I would like to welcome you and your child to the first grade! First grade is very exciting and filled with many new experiences. I am looking forward to getting to know you, so together we can make this year a successful learning experience for your child.
Your child will be constantly reading and writing. They will also be learning many new exciting skills through the subject areas of science, social studies and math. Math skills will be learned through discovery and hands on activities using the program Eureka Math. It is important for your child’s success that they are excited and interested in their everyday classroom activities. I will do everything I can to make your child a successful learner.
I feel that respect for self, belongings and others is the key to appropriate behavior. These behaviors must be modeled and taught each day. I will do my best to provide your child with a positive and healthy learning environment.
Any severe physical contact will result in the student being sent directly to Mrs. Kelley
REWARDS
Each day, the students will be given a fresh start. The class can earn points for appropriate behavior and following the classroom rules. Each time the class earns 25 points they will vote on a special privilege. Rewards range from a special snack to extra recess. This rewards system may change as the year progresses.
SOAR!! Your child will have the opportunity to earn “SOAR” tickets throughout the day and be entered for a chance to win rewards. We will be looking to see if they are demonstrating SOAR behavior from our school-wide SOAR (Safe, Ownership, Acceptance, Respect) Philosophy theme.
ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL
The first bell rings at 8:30am, with a tardy bell at 8:35 am. Your child should arrive no earlier than 8:20 am. Your child must line up outside door, #37 (by the shed). If it is raining or there is severe weather, your child may line up in the hallway outside my door. Please remember, Eisenhower strictly enforces the state attendance policy. It is very important that your child be here on time.
The children will be dismissed at 3:30 pm. The best place to pick up your child is outside door #33 (my exterior door) or by the flagpole in the front of the school.
LUNCH
12:10 pm - 12:50 pm
Your child will be eating in the gym with their classmates. They will have about 20 minutes to eat. Don’t be alarmed if your child takes a few weeks adjusting to eating in this timeframe. The students are always excited about this new experience.
TAKE-HOME FOLDERS
Students will bring home a green folder daily and this folder should return to school EVERY DAY. Please check the folder for important notes, corrected papers, and new homework. These folders will be used throughout the year for parent-teacher communication and also to help students to stay organized.
Each day your child will complete review assignments in class. In many cases, your child will correct their own work as we go over concepts. They will correct this work with a red checking pen. Although these papers have been corrected, it is important to still look over these worksheets.
BOOK ORDERS I will send book orders home monthly. This is a great way to start your child reading at home and to begin creating a nice book collection.
When ordering, please fill out the book form and enclose a check or money order made out to SCHOLASTIC BOOK CLUB.
PLEASE DO NOT SEND IN CASH. There will also be an online ordering option.
SNACK Each day your child will have a small amount of time for a snack. Please send in a small item that can be consumed quickly and not be too messy. As the year progresses, your child will be allowed to eat their snack during our reading block. Please avoid snacks with NUTS. We have a student with an allergy.
WATER BOTTLES Your child is allowed to bring a water bottle to class each day. Please make sure the water bottle has a secure lid, no caps. I would prefer that the students do not use disposable bottles. These tend to spill easily. Water bottles will be sent home daily for cleaning.
BIRTHDAYS Your child will have the opportunity to celebrate their birthday with their classmates. Our school follows a no edible treat policy. However, I will allow your child to pass out a pencil, eraser, etc. Summer birthdays will be celebrated too! We will celebrate your child’s summer birthday during the last week of school before vacation.
SPECIAL ACTIVITES · Class T-Shirt · Farm · Thanksgiving Feast · Teddy Bear Picnic (First Grade Only) · Science Presentation
If you ever have any questions or concerns, please feel free to call me at school or stop by and see me. I am always available before or after school.