Disclosure Statement
Welcome to First Grade
The following information will help you understand Mrs. Wright's classroom and expectations. Please read carefully so you will know what your child's day will look like. I hope that by reading this thoroughly, all of your questions will be addressed.
School Day
School begins at 8:45. Please help your child be on time. Your child will need to bring a backpack daily. Mrs. Wright will teach Math, Reading, Writing, Spelling, Science, Social Studies, and Social Skills. School specialists provide Physical Education, Computer, Music, and Library time.
Homework
Homework is provided for your child's benefit Monday through Thursday. Homework is designed to provide practice for your child in skills that we are learning in class. Please remember, homework is important, but it NEVER trumps family emergencies or special activities.
Reading Homework
This year we have the opportunity to use a leveled reading program called RAZ KIDS. It is computer-based, yeah, no more looking for books that are on an appropriate reading level! Thousands of books are available with the touch of a button. No more looking for lost books! I am excited to have this available for my parents and students. The software will determine if your child is ready for text that is more difficult. Students who read 300 books by April 15 will receive a reading trophy at the END of the year. Students who read 600, 900, (increments of 300) will receive larger trophies! Yes, it is possible! I had a student read 1,200 books before the year was finished. Wouldn't that be a great accomplishment for any first-grader? I will provide a reading log that should be kept AT HOME for you to record your child's progress. The front cover of this book has lots of information for you to read. I will send this home with your child. Please look for it!
Zeno High-Frequency Words
Your child will be expected to fluently read 107 Zeno High-Frequency Words by the end of the year. Mastery of these words is determined by students reading one word EVERY second! Automatic recognition of all words by the beginning of 4th term is our goal. These words will be practiced in a PowerPoint presentation that you can access through your child's Canvas account. Those words will be tested on our Reading test.
Supplies
Successful students learn to be responsible and careful with supplies. Each student needs a backpack (without wheels please), to carry a water bottle, school notes, and completed work in. It is a daily necessity. If your child comes to school without a backpack, he/she is not prepared for a successful, organized day! It would also be helpful for your child to have 2 or 3 extra pencils and a 5 X 7 plastic pencil box. (Pencil Pouches are very difficult for children to use at this age.) If you need assistance getting these supplies, please let me know. The school will supply one pencil per term, crayons, scissors, and glue sticks for students to use.
Optional:
If possible, please donate 1 large box of good quality tissues and 1 box of gallon-size freezer bags WITH A ZIPPER CLOSURE. Clorox wipes would also be appreciated!
Please do NOT send binders, markers, or toys to school. If an item is disrupting learning in my classroom, I will ask the student to place the item in his/her backpack. Watches, rings, necklaces, and hair bows can all be a distraction depending on the student. If these items are not worn appropriately, I will ask that they are placed inside a backpack. If a particular item continues to be a problem I will keep the item until a parent can come to the school and pick it up. Learning comes first!
Library
Our library day is on Monday. Students will be allowed to check out 1 book at a time. Take advantage of our Raz-Kids app to keep your child's reading skills progressing. Also, I read that the EPIC! app will be available to students during school hours if your child misses a day of school. So on remote learning days, you'll have two great resources.
Digital Learning
Students will have the opportunity to use an I-pad during school. We will be using several apps and Canvas on the I-pad. Students who are using I-pads in an inappropriate manner will have this privilege taken away. Each student will be assigned one set of headphones to use throughout the year. If a set of headphones is damaged due to inappropriate use, a $15.00 replacement fee will be charged to parents. Please talk with your child about the importance of respecting school property!
Birthdays
Birthday treats are fun! Please be sure they are store-bought and wrapped if possible. Treats will be handed out at the end of the day.
Recess and Rainy Days
Students need to be prepared for outdoor recess EVERY DAY. Sometimes morning weather is unacceptable but has changed by afternoon. Please send appropriate outerwear, students are expected to be outdoors when weather permits. I have plenty of indoor activities when students are not permitted outside. If your child is too sick to go outdoors, he/she is probably too sick to attend school! PLEASE LABEL ALL OUTSIDE CLOTHING!
Sickness
Sick children belong at home even if they want to come to school! In the best interest of our school community, please keep sick children at home. If your child has been throwing up, please wait until your child has gone a FULL 24 hours before allowing him/her to return to school. A strong, persistent cough or colored runny nose usually indicates a contagious condition. If everyone will be respectful of others and keep sick children at home, my class, your family and my family will experience fewer sick days!
Rules/Behavior
The most effective learning takes place when students are ready to listen and participate. Children are expected to behave in a way that will not distract themselves or others from learning. Class rules are discussed and reinforced daily. Good behavior will be rewarded with praise, stickers, recess, and trips to the treasure box. Unacceptable behavior is discouraged by the removal of the above-mentioned items. Students know exactly where they stand by the use of a card system. Each student has a pocket with a green, yellow, red, grey, and black card. If a student misbehaves, he/she will receive a verbal warning. If a second offense occurs, the child will be asked to "pull a card."
Rewards/consequences are as follows:
Green card-earn a sticker to apply toward a treasure box treat.
Yellow card-no sticker given to the student
Red card-removed from class activity. Length of time to be determined by the student’s attitude when asked to rejoin the class activity.
Grey card-lose 5 minutes of the following recess (can be the following day if the card is pulled after lunch recess.)
Black card- lose 10 minutes of recess and a behavior note sent home.
If the black card is pulled, the student will be sent to the office for administrative intervention.
Appropriate, polite, and respectful behavior is expected to be displayed to everyone in our school community.
Communication
The best way for you to communicate with me is through e-mail. My address is sarwright@dsdmail.net. I check my e-mail once each morning. If you e-mail me after 8:30 am, I will not receive it until the following day. I will respond ASAP.
Reliable Volunteers Needed
If you want to volunteer to work with students throughout the year, please e-mail me! Parent volunteers usually help students practice high-frequency words, develop reading fluency, and practice math skills.
Questions or Concerns:
I am looking forward to working with you and helping your child grow educationally, socially, and emotionally this year. First grade is a huge stepping-stone in learning to be responsible and respectful. My hope is by the end of the year, you will be astounded by the growth that your child has achieved! Please contact me with any concerns you have throughout the year. Problems are easily solved if addressed early.
This year is going to be a lot of fun. We will have many new experiences for these students to enjoy.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Wright