First Grade Expectations

H.E.A.R.T.

At Shaker Lane, we teach students to show HEART. We incorporate this philosophy into community meetings and lessons each and every day. Students learn the importance of honesty, effort, acceptance, respect, and taking responsibility. We also use the program Second Step to help enhance student's social and emotional skills and to teach problem solving skills.

Link to Shaker Lane Parent/Student Handbook

Gaining Independence and Taking Responsibility

First grade is a year of amazing growth. It is about taking those first steps toward more independence, learning new things, and taking on new responsibilities. Of course, teachers are there to guide students and help whenever needed, but research has shown that students gain more self-confidence and self-esteem when they learn to do things themselves. Tasks like zipping coats and putting on mittens, cleaning up after snack, and putting items away after using them help your child gain confidence in themself. We truly enjoy seeing triumphant smiles when students realize “I did it!” You will be amazed at how independent your child is by June.

Building Independence and Self-Esteem

Snack

Students should bring their own snack each day. We encourage students to bring healthy choices to keep their minds ready for learning and their bodies fueled. Snack needs to be something students can open/close easily and eat within 10 minutes. Fruit cups and yogurt can get quite messy; if you must send those items in, please include utensils and a napkin. There may be severe food allergies in a class; please remind your child never to share food. Students are welcome to bring water bottles to school and we also have water fountains in the classrooms and a water bottle station in the cafeteria.

Lunch

Students can either bring lunch or buy lunch. If students choose to bring a lunch, they will keep their lunchbox in their backpack until lunchtime. If students buy lunch, they will have to choose their lunch option at morning meeting, where it will be recorded and sent to the cafeteria. The options are hot lunch (changes each day), pizza, veggie platter, bagel, lunchable, or salad. Lunches all come with milk.

Shaker Lane Lunch Calendar

Set up/add money to Myschoolbucks account to pay for school lunch.

Recess

First graders have a morning and afternoon recess time. Students go outside for recess all year. Please dress your child appropriately for the weather and show them how to zip/button their outerwear. As well, please have your child wear shoes that he/she can secure independently. If your child has shoelaces, please check that they are securely tied each morning so that our students can spend less time re-tying their shoes and more time playing and learning.

Home-School Folders

Please check your child’s folder every night. This folder will contain your child’s work and school notices. Any notes you send into school should be placed in this folder. The folders are checked every morning.

Homework

First Grade does not assign nightly written homework. We expect first graders to read 20 minutes per night. You can find resources and ideas under the Academic & Parent Resources.

Digital Citizenship

Students go through a series of Digital Citizenship lessons to help understand the importance of being responsible, kind, and safe when using technology and the internet. Please help encourage your child to show HEART every time they interact using technology. This includes Google Meet and when responding to Seesaw activities.

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