1. Mrs. Regina Garrahan 1st Grade Willow Dale Elementary School 2013-2014
Back to School Night
Mrs. Regina Garrahan 1st Grade Willow Dale Elementary School
Room 29

2. About Mrs. Garrahan
I live locally with my husband and two beautiful children.
Began teaching at Willow Dale in 2004 as a student teacher.
In May 2004, I earned my B.S.ED.in Elementary Education with a minor in Reading from West Chester University.
I have had the pleasure of teaching several grade levels including Autistic Support within the district.
In Dec 2007, I received my Master’s degree from Arcadia University where I obtained my special education certificate.
In addition to my master’s degree, I have also earned 40 post graduate credits.

3. Our School School Times: 8:45-3:30 School Colors: Blue & Yellow
School Mascot: Puma
Principal: Mr. Michael Donnelly
Assistant Principal: Mr. Brian Swank
School Wide Positive Behavior Plan
Silver Spoon Award
Updating Skyward (online)
Student handbooks
Conferences
E-Alerts: sign up for messages from our school and our district at

4. Our Daily Schedule Literacy (Literacy by Design/FUNdations)
Literacy (Guided Reading/Centers)
Writing Workshop
Lunch
Intervention/Enrichment (W.I.N)
Math
Recess
Healthy/Working Snack
Math continued
Specials (A/B Weeks – Days 1-6)
Social Studies/Science

5. Special Schedule Mrs. Garrahan, Room 29 1:55-2:40
Day 1 –Digital Literacy, Ms. Kline – Room 39
Day 2- A2– Guidance, Mrs. Hibbs – Room 18
B2-Health- Mr. Podsobinski –Room 18
Day 3 –Gym, Ms. Jenkins - Gymnasium
Day 4- Music, Mr. Bauerle – Room 15
Day 5 – Art, Ms. Cockenberg – Room 16
Day 6 –Library, Ms. Brown - Library
*Time for this special is 2:40 - 3:30

6. Expectations www.charactercounts.org Character Counts Six pillars
Trustworthiness
Respect
Responsibility
Fairness
Caring
Citizenship

7. Curriculum Literacy: Literacy by Design Phonics: FUNdations
16 themes
Whole group, small group, and independent instruction
Weekly/bi-weekly and unit assessments
Phonics: FUNdations
Drill sounds
Trick words/sight words
Handwriting
Check-ups and unit assessments
Writing Workshop
Lucy Calkins – Units of Study
Time to write and share

8. Curriculum continued…
Guided Reading/Centers
Small groups of leveled reading with instructional centers
Mathematics: Everyday Math
Math concepts developed throughout the year as opposed to one chapter at a time
Hands-on approach/games
Science: FOSS
Air/weather
Seeds and Plants
Social Studies
Northeast Region of USA
Canada, Alaska, Mexico
Map Skills
Character Education

9. Classroom Management Individual Class Goal – Marble Jar Parent Contact
Bucket Filling
Students fill buckets by being kind, helping others and following directions.
Five “fillers” equal a reward from the reward menu.
Traffic Light
Red- student continues to exhibit unexpected behaviors.
Yellow- warning that behavior needs to improve.
Green -expected behaviors (all students begin on green)
Colors will be recorded in their daily assignment sheet for parent(s)/guardian(s) to view.
Class Goal – Marble Jar
Whole class behavioral plan
When jar is full, the students will vote on class reward.
Parent Contact
Written or verbal immediately following any serious incident.

10. Homework Posted Weekly on Webpage & emailed Red Folders
Red – HOMEWORK – back and forth daily
Math
Page will go in homework folder when assigned
Reading
Read with your child as much as you possibly can
Fill out Home Reading Log and return

11. Healthy P.M. Snack Promoting healthy habits
(Please refrain from sending in candy, cookies or other sugary snacks.)
Water Bottles with safety caps permitted and students can drink from them throughout the day.

12. Star of the Week Schedule in next Wednesday Express Envelope
Starts week of September 23, 2013
What to do?
Complete “All About Me” poster (sent home 1 week prior to your child’s week.)
Bring in photos to go on board
Bring special objects to put on display

13. Volunteer Opportunities
Clearances needed:
Classroom helpers (centers, writing, etc.)
One time visits:
Mystery Readers
Guest Speakers

14. Communication E-mail garrre@centennialsd.org
Phone: ext
My website:

15. Questions?
That was easy!