1. Highlights of the First Grade Handbook 2016-2017

2. Encouraging Independence
Allow your child to learn from their mistakes. Allow your child time to problem-solve before you intervene. Don’t give your child the answer to their problem. Let them voice their solutions and you can help guide their decision- making. Encourage your child to discuss problems with their teacher. You will be surprised to see what they can do for themselves. Set limits and rules, such as consistent bed-times at home. Children thrive on routine and consistency.

3. Field Trips
We will be taking our students on a few field trips this school year. A couple of the places have limited or no chaperones needed.

4. Report Card
1-Not yet 2-Progressing 3-Met expectation 4-High achievement

5. Absent
If your child is absent, please call the school that morning and send the teacher an , if possible.
You must send in a note with your child upon his/her return to school. It must be turned in within 3 days.

6. All students will have a binder. Communication calendar inside binder…
“Return to School” and “Keep at Home” folder inside binder…
Zipper Pouch – The zipper pouch will be a secure spot for lunch money, book orders, field trip money, etc.

7. Communication
If you have a last minute change to your child’s transportation, please phone the main office and they will get a message to us. Please do not after 12pm. Do not leave a message on the teacher’s voic for any dismissal changes.

8. Grade level newsletter monthly via email…
Communication
…going green..
Grade level newsletter monthly via …
Let us know if you do not have access to a computer.

9. Parent Conferences
Parent/Teacher communication is very important. If you ever have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your child’s teacher. We will be glad to schedule a conference with you.

10. Please label….. Personal Items
Sweatshirts, coats, lunch boxes, water bottles, etc.
Please do not allow your child to bring toys/games or other non-school items unless advised by his/her teacher.

11. Medical Concerns
Please advise your child’s teacher/school nurse of any allergies/medical conditions.
Any medication taken at school must be cleared through the clinic.
Please report any communicable illnesses to your child’s teacher/school nurse (example…lice, etc.).

12. We are limited to two school parties a year.
Parties/Birthdays
We are limited to two school parties a year.
No food items for celebrating—
Great ideas would be: mechanical pencils, erasers, little toys, play dough, stickers, etc…
To avoid hurt feelings, invitations given out at school must include all classmates or all of the girls/boys.

13. No-spill water bottles….No JUICE. Dry, non messy snacks…
Please make sure your child can independently eat their snack (i.e. peeling fruit, opening containers, etc.).

14. Every night Homework—
READ
MATH FACTS

15. If lost, books must be paid for.
Library Books
Teachers will try to ensure that students can visit the library at least once per week to exchange books.
Watch for Due Dates.
If lost, books must be paid for.
To receive a new library book, the previous book checked out must be returned.

16. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
If you are picking up your child in car pool, it is very important that you stay in your car. We ask that you do not park and walk up to get your child. This will help with crowd control. Please place Carpool Sign in car window every time where it can be easily seen. We will put your child into the car.
We also ask that you and all the children use the crosswalks that are available around the school. The safety of you and your children are very important to us.

17. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures
One last request…..If you pick up your child on the front porch, we ask that you please stand back away from the doors and back from the porch. ***If you are visiting with other parents, please move down to the corners of the building. This would provide more room for the teachers and kids at dismissal. Again, safety is a priority here at Cheatham. Thanks so much for your cooperation and support!

18. Front Dismissal

19. Rainy Day Dismissal
If your child is a walker, please make sure you have a plan set out for his or her way to get home. Please let your teacher know how your child will get home on a rainy day in advance!

20. Take Home Readers
Take home books Read nightly $5 charge for lost books Nightly readers are for the child to read to you. Library books can be read by either you or the child.

21. Reading
If your child is stuck on a word.. Pictures… If a book is too hard or too easy… Remember that reading should be looked at as an enjoyable time spent with your child…..NOT as homework. At Cheatham, we create meaningful L.A. lessons that engage & interest the students to learn at a challenging level, so that they can retain what they learn and transfer what they learn.

22. When your child gets to word he or she does not know, do not……
SOUND IT OUT

23. Keys to becoming a SUPER reader!
Practice reading every night!
By the end of 6th grade, Student “A” will have read the equivalent of 60 whole school days.
Student “B” will have read only 12 school days. Which student would you expect to have
better vocabulary? Which student would you expect to be more successful in school and
in life???

24. WRITING
Your child will be writing daily in class.
We focus on high frequency words (common words) being spelled correctly.
If a child gets to a word they do not know how to spell, we ask them to--- stretch it out and write the sounds they hear!
Ask your child to stretch it out. Do not give them the answer, we are not looking for perfect spelling.

25. MATH
Math is very hands on in first grade. We use manipulatives and technology more than we use worksheets. Our goal is to make work meaningful, satisfying, challenging and engaging.
By the end of the year your child should know all of their addition facts through 9. No fingers!
Encourage problem solving in everyday life.
Skip counting (counting by 2s, 5s, 10s) lays the foundation for many other math concepts. This is a great thing to practice in the car.
To help reinforce concepts ask your child to tell you what time it is, to count money at the store and tell you what fraction of a pizza they are eating (ex:1 out of ten pieces).

26. Missed Assignments
Many times when your child is absent from school, there will not be “make-up work” sent home. Much of 1st grade is hands-on learning. We are unable to send that work home but catch him/her up on lessons.

27. And…. -If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself. --Henry Ford

28. Thank You, for all that you do to support us!!