Mrs. Kathy Rydzewski First Grade Teacher krydzewski@neshaminy.org Welcome to First Grade! Mrs. Kathy Rydzewski First Grade Teacher krydzewski@neshaminy.org

What is Title 1 and how can I be involved? Title 1 provides federal funding to schools to help students who are low-achieving or at most risk of falling behind. Title 1 is allocated to schools based on the percentage of students receiving free or reduced lunch. Our school applied to become a schoolwide school for the 2018-2019 school year.

Schoolwide means: Schoolwide means that Title I funds are used to upgrade the entire educational program of the school. Title 1 funds are used to serve all children in order to raise academic achievement. Title 1 funds will be used to provide additional assistance to all students who experience difficulties in meeting the States' performance targets.

To be a “Schoolwide” School: The school must qualify for Title 1 services and have a schoolwide plan completed and approved. The school must collect and analyze data that affects student achievement. The school must develop a comprehensive sight plan and annually review the effectiveness of the plan. Our plan is available for your review.

Parent Involvement Opportunities Attend parent conferences Become part of your school’s parent advisory group Attend Neshaminy School District’s Title 1 Parent meeting in the spring Sign up for free/reduced lunch if you meet the income eligibility. Applications are open all school year.

Free and Reduced Meals Available to students whose families meet income eligibility requirements (handout). Breakfast and lunch offered at a reduced price or for free, depending on income. There is only an online application. Our school nurse is available to assist if needed. Is confidential. Students receive a meal card PIN Number that is the same meal card full-paying students receive. There is no difference.

The online application can be found on the Neshaminy website The online application can be found on the Neshaminy website. Use link at the bottom of the Home Page. Follow the link on the left side of the page.

Contact Information Please contact your school’s principal or reading specialist for more information

Our Daily Schedule 9:00—9:15 Homeroom Procedures/Class Meeting 9:15—10:05 Language Arts (Reading, Handwriting, Writer’s Workshop, Listening, Journal, Spelling, Phonics, Guided Reading, Centers) During this time, there will be snack break 10:05—10:45 Specials 10:50—12:10 Language Arts continues with snack break at 11:30 12:10—1:10 Mathematics 1:10—2:10 Recess and Lunch 2:10—2:50 WIN Time 2:50—3:30 Social Studies/Science 3:30—3:35 Clean up and Dismissal

Day 1 Gym Day 2 Computer Day 3 Library Day 4 Music Day 5 Art Specialist Schedule Day 1 Gym Day 2 Computer Day 3 Library Day 4 Music Day 5 Art

Is Your Child Ready to Learn? A good night’s sleep is necessary to be successful in first grade Book bag with homework folder enclosed Bring lunch or have money in their accounts Homework that has been completed, and then checked by an adult Supply box containing sharpened pencils, crayons, scissors, erasable markers, and glue stick Bring morning snack

Language Arts Curriculum How can Families Help? Start a file of reading/spelling words Model reading by reading yourself Make sure your child reads every day Develop the library habit Help your child organize a personal library Read aloud to your child Give books as gifts Make reading a privilege: “You can stay up 15 minutes later if you read in bed.” Language Arts Super Kids Phonics Spelling Vocabulary Fluency Comprehension Writing Workshop Writing Fundamentals/SuperKids Transition from kid writing Conventions Handwriting Upper and Lower-Case Fine Motor Skills

Math Curriculum How can Families Help? Math in Focus Numbers to 100 Addition and Subtraction to 100 Length Measurement Picture and Bar Graphs Mental Math Strategies Shapes and Patterns Calendar and Time Money How can Families Help? “Math Box” of Manipulatives (counters, play money, dice, flash cards) Find more or less Ten frames Count forward/backward/skip count Doubles facts Doubles plus one Story problems Measurement “roll the dice” games

Social Studies Weekly Skills Focus: Chronological thinking Full Option Science System Social Studies Weekly Skills Focus: Chronological thinking Map, Graph, and Chart Skills Making Decisions Citizenship Current Events Social Skills

PA Core Standards The PA Core State Standards Initiative is a state-led effort to establish a single set of clear educational standards for English-language arts and mathematics that states can share and voluntarily adopt. The purpose of a standards‐based reporting system is to provide parents/guardians, teachers and students with more accurate information about students’ progress toward meeting content standards. By monitoring the concrete skills and knowledge listed on the report card, we will know whether all students are learning what they should in each grade. Parents/guardians will be aware of what their children should know and be able to do by the end of each grade level.

