Dear Parents,                      

I would just like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your little one to first grade! I hope you all had a relaxing and restful summer! First grade is the very best grade to "be in" and to teach! The children are so excited because they know they will be learning to read just like big people! In addition to having a class full of young readers at the conclusion of first grade, I, the teacher, am so delighted to be able to share each day with your child and to nurture them as they make their way along each day of this year.

This year our theme is Hollywood! We will be "Setting the Stage for Learning". We will learn about a variety of things in first grade. All of our units of study will be based off of the Common Core State Standards and the South Carolina state standards for first grade. I hope that your child will find them fun and exciting. Please know that I will do my best to help ease your child into this transition.
 

The beginning of the school year is exciting, but it can be rather stressful as well.  I do want to prepare you because there is a significant difference between first grade and kindergarten. Please know that I will take every opportunity to give out hugs and words of encouragement to help ease your child as they transition back to school and into 1st grade! 

I hope that this note has provided some helpful information, but, more importantly, served to calm any fears that you may have had regarding first grade. Please know that by working together, we will all succeed and have a wonderful year! If I can be of any help at all, please call the school at 352-6154 and I will return your call as soon as I can. You can also reach me via email mapps@anderson3.k12.sc.us.

Looking forward to walking the red carpet this year at school with your child!

 Sincerely,

Mrs. Susan L. Mapp