1. Saints Peter and Paul School
First Grade

2. Back to School Night About the teachers First Grade Curriculum
Testing and Screenings
Communication
Volunteers
Field Trips and Special Events
Questions and Concerns

3. About the Teachers Mrs. Van Wyk
B.S. in Early Childhood Education from WCU, Certification in Elementary Education
12th year teaching
2 children Avery & Quinn
PIAA Referee

4. Ms. Anna Kates B.S. in Elementary (PK-4) and Special Education (PK-8)
Working on Masters in Special Ed at WCU
2nd year at SSPP

5. Mrs. Halvorsen
16th year at SSPP
3 children, two sons, one daughter, two grand children
Is an important asset in working one on one with students

6. Mrs. McGeehan
16th year at SSPP
2 children (Billy 26 & Ashley 25)
Ashley recently got engaged
Has a great knowledge of working with a center-based curriculum and differentiated instruction

7. First Grade Curriculum
E.L.A.- Journeys is a research-based, comprehensive English Language Arts program designed to provide solid instruction that is clear and focused with realistic pacing and manageable resources. It integrates both Science and Social Studies throughout the curriculum. We will continue our Fundations program which is geared to enhance our phonics curriculum.
Math- We will work on addition and subtraction facts through 20, graphing, money, time, fractions, symmetry, and early multiplication skills.
Religion- Creation is the beginning, we stress God’ s love for the children and teach well known prayers.
Science- we will be using the FOSS curriculum for air and weather and continue the year with inquiry in many different scientific aspects.
Social Studies- we will be using our Social Studies series to teach our children about communities, families, and being a good friend.

8. E.L.A./Fundations Our E.L.A. curriculum will be changing this year
Trick words can be studied and memorized
There will be at least four graded Writing assignments per trimester
There will be at least two graded Reading Assessments per trimester
There will be at least two Listening and Speaking Assessments per trimester
Weekly Words need to be written every Monday on note cards and kept at home to study, we will periodically ask them to be sent in to check and practice
Weekly “check-in” assessments. These will include words that go with our skill for the week, nonsense words, and trick words.

9. Fundations Emphasis on systematic phonics and study of word structure
Skills taught explicitly and systematically
Instruction is cumulative and scaffolds presented skills
Teachers model with “Echo” the owl puppet directing students to repeat sounds, words, and sentences
Assessments monitor students throughout the program
The manual provides direction for support staff to meet individual student needs
Extensive practice provides multiple opportunities for skills application

10. Math There will be weekly assessments given in Math
There will be at least six assessments per trimester
Timed math facts

11. Review sheets will be sent home for tests and prayers.
Religion
Students will be assessed on prayers and knowledge of the First Grade Religion Curriculum.
Review sheets will be sent home for tests and prayers.
Saint Project

12. Social Studies and Science
Social Studies and Science are integrated throughout the E.L.A. and Math curriculum.
We also spend 30 minutes twice a week on both subjects and visit the lab for Science.

13. Homework Homework Monday-Thursday Please check and initial assignments
Encourage neatness
10 minutes
Please read with your child every night and sign the reading log
Study Weekly Words including Trick Words, place new words on note cards every Monday

14. Testing and Screenings
Reading Specialist-Sheila Mulhearn
Reading Support- Jen Gilligan
Learning Support- Anna Benoit
Speech and Language- Tina Borst
Guidance Counselor- Janette Ordway
Math Specialist- Mary Joe Thompson
Sight Word Monitoring
DIBELS
IST- Instructional Support Team- works cooperatively to meet any special needs of students

15. Screening by Sheila Mulhearn
Mrs. Mulhearn, the Reading Specialist from the Chester County Intermediate Unit, is at our school on Tuesdays and Thursdays this year. Mrs. Mulhearn screens and assesses the beginning reading skills of our first grade students throughout the school year. If additional assessments need to be administered, you will be notified by Mrs. Mulhearn. It is our goal to assure that all the first grade students are making progress in reading skills.

16. Communication Weekly Behavior Charts www.teacherweb.com
Conferences: October 18th & 19th
Test Folders

17. General Information Covering Books with clear contact paper
Health Office and Vaccination Papers
24 hours after having no fever, students may return to school
Clearances

18. Volunteers Homeroom Parents Art Volunteers
(no art volunteers if we have a 2hr delay)
Field Trip Chaperones
Lunch Parents
Mystery Readers

19. Field Trips and Special Events
Cherry Crest Farms and Camden Aquarium
Saint Project
Parties- all Holidays
All About Me/ Student of the Week
Class Pet
Scholastic Book Orders

20. Questions and Concerns
Parent questions and concerns