Mrs. Heath’s 1st Grade Class Welcome, parents!

Welcome to First Grade! I will introduce you to first grade and to our classroom. Please write down your questions and leave on your child’s desk. I will answer directly in your child’s folder this week.

All About Me My family My background My experience Husband – Kenny Children – Kendyl 19, and Kyle 13. My background I grew up in Senatobia, MS – where I attended elementary through high school. I currently live in Olive Branch, MS. I graduated from Mississippi University with a Bachelor’s in Broadcasting and Elementary Education and a Master’s in Gifted Studies. My experience I’ve been teaching for 22 years. I am certified Elementary K-8, and Gifted K-12. I have always taught 1st grade.

All About Mrs. Michele Mrs. Michele is my assistant teacher. She comes to us from Hernando Baptist Mother’s Day Out. She lives in Horn Lake She is married and has 2 children.

My Goals To give your child the academic & social skills needed to progress to 2nd grade. To provide a safe, supportive, & fun classroom environment. To help your child make new friends and discover new interests. I strive to communicate with parents as much as possible.

Our School & Classroom Community

Policies School Safety Bus Passes -Note if there is a change please. All visitors report to office – other doors locked from outside Please have ID ready this will include party days. Bus Passes -Note if there is a change please. Tardies & Check Outs School Starts 8:25 (Students may enter the building starting at 8:05) Tardy After 8:30 After 15 tardies – student suspended for 1 day – every 3rd tardy after 15 results in 1 day suspension Car Riders dismiss 3:20 Bus Riders 3:25 There is a new attendance policy. Your child must be present for 65% of the day. If they miss more than 2 hours and 17 minutes, your child is considered absent.

Classroom Policies Folders-- Daily Folder and Graded Papers Folder Communication… email kimberly.heath@dcsms.org. Graded papers & Homework Papers to Keep/Return ~Homework due Friday Cold Reads, Spelling, English, Writing and Math Benchmark Assessment~ Level I by May. Conferences- I am available during activity, 10:40 or recess, 2:20. Grades will be 4-Exceeding the standard 3-Mastering the standard 2-Progressing toward the standard 1-Not meeting the standard 70% Mastery of each standard to be promoted to 2nd grade MS Literacy Act- all students have to pass reading test to be promoted out of 3rd grade.

Policies Birthday Celebrations Parties Snacks Lunch Bring Food Item for Snack, no cakes please. Classroom Celebrations Parties 2 – Christmas & Valentine’s Room Volunteers: Snacks No nuts or peanut butter… School sells snacks in mornings We will have our snack in the afternoon. Your child is responsible for their own snack. Water bottles only for drink.  Lunch Tray-$2.75 Milk-$.50 Juice-$1.00

Expected Behaviors Classroom Behaviors Respectfully follow all directions the first time. Be polite and respectful at all times. Keep hands, feet, objects, and hurtful words to yourself. Raise hand and get permission to speak or leave your seat. Be responsible for class materials and assignments. Come to class prepared (have books, homework, and supplies). Help Others Have a good attitude, I Can! Good Behavior is a MUST!!!! Rules and Procedures followed everyday. Behavior Reports in the daily folder. We are using Class Dojo, please sign up.

Email/Website Email: kimberly.heath@dcsms.org Website: Visit the website for news, upcoming information, reminders, photos, and more Go to www.dcsms.org Choose elementary- Overpark Staff and websites Kimberly Heath Please send a note if you do not wish your child to be in our photo albums.

Behaviors & Consequences Class Dojo Your child will start off each day with zero points. Based on the choices they make throughout the day, they will earn points or lose points. When your child reaches 10+ points he/she will receive a class coupon. We believe in positive reinforcement. Your child will be rewarded daily for good choices. For negative choices, your child will walk that many laps around the track silently on the playground before playing. Our last option for negative behavior is parent contact. This could be a think sheet, sad note, phone call, or conference. Please check your child’s daily behavior log in their daily folder and talk to them about their day. (Don’t forget to initial that you saw their mark).

Rewards Reward Coupons Praise Stickers

Your child will attend 8 working stations throughout the week! Class Subjects Your child will attend 8 working stations throughout the week! Read with Teacher, Listening Center, Poetry/Vocabulary, Writing, Ipads, Working with Words, Interactive Games, and Read to Self. MS State Standards~ How it works…College and Career Readiness. They will be ready for college or a career. It is a difficult program, but don’t give up! Practice reading, predicting, relocating, and using context clues. Your child will do well if you read with them at home too!

Let’s Have a Great Year!