1. Mrs. Curry 2017-2018 Please write your child a special note and
leave it for them to read tomorrow. 

2. This is my fourteenth year teaching in Cobb County
This is my fourteenth year teaching in Cobb County. I have taught kindergarten, first and second grade.
Check our class blog to see what we are learning and doing in class. I will also send reminders through Shutterfly.
You can subscribe and access my blog from the Mt. Bethel home page.

3. This is my fourth year at Mt
This is my fourth year at Mt. Bethel, and my seventeenth year teaching in Cobb County. I have taught kindergarten, first and second grade.

4. The ABC’s of Mrs. Curry’s Classroom

5. A
Absences: If your student should miss school PLEASE send a note in with them upon their return.
In the note please include your child’s first and last name and dates he/she was absent. Please send in a note, not an so I can turn it in.
If your child goes to the doctor or dentist please get a note from them when you are there.
There is a copy of the school note included in your packet for you to take home tonight. Please copy and use as needed.

6. Accelerated Reader-
This program is used as a supplement to our reading curriculum. AR helps make reading fun and exciting for every student. It is also used to personalize instruction so every student achieves maximum success.

7. B
Birthdays:
We love to celebrate special days. Please let me know ahead of time if you would like to bring a treat for your child's birthday. Cupcakes or cookies are an easy option. If you send a cookie cake, please have it cut ahead of time as we do not have access to cutting tools here!! Please send in treats that are all the same.
We will have our celebrations at lunch. Please make sure homemade treats are clearly labeled if they contain any nuts

8. Book Orders:
Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home monthly. This is a great way to encourage and excite your child about reading!
The first order for the year will be coming home in a couple of weeks. All ordering can be done online. There will be an online ordering code attached to the flyers.

9. C
CoGAT:
(Cognitive Abilities Test) Students will take the CoGAT September 6th, 7th, and 8th. This test CAN NOT be studied for and consists of puzzles, analogies, patterns, etc.
Comprehension:
Comprehension is a key element in a child’s reading development. Reading without true understanding is simply word calling. Reading comprehension is a MAJOR part of our Reader’s Workshop and will be addressed in many new and interesting ways each day!
Counselor: Mrs. Oakes will be our counselor this year. She teaches whole group lessons in our classroom every other week.

10. Communication:
I believe communication between the teacher, school, and parents is absolutely essential in order for each student to be successful. PLEASE let me know any concerns, questions or comments you have! -
Blog-
Shuttterfly account coming soon

11. Class Pet:

12. D
Deliveries:
The only items that will be delivered to classrooms are forgotten glasses and lunches if they are brought to the office by 10:00.

13. E
Procedures:
The best way to get in touch with me is via . I check my throughout the day and will be able to respond quickly to any questions or concerns. It is easier for me to make phone calls after school, so if you need me to call you send me an and I will call you as soon as I can after dismissal.
My address is :

14. Early Checkout:
If you need to pick your child up early for any reason PLEASE make sure you do so by 1:45 at the latest. The front office is a very busy place at the end of the day and they will not check out students after 1:45.
E-Blast:
PTA sends a weekly E-Blast with important information, dates, and upcoming events. Please make sure you sign up for these if you have not already done so.

15. August 21, 2017
School extended by 45 minutes. Specifics on dismissal will be communicated.
Parents may check out students early up until 1:30.
Safety is top priority.
Not going outside to view live.
Watching NASA Broadcast.

16. F
Field Trips:
Please stay tuned for upcoming field trip permission forms and chaperone opportunities! Field trip money will be collected using the white money collection envelopes. Students need to wear their class t-shirts on field trip days.

17. Building YOUR Child’s Foundation!
Click Here
for Video

18. G
Grading:
Measures progress toward the standard. Students will receive the following:
3- Consistently meeting the standard
2- Progressing toward meeting the standard
1 – Limited or minimum progress toward meeting the standard
Please keep in mind first grade is a developmental year and students learn at different rates. Therefore, some students may “progress” toward a standard for a quarter or more before “meeting” the standard, which is OK!

19. H
Homework:
At least 15 minutes of reading is an expectation every evening. Your child can read to you while you are cooking dinner, riding in the car, etc. Reading out loud to a parent or older sibling is MUCH more beneficial than independently reading, especially at the beginning of the year.
Additional home practice pages will show up periodically in your child’s Take-Home Folder. These practice pages will involve a skill or concept already introduced and practiced in class.

20. I
Items Left at School:
Please LABEL your child’s personal belongings such as coats, backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles, etc. The LOST AND FOUND is located outside the front doors this year.

21. L Lunch: Our lunch time is 12:58-1:28. Lunch Visitors:
We welcome parents and grandparents to join us for lunch. However, the school asks that you not bring lunch from an outside restaurant for your child. When visiting your child for lunch, make sure to sign in as a visitor, and then wait for us at the entrance to the Dining Room. I also ask that you tell your child good-bye in the Dining Room so that we can get right back to work when we return to our classroom. Lunch visitors will not begin until after Labor Day.

22. Lunch Extras:
Students have a choice at lunch to buy EXTRA items-some of these include ice cream, canned drinks, and chips. Each of these cost the student additional money. PLEASE talk with your child and let them know if it is ok for them to purchase these items. If you would like to limit the days your child is allowed to buy extras, please send a note stating your wishes.
Listening:
One of the most important work habits in first grade is listening. I stress the importance of this from day one! Students MUST to be able to listen in order to be as successful as possible in first grade.

