Classroom Expectations

This year we will reinforce positive behavior and choices with gold tags and brag tags. The students will be engaged with direct instruction on social skills and exposed to Growth Mindset thinking which encourages thinking positively and setting goals for growth academically and socially. I want to encourage your child to build confidence in his/herself as a learner and a citizen of our classroom and school. If behavior is to the point that it can not be corrected in the classroom with our best efforts, I will contact you to discuss the area of concern.

ABC’s of Brilliant Blue Devils

>>>>>>>>>>These are subject to change due to policy and procedures due to Covid-19 <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

This is located at our class Google Site as well. site.google.com/waltersps.org/amnorman/home

A Arrival-Drop off is 8:00-8:10. Students may play on the playground. The bell rings at 8:10 to line up on the playground. If it is after 8:15, you must check your child in through the office and get a tardy slip.

Attendance- A successful school experience is the responsibility of the child, parent, and school. Your child’s progress, both academically and socially, is influenced by daily participation. Most learning activities are group oriented and involve interaction with classmates. If your child is absent; please call the office at 875-3144. If your child has an appointment during school, please let the office and the teacher know. Perfect attendance is recognized with rewards at each quarter of school and end of the year. Three tardies equal one absence.

Allergies – If your child is allergic to any food items, etc. PLEASE let us know.

B Backpack- Send each day with folder and check daily.

Behavior- Please reference the Gold Tag note. Making good choices and being a good citizen is our focus for kindergarten.

Bathroom- Cleanliness is important. Students will be washing hands or using hand sanitizer after each bathroom use. Boys need to lift the seat so it is clean for the next child to use. You will be notified if an accident happens at school.

Book orders- We have Scholastic book orders several times a year. This is a great way to purchase quality, affordable books for your child.

Birthdays- You may send cookies for your child’s birthday If you send birthday invitations, you must send enough for the class.. We don’t want any feelings hurt. Please reference birthday policy note.

Breakfast – Please have your child eat breakfast each morning. Breakfast is available in the cafeteria beginning at 7:45.

Brilliant Blue Devils - We will strive to be ‘Brilliant Blue Devils’ each day by making good choices and doing our best.

C Calendar - A calendar of monthly events will be in the back pocket of your child’s daily folder.

Centers – We still incorporate play centers at the end of our learning day. Free play and social interaction is very important for your child’s social growth and development. Centers will be individualized as much as possible with sanitizing between uses.

Clothing-be sure to put your child’s name on all jackets, hats, and etc. Your child will need a raincoat with a hood, rain boots, or an umbrella for the wet weather walks to the cafeteria.

Curriculum- We use the Oklahoma State Dept of Education standards. We will have a blend of kindergarten standards and first grade standards as students master them.

Collecting- We collect box tops !

Conferences – Parent/Teacher conferences are in October and February. If you would like a conference any other time, please send a note or call the office to make arrangements. These will probably be completed through the Zoom app this year.

Celebrations/House Partie/Pep Rallies - >>These are on hold until further notice.<<<

Once a month we will attend celebrations/house parties from 2:30 – 3:00. On special occasions, we will attend the High School Pep Rallies at the HS Gym. Therefore, we may be running a few minutes behind for dismissal.

D Dismissal-We dismiss at 3:10 at the first grade playground unless you have specified pick up at a different location.

Daily folder- Please check daily for activities, papers, notes and more.

Discipline – Our classroom is a small community where teamwork and good relationships are expected. We will spend time learning class procedures. Each student is expected to act within our standards of behavior. They will be guided to respect themselves and their classmates through specific directions, positive reinforcement, and redirection of behavior for good choices.

Dress - Dress your child appropriately for busy and messy days and also for the weather. Please label all coats, jackets, backpacks, etc.

E Emergencies- If your child has an accident, we will call you. Please make sure we have many current numbers to reach you.

Email - amnorman@waltersps.org

Emergency Closings – If schools are closed due to weather or other emergency, Channel 3, 6, & 7 will have those posted before 7 a.m. I will post on our class facebook page.

Essentials – We are incorporating Ron Clark’s 55 Essentials for school rules and procedures. These essentials are school wide. They will be highlighted each week in our newsletter. Please help encourage your child to learn and follow these. The essential focus on respect for others and ourselves and building community.

Expectation – I have HIGH EXPECTATIONS for students to try their best and follow procedures.

F Family- We encourage your family to be a part of our classroom.

Field Trip - To be decided.

Folder - Look in your child’s folder daily and check for notes and “graded” assignments. Please remove contents daily except for items that need to be returned.

