ABC's of First Grade
Everything you need to know and more!
A
Absences- Although we encourage 100% attendance this school year, kids do get sick! If your child is sick, feel free to shoot me an email or call the school. Please send in a note regarding the absence NO LATER THAN 3 days after absence. Please review WCPSS or DDES handbook regarding absences. Please understand that absences will be marked unexcused unless there is a valid reason (sick, doctor’s appointment, death in the family, etc.).
Allergies- Please let me know if you child has an allergy, especially to food or insects. Please also review the WCPSS handbook concerning actions that need to take place to make sure your child is safe this school year!
B
Book Orders- Scholastic book orders help your child and our classroom! I will be sending home monthly book orders with your child except the months that our school has book sales in the media center. PLEASE ORDER ONLINE if possible! Every parent order = one free book for the classroom! Plus, I receive bonus points for all parent orders that I can use towards classroom books/supplies!
Birthdays- It’s important to me to recognize your child on his/her special day. Feel free to bring in a treat or snack for the class. WCPSS’s policy is that any food/treats need to be store bought. In addition, we have a peanut allergy in the classroom (please be sensitive to what you buy!) Please notify me 2+days in advance and remember to ask how many students are in the classroom as our class size changes throughout the year.
C
Communication and Conferences-
Communication is one of the best tools of success between the student-family-teacher. Just to give you a heads up on communication... EMAIL is the BEST way to get in contact with me during the day since I do not always receive phone messages right away. My email address is: [email protected]. I will make necessary phone calls after school during the year from 3:45-5:00 unless it is an emergency. Parent conferences will be scheduled from 7:45-8:15 and from 4:15-5:00 throughout the year. I will send weekly/biweekly emails for reminders and upcoming events. You can also visit my website where you can read up-to-date information about our classroom and be able to post comments as well! :)
D
Discipline- In our class, we believe that positive behavior should be encouraged and rewarded. We will also understand that learning means students should be doing hands-on activities that may have them moving around, talking, or even playing. Even though these learning experiences are active, we expect the students to follow classroom
rules and expectations.
Our Class Rules:
1. Listen to and respect all adults.
2. Be nice to and respect other students and their property.
3. Share.
4. Use inside voices when we are inside the classroom and school.
5. Use walking feet.
6. Have fun! J
If a student chooses to break the classroom or school rules:
1st consequence: Warning
2nd consequence: Silent Lunch or Loss of Area on playground
3rd consequence: Note or phone call to parents
4th consequence: Office Visit
*Students who demonstrate a behavior such as fighting will not be tolerated and all consequences will be bypassed. The student will be immediately referred to the office.
Positive Behavior is Rewarded!!!!
Our school follows the SOAR
program:
S=Safety
O=Ownership
A=Act Responsibly
R= Respect Everyone
Our classroom will integrate the SOAR program by using our own unique classroom behavior system.
E
Early Release- Students are released at 1:15. PLEASE make sure you are ready to pick up your student or have someone available to pick them up from their bus stop.
F
Field Trips- We will go on a few field trips this year. We will notify you in advance with a letter. Most field trips will cost a few dollars due to transportation or fee at the field trip site. We try our hardest to keep costs at a minimum. Our goal is to have every child attend a field trip, please let us know if you are unable to send in a payment, forms will still need to be signed! Chaperones may also attend but will need to ride separately due to county policy. Please make sure you are a REGISTERED volunteer in order to work with students and attend the trip!
G
GO Folder- I call this the “Go Folder” because it will go to school and go back home with your child every day. The following components will be in the folder:
1. Parent Paperwork-The front pocket of the folder will be used for any paperwork that needs to be seen by parents. It may include monthly newsletters, calendars, special
announcements, permission forms, etc.
2. Homework-The back pocket of the folder is to be used for homework. They will receive homework each day and return it to school. Homework will be taken out of the
folder by the student and placed in the correct turn in spot in the classroom.
3. Paper communication-Please use the notebook paper provided in the folder to communicate with me. Changes in transportation, questions, concerns, and compliments can all be written in this folder. They will be checked here at school every day and I ask that you check them daily as well. The notebook paper is to be only used by the
teacher and parents for communication- this isnot to be taken out and used for homework. This GO folder decreases the chances of notes being lost and is a consistent method of communication.
4. Take home book & Reading Log-Take home books with reading log will also be in the GO folder. Please take a minute to look at the text your child is currently reading. They will be changed weekly/biweekly. Although I only provide one book, I encourage students to read various texts from the library or at home to supplement their nightly reading.
