Welcome to 1st Grade Fall Creek Elementary 2019-2020 First Grade Team Jackie Burke, Carissa Conner, Kristen Edson, Jamie Gatcomb, Chelsea Gazay, Misty Hermosa, Kasey Peterson, Precious Sanders, Rachel Steadman 1

Daily Schedule 7:30 - 8:10 - Morning Jobs/Soft Start 8:10 - 8:30 - Cardinal Chat/Family Meeting 8:30 – 10:00 – Literacy Block (snack/RISE) 10:00-10:40 Word Study and Writing 10:45 - 11:45 – Lunch/Recess 11:50- 1:10- Math 1:15 - 2:00 - Specials 2:05 - 3:05 - Science/Social Studies/snack 3:15 - Dismissal 2

Curriculum Our curriculum follows the state mandated TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) Reading: Guided reading program (emphasize individualized instruction through flexible ability groups) Math: Guided math combined with hands-on activities and small group instruction with an emphasis on problem solving through exploration Writing: Writer’s Workshop (interactive writing activities to build students writing skills) Science/Social Studies: integrated approach so child experiences Science and Social Studies in other content areas 3

Testing / Conferences We will be testing students using a universal district assessment. Results will be shared in November at conferences. Additional conferences will be scheduled as needed. Report Cards go home every 9 weeks. Please sign and return and then you will receive a copy. We do not send progress reports or input grades in HAC We will explain the grading process in further detail during conferences. 4

Reading Bag Your child will bring home books in his/her reading bag daily. After listening to your child read, please sign and return the reading log that will be placed in the reading folder. Your child will occasionally bring home homework based on their reading group. Please look over their work. Please return the folder and books in the bag because they will be used for teaching the next day. 5

Red Folders Your child will have a red folder that will go home daily. Their monthly calendar and any pertinent information will be inside this folder. If there is a note, please discuss the situation with your child. Please initial the calendar in the daily folder. Fall Creek newsletter will be emailed and other school wide information will be sent home on Fridays. 6

Cardinal Creed Be safe. Be respectful. Be responsible. Along with academic areas, the children are learning appropriate social skills. Classroom expectations have been discussed and posted in the room. If necessary, a behavior management plan will be developed for your child. We will work together to assist your child in developing positive solutions to behavioral conflicts. Helping to develop young men and women of character is a process for life long learners. 7

Homework Our first graders work very hard during the school day. We ask that you spend 15 minutes each evening reading with your child. Occasionally, an assignment will be sent home that we will use in class the next day so it is very important to check your child’s folder and reading bag daily.

Communication Please feel free to contact me at any time to discuss concerns you may have about your child. My number is (281) 641-3431. All calls will be forwarded to my voicemail during instructional times. I will check my messages regularly and return calls as soon as possible. My website can be accessed through the Fall Creek website. My e-mail address is Kepeters@humbleisd.net The main office number is (281) 641-3400. If it is urgent, please contact the front office. 9

Arrival Our goal is to greet every child every day with a smile! Student drop off begins at 7:30 a.m. and students can eat breakfast, or walk down to the classroom. Give a hug and say have a great day at the door! NO supervision is provided before 7:30 a.m. Parents needing supervision prior to 7:30 a.m. should contact area daycares, who provide transportation to Fall Creek Elementary. Tardy bell rings at 8:00 a.m. Tardy students report to front office for tardy slip. Parents of students with excessive/ consistent tardiness will be contacted by an administrator. It is important that your child arrives on time as class begins promptly after the tardy bell. Attendance Bell rings at 9:30 10

Dismissal Please send a note in the red folder if there is a change in how your child is going home. We cannot approve dismissal changes without written permission or a phone call to the office. Students MAY NOT be removed from the car rider line to walk with a parent/guardian (in case of emergency dismissal change a student must be signed out through the office). All car riders must be picked up in a vehicle going through the car rider line. Parents should not park on neighboring streets or in front of Fall Creek residents homes. Students MAY NOT be dropped off in the front parking lot. This is a major safety concern. Please drive through the line to drop students off safely in front of the school. Please be courteous and follow traffic patterns with drop off and dismissal. Please be patient the first couple of weeks of school as dismissal routines are ironed out. Bikes will NOT be allowed beyond the gate. 11

