1 st Grade Orientation August 4, 2014

Attendance  Unless your child is ill, please make every attempt to have your child present at school and on time.  Our day begins at 7:45am and the dismissal time is 2:45pm. Students that arrive late are a disruption and waste valuable instruction time for the rest of the class.  If your child is going to be out, please provide a written note on the first day that your child returns to school. Please include date, duration and specific reason for absence.

Behavior  Every student is expected to follow school and classroom rules. We will follow the school wide behavior policy.

PE  Please make sure your child comes to school each day with proper shoes and clothes for running, jumping, climbing, and participating in physical education activities.

Enrichment  Students will have Art class once a week, Technology class twice a month, and Library and Counseling class once a month.

Grades  Every week your child will be assessed in reading, and spelling (10 words and 1 dictation sentence 1 st 9 weeks, 12 words and 1 dictation sentence 2 nd 9 weeks and 15 words and 2 dictation sentences 3 rd and 4 th 9 weeks). These test will usually be given on Friday. Students will be assessed in mathematics once a chapter is completed. Tests papers will be sent home on Tuesday and must be returned by Thursday.  Please take the time to look them over each week and review any skills or areas of weakness with your child.

Homework  Every week students are expected to complete Reading and Math homework. Students must also complete the reading log daily.  It is important that 1st graders read for a minimum of 15 minutes EACH night. This may include practicing their decodable, shared reading with an adult or older sibling, and reading and decoding good fit books on their own.

Keeping Informed  Visit our classroom website frequently. The itinerary will let you know what we are learning about each week, and our calendar will keep you up-to-date, reminding you about upcoming projects, due dates, and events.  Make sure to read the Newsletter.  Watch for s

Money  Any money sent to school must be in an envelope with your child’s name, the purpose and amount.  Classroom donation $40  Agenda books $5

Notes  Please send a note with your child if:  You know your child will be missing school for an extended period of time. An independent study can be arranged if a student will be out for 5 or more consecutive days.  A change in pick-up or after school care will be occurring.  You would like to schedule a conference or have concerns.  Your child has been absent and you have not yet notified the office about the absence. Watch for notes from the office and me, and don’t forget to check the Take Home folder nightly. This will be our primary way to communicate with you.

Other Items  Parties  No food, beverages, or balloons (cupcakes/cakes, etc.) for individual student birthday parties will not be permitted during the instructional day as it interferes with the school learning environment and causes hurt feelings when all students do not have the opportunity to celebrate at school. Distributing party invitations at school for a home party will not be permitted.  Take home folders and agendas (review every night)  Newsletters (sent every Friday)

Snack  Only water drinks will be allowed and the school’s preference would be that each student provide their own reusable water bottle to refill at the water fountain.  MES is using guidelines from US Healthy Schools Challenge; only snack items from these guidelines will be sold in school vending machines or the school cafeteria.

Library  Students will be able to check books out from the library every week.  Students may check 2 books out at a time.  Birthday Book Club- $10 donation will buy a library book to be placed in honor of your child. Members will get a special snack at the end of their birthday month.

Websites  EZ School Pay  School Cast for Me  INow Parent Portal  Remind 101  Class dojo  Facebook

Extra Supplies  There will be times throughout the year where extra supplies are needed. We will send a note home with the requested items.  We always appreciate your support!

You  You are your child’s first and most important teacher.  We hope that we can work together this year to make your child’s 1st grade school year a huge success!

Zzzz  Please make sure your child gets plenty of sleep each night, so that he/she is well rested and ready for the challenges of first grade.  This year will ZOOM by, so let’s make the most of it.

Thank You for Coming Once again, thank you for coming this evening and for showing an interest in your child’s education. Welcome to 1 st Grade!