1. Welcome to Ms. Hicks’
First Grade Class!

2. Welcome
Welcome to Somerset Academy’s Open House! I am excited to be your child’s first grade teacher! Together we are going to have a fabulous school year!

3. Our First Grade Schedule
8:15-8:30 Bell Work
8:30-9:00 Writing
9:00-9:30 Science/Social Studies
9:30 – 11:00 Reading/Language Arts
11:00-11:30 Recess
11:40-12:10 Lunch
12:15-1:05 Math
1:10-1:45 Specials
1:45-2:15 SSR/Snack
2:15-2:30 Dismissal

4. Specials Monday- STEM Tuesday- PE Wednesday- Spanish Thursday- Music
1:10 – 1:45
Monday- STEM
Tuesday- PE
Wednesday- Spanish
Thursday- Music
Friday- Art

5. Curriculum
The 1st grade curriculum consists of Reading, Language Arts, Math, Science and Social Studies. Our curriculum follows the National Standards providing your child with a well-rounded and complete education.
Fridays- Reading and Language Arts assessments will be administered.

6. Science & Social Studies
 Focusing on Science and Social Studies using Scholastic News
Expressive and Receptive language i.e.- singing songs, asking and responding to questions about daily life, following directions and classroom instruction.
Working on sight words weekly.

7. Communication is Key!
Communication is an important part of the success of your child. You can look for an on Fridays giving you a glance into the next week. We will also use the planner, a behavior chart, blue homework folder, and of course to relay any and all messages.
**Please make sure to provide me with an address that you have easy access to every day.
The best way to communicate with me is through . Please feel free to contact me about any questions that may arise.
My address:

8. Somerset Webpage
Basic information regarding our class will be on the Somerset Academy webpage. However, the most up to date and specific information will come to you via my s and the behavior chart. Once on our website (Somerset Academy), click on the staff directory tab and you may access the page under my name: Jennifer Hicks.

9. Planner
Students are required to purchase a planner. Please make sure your child takes their planner home everyday and brings it back to school on a daily basis. This is where they will write their spelling and vocabulary words for the week. They will need this for homework.

10. Grading 100% – 90% A 89% - 80% B 79% - 70% C 69% - 60% D
59% and below F

11. Follow Homework Guidelines
Assigned Monday
Due Friday
Follow Homework Guidelines
Bring homework daily

12. Behavior System
Students will receive a stamp in their behavior chart provided that they spent the majority of their day “ready to learn”. If you see a stamp, you can trust that their day was relatively incident free. If they receive a note in the behavior chart, it will detail what happened, the consequences and what needs to be discussed at home.

13. Verbal praise and recognition
Rewards
Verbal praise and recognition
Friday treasure box.
Fun Friday Activities
Student of the Month

14. Supplies Blue Folder: Homework /Behavior Chart
Green Folder: Daily Classwork
Red Folder: Fluency
Purple: Music
Yellow: Spanish
Friday Folder: Provided at school
Planner: Spelling & Vocab Words

15. Snacks
We will be having healthy snack every day. Please send a healthy and ready to eat snack for your child. Some healthy snack ideas are: sliced fruit, raisins, granola bars, yogurt, and cut veggies. WATER only.
NO PEANUTS PLEASE

16. Uniforms are mandatory.
All students are required to wear:
uniform polo shirts with the Somerset Academy logo in colors which include navy blue, light blue, white and striped blue/white.
khaki or dark blue pants with the Somerset Academy embroidery labeled by the pocket.
ONLY solid navy or a Somerset Academy apparel jackets.
Physical Education uniform (K-5th)
Fridays are SPIRIT and JEANS DAYS! Students are to wear their grade level spirit shirt and JEANS (not distressed).
DRESS DOWN DAYS are the last Friday of every month for $2! Keep in mind students still must
adhere to the dress code:
  Students may not come to school in any of the following:
Leggings
Open toed shoes of any sort
Backless shoes and or “crocs”
Distressed jeans (jeans day)
Shorts of any length less than fingertip level
Tank tops/spaghetti straps/sleeveless tops

