Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will my child have any homework?
A: Our 1st Grade Team has had many long and careful discussions about what research says, the purpose and value of homework, the need for consistency in the grade level, parent feedback, and many other factors. After considering all of this, we have decided there will be no required homework for first grade students. The only exception to this homework policy is if we have special homework projects during the year. These would be short-term projects that we feel add to the learning taking place at school. We also strongly encourage you to read to and with your child nightly. You can also refer to our Homework Policy page.
Q: How will daily work be sent home and graded?
A: Not all assignments are graded; some may be part of an observational grade or graded over an extended period of time. Most, but not all, daily work will go home in the green gator folders. In addition to paper and pencil work, we generate class charts, conduct experiments, read books, write in journals, participate in ongoing projects, and engage in other hands on classwork. Please review the work that is sent home and take it out of the gator folder daily.
Q: What is the school's grading system?
A: We use standards based grading indicated by levels (1, 2, 3, or 4).
Level 4- Exemplary: Student consistently demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the standards, concepts, and skills taught during this reporting period.
Level 3- Proficient: Student consistently demonstrates an understanding of the standard, concepts, and skills taught during this reporting period.
Level 2- Approaching Proficiency: Student is approaching an understanding of the standards, concepts, and skills taught during this reporting period.
Level 1- Not Proficient: Student does not yet demonstrate an understanding of the standards, concepts, and skills taught during this reporting period.
Q: I notice my child has several 1's and 2's on their report card at the beginning of the year, should I be concerned?
A: We grade with the end in mind. Grades reflect what students should be able to do by the end of 1st grade rather than a gradual progression throughout the year. Standards are revisited on an ongoing basis throughout the year.
Q: What is a level 4 in the grading system?
A: Level 4 means that the student consistently demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the standards, concepts, and skills taught during the given reporting period.
Level 4 is not necessarily mastering skills from the next grade level.
Level 4 is not just for accelerated learners.
Level 4 is not longer, neater, or prettier.
Level 4 is not solely teacher directed.
Level 4 is not getting work done quickly.
Q: What are the expectations regarding spelling accuracy?
A: Spelling is a developmental process. Here is more information about First Grade Spelling.
Q: How can I support my child’s learning?
A: Help build their independence by guiding them instead of completing something for them. Have them read a book to you to help build fluency and expression. Keep in mind that your child should not be working on an activity for more than 20 minutes. You can also use any of the materials provided under the resources tab on the first grade website. Additionally, please help your child with non-school skills such as: tying their own shoes, zipping/fastening their own clothes/coats/etc., opening their own snack, knowing and writing their first and last name correctly.
Q: What does first grade use for classroom management?
A: First grade uses Conscious Discipline for classroom management. Conscious Discipline is a comprehensive classroom management program and a social-emotional curriculum. It is based on current brain research, child development information, and developmentally appropriate practices. We focus on building relationships, practicing self control, using calming strategies, and dealing with conflict. This empowers them to be proactive instead of reactive during conflict times. These core beliefs help us teach the whole child.
Q: What do I do if my child is going home a different way?
A: If your child is going home a different way, you must email your child's teacher and contact the front office. If your child is doing an after-school extracurricular activity, please send your child's teacher a note/email with the start and end date. In order to make sure your child goes home the correct way, please notify me in writing of any transportation changes and send it in your child’s gator folder.
Q: If a transportation change occurs during the school day, you should send an email and call the office to ensure that the teacher has been notified.
In the event that your child's teacher is absent or unable to check email throughout the day, it is important that you contact the office to ensure that your child will go home the correct way.
Q: What happens if school closes early?
A: If severe weather conditions or other events cause an early release, we will assume your child is going home the normal way unless notified otherwise. If your child attends an on campus after school program (YMCA) we will assume your child will be picked up in carpool unless notified otherwise.
Q: What constitutes an excused absence?
A: Coming to school is required by state law for children between the ages of 7 and 16. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for ensuring that students attend and remain at school daily. When a student must miss school, a written excuse signed by a parent or guardian must be presented to the student’s teacher or attendance office within two days of the student’s return. Absences due to extended illnesses may also require a statement from a physician. Failure to submit a written excuse will result in the absence being coded unexcused. Simply requesting an absence be excused does not mean that it will be excused. Excused absences include:
illness or injury
a death in the family
health care appointments
court appearances
religious observance
natural disasters
outside educational opportunities (you'll need to complete a Request for Excused Absence for Educational Reasons Form in advance.)
Request for Excused Absence for Educational Reason Form (Spanish)
Excessive absences: After three unexcused absences in the school year, the principal or his/her designee shall notify the parent, guardian, or custodian that these absences are unlawful. The principal shall send a written notice by mail to the parent, guardian, or custodian when a child has six unexcused absences. After ten accumulated unexcused absences in a school year, the principal shall review any report or investigation prepared by the school social worker/student assistance program. Excused and unexcused absences above 20 are excessive. Students who exceed 20 absences during the year will be referred to the school-based attendance team.
Q: What counts as medication that needs to go through the nurse?
A: Students may not bring cough drops, sunscreen, inhalers or other medications to school unless they are sent through the nurse and a health plan is made.
Q: What should my child bring for snack?
A: Please remember to send in a healthy snack every day. Students may only eat the snack that they brought; students may not share snacks with each other and teachers may not provide snacks for students if they forget to bring one. Per school policy, students may not bring food to share for birthdays or other celebrations. The only exception to this policy is if we use food for a learning activity. In that case, I will send a permission slip two weeks prior to the event and parents must sign to give permission for their child to eat the snack.
Q: Will there be any field trips this year?
A: There will be field trips this year. Information regarding these field trips will be given to you from your child's teacher when the time arises.
Q: How can I get/stay involved with my child’s class or the school?
A: You can stay informed by checking out your child’s teacher’s newsletter about updates/events. You can also check out the PTA website for school events that are or will be happening.
Q: How do I pay online for any required payments?
A: On Alston Ridge’s webpage, under the “Parents” tab, click “Online School Payment”, then under the “Elementary School” tab click “Alston Ridge Elementary”. You will see a list of items. Find the one listed for your class or grade.
Q: Can I send money to the teacher instead of paying online?
A: If you decide to pay with cash, please send in the exact amount in an envelope or ziploc bag with your child’s name and the purpose for the fee. If you send a check, please make it out to Alston Ridge Elementary School.
Q: How can I best get in touch with my child’s teacher?
A: Each teacher has their own preference of ways to best get in touch. The main communication will be through their email which can be found on their teacher page.
Q: How can I celebrate my child’s birthday?
A: Due to food allergies and dietary restrictions, no food is permitted for birthday celebrations. Birthdays are special days and we celebrate our students’ birthdays in classrooms. We encourage parents to buy a book to read to the class on your child’s birthday, and then to donate the book to the library. This policy is in effect for grades K-5.
If a student or parent brings snacks. They should be held and sent home. The teacher will contact the parent to alert them of the school’s policy.
If a student brings invitations for all students in the class, the invitations may be placed in the folders. Otherwise, all invitations should be mailed from a child’s home, and birthday parties should be planned outside of school hours.
Teachers cannot give out parent contact information for these events.