Procedures

Answers to your questions

How exciting to be working with your child and you this year! This information should help us get the year off to a great start and answer many of the questions I'm sure you must have.

Arrival: The children will line up on the south side of the building. The room number (17) is marked on the concrete to indicate where our line forms. I will come outside to bring the kids into the building. When the bell rings at 7:35, your quick hug and kiss good-bye will help your child have a great start to the day.

Dismissal: I will walk our class to the parent pick-up area (north side of the school). Dismissal is 2:35 all days except Wednesday. Wednesday is our Early Release Day, and school will dismiss at 12:35. We will meet you outside.

Backpacks and folders: Each child will need a backpack (no rolling packs, please) to carry a folder and library books to and from school. Please make sure the backpack is clearly labeled with your child's name. I will supply a Lagos Mustang Folder for each student. This folder will travel home each day with your child in his/her backpack. PLEASE check the folder nightly for our behavior calendar, notes, handouts, or work. Send the folder back to school each day. You may also use the folder to send items to me. You may need to send lunch money, checks for book orders, permission slips, notes, etc.

Snack: We will share snack at our recess each day. I will be asking for donations of snacks that are healthy and easy to eat. Some suggestions are pretzels, "goldfish", graham crackers, baby carrots, etc. I ask that your child not bring his/her individual snack. Please let me know of any food allergies your child may have.

Book Orders: You will have the opportunity each month to order books at great rates from Scholastic. The order forms will be attached to you child's Newsletter at the end of the month. Please return your child's order forms and money (checks only please) the following week.

Birthdays: Birthdays are very special for you and your child. We recognize birthdays by singing our special birthday song. If you would like to send in a healthy snack or drink that is fine. No home baked goods are allowed.

Clothing: First graders are involved in activities that require running, jumping, climbing, and the like. Tennis shoes are required on P.E. days. Please make sure your child wears comfortable and appropriate clothing. You may want to send in a "paint" shirt to protect clothing when we do messy stuff in our classroom or the art room.

Behavior Expectations: My discipline plan is based on three key rules:

1. I will show respect. 2. I will show responsibility. 3. I will put forth my best effort.

I use a stoplight system in which each child starts their day with their card on green. When there is a behavior issue, the child is given a reminder about appropriate behavior. If the behavior continues, the child will be asked to turn their card to yellow, take a timeout, and fill out a "think sheet". Yellow cards are turned to red, if the problem continues, or a separate behavior issue occurs. Check your child's Behavior Calendar each day to see how their day was. A green star shows they had a great day, a yellow or red dot will be explained on the "think sheet" your child filled out. Please sign and return any "think sheets" your child brings home.

Positive Behavior Incentives: I use a "token" system for good behavior. Children are able to put tokens into the class can for good behavior. I pull tokens out of the can periodically throughout the day for special rewards. I also use team points to encourage teams to work together. Teams are rewarded at the end of the week!

Homework: Homework will come home on Thursdays and will be due the next Wednesday. The first page of the homework will always be a poem. Families are asked to not only read the poem several times during the week, but to also do a project of some sort to celebrate the poem. I always include ideas for projects, but I love it when students and families come up with original ideas! We share the poetry projects each Wednesday. Children will celebrate their great work with an indoor playtime we like to call "Wednesday Celebration".