Back To School Night
Year of Mercy
2015-2016
Mrs. Reichmuth – First Grade
Room 1
Welcome
I hope that you and yourfamily had a wonderful and enjoyable Summer! I am so excited to have the opportunity to be teaching First Grade here at St. Patrick’s. I expect this to be an amazing and fabulous year! My name is Monica Reichmuth and I was born and raised in Los Angeles. I moved up to San Luis Obispo for college and have been fortunate enough to be able to stayhere. I currently live in San Luis Obispo with my husband, JJ, and my four children. During the past ten years I have taught Kindergarten, a 1st/2nd Grade Combo, and a 2nd/3rd Grade Combo. I also worked several years part time as an ESL teacher in Santa Maria. In my spare time I love to read, hike, travel, bake, and spend time with my family.
Classroom Rules
1. Follow Directions
2. Raise Your Hand Before Speaking Or Leaving Your Seat
3. Respect Your Classmates And Your Teacher
4. Keep Hands, Feet, And Objects To Yourself
In our class I use several different behavior management techniques. One such technique is a behavior chart for the students. Each color has a different meaning:
Purple: Excellent Behavior. This color represents when a student has made a great choice, gone above and beyond in the classroom, worked especially hard, or was kind to a friend. This is my chance to reward those little choices that make such a positive difference.
Green:Ready to Learn and Good Behavior. Every day each student starts on this color.
Yellow:Warning. Students move to yellow when they have been asked more than once to change a behavior and have not done so. Students are also moved to yellow if they make a choice that does not follow classroom rules, or hinders others learning.
Orange:Loss of 5 minutes of recess. Students move to orange if they continue to not change their behavior and/or continue to make choices that do not follow classroom rules.
Red:Loss of entire recess, principal’s office, and call home. Students move to red if undesired behavior continues or they break important classroom and/or school rules.
All students will be bringing home a conduct report each Friday to keep you informed oftheir weekly behavior. Please sign the report and return it the followingMonday. This report will be included in the Friday Folder.
Marbles:As a class I have a marble jar to reward positive behavior. Students are encouraged to work together in class to get marbles in the jar. Once the marble jar is full, the class will vote for a reward to celebrate as a class.
Table Points:Each table has the ability to gain table points. The table and/or tables with the highest amount of table points at the end of the week may visit the treasure box.
Daily Schedule
Now - October 1st :M, T, Th, F- 2:30 dismissal
W – 2:00 dismissal
After Oct. 1st: M, T, Th, F – 3:00 dismissal
W – 2:30 dismissal
PE, Art, Music, Computer and Library
PE will be on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays. Please remember to wear athletic type shoes on these days.
Art and Computer will be every Tuesday
Musicand Computer will be every Thursday
Library Walkswill begin after the 2nd Trimester. If you are available to help with library (walking students to the AG library) please sign up with your contact information so we can make sure we have enough parents to go with us.
Friday Folders
All student work will be sent home in your child’s Friday Folder. Please remove the papers from the folder and return to school on Monday. Please do not forget to sign your child’s conduct report.
Homework (starting October 5th )
Homework will be sent home each Monday in your child’s homework folder. Please have your child complete the assigned work for each day and return it in the Homework Folder on Friday. Please review the work nightly with your child for neatness and completion. All work should be completed in pencil.
Report Cards
Report cards will be sent home every three months. First grade students will receive a number grade for their effort and assignments. Parents will be informed ahead of time if I have any concerns about a student’s academic progress. If you are concerned with your child’s progress at any time, please contact me sowe can set up a time to meet. In class we will be incorporating both CA State Standards and Common Core Standards. We will be studying the subjects of Reading, Writing, Language Arts, Math, Science, Art, Religion, Music, and PE.
Parent Volunteers
All people wishing to volunteer in the classroom and on field trips, must have completed Shield the Vulnerable and fingerprint clearance in the school office. If you are able to volunteer please sign up and leave your contact information so that I, or our room moms, can contact you about helpingin the classroom. If you are interested in volunteering for other events, parties and/or field trips, please sign up and volunteers will be contacted,in order,as we move down the list. If you are unable to volunteer at that time, we will keep you on the list and ask for help when another opportunity comes up. Thank You!
Birthdays
Birthdays are always a special day for our children. If you are planning on doing something special, or bringing something in, please let me know ahead of time so we can prepare and make time for this.
Works of Mercy
St. Patrick’s is dedicated to serving the community and those less fortunate than ourselves. Each class will perform four works of mercy each year. I look forward to serving our community as well as encouraging our students to become involved.
Morning Routine
Classrooms open at 8:10am every morning. All students should be present at the flagpole by 8:25am. Before school, students should perform their morning procedures, and eventually should be able to perform all these tasks (hang up backpack, bring in lunchbox, snack, order hot lunch, etc) independently so that they can be responsible first graders.
Water Bottles
Water bottles are permitted in the classroom and students are able to drink from them throughout the day. Please make sure they do no leak or cause distractions. Students playing with or distracted by water bottles will be asked to leave them outside.
Toys
Toys, trading cards, etc. are discouraged. Too many hearts are broken when toys are lost or damaged. If your child does bring these items to school I ask that they remain in their backpacks until the end of the school day. Thank You.
I look forward to celebrating this amazing Year of Mercy with you and your family. I am overwhelmed by the kindness I experience working with the Saint Patrick’s community. I want all parents to know that I am here to work with you as a team and if you have any questions and/or comments please feel free to contact me.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Monica Reichmuth