ABC’s
Of
First Grade
Mrs. Racelis’ ABC’s of First Grade
A
Absences: If your child is absent from school due to illness, please send a note when your child returns to school explaining his or her absence. Also, please call the front office or email me to let us know your child will be absent.
Arrivals: It is very important that your child arrives at school on time so that he or she will not miss class time. Our tardy bell rings at 7:50 am.
B
Behavior: Each day the students have a chance to earn class dojo points for good behavior. Great behavior equals more points! By the end of each week, the students get to “cash” their class dojo points. Point system is as follows:
10 points= Treasure Box
15 points = Stinky feet/ shoes off
20 points = Sit with a friend
25 points = Use markers for the day
30 points = Extra recess
35 points = Hat on day
40 points = Show & tell
50 points = Lunch with Mrs. Racelis
100 points = Lunch with Mr. Bagley, Mrs. Marz, or Mrs. Peterson
Birthdays: Birthdays are special occasions for young children. If your child wishes, he or she may bring a store bought cake/ cupcake to share with his or her friend. Currently, I have 19 students in my classroom.
Bloomz: My main communication with you is through the Bloomz app. Please download this app on your phone if you haven’t already done so. Through Bloomz, I am able to send you reminders and notifications of what is happening throughout the week. You are also able to send me personal messages through this app. To join our class please put our class code: 9TNNGE
C
Communication: Communication is essential when working with and teaching young children. I will be communicating with you through newsletters, notes, phone calls, emails, Bloomz, and conferences. Any important notes from me will be placed in your child’s agenda. Please make sure that any messages you send for me are put in your child’s agenda as well. You can communicate with me through notes, e-mail, or phone. My e-mail address is . I will check my e-mail several times throughout the school day. I always respond back within a 24 hour time frame, if I have not replied back it means that I have not received your email. (At times, we have issues with our email system)
D
Discipline: Every student will receive positive reinforcement and praise for following directions. Students will receive class dojo points and compliments for outstanding behavior. If a child misbehaves, he/she will drop their clip. Please check their agenda for their daily color. All of the students clips start on green every day and they can put their clip up if they are showing great choices or put their clips down if they are not listening and showing respect. The classroom colors is as follows:
Purple- Super Student! (Students will be given an additional 15 points to their class dojo)
Pink- Way to Go! (additional 10 points)
Blue- Excellent Efforts (additional 5 points)
Green- Ready to Learn
Yellow- Make Better Choices (take 5 points off)
Orange- Teacher’s Choice (take 10 points off)
Red- Parent Contact (take 15 points off)
Dismissal: Dismissal is at 3:25 pm daily. If you plan to pick up your child at school or if there are any other changes in transportation plans, you must send in a written note or contact the office by 2:30 pm. Please remember that we strive for perfect attendance daily.
E
Everyday Schedule
8:20-8:40 Morning Work/Morning Meeting
8:40-9:00 STAR Time
9:00-10:30 Reading Workshop
10:30-10:40 Restroom Break
10:40-11:20 Science/Social Studies
11:20- 12:10 Recess/Lunch
12:10-12:20 Read Aloud
12:20-1:15 Writer’s Workshop
1:15-2:15 Math
2:15-2:30 Pack, Stack, Snack
2:30-3:30 Specials
3:35 Dismissal
Specials: Monday-Music/PE
Tuesday-Art
Wednesday-PE/Library
Thursday-PE/Music
Friday- Fast Friday
F
Field Trips: This year, your first grader will have the opportunity to participate in a field trip to the Houston Zoo. Our field trip has been set for March 1, 2018. More information will be sent home closer to the date.
Folders: Your child will bring home two different folders this school year. One folder will be for their homework folder, which will be sent home Mondays- Thursday. Please send this folder back to school every day. The other folder will be sent home every Fridays. This folder is a red folder. It will include all his/her homework, notices, flyers, and completed work.
G
Gym: We have gym three days a week. Please make sure your child dresses in appropriate clothing on these days. He/she also needs to wear tennis shoes on gym days. Our gym days are Tuesdays, Thursday, and Fridays.
H
Homework: We have daily homework in first grade. Homework will make up 5% of your child’s nine week grade. Homework will not be given on Fridays. The breakdown of the homework is below:
Weekly Homework Schedule
Monday· Read passage and answer comprehension questions (if any).
· Choose two word work activities on this month’s Word Work Choice Board
· Read a book of your choosing for 5-10 minutes and record it on your reading log.
Tuesday
· Answer Math homework (return Math homework to school tomorrow to be checked in class)
· Choose two word work activities on this month’s Word Work Choice Board
· Read a book of your choosing for 5-10 minutes and record it on your reading log
Wednesday
· Read passage and answer comprehension questions (if any).
· Choose two word work activities on this month’s Word Work Choice Board
Read a book of your choosing for 5-10 minutes and record it on your reading log.
Thursday
· Answer Math homework (return Math homework to school tomorrow to be checked in class)
· Choose two word work activities on this month’s Word Work Choice Board
Read a book of your choosing for 5-10 minutes and record it on your reading log
I
Illness: Children function more effectively in the classroom when they are healthy. The question of when to keep your child home from school is often a difficult one, especially when decisions must be made first thing in the morning. It is important, however, to keep your child home if he or she is ill. This helps to make your child more comfortable and prevents others from becoming ill.