G

Gold Tags – Students earn gold tags for making good choices and following expectations and procedures in the classroom. Students will also be recognized for learning and practicing the essentials we are implementing this year. (SEE GOLD TAG NOTE)

Good morning- Start your child’s day off with a healthy breakfast, kind words, and a big hug.

H

Hands-on Learning – Important concepts can be learned by doing meaningful hands-on activities. There are times when seat work is required and necessary.

Help from home- Your extra help at home really makes a difference! Thank you!!

Homework- Reading to your child every night is an important way to help your child be successful in school. Other homework will include sight words, reading, and math.

House parties – >> THese are on hold until further notice.<<<

With the implementation of Ron Clark’s Essentials, our faculty and student body is grouped into “houses”. The houses will meet Friday afternoons from 2:30-3:00. Once a month we will have a house party like celebrations to recognize accomplishments of students and our school. Ask your child what house they belong?

I Illness-Please don’t send your child if they are ill. Sending a sick child is difficult for the child as well as it causes illnesses to spread to others. If they have thrown up during the night or in the morning, please keep them at home. Also, they should be fever free for at least 12-24 hours before returning to school. Please follow CDC guidelines for Covid precautions and procedures.

J Jobs- We teach the students that their job is to come to school to have fun and learn.

K Kids are our business! We love each and every student and we want to make this a super year for them!

L Lunch- Our lunch time is 12:45 – 1:10. Menu is in the Walters paper and on www.blued.org under the Google calendar. Please refer to it to see what your child likes and dislikes. It is better to pay for lunches by the week or by the month. Please send lunch money in a marked envelope with your child’s name and what the money is for.

Library-We will visit our school library weekly to check out books. Please help your child return the library books back to school.

M Money- Any money you send, please make sure it’s in an envelope or baggy and labeled with your child’s name and purpose AND PUT IN THE FRONT OF YOUR CHILD’S FOLDER ☺

Message-you can put a message in your child’s folder or call the office and they will let us know. You may also reach me by email amnorman@waltersps.org or message me on facebook.

Music-We use music everyday to learn and have fun with. Your child will attend music class every other day.

Medicine – All medications, prescription or over the counter including cough drops, etc., MUST be distributed through the office. A form will need to be completed by you.

N Notes- Teachers are known for notes! We want you to be informed at all times. Be sure to check your child’s folder daily for notes.

O Open mind! This will be a great learning experience for your child as we prepare them for first grade! Keep an open mind about all our activities and know that we have your child’s best interest at heart.

P Parties- We have three parties (Fall, Christmas, and Valentine’s) during the year and we appreciate all your help in advance! Further information will be sent about parties as we learn what these will look like throughout the year.

PE- Students attend PE every other day. Tennis shoes work best for this.

PTO- Join our Parent Teacher Organization and get involved!

Q Questions – If you have any questions, send a note or email me at amnorman@waltersps.org

R Recess- As needed throughout the day and after lunch from 1:10- 1:35

READ to your child each day!

Report Cards - Sent home at the end of each quarter. Please sign and return to school.

S Snacks – You will receive items to send at the beginning of each month to contribute to our daily snack mix. Please send a water bottle (please label) or drink from the fountain.

Shining Star - This is our daily helper to lead our line etc.

Supplies – Please send the requested school supplies to school. If your child is needing an item replaced later in the year, I will send a note.

Site - site.google.com/waltersps.org/amnorman/home This will be a place of reference and information throughout thet year.

T Toys- Please leave all toys at home. Some activities require your child to bring a special item, but we will let you know.

Transportation - Please make sure we know exactly who can or can not pick up your child. If someone new is picking up your child, send us a note and let them know about dismissal procedures.

Tardies- If your child arrives after 8:15, please check them in through the office. 3 tardies = 1 absence.

U You are a very important part of your child’s education! ☺

V Visitors- All visitors including parents, MUST check in at the office before coming to the classroom!

W Water bottle – Please send a labeled bottle of water to school for your child to have throughout the day and for snack time. This is a must needed item due to Covid-19.

Workstations – Reading and math activities where children learn through practice and play.

Writing- We will do many writing activities this year.

Website- We have a school website www.blued.org

Weather – Please dress your child appropriately for school and the weather. We travel to different buildings throughout the day. Occasionally in the fall and spring, jackets are needed in the mornings although it may be warm in the afternoon.

X eXtra – Your child is extra special to us!

Y Yes-This is going to be a great year!

Z ZZZs-Please make sure your child gets enough sleep each night so they are rested and ready to go! Research suggests for this age children to get 10-12 hours of sleep each night. Wouldn’t that be nice for us parents too? ☺

I am looking forward to working with you and your child. Together we can make it a joyful and wonderful year!

Amy Norman