5. Behavior Calendar-In addition, a behavior calendar will be attached to the go folder where you can keep track of your child's behavior and address any concerns you have.
H
Homework- WCPSS requires students to perform 20 minutes of homework each night. At DDES, we require students to complete homework Monday through Thursday. Expect your child to complete a math assignment and daily reading. If it should take longer than 20 minutes, please let me know so I can help with support on certain skills your child may need!
I
Idependence- As your child matures, he/she will become more and more independent at school. This year your child will continue to earn the independence with teacher guidance in preparation for 2nd grade!
J
Jobs- Students will each have a classroom job that they will be accountable for the week. This is one more way for them to be responsible citizens in the classroom and learn to work together as a team.
K
Keep Informed--Keep updated and informed through newsletters and my personal website!
L
Lunch-Your student will need to memorize his/her lunch number this year. It is their NCWise student number they will be using throughout high school! I can definitely use
your help with this process. They will receive temporary lunch cards with their numbers on it and eventually have an updated lunch card later in the year they can scan. Memorizing their numbers help when they forget or lose their card. Also, we do have a peanut allergy in the classroom, please be sensitive to classroom snacks for parties that you bring in this year. Thank you! :)
M
Monday Folder-Last year we used “Tuesday” folders, but this year we are going back to what we used to use! Therefore, your child will be bringing home a Monday Folder every Monday night that needs to be returned on Tuesday. Please look for important forms, letters, and student work. One pocket will be items that can be kept home and the other pocket will be items that need to be signed and returned. In addition, there will be an academic and behavior report for the previous week. Please sign this to acknowledge their progress!
N
Newsletter- Newsletters are going to be sent home once a month. This will include important information such as upcoming events, curriculum updates, birthdays, etc. Homework will vary based on what students are learning in class and remediation. I do not create a concrete list of homework pages for the week.
O
P
Parties (celebrations)- In addition to birthdays, we may celebrate certain holidaysor events happening throughout the year. I will notify you of these events andmay request some help from parents with supplies and volunteering in the classroom.
Q
Questions- Got one? Go ahead and ask! Write it in the GO FOLDER or pop me an email: [email protected]. Please remember you can call as well, especially if it is an emergency but remember I may not receive the phone message until the following morning.
R
Recess- Recess is a 30 minute chunk of time for your child to release energy and get exercise to promote healthy minds and bodies. Although I will not take
away recess as a consequence, your child may be directed to play independently if he/she makes poor decisions that day.
*please see discipline plan regarding above the line/below the line behavior.
Report Cards- Report Cards are sent home at the end of every quarter. Please make sure to SIGN and RETURN the ENVELOPE. We use them every quarter! Conferences
usually take place after the 1st and 3rd quarters. First grade students will receive a progress report the 1st quarter and report cards for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters.
S
Snack- We will be having a snack time every day to set off their hunger in between meal times. Please provide a snack for your child every day (we will not be doing “whole group snack.”) You may bring in individualized snacks for the whole week in a gallon Ziploc bag that they can keep in their cubby.
Supplies- A revised list is available on my website under Schedule and Supply List pertaining to my
classroom with wish list items as well. Wish list items really help our class survive and it is certainly appreciated, even the littlest contribution! :)
Schedule- The schedule is also located on my website! The schedule is subject to change.
Specials-
Monday-
Tuesday-
Wednesday-
Thursday-
Friday-
T
Transportation- Please let me know if you move or change the transportation of your child. It is important to also contact the school about any changes. Getting your child home safe is top priority!
U
Understanding- Our classroom is centered around a caring and understanding environment. Not every child is the same. I want every child to know that I do understand if they do not grasp a concept or struggle in a certain area of reading, math, writing, etc. My goal is to help every child show growth throughout the year, no matter what level they are on currently!
V
Volunteers/Visitors-
All visitors and volunteers need to sign in at the front office and wear a visitor’s badge throughout their visit. Volunteers need to make sure they are registered through WCPSS. Please check with the office if you have questions. This needs to be done EVERY YEAR.
W
Webpage-
Everything you will need.. including this handout found at: http://mrsmanzonesfirst.weebly.com
X
eXtra help-
Extra help is appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering or being a room parent, please let me know as soon as possible. I will send home a form with a questionnaire on when you would prefer to come in and what you would prefer to do!
Y
Your support is definitely appreciated!
Z
ZZZZZZ…. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest!
