We had a wonderful first week getting to know your children, and we are so excited to start the year together.
Each week this newsletter will tell you what is coming up: which special your child has each day, what we are learning in each class, upcoming events at school, ideas for things to practice at home, and our weekly ROAR Award winners.
We hope you were able to join us at the Family Fiesta on Friday evening — it was a wonderful way to begin the year together. Our next big school event is Back to School Night on Thursday, September 10, from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, in the school gym at Newton for Kindergarten through 5th grade. Enter through the soccer field.
Here is to a wonderful year!
First Grade
Weekly Newsletter
Week of August 31, 2026
Hello 1st Grade Families!
School Year at a Glance
2/44
Week
174
school days remaining
This Month's Strong Start Theme
Everyone Has a Place at Bancroft
Coming Up
- Sep 7 Labor Day No School
- Sep 10 Back to School Night — Thursday, September 10, 6:00-8:00 pm in the school gym at Newton, for Kindergarten through 5th grade. Enter through the soccer field.
- Oct 12 Indigenous Peoples' Day No School
- Oct 13 Parent-Teacher Conferences (No School for Students) No School
- Oct 30 Professional Development Day No School
- Nov 2 Records & Wellness Day No School
Specials Schedule
1:30–2:15| Monday Day F | Tuesday Day A | Wednesday Day B | Thursday Day C | Friday Day D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cartagena | 🎨 Art | 🎵 Music | 🔬 Science | 🏀 PE | 🏀 PE |
| Colombia | 🎵 Music | 🔬 Science | 🏀 PE | 🏀 PE | 📚 Library |
| España | 🔬 Science | 🏀 PE | 🏀 PE | 📚 Library | 🎨 Art |
| DR | 🏀 PE | 📚 Library | 🎨 Art | 🎵 Music | 🔬 Science |
| Managua | 🏀 PE | 🏀 PE | 📚 Library | 🎨 Art | 🎵 Music |
| Venezuela | 📚 Library | 🎨 Art | 🎵 Music | 🔬 Science | 🏀 PE |
Math News
This week your child begins using graphs to organize, represent, and interpret data. They collect data by counting various things, then represent the data in different graphs and charts. They also interpret those graphs and charts by comparing the categories, using the greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols to write comparison number sentences.
Key terms and symbols: graph, represent, greater than >, less than <
Try this at home — Organize and Compare: Prepare a disorganized pile of two or three types of objects, like forks and spoons. Ask your child to predict whether there are more of one object or the other. Then have them line up the objects in separate rows and count the number in each row to check their prediction. Encourage comparison statements like:
• "There are 4 spoons and 7 forks. 4 is less than 7. There are fewer spoons than forks."
• "There are 4 spoons and 4 forks. 4 is equal to 4. There is an equal number of forks and spoons."
Make a Graph: Collect data about objects around you, such as the number of buttons, pockets, and zippers on your clothing. Invite your child to graph the data with a picture graph or tally chart, then ask: "Do you have more buttons or more pockets? How do you know?"
For more details and at-home activities, see the Eureka Math Family Math letter: Topic A: Count and Compare with Data
Module Module 1: Counting, Comparison, and Addition
Topic Topic A: Count and Compare with Data
Lesson Lessons 1–5
Literacy News
SLA: This week, students will complete the i-Ready reading assessment in Spanish class. This assessment helps us understand what each student already knows and where they may need additional support. There is nothing to study — we simply ask that students do their best. You can help by making sure your child gets a good night's rest and arrives at school on time.
ELA: This week in ELA we are beginning our unit on Maps and exploring why we are bilingual. We love being bilingual at Bancroft — it is our superpower! This year, students will receive English instruction for the first time. At home, talk with your child about being bilingual and what it means to them.
Reading at home: The single best way to support your first grader this year is to have them read to you for at least 20 minutes a day, in both English and Spanish. We will remind you often — it makes that much of a difference!
Ask Your Child About...
What does it mean to be bilingual? Why is it a superpower?
What did you learn about maps this week?
Can you sort these into rows and tell me which group has more?
ROARS
Congratulations to this week's ROARS students for showing outstanding character!
Cartagena Liam E.
Colombia Maggie M.
España Jelitza T.
DR Suubi N.
Managua Stacey F.
Venezuela Ethan C.