| First Day Letter |
August 15, 2010
Dear Parents,
Welcome to first grade! This year promises to be successful, exciting, and productive for your child. Please read the following information. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 332-2134. You may also email me at ames_83@yahoo.com.
Rules / Expectations
- Keep hands and feet to self.
- Be a good listener to all adults and classmates.
- Do your best work, and complete it on time.
- Be respectful, be responsible, and be a good decision maker!
Management Plan
Nobody is perfect, and rules are sometimes broken. However, if a rule is continually broken, your child will be asked to “flip a card”.
All students start out on a white card each day.
The 1st time your child flips a card, he / she will be on green. Green is a warning; it serves as a reminder for your child to get back on track.
The 2nd time your child flips a card, he / she will be on yellow. This means your child owes 3 minutes or recess. After this time, your child will meet with me to discuss the issue and possible solutions. This allows your child to think about his / her actions, take responsibility, and learn how to make better choices.
The 3rd time your child flips a card, he / she will be on red. Red means your child owes an entire recess. During this time, he / she will write what happened and how the situation will be corrected. This letter goes home for you to read and needs to be signed and returned to me the following school day.
Students work together to earn a class reward. Each time I catch the entire class doing something good, I will place a bee on the wall. When the class earns a pre-determined number of bees, they earn an extra recess.
Spelling Tests Starting in mid - September, first graders will be bringing home spelling words to study nightly. These words correlate with their weekly reading stories. On Monday, the lists will be handed out. Please practice these words with your child. Sign the slip and return the list with your child to school on Friday (or the last day of school for that week). This shows me your child has completed his/her studying homework. On Friday, students will be given a test over their spelling words. If you need another spelling list, please go online to the first grade page and click under "Spelling Lists." I can also send home another slip with your child if needed. Student of the Week We will celebrate individual students by inviting them to be our special “Student of the Week.” When your child’s name is picked, I will send home a notice and short information sheet. Please fill out this sheet and gather approximately 10 photos your child would like to put on a bulletin board. He / She will have time on Monday of that week to share pictures and information with the rest of the class. Sharing Your child will get a chance to share something small from home during his/ her sharing time. There is no set day for your child’s sharing; instead, your child will come home with a paper bracelet exclaiming, “Tomorrow is my sharing day!” Please help your child pick out one item that would be acceptable to share the following school day. It is recommended your child not bring anything valuable or fragile. Birthdays If you and your child choose to celebrate his/ her birthday at school by bringing treats, please send a letter with your child in advance. Treats will be handed out at lunch or after last recess. If your child has a summer birthday, you can choose to celebrate his / her half-birthday. This is not a requirement. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact me at 332 – 2134 or email me at ames_83@yahoo.com. Here’s looking forward to a wonderful school year!!! Mrs. Gotto
