WELCOME TO TISA!

Dear Fabulous TISA First Grade Families,

WELCOME TO A YEAR OF NEW ADVENTURES AT TISA!

If this is your first message from me, here is a warm welcome to our first grade class community at TISA! Hope you are enjoying the last bit of yet another luscious summer in Taos. Please read this message attentively as there is much to share.

First off: CELEBRATE AUGUST 14, the first day of school!

There will be many milestones and moments to cherish on your child's path every school year. To ease into first grade, why not make the first day a precious memory for all? 

How about

• going on a special walk/hike 
• making first day "jitters-away" goo 
• looking at your old school photos and sharing a family school story
• starting a scrap book of the school year
• tucking in a special lunch box note for the first day
• planning on a fun activity after the first day of school
• taking an "off-to-first grade" photo

THE NIGHT BEFORE ...

• Prepare lunch box and snack together (include utensils and washcloth/kitchen towel/cloth napkin)
• Set out first day of school clothes+shoes together
• Relax with a favorite book/bubble bath
• Tuck in early! For a happy first day, get a good night's sleep (my prescription: start bedtime routines by 7:30, snuggle in bed by 8:30pm, get 10 hours of shut-eye)

COMMUNICATION


Jutka's cell: 575-779-1952 (Please text me and I will respond as soon as time allows.) Please send me a message from your cell phone and mention your name, so I can enter your family on my phone.
Jutka's email: jutka@tisataos.org 
You are receiving this post in an email format as well, just to ensure you don't miss out! Please shoot me an email if you are new to TISA just so I know you received it.
First Grade on Fire (that's the dragon spirit!): tisa1.blogspot.com This is your hotline. Kinder newsletters and announcements will be published here regularly. I suggest that you bookmark it right now.
TISA home page: http://tisataos.org/
Follow us on Facebook: TISA on Facebook 

TISA'S CAMPUSES (just for another few weeks)
office phone: 575-758-7755
Lower elementary: K-3 campus (building by DRAGON FOUNTAIN downtown, near Enos Garcia), 119 Manzanares St, Taos, NM 87571  
Middle school and main office: 4-8 campus, 212 Bendix Dr, Taos, NM 87571

MONDAY 

• drop off: 8:00-8:15 That is as early as you can drop off. Please be on time. 
• pick up: 3:30-3:40
• aftercare: 3:45-5:30 (free of charge) Monday through Thursday

ABSENCES

TISA's tardy policy is as follows. If your child is arriving after late, please stop by Miss Patsy's room (third grade) to get a tardy slip. You will be asked to present the tardy slip when your child enters the first grade room. Three unexcused tardies 

BACK TO SCHOOL NIGHT

Please mark your calendars for August 17 (Thursday) from 5:30 to 6:30. I will be discussing first grade curriculum, TISA policies, homework and art integration. Look forward to collaborating with you all this year!

WHAT TO BRING ON MONDAY
Please refer to the "school supplies" entry on the blog for detailed information
We will need a sketchbook as soon as you are able to bring it (please label)
Have a full set of extra clothes and long sleeves labeled in backpack (and tuck in a wash cloth too)
lunch, snack, and water bottle (labeled)
any paperwork you might have for the office
photos of your family/adventures to share 

WHAT YOU WILL BE ASKED TO FILL OUT ON MONDAY
family contact info
pick-up contact info
volunteer functions

PARENT VOLUNTEERS: I am setting up our classroom and posted chores on the supply list page (here on the blog). I need volunteers to help, especially with classroom activities. Your support will make a world of difference.

TISA Clubs

We are currently working with teachers to come up with a schedule of clubs. Clubs will start on the week of August 21 (during the second week of school). Once a schedule is in place, an electronic copy will be sent out.

See you on Monday, Aug. 14!

Miss Jutka  (say: you-t-kah)