Welcome to Mrs. Ramirez’ 1 st Grade Class Room G-102

Attendance The first bell rings at 8:18 and school begins promptly at 8:20. Go directly to our line when the first bell rings. If you arrive after 8:20, please go to the office for a late slip. If you are going to be absent, please call or send the office an . You can also e- mail me and I will forward the message. Please wait 24 hours AFTER A FEVER BREAKS before sending your child back to school

Daily Schedule Mondays- 8:20-1:35 Tuesday – Friday- 8:20 – 2:35 Friday is grade level PE in the mornings so please have your child bring sneakers, water bottle, and physical education attire. This starts the Friday after labor day. (This schedule is subject to change and is similar on Mondays) **library is TBD 8:20-8:45- Morning Opener- attendance, lunch count, journal, Daily Language Practice 8:45-9:55- literacy centers 10:00-10:20-recess 10:20-11:15- Language Arts 11:15-11:55- Lunch 11:55-12:30 iRead (computer lab) 12:30-1:15- calendar/math board/Math 1:15-1:35- Science/Social Studies/or writing 1:35-1:45- Recess 1:45-2:20- Arts enrichment or writing 2:20-2:35- Clean-up and dismissal

Lunches/Snacks/Clothing Please provide a separate healthy snack in addition to your child’s lunch. No soda or candy please! Pre-pay for school lunches at This is greatly appreciated by our cafeteria staff and keeps our line moving quickly and hungry kids fed! Label EVERYTHING!!! Labeled water bottles are permitted in the classroom. I prefer “pop” tops over lids (spills!!)

Classroom Rules/Positive Reinforcement Classroom Rules 1. Listen to the person speaking 2. Follow Directions 3. Work quietly 4. keep your hands, feet, and objects to yourself 5. Be kind with your words and actions Positive Reinforcement 1. Praise, Praise, Praise! 2.Stickers 3.Respect checks /treasure box

Classroom Management In my classroom I use a Behavior Clip Chart as a classroom management tool. The colors are as follows: - Purple: Super- Respect check and ultimate treasure box -Blue: Nice Job! Respect check and sticker -Green: Good! (we all start here each day) Respect check -Yellow: Warning This is a 2 nd warning!! (a verbal warning was already given) -Orange: Time out -Red: Lose recess and note/call home!

Homework and Star Binder Each child will be given a STAR binder: Students Taking Active Responsibilities. This is an important tool to keep your child organized and responsible for their academic resources. The STAR binder needs to be brought to school EVERYDAY. Please assist your child in keeping this binder safe and clean. It is a very important tool for your child and it should last all year. It contains homework, lunch calendar, classwork, and academic resources. The binder is also a great form of communication so please feel free to drop a not in it under “Homework.” Spelling and writing is posted on our school website under homework. Math is sent home daily. They are not required to do spelling at home. Please document reading on their monthly homework calendar. Homework will consist of: Go Math daily- possibly supplemental math sheets (due daily) Reading 15 minutes daily (listed on homework calendar) Rainbow words- this can be apart of your child’s daily reading As time progresses there will be basic writing homework with detailed Instructions will also be posted on our 1 st grade website and our class website I will post spelling words, but you do not need to do activities since they will be done in class.

Report Cards/Standards 1 st grade students are given District Assessments 4 times a year. Language arts assessments are one-on-one tests that measure how well your child is performing towards meeting the standards. Math assessments are both oral and written assessments that are given whole group as well as one-on-one. The first set of assessments will be shared with you in October during Parent/Teacher Conferences. State Standards/Common Core: California is making a shift from state standards to Common Core. MVUSD is moving slowly towards CCSS starting with math with full implementation in the year 2016.

Parent Volunteers I LOVE parent volunteers!! I need volunteers for centers, prep work, Rainbow words program, & Read Naturally Volunteers are also needed for special events, parties, field trips, etc. A parent volunteer form is in your child’s binder. Please fill out and return. I COULDN’T DO IT WITHOUT YOUR HELP!

The Other Stuff!! Star of the Week: Each student will be Star Student for one week info will come home the week prior Super Scientist: T his student will take home a jean bag that contains a lab coat, protective glasses, and a science book. This book will contain simple experiments that they can do with you and they will record their findings as well as take pictures of their science experiment. This bag will also be sent home on Fridays and will be due the following Thursday to give you and your child sufficient time to complete. Wish list: My classroom wish list will be posted on the board inside the door and posted on our class website. All donations are greatly appreciated! Birthdays: I love to celebrate birthdays in my class. Small store bought treats may be brought to school. PLEASE notify me in advance!!

The Other Stuff!! Book orders: Periodically throughout the year, you will be receiving a book order newsletter from Scholastic, Troll Book Club, etc. These offer great children’s books at a minimal cost to you. Soaring Sprit Awards: These awards are given at Soaring Assemblies. There is a theme for each award that includes the schools motto: HEART as well Character counts. You will be notified in advanced if your child will be receiving an award so that you can attend the assembly. I will notify you via . Lunch with the principal These awards are given to students throughout the school year that are showing academic achievement/improvement. They will be given an invitation to the lunch on Thursday and I will also let you know via . Artist and author of the month I will submit work from your child and it will be judges by a panel of teachers. I will notify you if you child is a recipient of an artist or author of the month award via . They will receive their award at one of our Friday Spirit Assemblies.

Communication Communication is the key to a successful year. A great parent/teacher partnership leads to a successful child. Please me if you have any questions or concerns about anything. I will return your ASAP.

Thank You, Thank You, Thank You I am looking forward to an amazing 1 st grade year. Thank you for sharing your child with me this year. We are going to learn so much and have a blast along the way! Mrs. Ramirez