Hello Somerset Families!
Welcome to the 2026–2027 school year! I am so excited to partner with you and start this journey with your first graders. Learning new classroom routines and expectations is a team effort, so please read through the details below to help get us off to a great start.
Email and text are our primary communication tools for updates, but if you ever need to update your email address or contact info, please let me know. I do my best to respond to messages after school or within 48 hours.
IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION
- Main Office: 651-403-8200
- Nurse: 651-403-8202
- Attendance Line: 651-403-8207
- Mrs. Angela Brignac: 651-403-8212 | angela.brignac@isd197.org
ACTION REQUIRED
- End-of-Day Routine Form: Please fill out THIS end-of-day routine form as soon as possible.
- Bus Information: Include your child's bus number on the form. Note: District policy states students cannot ride home on a bus other than their assigned one.
- SAC (School-Age Care): SAC enrollment is separate from the school. Please notify your teacher directly if your child attends SAC and their schedule changes.
SCHOOL HOURS, ARRIVAL & DISMISSAL
- Hours: 7:45 AM – 2:15 PM (Doors open at 7:30 AM).
- Morning Meeting: Students must be in the classroom by 7:45 AM. Arriving on time is critical, as Morning Meeting sets a positive tone for learning and builds our classroom community.
- First-Week Routine: Next Wednesday and Thursday, I will meet the class in front of the school so everyone can walk in together for breakfast. First graders are also escorted out together at dismissal.
- Drop-off & Pick-up Details: See Mrs. Kujawski’s newsletter / Somerset E-News for full procedures.
CLASSROOM ESSENTIALS & POLICIES
- School Supplies: If you haven't sent your child's supplies yet, please send them on the first day.
- Lockers: Each student will have a labeled locker in the main hallway (marked with yellow pencil name tags). Please make sure all personal toys and valuables remain at home
. - Breakfast & Lunch: Both are free for all students. Breakfast is eaten in the classroom before Morning Meeting (please discuss with your child whether they should eat at home or at school)
. Lunch includes a hot entree or sandwich option (menus are available on the Somerset E-News or district website) .
- Snack & Water Bottle: We have a daily mid-morning snack (around 10:00 AM)
. Please send one simple individual item daily. Students may bring a labeled, reusable water bottle (smaller sizes are preferred to save desk space) . - Friday Folders: Green folders go home every Friday filled with student work and school communications. Please review over the weekend and return them empty every Monday
. - Birthdays: Birthdays are celebrated in class and during morning announcements (summer birthdays are celebrated at the end of the year/half-birthdays; weekend birthdays on the preceding Friday or following Monday)
. To keep celebrations equitable, no outside food or gifts are permitted. - At-Home Learning: Daily home reading is essential—aim for 15–20 minutes per day and take time to discuss characters, settings, and plots together. More information regarding math will be coming soon!
- Independence Practice: You can support your child at home by encouraging them to pack their own snack/water, tie their shoes, zip their winter coat, and manage their own backpack and folder daily.
DAILY SCHEDULE & SPECIALISTS
Our full daily schedule is below. Here is our weekly specialist breakdown (10:00–11:00 AM):
Monday: P.E. and Music *Bring gym shoes!
Tuesday: Science
Wednesday: P.E. and Music *Bring gym shoes!
Thursday: Art
Friday: P.E. and Music *Bring gym shoes!
COMMUNICATION & SPECIAL EVENTS
- Changes in After-School Plans: Email or send a TalkingPoints message before 11:00 AM
. For any changes after 11:00 AM, please contact both me and the main office directly to ensure the message is received. . - Weekly Updates: Look for weekly update emails (sent Fridays around 2:30 PM) to keep you informed about classroom activities
. Mrs. Kujawski will also send weekly schoolwide emails . - Too Many Apps! What are they for?: As a parent, I know it can be overwhelming when information is sent out in a variety of formats. We have several apps that you may be connected to, and here is how they are used:
- TalkingPoints: Used when there is a quick notice to send out right away (e.g., field trip reminders, pickup/bus issues, or specific updates about your child that day). If you do not have the app, the message will be sent via text message. You can also use it to communicate directly with us (e.g., letting us know if your child is home sick).
- Seesaw: Used for students to share their work. They will post photos of their writing journals each week and sometimes complete supplemental learning activities through the app. You can also access our morning announcements here. No messages or general photos will be shared through Seesaw.
- Note: Most information specific to our class will be sent in our weekly update and communicated through this blog. The best way to communicate with us is through email or TalkingPoints.
- Star Student of the Week: Most weeks, a student will be featured as our special helper and share a poster/photos. Posters will be sent home the Friday before your child's scheduled week. *Schedule coming soon!
I am so excited to work together to support your first grader's growth this year! Please feel free to reach out anytime with questions or concerns
Warmly,
