1. The ABC’s of Mrs. Greenwald’s Class
Welcome to First Grade
The ABC’s of
Mrs. Greenwald’s Class

2. Welcome Parents! Please find your child’s desk.
Please complete this evening:
1. Please write a special “Love Note” for your child to find in the morning and leave this on your child’s desk.
2. Please complete the Inclement Weather Sheet and leave this on your child’s desk.

3. A Please send in a note, no emails!
Absences – If your child is absent from school, please send in a note of absence the day he returns. The note should contain your child’s name, date(s) and a brief explanation for the absence. A doctor’s note is not required however, if your child was absent due to illness and went to the doctor, please provide the doctor’s note for our records.
Please send in a note, no s!
A copy of the new official absentee form is in your packet this evening.
Automated absence phone calls from CCSD will be received daily until your child returns to school.

4. A (continued)
Arrival – Students should plan to arrive at 7:15 a.m. as they are not permitted to enter the building before that time. If you must use carpool, do not drop your child off before 7:15 a.m. when a staff member is supervising. Students must be in the classroom promptly at 7:45 a.m. or they are tardy and must sign in at the front office and receive a tardy slip.

5. A (continued)
Accelerated Reader is a supplemental reading program available for readers of all ranges at Mount Bethel.
STAR Test
Quizzes/Home Connect
Rewards
More info to come.

6. 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. If you send a treat that requires cutting, please have it cut ahead of time as we do not have access to cutting tools here!!! Please be sure to send napkins and plates as needed.
We will have our celebrations as our daily schedule allows- I ask that treats be sent with the child in the morning or dropped off in the office by 10:00 a.m. This is a special time for your child to share with his/her classmates!
Blog –
My newsletter is on my blog site every Thursday. It is very important that you read this each week. It is very informative. Please use the subscribe by to make sure to receive all blog updates and important messages.

7. B (continued)
Weekly Behavior Folders- These will be sent home each Thursday. A form (see handout) will be marked noting any areas of concern. Please sign and return the Behavior Folder each Friday.
3 minuses in any one area results in a “P” (progressing)
4 or more minuses in any one area results in an “N” (needs improvement)
Book Orders- Scholastic Book Orders will be sent home monthly. This is a great way to encourage and excite your child about reading! Reading as a reward is an incredible way to communicate the importance of and instill the joy of reading in young children. Orders will be placed online by you the parent. The Scholastic web site is: Our Class Activation Code is: GLLZJ. Click on the Parent Page to get started.

8. C
CogAt - Stands for CogAt. This is a mental abilities test given September 13 – September 15. Please avoid scheduling appointments at this time.
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!

9. D
Dress Code
Please send your child to school in clothes appropriate for learning. We advise that your child dress in layers durning the winter months. Please label all outdoor clothing with your child’s last name. Tennis shoes are to be worn on all PE days. Please refer to the SPECIALS calendar each day so your child is wearing appropriate footwear.
Dismissal – If there is any change to your child’s normal transportation method, you must send in a written change no later than 10:00 a.m. We do not accept FAXED, ED or phone changes to dismissal. The only exception is a phone call can be made to the front office to keep a child in ASP. If you need to pick up your child early, do so prior to :45. No pickups will be allowed after 1:45 p.m.

10. First Grade Discipline: “Raising Responsibility”
Level E – Excellent (BLUE)
I am a Model Citizen.
I do the right thing no matter who is watching.
I am a role model for my classmates.
I go out of my way to be helpful.
Level S – Satisfactory (GREEN)
I am on the Right Track.
I am following rules and directions.
I know how to behave in the hall, cafeteria and playground.
My teacher can rely on me to make good choices. .

11. Discipline “Raising Responsibility” continued
Level N – Needs Improvement (YELLOW)
I need to make Better Choices.
I need to think about my behavior.
I need to show my teacher that I can make good choices.
I need to treat others with respect.
Level U – Unsatisfactory (RED)
My behavior is Unacceptable.
I need to follow rules and directions.
I need to respect others.
I need to accept responsibility for my choices

12. My email address is: Jody.Greenwald@cobbk12.org
Procedures
The best way to get in touch with me is via . Please DO NOT send s about changes in dismissal- those must be delivered or FAXED to the front office. If you have not filled out the form from Meet and Greet, please do so at this time. A class distribution list will be set up as the primary form of school-home communication.
My address is:

13. E
Emergency closings and drills: If schools are closed for an emergency or delayed-information will be on major radio stations, TV stations, CCSD website, CCSD Mobile Alerts and s will be sent if time permits. Drills are held throughout the year.

14. F
The Mount Bethel Foundation Patron Kick-Off begins in early October. Look for more details later in September. We are so thankful to our wonderful Foundation for all they do for our school and it is because of your donations they are able to provide so much!

