Mrs. Heath’s 1st Grade Class Welcome, parents!

Welcome to First Grade!  I will introduce you to first grade and to our classroom.  Please write down your questions and leave on your child’s desk. I will answer directly in your child’s folder this week.

All About Me  My family  Husband – Kenny  Children – Kendyl 17, and Kyle 11.  My background  I grew up in Senatobia, MS – where I attended elementary through high school. I currently live in Olive Branch, MS.  I graduated from Mississippi University with a Bachelor’s in Broadcasting and Elementary Education and a Master’s in Gifted Studies.  My experience  I’ve been teaching for 20 years. I am certified Elementary K-8, and Gifted K-12.  I have always taught 1 st grade.

All About Mrs. Fran Mrs. Fran works not only with our class but also with the YMCA morning care. She lives in Horn Lake She is married and has 3 children. She has been an assistant for three years and has worked in Daycare and is CDA certified in daycare. She also spent numerous years subbing for Desoto County schools.

My Goals  To give your child the academic & social skills needed to progress to 2nd grade.  To provide a safe, supportive, & fun classroom environment.  To help your child make new friends and discover new interests.  I strive to communicate with parents as much as possible.

Our School & Classroom Community

Policies School Safety  All visitors report to office – other doors locked from outside  Please have ID ready this will include party days.  Bus Passes -Note if there is a change please.  Tardies & Check Outs  School Starts 8:25 (Students may enter the building starting at 8:05) Tardy After 8:30  After 15 tardies – student suspended for 1 day – every 3 rd tardy after 15 results in 1 day suspension  Car Riders dismiss 3:20 Bus Riders 3:25  There is a new attendance policy. Your child must be present for 65% of the day. If they miss more than 2 hours and 17 minutes, your child is considered absent.

Classroom Policies  Folders  Daily Binder  Communication…  Graded papers & Homework Papers to Keep/Return ~Homework due Friday  Cold Reads, Spelling, English and Math  Benchmark Assessment~ Level I by May.  Conferences- I am available during activity, 10:25 or recess, 2:00.  Grades will be M,S,N,U…  70% Mastery of each standard to be promoted to 2 nd grade  MS Literacy Act- all students have to pass reading test to be promoted out of 3 rd grade.

Policies  Birthday Celebrations  Bring Food Item for Snack, no cakes please.  Classroom Celebrations  Parties  2 – Christmas & Valentine’s  Room Volunteers: Emily Kennedy & Joanna Truong  Snacks  Healthy… School sells snacks in mornings We will have our snack in the afternoon. Your child is responsible for their own snack. Water bottles only for drink.  Lunch  Tray-$2.50 Milk-$.50 Juice-$.75

Expected Behaviors  Classroom Behaviors  Respectfully follow all directions the first time.  Be polite and respectful at all times.  Keep hands, feet, objects, and hurtful words to yourself.  Raise hand and get permission to speak or leave your seat.  Be responsible for class materials and assignments.  Come to class prepared (have books, homework, and supplies).  Help Others  Have a good attitude, I Can! Good Behavior is a MUST!!!!  Rules and Procedures followed everyday.  Behavior Reports in the daily folder.

/Website Website: Visit the website for news, upcoming information, reminders, photos, and more Go to Choose elementary- Overpark Staff and websites Kimberly Heath Please send a note if you do not wish your child to be in our photo albums.

Behaviors & Consequences  3 Verbal Warnings before asked to Clip Down  1 st Clip Down to “Bee” Careful (Yellow)  2 nd Clip Down to “Bee” Ware (miss 5 minutes of recess and think about how to improve behavior, Yellow)  3 rd Clip Down to “Bee” Sting – Parent Contact (no recess, note or phone call, Red)  Office Referral  Every child will start on Busy Bees~ Ready to Learn every day! Please, Please encourage your child to stay on GREEN and take behavior in school seriously.  Students do have the opportunity to Clip Up.  1 st Clip Up to “Beeing Super Students (candy, stickers, verbal praise, Green)  2 nd Clip Up to “King and Queen Bees” (if it stays on this clip until the end of the day, they get a drop in their bucket)

Rewards  Bucket Fillers (Special Coupons)  Treasure Box  Praise  Stickers  Sweet Treats

Class Subjects  Your child will attend 8 working stations throughout the week!  Read with Teacher, Listening Center, Poetry/Vocabulary, Writing, Ipads, Working with Words, Interactive Games, and Read to Self.  MS State Standards~ How it works…College and Career Readiness. They will be ready for college or a career.  It is a difficult program, but don’t give up! Practice reading, predicting, relocating, and using context clues. Your child will do well if you read with them at home too!

Let’s Have a Great Year!