How does the Standards-Based Progress Report compare to the traditional letter grade system? Same student, different report.

Homework Usually given Monday – Thursday nights Math and/or Language Arts written homework Superkids Backpack paper Reading fluency story to practice reading each evening of the week Practice math facts or use online Math program--IXL Practice reading/spelling words (build a word file) Weekly spelling tests on Friday Read a story on RAZ Kids, practice your fluency story, or read a book Designed to provide your child with practice of the skills taught in class. Please let me know if your child experiences difficulty with homework, and I will re-teach the skills, or adjust the assignments.

Homework Folders Please check your child’s folder each evening for school communication and homework. Take a few moments to review the school papers with your child. It is a good opportunity to recognize his or her strengths and weaknesses at a particular time, as well as to see the types of things your child is learning in class. Don’t forget to make a fuss to remind them you appreciate all the hard work they are doing all day. Sign and return tests and office papers, but empty out the rest. Be on the look out for First Grade Updates. I use these to inform or remind parents of important school or classroom happenings, such as upcoming tests, spirit days, or events. This information will also be posted on our class webpage.

Birthdays/Parties Birthdays are an important part of a youngster’s life, and we will celebrate birthdays in school. Each child will get a birthday book created by the class as a keepsake of his/her birthday. Please do not send any food items to distribute to classmates. Birthday party invitations should be mailed from home. All class parties will be “party in a bag” due to food intolerances. The emphasis will be on doing fun activities together rather than having edible treats.

SWPBS Classroom/ Assembly Stairwells Indoor Recess Outdoor Recess Bus Hallways/ Stairwells Restroom Cafeteria Indoor Recess   Outdoor Recess Bus Be Respectful Use appropriate voice level. Use kind words & good manners. Allow others to learn. Walk silently. Keep your hands to yourself and away from walls and artwork. Use Level 1 voices. Respect the privacy of others. Use Level 2 voices. Use good manners. Use kind words. Raise your hand if you need help. Share materials. Include others. Play fairly and take turns. Use kind words and actions. Listen to the adult in charge. Share equipment. Listen to the driver. Use kind words and good manners. Give personal space to others. Be Responsible Be cooperative. Take care of class materials. Be prepared to learn. Listen to directions. Do your best work. Go directly to where you need to be. Keep restroom clean. Put trash in can. Use restroom quickly and quietly. Get everything you need while in line. Clean up after yourself. Follow directions. Stay in your seat until you are dismissed. Take care of materials. Clean up games and materials. Line up silently. Put equipment away. Dress for the weather. Line up quickly and silently after recess. Walk silently into the building. Keep the bus clean. Keep your belongings with you. Be Safe Walk indoors. Keep hands, feet, and objects to yourself. Follow emergency plans. Never open outside doors for visitors. Look forward when walking. Walk in straight, single-file lines. Stay to the right on the stairs and take one step at a time. Keep feet on floor. Wash hands and keep water in sink. Report problems to your teacher. Enter and exit silently in an orderly line. Stay in your seat. Eat only your own food. Choose indoor games and activities. Play safely. Use equipment properly. Report problems to an adult. Stay in seat facing forward. Keep aisle clear.

Home/School Communication Is the Key to a Successful Year! Absence Notes Please provide a note for each absence. Vacations need to be approved by the office 2 weeks BEFORE the trip. Please request a vacation form from our office. Change in Transportation Notes are needed for ALL changes in transportation. If you need to send an e-mail about changes please make sure to include the office as well. Try to inform me of last minute changes as early as possible, as my biggest concern is keeping your child safe. Communication is Key, So Get in Touch with ME! Email: krydzewski@neshaminy.org Folder – First Grade Updates Please feel free to contact me whenever you and/or your child have a concern or question about our first grade program and classroom family Check my webpage weekly for updates The PTO encourages everyone to sign up for the My School Anywhere app to keep informed of all school events.

Thank You! Thank you for taking the time to visit your child’s school and classroom. I appreciate all that you do, because you are the key ingredient in your child’s academic success!