1. Welcome to First Grade!

2. Curriculum
The first grade curriculum is based on the VA SOLs and the LCPS Curriculum Guide.
Weekly updates will reflect the standards we are working on.
The Virginia SOLs can be found on the Virginia Department of Education website.

3. Readers/Writers Workshop
Workshop is a balanced approach to literacy.
The daily components are shared reading, guided reading, centers, read aloud, independent reading, partner reading, and writing in the first grade. .

4. Developmental Reading Assessment (DRA)
The DRA is a reading assessment that is administered at the beginning and end of first grade.
The DRA is an assessment that is used to find the child’s independent reading level.
The DRA provides essential information about the child’s decoding skills, comprehension skills, and fluency.
At conference time we will go over your child’s testing in detail.

5. Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening (PALS)
The PALS is administered at the beginning and end of first grade.
The PALS provides information about the child’s knowledge of letter sounds, spelling, and instructional reading level.
We will discuss your child’s PALS at conference time as well.

6. Grading
If the child did well on an assignment it will have a star on it.
If the child completed the work with just a few errors it will have a check mark on it.
If the child had difficulty there will be a note on the paper. Please, review and talk with your child about the work.
If a child has difficulty completing an assignment due to behavior it will be sent home to be completed at home.
Graded assignments will be marked in a 1/B(below), 2/P(progressing), 3/M (meets), or a 4/E (exceeds).

7. ParentVue
ParentVue allows parents the ability to look at a student’s on-going progress and work completion
All graded assignments are entered into the online grade book and most are sent home in the Tuesday Folder for your on-going review
For more information on how to access ParentVue please speak to someone in the office

8. First Quarter Conferences
I would like to meet with each family at the end of first quarter for a conference.
Please sign up for a conference before leaving tonight if you have not already.
If there is not a time that works with your schedule or if you need an interpretor please indicate that and we can schedule a conference that works with both of our schedules.

9. Report Cards
Report Cards will be released each quarter to review in Parent Vue.
Progress Indicators for Academic Subject Areas will be:
E (4)=exceeds standards
M (3)=meets standards
P (2)=progressing towards standard
B (1)=performing below standard

10. Attendance The tardy bell rings at 7:50 a.m.
Students must be in the classroom by 7:50 a.m.
If a child arrives after this time (not by bus) he/she will have to go to the office to get a tardy pass.
Please keep in mind that the car drop off is a distance from our classroom.
If the child was in breakfast he/she will not be marked tardy.

11. School Climate Positive Behavior Intervention System (PBIS)
At Catoctin, we are working as school to be respectful, ready, and responsible.  When the children are seen exhibiting these behaviors they are recognized with Cardinal Cash.  There will be both individual and class rewards awarded at different points of the year in addition to the Cardinal Cash.

12. Classroom Climate Respectful: Follow directions and class routines
Complete work given
Responsible:
Use polite and kind words
Stay in your personal space
Ready:
Have materials ready
Give your best effort
Stop, Look, and Listen when teacher speaks

13. Classroom Climate (cont.)
Office referrals will be used for extreme problems. If your child receives a referral you will receive a phone call from the office.
Think papers will be used at times (both in school and to be filled out at home).
Please, review any documentation (referrals, or think papers) with your child, sign, and return to school the following day.
If anyone harms another child on purpose he/she will be asked to speak with an administrator.

14. Toys/ “Look-Alikes”
LCPS policy is no weapon of any kind may be on school property.
This does include “look-alikes”. For example: toy guns, etc.
Please, help to enforce this policy with your child.

15. Planners
Each day your child will record a picture, word, or sentence about his/her day.
I will use the planners to communicate minor behavior concerns.
Planners will come home daily. Please, initial that you saw your child’s planner.
You will also find our class schedule taped in the front

16. Tuesday Folders Tuesday Folders will go home on Tuesday.
Please, take time to review the work and sign the folder.
Please, return the folder the next school day.
If you have any comments or questions about your child’s work simply write it in the folder.
I will send all work, papers from me, and anything that is NOT time sensitive in the Tuesday Folder.
Catoctin will be sending home all paperwork online.

17. Take Home Folders
Take home folders will remain in the children’s book bags.
If there is something that needs to go home on a particular day (not a Tuesday) I will have the children place it in the take home folder.
If you have a note for me please, do the same.
It is the children’s responsibility to check the folder daily and put things for me in my box.
I do not check book bags so please remind your child to check his/her folder daily.

18. Weekly Updates
Weekly updates will contain information about what we are learning about and how you can reinforce those concepts at home. 
The children should engage in 20 minutes of reading a night.
Dreambox and Raz-Kids will be available for reinforcement at home.
We will have class projects to complete at home from time to time.
More Information to follow.

19. Communication Weekly Updates will go out in the beginning of each week
Weekly Updates will be ed to the address you have on ParentVue.
If necessary I will send home a note specific to your child.
Notes and are the best ways to contact me for general things
My address is If you have a question that is child specific please, me so we can set up a time to conference via phone or in person.

20. Visitation
All visitors will be required to show a photo I.D. each time he/she visits Catoctin.
All visitors must sign in at the office.
Volunteers are welcome (please sign up)
Volunteer work will begin in late October after testing has ended and classroom routines have been established
If you would like to visit the classroom (aside from volunteer work and special events) please, contact the administration and set up a time to come in and observe.
Parents may attend lunch without notification but please sign in at the office and meet your child in the cafeteria.
We thank you for your complete cooperation!

21. Daily Schedule Daily Schedule is taped inside student planners
Monday: P.E. & Music
Tuesday:  P.E. & Guidance or Search (alternate weeks)
Wednesday: Art
Thursday:  P.E. 
Friday:  Music & Library
**Lunch 11:00-11:30

22. Lunch Money
Please make sure that your child has lunch money on his/her account.
If your child has a check please, have him/her tell me first thing in the morning.
Ice cream and cookies can be purchased in the cafeteria.
Your child will have to select his/her lunch choice in the morning.

23. Snack/Water bottles (cont.)
The children may bring in a water bottle to keep at their desk. I would prefer a bottle with a push top or straw rather than a cap.
The children may bring a small healthy snack.
Juice is only allowed in the cafeteria.
Please do not send in products that contain nuts.

24. Birthdays
Children/Families may not bring in any type of treats (edible) in celebration of a birthday. This is a LCPS policy. We can provide a list of other means of recognizing birthdays in school.
Birthday party invitations may not be distributed in school. Please, complete the enclosed form to be apart of the class directory.

25. Book Clubs
This is an opportunity to purchase books at a discounted rate that is purely optional.
Book Order forms will come home every month or every other month.

26. Thank you for coming to Back to School Night!