Absences All students who miss a day of school are required to return with a written explanation within 48 hours. Remember to send in doctor or dentist notes to get credit for the day if your child has an appointment. 12

Medication If your child needs to take medication, please be sure to bring it to the nurse’s office with a note before the child comes to room. Please do not leave it in your child’s backpack. Tylenol, cough drops, prescriptions must be given through the nurse’s office. 13

Snacks CATCH Break (Coordinated Approach to Child Health) We will have a snack every morning and afternoon. Please send healthy, nutritious snacks, such as fruit, crackers, cheese, etc. Please send “finger foods” only, since we often eat on the floor during our reading lesson. Graham crackers, rice cakes, fig newtons, dry cereal, pretzels, fruit, vegetables, goldfish, fruit snacks, string cheese, etc. Drinks- Students are encourage to bring a water bottle to keep in the classroom. Please send only water in a “pop-top” bottle to avoid spills. We strongly encourage no peanuts/tree nuts. 14

Lunch Parents are welcome to join students for lunch! Visitors must first check in at the front office. Tables in the main hallway are reserved for visitors eating lunch with students. You may bring lunch and eat with only your child. Parents are welcome to join students in grades 1st through 5th for lunch beginning September 3rd. Be sure to keep money in your child’s lunch account or send money when your child is buying lunch. Monthly menus are available on district website. You may also set up an account through this website. 15

Holidays and Parties PTO handles parties, parents are welcome to come and volunteer No gift bags or additional treats allowed. We can’t pass them out Birthday party invitations can be passed to the whole class or gender specific (girl party or boy party) 16

Electronic Devices Students are permitted to have cell phones or smart watches for the purpose of communicating with their parents after school, but they must be turned OFF and stored in backpacks during the school day. Students not following these guidelines may have their phones taken and held for parent pick up. Any phones or electronics brought to school is at the risk of the student/parent. FCE is not responsible for lost or stolen items. 17

A few things.. Birthday Celebrations: You can purchase ice cream in the cafeteria for the class to celebrate. Please contact the cafeteria manager for more information. Forgotten lunches, snacks, water bottles, etc. may be dropped off and placed on the designated table in the foyer. The office is unable to call into classrooms. Please e-mail your child’s teacher if you leave something for your child on the table. 18

A few more things… FRIDAY IS SPIRIT DAY!!! Show your school spirit by wearing red or an FCE spirit shirt. Wear your favorite college shirt every Thursday of each month. FCE students are college bound! LABEL ALL JACKETS, LUNCH KITS, ETC. with student name. Helpful Hint: Keep a jacket or sweater in your backpack. Sometimes it is chilly in the classrooms. Lost and Found is located in the back of the main hallway (although small items such as glasses are kept in the office). Please check in at the office if you’d like to check the lost and found. Items will be sent to charity if not claimed. Box Tops- Please turn in box tops to us. We can earn money for the school!

Safety The safety of students and staff is our highest priority. Some of the safety measures we implement are: All visitors are required to show I.D. and wear identification in the building each visit. You will be required to return your badge to the office upon leaving. Check-out and dismissal procedures are strictly followed. Monthly emergency drills are held. Any suspicious activity is immediately investigated. Anti-bullying lessons are presented to students. Walkers/bikers are not released during severe weather. Security cameras monitor the front office, cafeteria, entrances, and playgrounds at all times.

Early/Full Day Release Students are released at 12:00 noon on the following early release days: December 20th May 29th Lunch will not be provided on Early Release days. Full Day Release Days: September 2nd September 23rd November 1st February 17th March 16th

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We are partners in your child’s education. Open communication between teachers and parents is essential in providing the best education for every child. I ask that if there is a question or concern, you please contact me directly. Your concerns are my concerns. We are partners in your child’s education.