My letter

So here is the letter that I came up with.  Really I took a few of the letters from other teachers in my school, took a few suggestions from some friends of mine, and this is what I got.    We'll see how it goes through the year.
 Also, I talked with the previous teacher of my class and I feel much better.  She is still an employee of the school, in a support position.  See, her parents are sick and in another state so she will need to be able to leave whenever they need her... so she is staying on at my school, just not as a lead teacher.  Her main focus is to work side by side with me until I feel like I can handle it on my own, and then she will phase out of my specific classroom.  I'm so excited that I will have a mentor of sorts.  It makes me feel much less panicky.  

In any case, the letter to my parents/students follows:

 Dear Parents and Students,

                My name is Sandy Wade.  I am going to be taking over Ms. Patrice Britz’s class this year.  I’m looking forward to a wonderful school year with lots of learning!  I can’t wait to meet your children so that we can learn and grow together. 

                I have been asked to put together a list of things that our classroom needs.  Our room has almost no storage, so I will ask for supplies throughout the year as the class needs things.  Please put all your receipts in the bags you send in- that way I can exchange items I don’t need for those I do.  (It is helpful if the stores are something common, such as Office Max or Depot or Target or Wal-Mart.)  Please do not put names on anything- including notebooks. 

These things should be brought in on the first day:

·         5 composition notebooks (sewn, not spiral)

·         1 math composition notebook- 4 squares to an inch (bound not spiral), usually available at Office Max or Staples.  5 squares per inch is too small.

·         24 #2 pencils (Ticonderoga if possible)

·         Box of at least 24 colored pencils

·         Erasers

·         Lunch box with containers that limit consumer trash (name can be on these if you like)

These things can be brought in at your convenience; I will let you know throughout the year if our class needs anything immediately

·         1 box of tissues per student

·         Non-toxic dishwashing liquid

·         Non-toxic liquid hand soap

·         Band-Aids

·         Non-toxic, eco-friendly household cleaner

·         Ziploc baggies

·         Small bags of flour, bottles of oil and boxes of salt to make clay.

The children are able to bring snacks with them to class.  Feel free to have your child pack a healthy snack (please no cookies or candy).  We might need to add an afternoon snack option, depending on when our lunch time falls.  When I get more information on that, I will let you know. 

As of right now, I do not have a CMS email.  Until I do, I have set up a temporary email at .....   If you would please send me your current email so that we can keep in touch, that would be wonderful.  Feel free to contact me to say hello or with any questions you may have. 

Thank you,

Miss Sandy