Welcome to Ms. Fernandez’s First Grade Class Back to School Night 2017

Welcome Parents & Guardians This is an overview of first grade and our routines and expectations. If you have any general questions about tonight’s topics, please write them down on a “post-it” and place them in the “Parking Lot” as you leave tonight. Questions about your child can be discussed during P/T Conf. Appointments can be made if you have a more immediate concern.

All About Me  I grew up in Bridgewater, NJ where I currently reside. I earned an Elementary K-6 teaching degree from Montclair State University in 2015. This will be my third year teaching and my second year teaching first grade at West End. In my spare time I LOVE to read, go on day trips with family and friends and spend time with my niece Bella.

Important Information Our Day: Doors open at 8:00 AM. School starts promptly at 8:25 AM and Dismissal is at 2:35 PM. ARRIVAL: Students may enter the building after 7:30 A.M. for the Breakfast Program. Doors open at 8:00 A.M for all other students. Children are expected to be in the classroom at 8:25 AM. Children will be marked late, if they arrive after 8:25 AM. Attendance, Lunch Counts and Announcements begin at 8:26 AM. Remember to arrive on time for school every day!!! Discuss parking

Monitoring Attendance WHY:  Monitoring attendance ensures that students will benefit from being a part of the educational program we plan for them on a daily basis. Our goal is to ensure that every student attends school regularly and on time. West End is committed to student success; attendance rates have increased and chronic absenteeism have decreased. Families too, play a key role in ensuring their children value the importance of attendance.  

Friendly Reminders Students should be in class ready to learn by 8:25 a.m. Contact the school to report absences by 8:00 a.m. Send in doctors notes if applicable Contact school nurse for chronic medical concerns (ie asthma, diabetes, seizures etc) Be proactive and contact us if assistance is needed. Parent meetings will be scheduled after students are absent for a total of; 5 or more days within first marking period 7 or more days within the second and third marking periods   10 or more days within the fourth marking period Please be timely in picking up your child at 2:35 p.m.  Aftercare is not available at WE but we do work in private organizations who offer those service (Klubhouse, etc.)  

Important Information Snack- Please make sure your child has a HEALTHY snack everyday. Lunch this year is at 12:15 so snack will be around 10:30. We will have snack on 4-hour days! Birthdays- Birthdays will be celebrated during snack time. We encourage families to “Think Outside of the Box.” Please feel free to send in a healthy treat, juice boxes, and some napkins. Please no sheet cakes, ice cream cakes or candles! Also, please be aware that we have peanut allergies in our classroom.

Classroom Management Strategies Non-verbal cues Classroom Rules Classroom Jobs Leader of the week Table Managers

Curriculum Walk Through

We follow the University of Chicago Mathematics We follow the University of Chicago Everyday Math Program. Differentiated Instruction (Readiness, Reinforcement, Enrichment) Hands-on learning Math Centers Explorations Refer to Unit parent letters for support Refer to my website for the First Grade Marking Period Expectations for Math

This year we will be focusing on… Reading This year we will be focusing on… Read Alouds (teacher reads) Guided Reading (reading in small leveled groups with teacher support) Strategy Groups (learning decoding and comprehension skills) Buddy/Partner Reading (reading in pairs) Independent Reading (students read alone) One-on-one conferencing with teacher based on individual goals Listen to Reading (computers, headphones and Raz-Kids)

Phonics A multisensory, structured language program. Concentrating on: We use Fundations A multisensory, structured language program. Concentrating on: Phonemic awareness Phonics/ word study High frequency (DOLCH SIGHT WORDS) word study Vocabulary Handwriting Spelling

Writing Practice number and letter formation This year we will be focusing on… Practice number and letter formation Correct usage of spacing and lines Strategies of organizing and developing ideas for writing fiction, personal and non-fiction pieces.

Science This year we will be focusing on… Inquiry based techniques. We use: Next Generation Science This year we will be focusing on… Inquiry based techniques. Investigating and discussing natural phenomenon. Ex: Why do we have seasons? Earth Science: Earth, Weather & Sky Note: Social Studies and Science are both effort grades

This year we are focusing on… Social Studies This year we are focusing on… My class/My Community (Citizenship) Cultural Traditions New Jersey Making Changes: past & present Anti-bullying/Respect Character Education (C.A.R.D)

WE believe in C.A.R.D Caring Appreciation Respect Determination

Please sign your child’s homework journal every night. Your child will write their homework assignment everyday in their Homework Journal. Your child will also track their daily behavior by coloring in the color they landed on each day. Please sign your child’s homework journal every night. Homework: Read every night for 15 minutes and hold a book "chat" Please write the title of the book in the homework journal Include parent signature One additional homework activity (10 minutes) Which will vary in subject area

Grading Grading is based on assessments, homework, class work, observations, participation, and special projects. First graders still have a developmental report card, therefore, you will not see percentages on assessments. Our report card is based on a number scale (1-4) which will be discussed in further detail at parent-teacher conferences in November. Classwork and homework are marked with check marks or stars. All classwork will be sent home at the end of each day. Please check your child’s work and keep at home.

What can you do at home? Make sure your child completes his/her homework each night. Sign your child’s homework journal. Sit with your child during his/her 15 minutes of daily reading time. Ask reading comprehension questions. Each morning ask your child: - Remind me what Ms. Fernandez’s class rules are again… - What will you try your best at today? Each Afternoon ask your child: - Tell me one thing you learned today.. - Tell me something you did great at today… - What color did you land on today? - How did you show C.A.R.D today? Who did you help today? How did you help them? How did you show someone that you cared today? How did you show determination during reading or math?

Room #12 Specials Monday- Music 1:30-2:00 - Gym 2:00-2:30 (wear sneakers) Tuesday- Library 1:45-2:30 (book exchange day) Wednesday- Art 1:45-2:30 Thursday- Computers 1:30-2:00 (headphones) -Health 2:00-2:30 Friday- Spanish 1:30-2:00

Parent Teacher Conferences Parent-Teacher Conferences will be held November 14th -16th. Please sign-up for one 10 minute time slot. Please make sure you signed up on the clipboard to reserve a convenient meeting time.

W.E. Parents, lets get involved! Please take an active role in your child’s education: -Join PTA. -Help your child become responsible and independent for him/herself. (tying their shoes, packing their bookbag, etc.) -Attend school functions. -Volunteer in the classroom! -Get to know other parents. -Volunteer to help out in our classroom. -DON’T hesitate to talk and/or reach out to me!

Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Contact Information Please contact me if you have any questions or concerns. Email: joarlynn_fernandez@nplainfield.org Phone Number: 908-769-6083 ext: 7712 Let’s work together to make this year a wonderful and meaningful learning experience for you and your child!