for the appropriate use of

BCPS technology and will be subject to disciplinary

action for any violation of the Technology

Acceptable Use Policy (TAUP). Students

are required to be safe, secure, and responsible

digital citizens when using BCPS electronic

devices, networks, and the internet.

Acknowledgment of the Student Handbook

indicates that students agree to the following:

Protecting school property and understanding

that vandalism is prohibited. This includes, but

is not limited to, accessing, modifying, or destroying

equipment, programs, files, or settings

on any computer or technology resource.

Questions regarding this information should be

directed to the following individual(s):

Dr. Kevin Roberts, Director

Office of School Climate and Culture

(From Left to Right:) Kristen Zdon, Amy Conklin, and Angela Robitaille

Hi! My name is Amy Conklin and I am originally from New York. I have lived in Maryland for 28 years and am in my 27th year of teaching. I have a 21 year old daughter named Brielle and a 16 year old son named Rhys. My husband and I have been married for 23 years.

I like to spend time with my family, go skiing, and go kayaking.

I am excited to have a great year teaching at West Towson.

Hi! I am Angela Robitaille, one of the first grade teachers at West Towson Elementary. I’m going into my 19th year of teaching this school year and am so excited to be teaching first grade. I was a second grade teacher for five years before teaching at West Towson. I have loved every moment of my teaching career and I especially love being a Westy!

I grew up in Frederick County, Maryland. I went to Villa Julie College where I earned my Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Elementary Education. I also earned my Masters of Arts in Teaching at Grand Canyon University. The year I started teaching in Baltimore County I married my husband Joe. We lived in Baltimore County for almost two years. Then we moved to New Freedom, Pennsylvania where we still live. My husband and I have two boys, Landon and Kylan. We love spending time together as a family.

I look forward to a fantastic year in first grade at West Towson!

Hi! My name is Kristen Zdon and I am one of the first grade teachers as West Towson Elementary. I have taught 3rd grade for three and a half years at WTES and this is my second year in first grade. I graduated from Towson University in 2018 and currently working on my masters degree from Loyola Maryland. I am from Harford County, Maryland and currently living in Baltimore. I love spending time with family and friends, traveling, and summers at the beach. I am absolutely loving first grade and working with all the amazing students and their families!