23. Learning Commons:
We will visit the Learning Commons once a week as a class, however your child may exchange books as often as needed. Our special class day is THURSDAY!

24. M Math Workshop: *Mini Lesson with hands on modeling
*Guided practice with work mats
*Independent practice
*Problem solving with written explanations
*Partner games reinforcing skills learned
*Closing review
Morning Work:
Regular morning work began yesterday. Please make sure you are looking over these to see how your child is doing. A great activity is to have them read the back of their morning work to you at home.

25. Mystery Reader:
We will have a Mystery Reader each Friday at 8:00. Mystery Readers are a secret, so please don’t tell your child when you are coming to visit. You should plan on bringing books with you to read. These can be your child’s favorite books or seasonal books. You will have from 8:00 -8:30 to read so please bring several books. Please do not bring chapter books.
Medication:
The clinic will administer any medication should your child need to take medication while at school. No medication can be transported on the bus. You will need to bring the medication to the clinic. ***Cough drops may not be sent to school without a signed paper from the parent in the clinic. Also please let me know of any medical concerns or allergies.

26. Orton-Gillingham: A Methodology for Teaching Reading & Spelling to ALL Students!
Whole class & small group lessons
Differentiation in reading and spelling based on student ability
No “spelling tests.” As we teach a phonics rule or pattern, students will read & spell words with that rule or pattern.
Assessment through dictation and application of phonics rule/pattern. (ex. –ck rule) These words do not need to be memorized.
Trick words: words that do not follow a rule or pattern. MUST BE MEMORIZED for reading and spelling. 3 Trick words will be introduced at a time and will be memorized for spelling and reading. (ex: said)
Your donations at work.

27. P August 11th: 9:30-10:00 am August 21st: 1:00-1:30 pm
Parent/Teacher Conferences:
Parent/Teacher Conferences are an opportunity for us to discuss your child’s progress both socially and academically. Conferences will be held October 17th-21st. However, if you need to schedule additional conferences, I am always available to you throughout the year.
Parent Volunteers:
Throughout the year First Grade Teachers will meet as a grade level in order to plan collaboratively for two hours. During our absence, we will ask parents to volunteer in our classrooms. You must be trained through Mt. Bethel in order to be a parent sub. There are two training sessions planned:
August 11th: 9:30-10:00 am
August 21st: 1:00-1:30 pm

28. What does the PTA do? What can I do for the PTA?
$25,000 in stipends to teachers/year
3,000 volunteer hours/year
4 Family Engagement Nights
Community Outreach
Character Education
Visiting Author
Reflections
and MUCH MORE!!!!!
What can I do for the PTA?
Volunteer
Participate in Read-a-Thon (August 21st – August 25th)
Visit us at

29. R
Room Reps:
Our room reps are Martha Cary Lowery and Palavi Garg. A huge thank you goes to both of them for agreeing to do this for our class this year. They will be contacting you soon.

30. S
Specials:
We have specials each day from 11:55-12:40. Please refer to the schedule in your child’s folder to know which specials your child will be going to. Tennis shoes are required for PE.

31. Snack:
We will have snack daily. Students are responsible for bringing their own snack. Please provide your child with a healthy snack. Students may also bring water if they like. Students may not bring juice, sports drinks, tea, or sodas. We will have snack around 9:15am daily. Having chips or chocolate at 9:15am does not make for a very productive afternoon for first graders! Please remember this as you plan your child’s snacks! Thank you so much for your support.

32. Special Days:
Scarecrow Day- Tuesday, October 31st
Hundredth Day of School- ??
Start thinking about costumes. 

33. T Transportation Changes:
If your child will be going home a different way than normal you must send a note to school in your child’s folder. The only transportation change that can be made during the day is for your child to go to ASP. You MUST call the office to make this change. Please do not transportation changes!
If your child is going home with a friend on a different bus, please make sure you fill out the change of dismissal bus pass and send it with your child. There is a copy inside the folder on your child’s desk. Please make copies as needed. New this year: If your child is riding a different bus, the bottom portion must be completed for it to be approved. .

34. Take Home Folders:
Your child will bring home a BLUE folder each night. Important papers and your child’s classwork will be in there. Some days there will be items in the folder and some days it may be empty. Please be sure to initial the behavior sheet each night. Please place all notes and payments inside the folder. If you put a note or transportation change in the folder, please tell your child. Students check their folders in the morning and give me all notes and payments.

35. Trick Words:
Trick words are the same as sight words. These words cannot be sounded out and do not follow the normal rules of spelling. Inside your child’s folder you will find a list of kindergarten and first grade trick words. Please start with the kindergarten list and practice with your child at home. Students should be able to quickly read (within 3-5 seconds) and spell every word. After your child has successfully mastered the kindergarten list please move on to the first grade list. We will practice these at school, but it is important for students to ALSO practice at home.

36. W
Water:
Research shows students are able to attend to a task longer if well-hydrated! Please pack a REUSABLE water bottle each day! Please make sure they are labeled with your child’s name. WATER ONLY!

37. Wish List:
Thank you to those of you who have already sent in an item or two. If you wish, please stop by and take an item from the wish list. I appreciate your contributions to our classroom! : Thank you to those of you who have already sent in an item or two. If you wish, please stop by and take an item or

38. XYZ
Your Support:
Thank you so much for your support. I could not do what I do without you. 

39. Thank you for coming. I
am looking forward to a
great year! Please do not forget to leave your child’s note on their desk.