Policies and Procedures

Weekly Schedule

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday

8:00-8:40 Early Friends

8:40 Late Friends Arrival

9:30-9:45 Snack and Recess

11:00-11:45 Lunch

1:50 Early Friends Dismissal

1:50-2:30 Late Friends

Wednesday

8:00 All students arrive

11:00-11:30 Lunch and Recess

12:50 Dismissal

Weekly Folders

On Mondays, your child will be given his or her homework folder. This folder needs to be returned to school each Friday, so it can be refilled and go home to you again on Monday. This folder will include information from the classroom, from the office, weekly classwork, and weekly homework. Please empty this folder each week and return to class by the following Friday. Please check and empty your child’s backpack daily, as it might sometimes be necessary to send papers home on another day.

Homework

Homework will be assigned each Monday and will be due on Friday. The purpose of homework is to reinforce skills being taught in class. Weekly homework will include:

· - Reading 15 minutes daily

· - Combination of both Math and Phonics practice

Please spread out assignments so that your child completes some homework each night as opposed to completing it all in one sitting. In first grade we are learning study habits that will continue for years to come!

Recess/Lunch/Snacks

First graders have morning recess daily from 9:45-10:00. If you wish, you may send a small nutritious snack for your child to eat prior to recess. Please pack this snack separately from your child’s lunch and label it clearly. Students have lunch and another recess from 11:00-11:40. Your child can get the school lunch or bring one from home (Make sure to label your child’s lunch.). On Wednesdays children will have lunch and recess from 11:00-11:30.

Early/Late Friends

Early and Late Friends will be determined over the next few weeks as we prepare for split reading to start on Monday, August 25. We administer multiple assessments to determine each child’s reading level and place children in the appropriate learning environment for his or her reading needs. Split reading allows us to target key areas students need to work on to become more fluent readers, which is why placing children in the appropriate learning environment is essential. Since the decision to place children as Early or Late Friends is based on the academic needs of all students, I know you understand why requests cannot be honored. However, if you have pertinent information you think we need to know about your individual child, please e-mail me. Early Friends attend school from 8:00-1:50 and Late Friends from 8:40-2:30.

Arrival and Dismissal Procedures

Early Friends Dismissal: Students will be dismissed at 1:50 out of the playground gates. Yard duty will be present to assure all students are picked up. Any students not picked up on time will be taken to the office.

Late Friends Arrival: Students will wait outside the double gate next to the TK playground with parent supervision. The gate will be unlocked at 8:40 am. Students will walk to their classrooms, while parents stay outside the gated area. Students who arrive after the gate is locked, will need to go through the front office and obtain a tardy slip. Kids Country students will be dismissed from the facility and will go directly to their classroom.

Birthdays

We welcome helping your child celebrate his or her birthday! If your child has a summer birthday, you may pick a day to celebrate during the year (Celebrating on a half birthday is always fun!) as long as you tell us ahead of time. We will honor your child in our own special way. In first grade we discourage edible treats, due to several food allergies in our classroom. Alternate ideas include pencils, coupons to the Disney Depot, erasers. In addition, if you’d like, you may bring in a wrapped book as a present to add to our classroom library, which your child can open in front of the class and we will read it aloud. What a great way for all students to remember your child’s birthday and special book throughout the year!

Star Of The Week

This year, each student will have a chance to be a Star Student. We will let you know ahead of time when your child’s special week is coming up and the schedule is attached to this packet.

Monday: Special Book

Tuesday: Mystery Bag

Wednesday: Estimation Bag

Thursday: Family Picture

Friday: Something special to show to the class

Field Trips

First grade field trips are typically to a local business and to a regional park. When these are scheduled, we will let you know! We try to schedule free field trips, but since they are by lottery, this isn’t always possible.