17. Lunch
Monthly menus are available on our website,
Online lunch payments are available online!
LUNCH APPLICATIONS: Your child may be eligible for free or reduced priced breakfast or lunch. Applications are available in your beginning of the year packets. Please fill out the application in its entirety and return it to your child’s teacher. You will then receive a notice if you qualified for the program. You are responsible for paying full price for meals until you receive notification stating otherwise. Please reach out to Francia Gonzalez if you have any questions.
NEW PRICES: $2.50 Breakfast and $3.50 Lunch

18. Drop-off/Pick-up Traffic Pattern
Please remember:
~The gas station is not an authorized loading/unloading zone as it is private property.
~As ‘good neighbors’ we want to respect their business and customers.

19. Shuttle North to South Grades K-3rd
Students must arrive to North Campus no later than 7:30am in front Building A
Shuttle departs at 7:35am promptly. Late arrivals must be taken to campus by their parents.
Sign-up online at
South to North
Grades 4th – 5th
Students must arrive to South Campus no later than 7:40am
Shuttle departs at 7:45am promptly. Late arrivals must be taken to campus by their parents.

20. Important Reminders
Students are to arrive on campus no earlier that 8:15am unless enrolled in morning care, sibling care, shuttle service or having breakfast.
Please pack a poncho for those rainy days.
Always have your hanging car tag clearly displayed to help with arrival and dismissal.
Early sign-outs must be before 1:30pm.
“HANDS FREE SCHOOL ZONE!” Safety is our #1 priority. Vehicle cell phone use is not permitted within the school and can result in a ticket.
We are a PEANUT/NUT Free Campus.

21. Parent Teacher Student Organization (PTSO)
Please take a moment to join our PTSO!
Sign-up for $5 and receive 5 hours!
Welcome
Back Bash
Box Tops SA
PTSO
Fun Run
Holiday Store
Book Fair
Membership
Somerset Academy PTSO at work!
Library Books
Lap top Computers
Science Program
5th Grade Dance Celebration
Teacher Appreciation
Club & Sports Team Donations
How we’ve spent money
Welcome Back Bash
Fun Run
Book Fair at South
Holiday Store
Book Fair at North
Teacher Appreciation
5th Grade Dance
PTSO Events
Thank you for supporting our students, staff & school!
Somerset Academy PTSO
Somerset Academy PTSO is a 501c3 nonprofit organization
100% of the money we raise is invested right back into our school!

22. Volunteer Hours 30 Hours are Required per family
Classroom Donations (refer to wish list)
Original Receipt sent with form in blue folder
Keep Track of your own hours
The volunteer form is found on somersetacademy.com
Field Trip Chaperones
Must be pre-approved and registered as volunteers (parent portal)

23. New Spirit Store!!!
Somerset now has an online Spirit Store with brand new Panther Gear for our students!
Please stop by the cafeteria today to log into the store, try on some items and simply learn more!

24. Pinnacle Parent Login Directions
Username:
Password: PMM/DD/YYYY (Date of Birth)
Example:
User:
Password: P07/25/2001 (Date of Birth)

25. Morning Care Options
*Breakfast is available for purchase starting at 7:50am
1. Regular Morning Care
a. 7:15am-8:15am
b. $100 per month paid online
c. Deposit and registration required online
2. Sibling Care
a. 7:30am-8:15am
b. $100 per year paid online in full
c. PreK-1st grade students with a M/H sibling are eligible
d. Registration required online
3. Shuttle Care
a. Elementary students using the shuttle service will be supervised in the cafeteria
b. No fee but registration required
4. General Morning Queue/Carpool
b. Students are to be dropped no earlier than 8:15am unless enrolled in morning care or having breakfast (7:50am)

26. Final Note
This is a very exciting year for Somerset Academy. Our building is newly revamped and reconfigured. We have many wonderful changes and additions to look forward to. I am thrilled to be starting this first grade adventure together with all of you!