Holland Public Schools

1. Welcome to First Grade! East K-7 Mrs. Renae Hoebbel 2014-2015 Holland Public Schools

2. About Me I grew up in a suburb outside of Houston called Katy, Tx. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Houston, with a specialization in Early Childhood Education, and Master’s Degree in Reading from Grand Valley. After I moved to Michigan, I met my husband Ken. We have three beautiful girls- Kaylie (13), Ashley (10) and Rilee(7) who attend Holland Public Schools. I am constantly attending conferences and taking classes so I can improve my teaching everyday!!

3. Sample Daily Schedule Daily Schedule Sample8:02-8:30    Morning Work / Pledge/ Homework check8:30-8:50    Morning Message/ Read Aloud/ Quick Math     8:50-9:30    Reading Workshop9:30-10:00  Word Work10:00-10:45 Writing Workshop  10:45-11:15  RTI11:20-12:00  Lunch / Recess12:00-12:10  Calendar  / Story12: 10-1:10  Math1:10-1:25     Afternoon Recess1:36-2:16    Specials (This varies on Friday)2:16-2:50     Science / Social Studies / Math RTI

4. What am I teaching? Reading Writing Math Science Social Studies I use a workshop approach in my classroom which allows me to teach children at their own level of learning.

5. Class Rules E.A.S.T. (Earn Respect, Act Responsibly, Stay Safe, Try Your Best) School-Wide Behavior Support Appropriate student behavior is defined as when a student exhibits behavior that is consistent with the expectations of Holland East School.  When these behaviors are consistently being observed it becomes our collective responsibility to respond to and acknowledge these students.  Our plan is to acknowledge students on a daily basis, a weekly basis, and on a monthly basis as outlined next. Good behavior will be acknowledge by: ~  Daily Acknowledgement            * “Caught Being Good” FISH Award / FISH Stamp * The entire class can earn a fish stamp for exceptional behavior. After 15 stamps, the class will earn a party. If you would be willing to donate food / supplies for these parties please let me know. Thank you in advance. ~ Weekly Acknowledgement – “Fish Award Friday”  (Individual Students) Every Thursday, at the end of the day, the classroom teacher will select one student who has earned a FISH award.  The principal will acknowledge these students on Friday afternoons. In our classroom we use a fish bowl to keep track of our behavior. Everyone starts in the fishbowl at the beginning of the day. If a students makes a bad choice, they move their fish to the first white part of the fish bowl- this is just a warning. If the behavior continues, their fish will be moved to the second level and they will receive a five minute time out. On the third offense, the student’s fish will be moved again and a ten minute time out will be given. If a fourth offense occurs, the child will receive a fish out of water and the child’s parent will be notified by a phone call or note home. If a child receives three fish out of water, he/ she will be sent to the office. **Violence or inappropriate language will not be tolerated. Severe infractions will be immediately directed to the office.

6. Grades Report cards will be sent home four times a year- in November, January, March and June. Daily grades will not be given. We use formal and informal assessments throughout the semester to determine report card grades.

7. Homework Policy I will begin sending homework every week. The homework will include: • A math sheet- there will be one per day • Spelling practice- these are from our Holland Public School sight word list, as well as 5 from our word family study (tests will be given on Friday) • Read at Home- I expect your child to read for 15 minutes every night (you will be required to sign your child’s homework sheet every night) • If your child does not return the homework daily, he / she will stay in from afternoon recess to complete the missing homework • Please make it a priority to help your child EVERY night • I understand that life is busy  If your child is unable to complete the homework please jot me a note. Thanks!

8. Technology Holland Public Schools is working very hard to become technology driven in order to prepare our students for the future. I ask for your patience with this as I try to work through how to safely and effectively use technology in our classroom. We are currently scheduled to use iPads and / or Macbooksonce a week as a whole class and then throughout the week as a support to our daily instruction.

9. Transportation Please remember that if your child is to go home a different way than usual, you must send in a note, call or email me. (Children often say their parents told them not to get on the bus today, when in reality that may not be accurate). Remember, that you can only pick up your child directly at the curb. You may not park by the curb and get out. Your child is never allowed to cross the drive to you. You must get out of the car to get them. Please remember this is for safety reasons.

10. Snacks We are having huge issues with snack. We need your help in this area. Every child should have at least 1 healthy snack everyday. I will not allow chips, candy, cookies or cake anymore. Healthy snacks are much better for our children and learning.

11. Volunteers We LOVE to have volunteers in our classroom!! There are many ways you can help. If you would like to volunteer in the classroom, we would prefer consistency. If you are able to volunteer consistently, please let us know and we can set up a regular schedule for you. Some ways in which you help could include: Reading with individual students Working with a small group during reading or math Helping students during writing time If you are unable to help in the classroom, we can still use your help in other ways such as stapling book orders, cutting out laminating, etc. Please remember that if you plan to volunteer in the classroom or go on field trips, you MUST fill out a volunteer background check and it MUST be approved before you work with students. Also, please remember to check in at the office prior to coming down to the classroom.

12. How You Can Help Your Child… • Read with your child every night • Check your child’s backpack for notes • Help your child with homework • Provide your child with a healthy snack everyday • Stay involved in your child’s education • Encourage your child to do his best everyday!!

13. What does it take to have a successful school year?

14. Working in PartnershipResearch consistently demonstrates that where parents are involved with their children’s education and learning both at home and in partnership with the school, their children do better and achieve more. These benefits can be long-lasting and extend to better health and relationships, and improved employment prospects.We strive to promote an effective partnership between home and school based on mutual understanding and trust. To this end we seek to be a very open classroom, sharing as much information as possible with you through a variety of means. Courtesty of MarlboroughSchool.net

15. Ongoing Classroom Needs • Number 2 pencils • Library books • Construction paper • Colored sharpies • Markers • Games for indoor recess- such as Candyland, Chutes and Ladders, etc. • Lysol wipes to sanitize desks

16. "No one has yet fully realized the wealth of sympathy, kindness and generosity hidden in the soul of a child. The effort of every true education should be to unlock that treasure.” • - Emma Goldman