1. Mountain View Elementary 2016-2017

2. 3 rd year teaching overall Taught 5 th grade for two years Graduated from Kennesaw State University Born and raised in Georgia

3. Attendance- If your child is absent for any reason, please send in a note stating the date(s) and reason. Behavior Management- Please check your child’s folder each night and initial. Your child is responsible for his/her own folder. Your child is responsible for coloring his/her own square each day

4. Birthdays We would love to celebrate your child’s birthday! Feel free to bring in treats during our lunch time (10:42-11:12). Please check with me for any allergies and our class size, as our numbers change throughout the year. Please only send in party invitations if our whole class is invited…we’re all friends in room C6. Summer birthday? No problem! Celebrate on their ½ birthday or a day of their choice!

5. Blog/Communication- Updated regularly, please sign up to receive e-mail updates! www.cobbk12.org/mtview -click on Teachers, -click on First grade, -click on Chelsea Dennis (on right side, click *receive email updates)

6. Conferences- October 17-21 (each day that week is early release) Daily 5- We are doing this in place of “centers” because research shows that it is more effective for young children to be reading and writing. We encourage QUALITY over QUANTITY in first grade

7. Homework Homework is done on a monthly calendar, and each student will have a homework folder. This will be labeled “Homework”. Typically, there will be one task to complete each night. Homework includes reading with your child for at least 20 minutes EVERY night and initial after you read EACH day on the homework calendar! Getting into a DAILY homework routine is great!homework

8. Independence- First grade is about independence. I expect a great deal from your child each and every day! You need to encourage independence at home as well. Please make sure: your child is in charge of making sure folders, books, etc. are in his/her backpack for school each morning. Please sit with your child during homework time, but let them do the thinking and work!

9. Morning Routine- Please make sure your child is at school by 7:50 every morning. Please make sure your child eats a healthy breakfast BEFORE he/she comes to school! Please send in a snack daily. Please make sure your child wears sneakers on our P.E. days- Monday and Thursday. - Please send in a picture I can hang in the hallway.

10. Guided Math- Focus on one skill a week with whole group instruction and then break apart into small group instruction and individualized learning stations. Number Talks- Children will have an opportunity to explain their mathematical thinking every day.

11. First Nine Weeks Understands place value up to 120. Add and subtract within 10 Solve word problems Determine if equations are equal or not equal Counting to 120 AND back Count by 5’s and 10’s to 120 and back

12. Parent Involvement- We love having a mystery reader every Friday. You will be sent a schedule of dates that you can sign up to read to our class. The children love guessing to see which parent will be coming in that day. Sight Words- there are 200 words. First Grade uses a Sight Word club- Club, A, B, C, D. You will receive your first list tonight.

13. Spelling – there are weekly spelling words. There will be a spelling “test” every Friday! Please have your child practice the spelling words as part of their homework! Wish List- Check my blog and the classroom door!

14. We write everyday! Mini Lesson, Writing Time, Share Time First Nine Weeks Capitalization and Punctuation Spacing between words Consistently and independently write narratives with at least two appropriately sequenced events with details.

15. Information from Administration Car Rider Procedures at http://www.cobbk12.org/MtView/ Morning drop off/car pool line begins at 7:20. Late afternoon check out needs to occur prior to 2:00. From 2:00-2:30, our front office is very busy with dismissal. Attendance Policy Bus Lot/Fire Lane Transportation Changes Mandated Reporter Law Buzz In System Blackboard Connect

16. Membership Matters Online Mathematics Program: Sumdog Online Reading Resources: A-Z Reading, BookFlix, Document Cameras for Classroom Instruction Art, Music & Physical Education Support Teacher-requested Curriculum Materials for K-5 th grades (e.g., Bare books) Subscriptions to Time for Kids, USA Weekly, & Georgia Weekly Student Agendas/Planners for 3 rd -5 th grades Enrichment Materials for Special Education, Target, Speech & Language, and Guidance Additional Supplies for our Amazing Building, School Clinic, & Cafeteria Staff Family Engagement Activities (e.g., Fall Festival, Science Night & Bingo Night) Thank you! Together, we make a difference! Your PTA membership dues enhance the Excellence and Quality of Education at Mountain View:

17. Membership Matters Computer Teacher Computer Lab Science Teacher Science Enrichment and Materials Ongoing Teacher Development & Education Planning for After-School Enrichment Programs Your Foundation Membership dues support Science, Technology & Enrichment Programming: How do I get informed and involved with PTA & Foundation?  Subscribe, Receive & Read Pawprints - our weekly PTA e-newsletter at mountainviewpta.org It’s all in here:  Visit us on-line – Click on PTA or Foundation links from Mountain View Elementary website: mountainviewpta.org mtnviewfoundation.org  Find out about Volunteer Opportunities! Contact president@mountainviewpta.org or president@mtnviewfoundation.org

18. Wellness Wednesdays ➢ Our PTA Health & Wellness Committee encourages families to participate in Wellness Wednesdays beginning next week. Students are encouraged to bring fresh fruit or veggies for snack every Wednesday. ➢ Fruit donations are provided to one grade level each week. ➢ Our Partners in Education and other local businesses in our community are sponsoring this program. Please visit them: Kid Chess, Highland Chiropractic, Omega Learning, Friends and Family Chiropractic, First Citizens Bank, Liberty Mutual Insurance ➢ Visit http://mvehealthandwellness.weebly.com for more info or email health@mountainviewpta.org.http://mvehealthandwellness.weebly.com

19. ➢ Our PTA Health & Wellness Committee encourages families to Walk to School together when possible. Studies show that students are more ready to learn after 20 minutes of physical activity. Walk to school days

20. Thank you for all the support you have already given your child! I look forward to working with you and your child this year!