Classroom Information
Arrival
We start our day with a soft start. This means that student can enter the building starting at 8:25 and head straight to the classroom. The late bell rings at 8:40. Students hang backpacks in the hall by their cubbies, which is where they also keep jackets and coats. Water bottles are permitted, but PLEASE send one with a top that pulls up and closes. Water bottles with screw off caps are very hard for the kids to open and have a tendency to spill on papers, books, and projects. Thanks!
Dismissal
Please talk with your child about a dismissal plan. We dismiss at 3:30 PM in the same area. In First Grade, we will walk students out a few minutes early each day (3:27) to the back playground. If your child rides the bus, a bus helper will assist walking with students to the bus loop. Children that go to Cougar Club will also have an escort.
If your child is to walk with a neighbor or sibling, it is usually best to have them meet your child on the back playground. Again, the playground is closed after school unless parents are present. We will ask your child how he or she is going home the first day of school. If you make changes to your child's dismissal plan, please let me know!
Lunch
We go to lunch at 11:10 each day. Students may pack a lunch from home or get lunch in the cafeteria. ***Lunch is free this year.*** If your child will be buying his/her breakfast, there are several ways to pay. You may send in a check made out to "Nutritional Services" to start a lunch account. The amount of your check will be deposited under your child's name and he or she can deduct from that amount each time a lunch is purchased. This is much easier than sending cash, which is easily lost. There is also the option of adding to your child's lunch account online through the Douglas County School District website or on myschoolbucks.com. This is also where you can find and print the monthly lunch schedule as it will not be sent home. Teachers and lunch aides will assist your child through the lunch process the first week of school.
Snacks
Your child may want to bring a healthy snack to enjoy during afternoon recess. Our afternoon recess is at 2:30. Students can enjoy a snack outside at this time. Please send something simple, such as fruit or granola bars. We are not able to heat your child's snack or provide spoons or other utensils.
Instruction
This is a huge year for literacy. Your child will be learning many reading strategies and comprehension skills to help them read and understand a variety of texts. Our Wonders Reading program is a comprehensive reading program that teaches young readers to think critically about what they read. Our UFLI Phonics program will have our young readers exploring words in many ways. Our Ready Math program helps to develop concepts deeply as defined by the Common Core standards. Concepts will be taught first at the concrete level using manipulatives and then leading to the conceptual level. First graders will learn to write a well-developed paragraph using proper grammar and conventions.
Homework
In first grade, the goal is to start establishing a love of reading. I would like students to read daily for 10-20 min. with a parent. This might mean they are reading to you, being read to, or reading together. Also, students will need to complete one, or more, iReady lessons in Reading and Math weekly as well as get on their Wonders Dashboard and play some games and read the stories. Homework packets will not start coming home until second semester.
Management
I use different reward systems in the classroom to reinforce positive behavior. These may include a sticker chart, verbal praise, and trips to the treasure box, which reward individual behaviors. We also participate in the school-wide ROCKS program, with which we teach and encourage Responsibility, Respect, the Power of One, Compassion, Kindness, and Safety. I am a believer in natural consequences, so when undesirable behavior occurs, I try as much as possible to match the consequence to the behavior. Privately, we discuss a plan for getting back on track. Occasionally, students may need to miss a portion of recess as part of the consequence or have an email sent to mom and dad about the undesirable behavior. I try to teach my students that everyone makes mistakes (even the teacher!) but it is important to learn from them.
Celebrations
Birthdays are special occasions and we will celebrate everyone's birthday together in class. Due to the number of allergies, First Grade has implemented a No Treat policy for birthdays. Instead, we will celebrate the birthday boy or girl by singing to them, they will get to wear a sticker and open a special card. I will also have a few items just for them. Non-food treats are welcome as an alternative to food, such as trinkets or pencils/erasers. Or, if you would like to send in a wrapped book as a gift to the class, the birthday kiddo can open that on their special day. This is simply a suggestion and in no way mandatory! THANK YOU for helping us honor our No Treat policy!
If you and your child are planning on having a birthday celebration outside of school, we ask that you do NOT send invitations to school to be passed out, unless you are inviting the whole class. I am not at liberty to give out parent personal information such as emails or phone numbers. I will have an opt in class directory.
The class will celebrate certain holidays during the school year. I will work with our room parent to set up these events and we will give you details about the dates and activities for these parties later in the year. Parents are welcome to attend and if you are available to assist in any way, please list your name and phone number on the volunteer sign-up sheet at Supply Drop Off.
Friday Folders
Back and forth Folders will be sent home daily. Be sure to empty the folder each day and over the weekend and to send it back every day with your child. Folders usually have lots of important information from the office and myself. I also send all graded class work home in the folders. Please make time to go over any these papers with your child.
Book Orders
Book orders will come home periodically. They are a great and affordable source for reading materials to have at home and a wonderful way to help earn bonus points towards purchasing books for our classroom. I will usually send orders home either in the Friday Folders or with the weekly homework. If you wish to order, orders will be online only. Books typically arrive within two to three weeks.
Specials
One week rotations of P.E., Music, and Art will continue throughout the year. Please remember to have your child wear tennis shoes on P.E. weeks. We will be going to the Tech Lab once a week and technology will be integrated into the classroom daily. We will also visit the Library Commons weekly. Be sure to help your child with the responsibility of remembering to turn in their books on time.
Thank you for taking the time to read about our classroom!
Mrs. Holmes