Welcome Letter
My name is Sheryl MacLeod and I will be teaching 2B this year. I am from Canada and have been living and teaching in Taiwan for 12 years. My family in Taiwan includes my husband, my daughter, age 7, and my son, age 5.
I believe that the classroom has to be a place where everyone is comfortable and willing to learn. I want your children to love coming to school. This year will be an opportunity for the children and I to learn and grow together. We are going to enjoy new challenges and I hope you will be an active participant.
New school policy says that attendance needs to be taken daily at 8.00am every morning. Parents will be contacted by phone to find our why their child is absent/late and any child who arrives at school after 8.20am will be marked Absent even if they arrive at school. Please make sure your child arrives at school between 7.40 - 8.00am as we will start class instruction promptly at 8:10.
To help your child become more familiar with the class and each other please have your child bring something to school on Thursday, September 1st that they can share with the class. For example, a favorite book, toy, or picture.
Here are some important notes:
Healthy Snacks
Please help to promote good eating habits by providing your child healthy snacks such as fresh fruit, crackers, etc. Students will be able to eat their snacks during the 10-minute break at 10.00am.
Healthy Drinking Habits
Please ensure that your child brings a sturdy water bottle that can be refilled at school daily.
Homework Routine
Adequate time will be given for your child to complete their work at school. However, if assigned work is not completed at school, it will be sent home as homework. As part of our routine, please support our daily homework routine by keeping track of your child's progress and signing their homework assignment book daily.
An example of a homework assignment = Independent reading (15-20 mins) + homework tasks (max. of 15 to 20 mins. e.g. Spelling, Math, Vocabulary, and unfinished work).
List of Classroom Supplies
Please help your child prepare and bring the following things to class by Friday, September 2nd. Please make sure everything is marked with your child's name.
A pencil case with the following:
• 6 or more pencils (no mechanical pencils)
• 3 erasers
• ruler
• a pen - any color but red - for corrections
• a set of crayons and or colored pencils (no pastels or markers)
• scissors
• glue
• toothbrush and toothpaste
• cup
• 1 box of tissue (to be kept in their cubby)
• 1 rag/cloth to clean their desks
• 1 set of eating utensils (chopsticks/spoon/etc)
• Children's Dictionary
Please purchase 4 notebook/exercise books (from HiLife)
• 1 blue for Journal
• 2 larger spaced lined YELLOW notebooks for Spelling and Vocabulary
• 1 smaller spaced lined YELLOW notebook for Homework/Communication book
NOTE: if your child is eating the school lunch, make sure he/she has a plate/bowl to put the food in.
Email Communication
Lastly, I would appreciate a short email letting me know that you have received this letter. In your email, please include the following information:
1. Your child's name
2. Your child's birthday
3. Are there any medical concerns that I should be aware of? (medication/allergies/etc)
4. Both parents' names
5. Both parent's occupations
6. Emergency contact person and phone number
7. What are your child's strengths? Things that need work? (academically and socially)
8. What language(s) does your child speak mostly at home?
9. What else would you like me to know about your child? Please list any accommodations and suggestions.
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to send me an email at smacleod.ibsh@gmail.com. I look forward to meeting all parents at the PTA organized Parent-Teacher day on Saturday, September 24th. I will be organizing time on that day for individual parent meetings if you have any questions or concerns that you wish to discuss.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Sheryl MacLeod
smacleod.ibsh@gmail.com