Independent Reading: Because children learn to read by reading, they need plenty of opportunities to read independently. Sufficient time and appropriate materials are necessary to develop and strengthen reading abilities. By giving your child materials at his or her level both at school and at home, we can work together to provide a literature-rich environment and lifelong love of reading.
J
Jobs: Throughout the school year, students will have important jobs that will contribute to the operation of our classroom. Each child will have the opportunity to have a job in the classroom. We switch jobs every Monday.
K
Kindness: Students in our classroom are encouraged and expected to treat all members of our school community with kindness and respect. Hitting, fighting, name-calling, and making fun of others will not be permitted.
L
Library: We have library time once a week. Your child will be allowed to check out ONE book at a time, as long as they do not have overdue materials. Students will be allowed to check out 2 books starting in December.
Lunch: Our class eats lunch at 11:40- 12:10. Children may either have a school lunch or bring it from home. To access the lunch menu, download the Mealviewer app. Once downloaded, follow these steps:
1. Find your school by typing school name.
2. Click on Savannah Lakes Elementary icon.
3. The menu for breakfast and lunch will be provided for you by date.
4. You may also put money in your child’s account by clicking on SLE Cards at the bottom of the page and then clicking on School Café payments and register.
M
Money: When sending money (cash or check) to school, please put it in a sealed envelope labeled with your child’s name, what the money is for, and the teacher’s name.
Music: The students will have music class at least once a week.
N
Newsletter: I will send home Peek of the Week every week. This is a great way to keep up with our curriculum, classroom news, special activities, and upcoming events. It also provides a springboard for discussions with your child.
Nurse: Please keep in mind that oftentimes first graders just need a little TLC so I take care of minor hurts in the classroom, but I send the children to the school nurse for more serious injuries and illnesses. Please be sure to send any change of contact numbers in case the nurse needs to get in touch with you.
O
Outdoor Recess: The children go outside for one 20 minute recess every day before lunch (except when it’s rainy or very cold). Please keep this in mind when you help your child select clothing for the day. Paraprofessionals are outside with your child at this time. If any incidence happens in the playground, please let me know right away so I can address the issue.
P
Parent Involvement: Your support of school activities makes your child feel important and sends the message that you value school! There are many ways to volunteer at Savannah Lakes. I welcome parent volunteers in the classroom. Before volunteering, make sure you have the correct clearance from the office. Also, you must sign in when you come to the school. We also have many special classroom activities and celebrations throughout the school year that require parent volunteers, so I hope you can come and join the fun! If you are interested in being a homeroom mom or dad, please email me to let me know. Homeroom mom or dad will be the ones to organize classroom parties and celebrations for the school year. J
PTO: Our PTO meet once a month. More information will be given when PTO meets for the month.
Q
QR Codes Classroom Website:
Quality Work: All children in my classroom are encouraged and expected to do their best to produce high-quality work. Please do your part by encouraging your children to try their very best every day, use good handwriting, put considerable effort and thought into their work, and to be proud of their accomplishments, both academic and personal.
R
Room Parents: The room parents’ job responsibilities include helping to coordinate parties and activities. Being a room parent is a great way to be involved in your child’s school life. If you’re interested in being a room parent, please let me know.
S
Star of the Week: Your child will have the opportunity to be our class’ star of the week. When your child is star of the week, please send in pictures to hang on our bulletin board. There will be a note home when your child is star of the week.
Supplies: Supplies are shared community style. A form will come home when our classroom supplies need to be replenished. Also, please be sure to write your child’s name on all jackets, book bags, lunch boxes.
T
Transportation: If you plan to pick up your child who normally rides the bus or if you wish for your child to ride a different bus than usual, you must send a written note. Do not rely on your child to tell me this information, because children can become confused and relay information incorrectly. If a written note is not received, your child will be sent home by his/her usual method of transportation. This is for the safety of all the children in our class.
U
Unique and Special: I feel that each one of my students is very special. I look forward to hearing about and witnessing each of your child’s successes throughout their entire school career!
V
Visitors: Savannah Lakes Elementary has a policy that all visitors (including familiar faces) are required to check in at the office and wear a name badge. We welcome and encourage family involvement, and the presence of a name badge will help identify visitors to all faculty and staff. It is important to remember that while this may seem inconvenient to frequent visitors, it is the goal and responsibility of the school to create a safe learning environment.
W
Wish List: Throughout the year we sometimes need supplies above and beyond our classroom materials. These needs will be posted in the class Peek of the Week or will be sent through Bloomz. Extra items that you think we might be able to use are always welcome!
Website: Please check my school website for more information and upcoming events. My website is: https://www.alvinisd.net/Domain/2310
Writing: Our writing program builds on what each child already knows. Your child will be encouraged and praised for all attempts and accomplishments in writing. Providing a risk-free environment is paramount to your child’s progress in writing. If possible, please provide your child with a work space at home and writing tools, such as pencils, crayons, markers, and paper.
X
X-Citing times are headed our way!
Y
You: Yes, you! You play the most important role in your child’s success. I look forward to working with you this school year!
Z
ZZZ’s: Make sure that your child gets plenty of rest every day. Setting and keeping an appropriate bedtime is a wonderful gift you can give to your child. It will help them to be alert and ready to learn each day!
I know this is going to be a fun and successful year for your child! Thanks for all your help and support!!!
Sincerely,
Mrs. Racelis
First Grade Teacher