15. YOUR FOUNDATION- SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE
ENRICH.EMPOWER.EXCEL
The steward of parent and community donations that enhance educational experiences for Mt. Bethel students beyond what Cobb County funding provides:
Essential Instructors: • Gloria Frey (Computer Lab Instructor) • Carolyn Cooper (Technology Coordinator) • Annie Howland (STEAM Assistant) Updated Technology: • Software Subscriptions for all Classrooms (Type to Learn, AR, Reading A-Z, Raz-Kids) • Supplies: Otter Boxes, Printers, Laptops, iPads, Laminators
Essential Instructors: • Gloria Frey (Computer Lab Instructor) • Carolyn Cooper (Technology Coordinator) • Annie Howland (STEAM Assistant) Updated Technology: • Software Subscriptions for all Classrooms (Type to Learn, AR, Reading A-Z, Raz-Kids) • Supplies: Otter Boxes, Printers, Laptops, iPads, Laminators
YOUR FOUNDATION- SUPPORTING EXCELLENCE

16. F
Field Trips
Please stay tuned for upcoming field trip permission forms and chaperone opportunities! Field trip monies will be collected using the white money collection envelopes. You will receive an overview of the money you’ve sent in from our book keeper throughout the year.
We will have several trips and in-school field trip/curriculum extension opportunities! More information will follow.

17. G
Grading
The first grade report card is similar to that of Kindergarten’s report card. Your child’s grades are not a mathematical calculation, but rather a reflection of learned and applied knowledge from a first grade summative assessment. Grades will measure progress toward the given standard. Students will receive the following :
3+ In addition to the 3, makes applications and inferences beyond expectations
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, it is the expectation students will be progressing towards the standard.

18. Zaner-Bloser Handwriting
Our new handwriting style is Zaner-Bloser. This style is also known as “ball and stick” because of the letter shapes as shown below:
Zaner-Bloser Handwriting
The student handwriting goal is not conformity, but rather legibility. We will practice Zaner-Bloser this year. 
High Frequency Words – Please practice these words with your child to help strengthen his/her reading.

19. H (continued)
Homework- Reading is an expectation every evening after school. Additional home practices will show up periodically in your child’s Take-Home Folder. These practices will involve a skill or concept already introduced and practiced whole group and/or independently. If you notice your child having significant difficulty, please send a note or to me so I may then re-teach and work with your child further. Occasionally, I send home unfinished work to be completed and returned the following day. Homework is not a part of your child’s grade, but rather as reinforcement and practice. Please continue to read nightly and to practice math fact fluency.

20. I
Illness: If you child has a fever of 101 degrees or higher, has had vomiting or diarrhea in the past 24 hours, or a rash-Cobb County policy requires your child to stay home free of symptoms, without the need for medication for 24 hours. Thank you for your help to keep all students healthy!!

21. I, J
Items Left at Home – Deliveries of homework, backpacks etc. will not be made. If a child forgets something, they will need to accept the natural consequence. The office will deliver only LUNCHES, BIRTHDAY TREATS, AND GLASSES.
Items Left at School- Please LABEL your child’s personal belongings such as coats, backpacks, lunch bags, water bottles, etc. I will label any class supplies that will be kept separately from our communal supplies. We try hard to minimize our Lost and Found, and can do so with your support of labeling items. The LOST AND FOUND is located in the first hall across from the office!!!!
Just water! Hydration is important to your child’s learning! Please only send water for snack. Other drinks can cause sticky spills, ants, etc. Thanks for your understanding!

22. K
Keep – Be sure to keep this at your fingertips to help you answer questions you many have.

23. L Lunch – Our lunch time is 10:40 - 11:10
Lunch Visitors – You are welcome to eat lunch with your child after the first two weeks of school. Please sign in athe the Front Office and put on a visitor tag. Wait for your child at the door of the cafeteria. PLEASE DO NOT BRING ANY “FAST FOOD” OR SOFT DRINKS TO THE CAFETERIA. I also ask that you tell your child Good-Bye in the Dining Room. This way we can get right back to work when we return to class. There will be a special table in the lunchroom for visitors. Only your child may join you at this table due to limited space.
Listening: In First Grade we are working on becoming good listeners. We are learning to listen with our eyes and our ears.

24. M
Media Center
Wednesday afternoons – Your child will be visiting the Media Center each week. Books that are checked out from the Media Center will be due after two weeks. Please help your child remember his/her return date. New books will not be available for check out until old books are returned We will visit the Media Center once a week as a class. However, your child may exchange books as often as needed.
Mystery Reader: Do you need to sign up?!
We will have a Mystery Reader each Friday beginning at 8:00. Mystery Readers are a secret, so please don’t tell your child when you are coming to visit. Please plan to bring multiple books from home to read. These can be your child’s favorite books, seasonal books, or new books!
MUSIC PARENT: If interested in volunteering in this capacity a few times a year (simple, fun lessons/projects)
MEDICATION: Do not send medication to school with your child. Please take it to the clinic.

