Newsletter
I will send a weekly newsletter by email every Sunday. This newsletter will also stay posted here on our website. This is where you will find information on what students are learning in class, homework, and announcements.
Communication
The best way to contact me is by email:
I will check my email daily during my planning period each afternoon. If you have important information about changes in transportation/pickup or absences, please call the front office. Please reach out to me if you feel we need to meet for any reason. We will have two scheduled conferences throughout the year.
Field Trips
We will take one/two field trips during the year. I will send home permission slips that need to be filled out and returned to school along with the payment. The payment will include the cost of the school bus and the cost of the field trip. Parent volunteers who attend the field trip will be asked to pay separately.
Snack
We will have our snack time during afternoon recess each day. Please send a snack to school in your child’s backpack that is separate from their lunch. Please send in finger foods only. We try to avoid things like yogurt, applesauce, pudding, etc., as they spill easily. Also, healthy snacks like carrots, apples, grapes, and granola bars are best.
Birthdays
We love to celebrate birthdays! I welcome any special snack or treat that your child would like to share with his/her classmates on this special day. We also encourage non-food items like pencils, bouncy balls, or stickers. If your child has a summer birthday, we would be more than happy to celebrate their half birthday. Please remember that birthday invitations need to be mailed to home addresses. This protects against hurt feelings or lost invitations.
Recess
We will have recess each day. We will play outside on the playground, and it is important for your child to be dressed appropriately. You may apply sunscreen before school as needed. We will have indoor recess on the days it is too cold or rainy to go outside.
Specials
Your child will visit the library once a week. Please help your child keep his/her book in a safe place at home and return it each week. We will also attend art, music, T.E.C.H, and PE. Please make sure that your child is wearing appropriate shoes for running on PE days.
Volunteers
I will have a volunteer interest form available at our meet and greet and will reach out when volunteers are needed. Volunteering could be in the classroom, with field trips, planning parties, etc. If you would like to volunteer in other areas of our school, please contact the school volunteer coordinator through the front office.
Homework
Your child will be expected to do about 20 minutes of homework each night. It is important for first graders to practice the new academic skills that they are learning each day to solidify the learning. Your child will be practicing spelling skills, reading skills, journaling, and new math concepts. I believe, however, that family time, play, and rest are also very important for these young learners. If you find that your child is spending more than 20 minutes on average each night, please contact me so that we can discuss accommodations. The most important thing that you can do to help stimulate your child academically each night is to continue to read to them and with them on a regular basis. This reinforces and introduces vocabulary, fluency, phonemic awareness, grammar, and instills the love of literature.
Behavior Expectations
My discipline approach in the classroom is based on positive reinforcement and restorative practices. In our classroom, children are expected to follow the following rules:
Be Kind
Stay Safe
Work Hard
Follow all Class and School Routines and Procedures
These expectations are taught, modeled, practiced, and reinforced throughout the year. Meeting these expectations is simply what we strive to do every day as members of our classroom community. Just as in the real world, following expectations is part of being a responsible member of a community. My focus is on helping students build responsibility, self-control, and positive habits that will serve them throughout their lives. Because first graders are still learning these important skills, students are always given multiple opportunities to reflect, learn from their choices, and make better decisions. If a classroom rule is not followed, we use the following progression:
1. Warning - A quiet reminder to stop, think, and make a better choice.
2. Pit Stop - A short break in a designated classroom area to reset before rejoining the class.
3. Heart-to-Heart and Home Connection- A one-on-one conversation with me where we complete a reflection sheet together and develop a plan for success. This reflection sheet will be sent home in order to notify you of our conversation and continue the conversation at home.
Students also have access to our Calm Corner at any point throughout the day (within reason). This space is available for students who recognize they need a moment to regulate their emotions, calm their bodies, or use mindfulness strategies before returning to learning. My goal is to teach students how to recognize their feelings and use healthy strategies to manage them independently. When challenges arise, I want students to learn how to reflect on their choices, solve problems, and repair mistakes with the guidance of trusted adults at school. This allows students to develop independence and understand that the expectations set by their teachers and school staff are just as important as those at home. If a student continues to need support after we've worked through these steps together, Home Connection is the point at which I reach out to families to share what has already been tried at school and invite your partnership in supporting your child's success.
Bucket Fillers
While students are expected to meet our classroom expectations every day, we also celebrate those moments when students go above and beyond through our Bucket Fillers. At the beginning of the year, we'll read a story about what it means to be a "bucket filler" and discuss how small acts of kindness can make a big difference. Students can earn pom poms for demonstrating exceptional character, such as helping a classmate clean up a mess, including a friend who feels left out, or showing responsibility without being asked. At the end of each month, students may exchange their pom poms at our class store. This program is designed to recognize acts of kindness, leadership, and responsibility that exceed our everyday expectations.
Bus Passes
Students will have a punch card where they can earn punches from all staff throughout the building for showing Energy Bus Principles. Once students' punch card is filled out, they will have a chance to visit the class treasure box.
Electronic Devices
We are required by the district to collect and store all electronic devices that can make calls, texts, or take pictures during school hours.
Curriculum
Literacy: McGraw Hill reading program Wonders
Writing: SRSD
Math: Envision Math
Phonics: UFLI