Fall Festival

Thanks to all the families who took the time to organize, put together and run the Fall Festival.  Many of the first grade students were in attendance and as noted by Mrs. Fairman, all smiles, many with butterflies and other decorations painted on their faces by our talented parents.

The food choices provided a good balance of nutrition, with turkey hot dogs being served alongside fresh cut carrots, corn on the cob, popcorn, fresh squeezed lemonade, and apples for munching.   The Learner Profile Cake Walk and the Donut on a String provided sweet fun, along with some county fair type games the children enjoyed.

Students worked off those sweets in the Bounce House, and then took time to show off their square dancing skills.  Thanks to the Geauga County 4-H Club dancers who showed us what square dancing looks like after LOTS of practice!

What Fall Festival would be complete without a pumpkin patch?  Many of the students left with pumpkins in hand.  I wonder if pumpkin seeds will be the snack of choice this week.

Following The Essential Agreements

We are wrapping up our work on the planner entitled Who We Are.  As a final activity, the students are working in groups to write plays that show their understanding of the Essential Agreements.  Each of the three first grade classrooms has taken ownership of two of the Essential Agreements.  The students have been practicing their plays and continue to put some final touches on their productions.  This week we will practice speaking at Voice Meter 3 for the presentation to parents on Friday, October 14, at 8:30 a.m. in the Music Room.  Look for the invitation your child will bring home!  See you then!

Progress Reports

It's hard to believe that we are halfway through our first quarter of school.  Be sure to look for your child's progress report that was sent home on Friday in the homework folder.  If you wish to schedule a conference, return the progress report with the request noted.  You can also send an email to your child's teacher or call the school at 216-431-2225 and leave a contact number. 

Thank you to all the families that took the time to fill out the questionnaire related to our current planner, Who We Are.  As we work with the students to help them understand that actions have consequences, we continue to look for evidence of understanding and positive actions the students are taking.  So many wonderful examples were cited of evidence you are seeing in your homes and out in the community.  We are so proud of the social growth and the acceptance of responsibility that we have seen in our students in the school setting and are pleased that they are truly internalizing their learning as evidenced by your responses.

Curriculum Night

Thank you to all the families who attended Curriculum Night Tuesday evening.  The students were so excited to show off the work they have completed. Monet's water lilies were on display in Ms. Fairman's room, covering the folders that held the student work.  The students could not wait to read their I Wonder Journals Wednesday morning and read what their parents had to say!  Thank you to Ms. Tylicki's students for signing the song, It's a Wonderful World.  Ms. Hill's students each wrote a letter to a family member welcoming them to the classroom.  Thank you to all of our wonderful parents for your positive comments and support!

From Kindergarten to First Grade

From planting to harvest to the table - the CIS first grade students got to experience all three. While in kindergarten, they planted potatoes. On Friday, those potatoes were harvested with all the students having the opportunity to dig in the soil and find potatoes. Finally, their potatoes were cooked and mashed and the students got to eat mashed potatoes with their lunches. Make sure to ask your child what the purple mashed potatoes taste like!

Campus International "County" Fair

What an exciting day for our first grade students.  Mrs. Tylicki hosted a "county fair" in her classroom.  Her students brought in stuffed animals, fruits and vegetables.  Blue ribbons were awarded to the best in each class.  All the first grade students had an opportunity to walk through the "fair" and see the winning entries.  Mrs. Tylicki taught them about the difference between straw and hay, bringing samples from her farm.  The students also got to see llama wool, think of items that could be made using the wool, and then feeling it.  The hit of the "fair" was the chicken Mrs. Tylicki brought in.  The students all had an opportunity to think of a name for the chicken and their choices will be compiled into a graph.  Finally, Mrs. Tylicki provided popcorn and lemonade, because no trip to the County Fair is complete without food. If you get an opportunity to visit the Great Geauga County Fair this weekend, do so.  We are sure your children would love to experience the real thing!  Have a wonderful holiday!

Welcome to CIS First Grade

What an exciting start of the year we have had.  The students have written messages to the kindergarten students.  Their words of encouragement were received with big smiles from the kindergarteners and their teachers.  We are working hard to increase our reading stamina.  In math, we are completing break apart tasks to show our understanding of addition.  We look forward to Open House to show you all we have accomplished.