Hoot.
Hoot. Hooray!
Welcome
First Grade!
Mrs. Van Kooten
Room 201
Welcome to Blessed Seelos Academy
First Grade
2020 - 2021
Contact Information: kvankooten@seelosacademy.org
My School Page: sites.google.com/seelosacademy.org/kvankootenseelos
School Office phone number: (724) 935-1152
Conference Times (by appointment):
Tuesday through Thursday
7:15 a.m. - 7:45 a.m. or 3:15 p.m. - 3:45 p.m.
**Our Gospel Value**
Gratitude
Be the kindness you would like to see in the world.
First grade is a wonderful year, but it is also fairly difficult in several ways. In the beginning, the transition from kindergarten to first grade can be physically and mentally tiring. There is less time for free play as we work towards transitioning the students to a curriculum that has measurable objectives and outcomes. We will be learning a lot of new things each day. This can be a little stressful, but this is where my job comes in. I will try to make learning a smooth and fun experience as possible.
My goal is to have a safe place to learn, create, have fun, and enjoy school. I consider my parents as my partners in this adventure and look forward to working with you and your child.
Dismissal is something that I take very serious. I am requesting that you talk to your child about how they are going home at the end of each school day. Please send to school a written note from you to me when the usual way of dismissal is changing. I do read emails, but it is usually early morning or late afternoon. Your input is very important to me. However, I truly get engaged during the day with working with my students. Therefore, I don’t always read those emails until later in the afternoon or early morning. If you should forget to send a note with your child in the morning or a change in dismissal takes place after your child is at school, please call the office and speak to Mrs. Anfang. She will make sure I get the message.
At this time I am asking you to become a partner with me in your child’s education. I will only have your child for a short time. I want to make a contribution that will last a lifetime. Each child is a unique individual with different learning styles, interests, history, hopes, and dreams. Hopefully, your child feels comfortable in the classroom so that we can come together into a learning community at Blessed Francis Seelos Academy.
Thank you for trusting me with your child. As the lead facilitator of our classroom community. I am dedicated to giving your child the best learning experience possible!
Friends in Christ,
Mrs. Kim Van Kooten
Subjects:
Religion - Christ In Us, Sadlier Religion
Language Arts Scott Foresman, Reading Street
Reading – Readers sent home each night, instant recognition of vocabulary words
Spelling – Word list sent home at the beginning of the week – Weekly Test
Phonics, English, Handwriting
Math - Sadlier Math
Math Topics:
Number Concepts, Addition & Subtraction Facts to 20
Timed Tests begin in November on Tuesdays. (20 problems of mixed + and – in 2 minutes)
Money (penny, nickel, dime, quarter, mixed coin groups)
Time (Tell time to Hour and Half Hour/Elapsed Time)
Measurement, Geometry & Fractions, Add & Subtract 2-Digit Numbers
Simple Solutions: Daily Review of math concept – Quiz on Thursday/Friday
Social Studies - Pearson, My World Social Studies
Schedule:
Monday - Period 1: Language Arts, Period 2: Language Arts, Period 3: Language Arts, Period 4: Language Arts & Recess, Period 5: Math, Period 6: Math, Period 7: Lunch, Period 8: Physical Education, Period 9: Religion
Tuesday - Period 1: Language Arts, Period 2: Language Arts, Period 3: Language Arts, Period 4: Language Arts & Recess, Period 5: Math, Period 6: Computer Lab., Period 7 Lunch, Period 8: Social Studies, Period 9: Science
Wednesday - Period 1: Language Arts, Period 2: Art, Period 3: Language Arts, Period 4: Language Arts & Recess, Period 5: Science, Period 6: Religion, Period 7: Lunch, Period 8: Math, Period 9: Social Studies
Thursday - Period 1: Language Arts, Period 2: Language Arts, Period 3: Language Arts & Recess, Period 4: Spanish, Period 5: Math, Period 6: Math, Period 7: Lunch, Period 8: Math, Period 9: Religion
Friday - Period 1: Spanish, Period 2: Language Arts, Period 3: Language Arts, Period 4: Language Arts & Recess, Period 5: Math, Period 6: Math, Period 7: Lunch, Period 8: Music, Period 9: Religion
Specials:
Monday - Gym Students should wear gym clothes & sneakers to school on Monday's.
Tuesday - Computer Lab., Social Studies (Mrs. Van Kooten) & Science (Mrs. Gazzo)
Wednesday - Art (Ms. Lowry) Social Studies (Mrs. Van Kooten) & Science (Mrs. Gazzo)
Thursday - Spanish (Senora Phillips)
Friday - Spanish (Senora Phillips)
Homework:
Review of skills and develop responsibility and independence. Often homework will be marked with “hw.” on top right side of paper. Homework folder will be sent home daily. All papers should be reviewed and folder sent back the next school day.
A “Wednesday” folder will be a collection of weekly student work, quizzes/tests papers. With your child please review, and correct necessary papers. Then empty the folder and return it the next school day.
Top Secret Journal – Your page for the Top Secret Journal is due Thursday, September 17. Please return the cover page in an envelope.
“Owl-Star” of the Week – When your child is selected to be the “Owl-Star” simply follow the enclosed handout.
Grading System: Option C – A, B, C, D
Reading Grade Components: Vocabulary, Phonics, Comprehension, Skills Tests & Oral Reading
Math Grade Components: Chapter Tests, Timed Tests, Simple Solution Quiz
First Grade Rules:
Be the kindness you would like to see in the world!
- Be a good audience: looking eyes, listening ears & a still body
- Hands & feet to yourself
- Talk one at a time
- Follow BFSA rules
Offensives:
- 1st Warning
- 2nd Time-out
- 3rd Loss of "Wise Owl Helper" job for that day
- 4th Phone call home
Incentive Chart: Good behavior is recognized and awarded accordingly.
Miscellaneous
Good Samaritan Program – Requirement (1 hour) is met in school. Scholastic Reading Club – Order online or by checks payable to Scholastic Inc.
Birthdays – No birthday treats this school year.
Dismissal – In order to be sure that your child is being dismissed correctly you will need to follow this school policy. If you are changing dismissal plans please send in a note designating extended day, private cars, or bus on the day of the change. If you forget to send a note, call the school and speak with Mrs. Anfang. Do not leave a message, voice mail or email. For example – Your child rides the bus home on Monday, and Thursday, but will go home private car on Tuesday and Wednesday, and extended day on Friday. Please send in a note for the private car days and extended day dismissal. Thank you, this simple request makes it less stressful for your child and assures that your child is dismissed correctly.
Library books – Until further notice there will be no sharing of library books.
However, without COVID-19 this is our usual library procedure. Each week students will be bringing home a library book. Your child should share the book with an adult and or other family member. Then place it into student backpack. The books can be stored in mailboxes in our classroom until Library day.
Daily Reading: To help your child be a reader, the most important thing you can do is read to your child, and start having your child read to you daily. Ten minutes a day spent in shared reading can make the difference between being a non-reader or a lifetime reader. In first grade we are learning to read in order to read to learn.