First Grade Family Night: Literacy, Math & Policies Explained

1. Welcome to Family Night All you need to know about 1st grade.

2. Welcome to First Grade! We are so excited to be working closely with you this year! Together, we will create a wonderful learning experience for your child to grow socially and academically this year.

3. Language Arts/Writing Instruction • We use a research based program for our literacy instruction from Scott Foresman Reading. Each week we will have a new story and skills that are tied directly to the first grade core content. • Spelling homework will be sent home on Monday of each week. Students will have until Friday to turn it in but anytime during the week is fine. Each weeks spelling words will be on the front of the homework sheet, these words are compiled from the phonics skill we are practicing each week in the reading series that is directly aligned to the core content (they will also be practiced all week in class). • Spelling tests will also be given on Friday of each week. • *Our Science and Social Studies will be deeply integrated into our reading series. The series contains many non-fiction stories that we will expand upon in-depth during additional afternoon content instructional time.*

4. Mathematics Instruction • We will use a research-based math program called, “GO Math”. This math program is directly correlated with the core content and contains many levels of differentiation for varied learning. • Math homework will also be sent home on Mondays with the spelling sheet. Students will also have the week to complete it, but your child may turn it in at anytime during the week if they choose (it isn’t actually due until Friday). • Students will be tested using two assessments: Go Math Standards Test and MAP testing. The data will be used to determine specific math instruction for differentiated learning.

5. Assessments All tests will be given three times per year. (fall, winter, and spring.) Data will drive all instructional decisions.

6. Bus Passes and Dismissal Forms • Transportation changes must be in writing and be in the office before noon of that school day. No telephone changes will be accepted. Please send it in your child’s folder and we will check these each morning. *** Dismissal forms need to have all possible names.*** When writing a bus note, please include the following information: • Name of student • Address and name of other student if applicable • Duration of the pass • Bus # If your child will be riding the bus home with another child, both parents have to send a note.

7. Attendance Policy • Excused Absences • Excuses from the doctor shall specify the date of the student’s absence. Doctor’s notes that indicate that the student was not seen by a physician will not be accepted. A student shall be permitted a total of ten (10) excused absences per year upon presenting a parental note to the school principal or designee for the following reasons listed below: • 1.      Death or severe illness in the pupil’s immediate family. The number of days excused for a death will be determined by the circumstances involved and will be kept to the minimum necessary as determined by the principal/designee. • 2.      Illness of the pupil. Medical and dental appointments will be excused only for the time required to complete the appointment, unless specified by the doctor. • 3.      Religious holidays and practices. • 4.      Court appearance when the student’s presence is required by subpoena or citation. • 5.      Driver’s permit/license test, which will be excused for a portion of the day. • 6. One (1) day for attendance at the Kentucky State Fair.  Please send a note within three days of the absence

8. Arrival and Dismissal Procedures • The first bell rings at 7:25 and the children are dismissed to their classrooms. The second bell rings at 7:35 and if they are not in class they will be considered ‘tardy.’ • Students can only eat their breakfast in the cafeteria, therefore, please make sure that they arrive early enough if they are car riders. • Please send a note in your child’s folder whenever they return from an absence explaining why they missed. No note is considered an unexcused absence regardless of the reason the student missed school.

9. Behavior Calendars • These are a vital communication tool that supports the home/school connection. Please read and initial them EVERY night in case of any important information. • Please send transportation and absentee notes on a separate sheet of paper. • Behavior issues will be addressed on the day they occur, and either a short note or behavior code(s) from the bottom of the calendar will be marked. • Separate discipline notes can or will be sent home if the behavior is excessive.

10. Behavior Policy • We have been working hard to model and teach positive behaviors. • We will often be using re-teaching strategies to encourage appropriate behaviors both inside and outside of the classroom. • Parent support is vital to student’s showing their best school behaviors!

11. Parent Volunteers • Field trips- We will need parent volunteers to accompany us on trips. Remember all volunteers must fill out the application and be approved prior to taking a trip. • Please return your completed Volunteer Forms to your child’s teacher. Your volunteer application must be updated every three years. • Volunteers may work within our 1st grade team. Each teacher will contact you individually about a schedule that will accommodate student needs.

12. Dress Code • Girls must not wear tops that have spaghetti straps. Flip flops or sandals may be worn, however, students must bring tennis shoes to change into for recess. Make sure your child can QUICKLY and INDEPENDENTLY change their shoes. • Students must wear appropriate shoes to P.E. Shoes must have backs, no open-toed sandals, heels, flip-flops, and no CROCKS. It would be helpful not to wear skirts and dresses on P.E. days unless girls wear shorts underneath their dress.

13. Breakfast/Lunch Schedule • Our menu operates on a four-week cycle, and we also prepare meals for holidays and other special events. Menus will be sent home in your child’s folder. Also, Breakfast and Lunch menus are published in the Georgetown News Graphic each week. • Parents may now make payment to their student’s meal account online or by phone. You will need to set up a profile before making these payments. The web page is www.mealpayplus.com and the phone number is (800) 741-7100 (there is a charge for this service). • However, you may also just send ‘cash or check’ in your child’s folder and we will send it to the cafeteria that day.

15. Accelerated Reader • Accelerated Reader will be used as a supplemental instructional tool to improve ‘fluency and comprehension.’ We will use this program to motivate and promote our children to become strategic readers. • Your child will be awarded each nine weeks for their efforts in taking AR tests this year, he/she must be on at least a G/H reading level and be responsible enough and have good self-control in order to be able to use the program independently.

16. Renaissance Home Connect An easy way for parents and students to view individual AR progress from home Website: http://renlearn.scott.kyschools.us/RenaissanceServer/HomeConnect/Login.aspx Enter your child’s User Name and Password Click “Email Setup” to receive emails when your child takes a quiz Easy way to find out if a book is AR - www.arbookfind.com

17. Practicing at Home • Please review your child's classwork/assessments and practice these skills at home. • Please spend at least 10-20 minutes per night reading and be sure to fill out their reading log. • Try to practice writing as much as possible, this will really help them in all academic areas(complete sentences, letter formation, etc.).

18. Parties and Birthdays • Birthdays are very special days for our little ones! If your child has a birthday we will acknowledge it in the classroom with a certificate. If you wanted to send anything in for the classroom, please send in erasers, pencils, stickers, or healthy snacks. • If you would like to send ‘Birthday Invitations’ home for a party, then you must send one for each child in the classroom. Also, we are unable to give names, phone numbers, or addresses of students. • We will have a few celebrations this year such as Thanksgiving, Christmas/Winter, and Valentines. We can have sweet treats on these occasions .

19. Grandparent’s Day! Grandparent’s Day for 1st grade will be on Friday, September 12. Look for information coming home soon in your child’s red folder.

20. Communication • Our first grade team will send home a newsletter at the beginning of each month with important information. • We are currently working on completing our ‘First Grade Website.’ Please stay tuned! • Our planning times are from 10:15-11:00 each day if you need to contact us. The quickest way to reach us is by letter in the red folder or by email. However, keep in mind that we are first grade teachers and often can not check our email until after school hours. You may also reach us by calling the office at 863-1393 and leaving a message and we will get back with you as soon as possible.

21. First Grade Teachers Thank you for joining us tonight! Mrs. Amy McGuire amy.mcguire@scott.kyschools.us Mrs. Heather Sapp heather.sapp@scott.kyschools.us Ms. Terri Sutton terri.sutton@scott.kyschools.us Mrs. Debi Varney debi.varney@scott.kyschools.us Check out the first grade website link on the Western Elementary Website Western Elementary- (502 ) 863-1393