25. N, O Newsletter On Line Resources
A weekly newsletter will posted to our BLOG each Thursday. You may sign up on feedblitz to have notice sent to your when the newsletter is ready to be viewed. BLOGS are very important and should be viewed weekly.
On Line Resources
Online resources will become available in the near future. The children will have access to wonderful programs such as RAZ-Kids.

26. 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 19th – 23rd.
Parent Volunteers
Once a month 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 do this. Please stay tuned for TRAINED PARENT VOLUNTEER SIGN UPS!
Payment Envelopes
Please be sure to write your child’s name and my name on any payment envelopes sent to school for ASP, field trips etc.

27. P
Parent Volunteers: Once a month 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: Friday, August 12th, 9: :00 AM Monday, August 22nd, 1:00 - 1:30 PM

28. P (continued)
PTA-Get involved in the PTA and make sure to join the PTA. Our PTA provides our school with many fabulous opportunities and we are so fortunate to have such a large, supportive PTA.

29. Q
Questions
If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact me anytime. Remember the quickest response is through .

30. R Reader’s Workshop Reading Groups and Conferences
Essential rituals and routines
Leveled library
Book boxes
Reading log
Independence is key!
Reading Groups and Conferences
Groups are formed with children of similar needs/strengths and or weaknesses
Instructional level books given
HOMEWORK: reading bag

31. R Reading is So So Important!
You are a great model for your child. Children love to snuggle up with a parent and listen to a story. Please look for your child’s READING BAG to come home shortly- this reading bag will contain books from our reading group. Practice makes perfect! The reading log in the reading bag should go from school to home each day.
Report Cards
Report cards are issued four times a year, every nine weeks. As teachers, we are required to report how your child is progressing towards the Standards and these will reflect this.

32. R (continued)
Room Reps: Our room reps are Carri Gaudion and Allison Guillaume. 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.

33. S
Specials
We have specials each day from 12:20-1:05. Please refer to the schedule given to you at Meet and Greet.

34. S Scarecrow Day-Friday, October 31
Sign your child in and out of the office when picking your child up for an appointment or if your child is tardy to school.
Specials
12:20-1:05 -Wear tennis shoes daily. They are better for recess and P.E.

35. S (continued)
Sight Words: Some words students cannot really sound out and must learn to read them by recognition. We call these sight words. In First Grade, we will focus on 50 new sight words each nine weeks with a goal of knowing 200 by the end of first grade. Please look in your Open House packet for the completed list of 200 words expected to be mastered by May! Snack: We will have snack daily. Students are responsible for bringing in their own snack. Please provide your child with a healthy snack. Students may also bring water-ONLY WATER. We will have snack between 9:00-9:20 a.m. daily. Please remember to keep them healthy, small, and easy to eat-NOTHING MESSY PLEASE-as you plan your child’s snacks! Thank you so much for your support, as it makes your child’s time with me at school as effective as possible!

36. T
Take Home Folders: Your child will bring home a yellow folder each night. Important papers and your child’s classwork will be in the folder. It may be empty some days. I check these daily, so if you need to send in a note, this is a safe place to store it.
Thursday Behavior Folders: Each Thursday, your child will bring home their daily Take Home Folder and your child will also bring home a red folder. In the red folder, you will find a behavior sheet to be signed and returned on Friday.

37. T Transportation Changes
Any change in transportation must be communicated via a written note and received no later that 10:00 a.m. Verbal instructions cannot be followed with one exception – keeping a child in ASP. s are not accepted by the classroom teacher or the front office regarding transportation changes. s may go unchecked.
If no written note is received, your child will be sent home by his/her usual method of transportation. This is for the safety of all children.

38. T (continued)
Buccaneer T.E.A.M. Procedures are our rules that we follow in common areas. These procedures are followed school-wide.

39. U, V
Understand
Understand that First Graders are very busy during the day and need to get a good nights sleep each night.
Vowels
The vowels in our alphabet are : a, e, i, o, u. Remember they have both long and short sounds and first graders need lots of help recognizing the correct sound these when reading.

40. V (continued)
Visitors: In compliance with Georgia state law, Mt. Bethel has a policy requiring all visitors to sign in at the front office and wear a visitor’s sticker. This is required beginning at 7:15 a.m. Even if you are wearing a PTA or Foundation nametag-you must wear a visitor sticker. Thank you!

41. W
Work Habits
A huge part of first grade is developing positive work habits. We work really hard on this from putting our name on all of our papers, to keeping our room neat, to keeping up with our materials. It is an on going process, but we set the stage in first grade.
Water- Research shows students are able to attend to a task longer if well-hydrated! Please pack a REUSABLE water bottle each day!

42. W (Continued)
Wish List: Thank you to those of you who have already taken an item or two from our class wish list. If you wish, please stop by and take one from the wish list on the easel! I appreciate your contributions to our classroom! You all are wonderful!

43. XYZ Your Support Thank you so much for your support.
This will be an amazing year of growth and development!