2. Welcome to First Grade

3. All About Mrs. Curlings… It is hard to believe that this will be my 21st year of teaching ! Eight of those years I have taught here at Oak Grove. In the 2003-2004 school year, I was honored to be chosen as the Teacher of the Year for Oak Grove Elementary. I have taught K-8 Art, 6 th grade Honors English,2 nd Grade, and my favorite …First Grade! I received a BS degree in Early Childhood Education from East Carolina University in Greenville,NC. I have been married to Jack for 20 long years ! He is a teacher/baseball & football coach at Irmo High School. We have an 18 year old son,Tyler. Tyler is a Freshman at Coastal Carolina University this Fall. (*He was chosen as a “walk-on” linebacker for CCU this year !...I am so proud of him ! )

4. How will your child be going home? It is EXTREMELY important for your child’s teacher to know how he/she is going home. * I cannot assume your child is going home a different way because he/she told me so. * Please send a note or call the school as soon as possible to let me know of a transportation change. I would like dismissal to run as smoothly as possible each day. This can be done with your help. If your child is a car rider, please remember to hang your sign in the window for a speedier dismissal. If you need a sign, please stop by the office. 803-821-0100

5. How do I check my child out? To take your child out during the school day, please go to the office. The secretary will have you sign your child out on the computer. If you come to eat lunch or visit the classroom you will need to go to the office, sign in on the computer, and get a name badge. You will need your driver’s license to sign in.

6. Tardies/Absences It is very important for your child to be on time for school each day. The tardy bell rings at 7:40. Students who are tardy will need to be signed in at the office. They will need a tardy slip to come to class. If your child is absent he/she can make up the work when they return. Dismissal: 2:25

7. Allergies/Special Needs Please let us know of any special needs or allergies that your child may have. Please complete the card from the nurse and return in your child’s homework folder the first day of school. Please make sure the school has the most up to date emergency phone numbers.

8. Lunch We eat lunch at 11:00. The first 10 minutes of lunch is quiet time. There is a parent table in the cafeteria for you and your child. There are 3 selections for lunch each day. A, B, or C-Chef Salad. (Please go over the menu with your child before coming to school so a choice can be made quickly.) Lunch from home is also an option. Feel free to eat lunch with your child. (stop by the office first and show your driver’s license to receive a visitor’s pass)

9. First Grade At A Glance Morning work Intervention time (working with individuals or small groups) Math Reading/Writing Small reading groups Centers Related Arts Social Studies/Science/Health Books are read aloud throughout the day Homework

10. Students will have homework everyday, except on Friday. Homework reinforces what has been taught in class. Please check your child’s homework folder everyday, even on Friday. Important information, flyers, weekly newsletters, homework, behavior chart, notes home, and report cards will be found in your child’s homework folder. Any notes, etc. that need to be given to me will need to be put in your child’s BEE Book. Please do not just hand notes, etc. to your child to give to me. *Behavior Chart/Calendar will go home DAILY. Please write your initials in the space provided.

11. What is the best way to contact Mrs.Curlings? E-mail: mcurlings@lexington1.netmcurlings@lexington1.net ( *I check e-mail daily. ) Send notes in homework folder Call and leave a message at the school and I will call you back as soon as I can. School number 821-0100 Conferences will take place throughout the year. FRIDAY FOLDERS will be sent home every other Friday. They will contain your child’s class work. This will help you to see the progress your child is making and specific areas that your child may need more practice. Please sign the folder, keep the papers, and return the folder on Monday.

12. Positive Communication I will be calling you throughout the year to let you know the WONDERFUL things your child is doing in first grade. Look for POSITIVE notes, certificates, stickers, emails, bookmarks, and other rewards that your child can receive throughout the year. TALK TO YOUR CHILD ABOUT WHAT HE/SHE DID IN SCHOOL EACH DAY.

13. Behavior Management Our school rules are introduced on the first day of school and reinforced on a daily basis. Behavior expectations and consequences for inappropriate behavior are addressed the first day of school. Students are given opportunities to practice appropriate behavior. Please review the rules (found in your first grade handbook) with your child. Reinforcing the rules at home is beneficial to your child’s successful school day. A daily behavior report will be sent home in your child’s homework folder. Please initial it daily and place in your child’s homework folder. Communication is very important!

14. Color System Green-Super day Yellow-Warning Red-Lose 5 minutes of center time and have 5 minutes of silent lunch. Purple-Lose 10 minutes of center time and have silent lunch the entire lunch time. Parent will be contacted through notes, phone call, e-mail, etc. Orange-Office Visit The colors will be the same for all classes who use the color system.

15. Our First Grade Schedule 7:25-Students can come into class (from the gym), unpack, and begin morning work 7:40-Tardy bell rings 7:50-8:25-Intervention-Reinforcing reading/math skills with whole or small group 8:25-9:15-Math 9:15-11:00-Reading/Phonics-(read alouds, small reading groups, word wall words, independent reading, Literacy/Math centers) 11:00-11:25-Lunch 11:30-11:45-Recess 11:50-12:40-Complete Writing/Science/Health/Social Studies 12:40-1:20-Related Arts 1:20-2:00-Finish Science/Health/Social Studies 2:00-Pack up (Afternoon show on Fridays) 2:20-Dismissal

16. Related Arts Monday-Library Tuesday-Music Wednesday-Computer Lab Thursday-Art Friday-P.E. Please make sure your child wears comfortable shoes and dresses appropriately for PE. Your child can check out 2 books every Monday. Please return books each week in order for your child to get to check out 2 new books.

17. Birthdays Invitations can only be given out if there is an invitation for everyone. You are welcome to send in “healthy” birthday snacks for your child. Birthday snacks can only be eaten during lunch. Examples of “healthy” birthday snacks: trail mix (without peanuts due to food allergies), muffins, pretzels, popcorn

18. THANK YOU Thank you for attending OPEN HOUSE tonight. I am looking forward to teaching your child this year. Please don’t hesitate to contact me when you have any questions or concerns. I know this is going to be a FANTASTIC year!