Absences- Although we encourage 100% attendance this school year, kids do get sick! If your child is sick, feel free to shoot me an email or call the school. Please send in a note regarding the absence NO LATER THAN 3 days after absence. Please review WCPSS or DDES handbook regarding absences. Please understand that absences will be marked unexcused unless there is a valid reason (sick, doctor’s appointment, death in the family, etc.).
Allergies- Please let me know if you child has an allergy, especially to food or insects. Please also review the WCPSS handbook concerning actions that need to take place to make sure your child is safe this school year!
B
Book Orders- Scholastic book orders help your child and our classroom! I will be sending home monthly book orders with your child except the months that our school has book sales in the media center. PLEASE ORDER ONLINE if possible! Every parent order = one free book for the classroom! Plus, I receive bonus points for all parent orders that I can use towards classroom books/supplies!
Birthdays- It’s important to me to recognize your child on his/her special day. Feel free to bring in a treat or snack for the class. WCPSS’s policy is that any food/treats need to be store bought. In addition, we have a peanut allergy in the classroom (please be sensitive to what you buy!) Please notify me 2+days in advance and remember to ask how many students are in the classroom as our class size changes throughout the year.
C
Communication and Conferences-
Communication is one of the best tools of success between the student-family-teacher. Just to give you a heads up on communication... EMAIL is the BEST way to get in contact with me during the day since I do not always receive phone messages right away. My email address is: [email protected]. I will make necessary phone calls after school during the year from 3:45-5:00 unless it is an emergency. Parent conferences will be scheduled from 7:45-8:15 and from 4:15-5:00 throughout the year. I will send weekly/biweekly emails for reminders and upcoming events. You can also visit my website where you can read up-to-date information about our classroom and be able to post comments as well! :)
D
Discipline- In our class, we believe that positive behavior should be encouraged and rewarded. We will also understand that learning means students should be doing hands-on activities that may have them moving around, talking, or even playing. Even though these learning experiences are active, we expect the students to follow classroom
rules and expectations.
Our Class Rules:
1. Listen to and respect all adults.
2. Be nice to and respect other students and their property.
3. Share.
4. Use inside voices when we are inside the classroom and school.
5. Use walking feet.
6. Have fun! J
If a student chooses to break the classroom or school rules:
1st consequence: Warning
2nd consequence: Silent Lunch or Loss of Area on playground
3rd consequence: Note or phone call to parents
4th consequence: Office Visit
*Students who demonstrate a behavior such as fighting will not be tolerated and all consequences will be bypassed. The student will be immediately referred to the office.
Positive Behavior is Rewarded!!!!
Our school follows the SOAR
program:
S=Safety
O=Ownership
A=Act Responsibly
R= Respect Everyone
Our classroom will integrate the SOAR program by using our own unique classroom behavior system.
E
Early Release- Students are released at 1:15. PLEASE make sure you are ready to pick up your student or have someone available to pick them up from their bus stop.
F
Field Trips- We will go on a few field trips this year. We will notify you in advance with a letter. Most field trips will cost a few dollars due to transportation or fee at the field trip site. We try our hardest to keep costs at a minimum. Our goal is to have every child attend a field trip, please let us know if you are unable to send in a payment, forms will still need to be signed! Chaperones may also attend but will need to ride separately due to county policy. Please make sure you are a REGISTERED volunteer in order to work with students and attend the trip!
G
GO Folder- I call this the “Go Folder” because it will go to school and go back home with your child every day. The following components will be in the folder:
1. Parent Paperwork-The front pocket of the folder will be used for any paperwork that needs to be seen by parents. It may include monthly newsletters, calendars, special
announcements, permission forms, etc.
2. Homework-The back pocket of the folder is to be used for homework. They will receive homework each day and return it to school. Homework will be taken out of the
folder by the student and placed in the correct turn in spot in the classroom.
3. Paper communication-Please use the notebook paper provided in the folder to communicate with me. Changes in transportation, questions, concerns, and compliments can all be written in this folder. They will be checked here at school every day and I ask that you check them daily as well. The notebook paper is to be only used by the
teacher and parents for communication- this isnot to be taken out and used for homework. This GO folder decreases the chances of notes being lost and is a consistent method of communication.
4. Take home book & Reading Log-Take home books with reading log will also be in the GO folder. Please take a minute to look at the text your child is currently reading. They will be changed weekly/biweekly. Although I only provide one book, I encourage students to read various texts from the library or at home to supplement their nightly reading.
5. Behavior Calendar-In addition, a behavior calendar will be attached to the go folder where you can keep track of your child's behavior and address any concerns you have.
H
Homework- WCPSS requires students to perform 20 minutes of homework each night. At DDES, we require students to complete homework Monday through Thursday. Expect your child to complete a math assignment and daily reading. If it should take longer than 20 minutes, please let me know so I can help with support on certain skills your child may need!
I
Idependence- As your child matures, he/she will become more and more independent at school. This year your child will continue to earn the independence with teacher guidance in preparation for 2nd grade!
J
Jobs- Students will each have a classroom job that they will be accountable for the week. This is one more way for them to be responsible citizens in the classroom and learn to work together as a team.
K
Keep Informed--Keep updated and informed through newsletters and my personal website!
L
Lunch-Your student will need to memorize his/her lunch number this year. It is their NCWise student number they will be using throughout high school! I can definitely use
your help with this process. They will receive temporary lunch cards with their numbers on it and eventually have an updated lunch card later in the year they can scan. Memorizing their numbers help when they forget or lose their card. Also, we do have a peanut allergy in the classroom, please be sensitive to classroom snacks for parties that you bring in this year. Thank you! :)
M
Monday Folder-Last year we used “Tuesday” folders, but this year we are going back to what we used to use! Therefore, your child will be bringing home a Monday Folder every Monday night that needs to be returned on Tuesday. Please look for important forms, letters, and student work. One pocket will be items that can be kept home and the other pocket will be items that need to be signed and returned. In addition, there will be an academic and behavior report for the previous week. Please sign this to acknowledge their progress!
N
Newsletter- Newsletters are going to be sent home once a month. This will include important information such as upcoming events, curriculum updates, birthdays, etc. Homework will vary based on what students are learning in class and remediation. I do not create a concrete list of homework pages for the week.
O
P
Parties (celebrations)- In addition to birthdays, we may celebrate certain holidaysor events happening throughout the year. I will notify you of these events andmay request some help from parents with supplies and volunteering in the classroom.
Q
Questions- Got one? Go ahead and ask! Write it in the GO FOLDER or pop me an email: [email protected]. Please remember you can call as well, especially if it is an emergency but remember I may not receive the phone message until the following morning.
R
Recess- Recess is a 30 minute chunk of time for your child to release energy and get exercise to promote healthy minds and bodies. Although I will not take
away recess as a consequence, your child may be directed to play independently if he/she makes poor decisions that day.
*please see discipline plan regarding above the line/below the line behavior.
Report Cards- Report Cards are sent home at the end of every quarter. Please make sure to SIGN and RETURN the ENVELOPE. We use them every quarter! Conferences
usually take place after the 1st and 3rd quarters. First grade students will receive a progress report the 1st quarter and report cards for the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th quarters.
S
Snack- We will be having a snack time every day to set off their hunger in between meal times. Please provide a snack for your child every day (we will not be doing “whole group snack.”) You may bring in individualized snacks for the whole week in a gallon Ziploc bag that they can keep in their cubby.
Supplies- A revised list is available on my website under Schedule and Supply List pertaining to my
classroom with wish list items as well. Wish list items really help our class survive and it is certainly appreciated, even the littlest contribution! :)
Schedule- The schedule is also located on my website! The schedule is subject to change.
Specials-
Monday-
Tuesday-
Wednesday-
Thursday-
Friday-
T
Transportation- Please let me know if you move or change the transportation of your child. It is important to also contact the school about any changes. Getting your child home safe is top priority!
U
Understanding- Our classroom is centered around a caring and understanding environment. Not every child is the same. I want every child to know that I do understand if they do not grasp a concept or struggle in a certain area of reading, math, writing, etc. My goal is to help every child show growth throughout the year, no matter what level they are on currently!
V
Volunteers/Visitors-
All visitors and volunteers need to sign in at the front office and wear a visitor’s badge throughout their visit. Volunteers need to make sure they are registered through WCPSS. Please check with the office if you have questions. This needs to be done EVERY YEAR.
W
Webpage-
Everything you will need.. including this handout found at: http://mrsmanzonesfirst.weebly.com
X
eXtra help-
Extra help is appreciated. If you are interested in volunteering or being a room parent, please let me know as soon as possible. I will send home a form with a questionnaire on when you would prefer to come in and what you would prefer to do!
Y
Your support is definitely appreciated!
Z
ZZZZZZ…. Make sure your child gets plenty of rest!